Clone of 2025 Courageous Steps Region-Wide Back-To-School Supply & Wishlist Initiative Grant Application

  • 2026 Courageous Steps Region-Wide Back-To-School Supply & Wishlist Initiative Grant Application

    Serving the counties of Aroostook, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Hancock, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington counties.

  • We are proud to celebrate the 13th anniversary of our Back-To-School and Wishlist Campaign! This year, we're expanding our reach to serve more rural counties across Maine, ensuring students have the tools they need to succeed.

     

    Program Expansion
    We’re excited to provide school supplies to students ages 3–18 in the following counties:

    • Aroostook
    • Hancock
    • Piscataquis
    • Penobscot
    • Somerset
    • Waldo
    • Washington


    Application Details
    Application Deadline: Friday, July 31st, 2026
    Notice of Awards: No later than Friday, August 21st, 2026

     

    Eligibility Requirements
    To apply, schools must:

    • High percentage of students served from low- to moderate-income households (e.g., free/reduced lunch eligibility & economically disadvantaged students).
    • Be a school (Pre-K to 12) in one of the listed counties. 
    • Use supplies to directly support students in classrooms or other educational settings.
    • Submit a fully completed application.


    Funding Opportunities

    • School Supply / Classroom Mini Grants - 33 schools will receive each $150 grant to purchase classroom supplies. (These funds can be split among multiple teachers at the same school—e.g., 6 teachers receiving $25 each.)
    • Wishlist Initiative Grant - Up to 5 schools will receive a $1,000 grant for their designated project proposal.
      (These applications should show thoughtful, high-impact proposals and meet additional requirements.)

     

    Priority will be given to proposals supporting:

    • Student success and achievement
    • Inclusion, belonging, and resilience
    • Social, emotional, and cognitive development
    • Safety and well-being
    • Innovative and resourceful projects with immediate impact

     

    Examples of Past Projects:

    • Rain Gear for Students in Pre-K through 8 to fully participate in outdoor learning experiences

    • Self-guiding classroom reading libraries

    • Sensory materials for school counseling services to support social & emotional learning, academic advising for post-secondary success

    • Adding cross-curricular project tubs such as sensory-rich tuff tray stations, multi-sensory literacy and math manipulatives, and STEM engineering kits that create universally designed, hands-on learning experiences in reading, writing, math, and integrated STEAM across K–2 classrooms

    • Addition of Decodable Books to support Title I reading programming, which can significantly improve literacy outcomes because they are designed to give beginning readers successful, controlled practice with the phonics patterns they are learning

    • Historical games for high school students replacing old text books for a more engaging and inclusive learning environment

    • Desktop laminating machine to create an interactive learning center for K-5 learners

    • Food, Hygiene, and Clothing products for students through a drawer system where they can come and get snacks, hats, gloves, etc.

    • Camera equipment for high school students to participate in inclusive storytelling

    • Addition of archery equipment for middle and high school students promoting the importance of physical education

    • Purchase of a xylophone to help students develop music reading skills, explore melody, and engage in creative composition

     

    Who Can Apply?
    School Administrators, Classroom Teachers, Guidance Counselors / Specialists, etc.

    Receiving Your Donation
    Approved schools will receive checks by mail using the contact information provided in their application. 

    Reporting Requirements
    All recipients must submit at least one photo of the supplies being used in a classroom and a short 2 to 3 sentence description (for images with students, a photo release may be required). For larger awards, a brief follow-up form may be required to share the project’s impact. 


    Questions?
    Email Michelle Day at: mday@thecourageousstepsproject.org

  • Basic Information

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • What county is your school in?
  • What grade level(s) would this grant support?

  • Grant Descriptions:

    School Supply Grant: $150 of funding to be used in the following ways:

    • General school supplies used often in regular education classroom setting; and
    • Core-subject supplies that would benefit the greater good of economically disadvantaged students.

    Wishlist Initiative: $1,000 of funding for one of the following: 

    • Sensory Learning Initiatives such as adding equipment, to help improve learning outcomes in regular education classroom settings; or
    • Success Incentive Programs recognizing students for academic excellence and achievement in school; or 
    • Inclusive experiential learning programs/initiatives that promote universally designed learning experiences in our schools in all subject areas especially around reading, writing, and math while complimenting other subject areas
  • Which grant are you applying for?

  • Disclaimer
    By signing this form, I agree that the information selected/written above is answered to the best of my knowledge, for the Courageous Steps Project's Back-To-School / Wishlist initiative. Any information that is invalid or not true on any application submitted, will not be considered for a donation from the Courageous Steps Project Back-To-School / Wishlist initiative. Any information that changes, or additional requests, can be emailed to us at: info@thecourageousstepsproject.org. I also agree that Courageous Steps board directors/officers, committee members, members, or any other associated person(s) are not held liable for any given circumstances associated with this initiative or the organization as a whole.

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