We are happy that you’re considering the Great Idea Grants program as a resource for turning your idea into a valued learning experience for your students.

We have designed this section of our website to help you better understand the goals of the Great Idea Grants program and answer the most often asked questions. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact The Consortium for Public Education office at 412-678-9215 or Grants Coordinator Patricia E. Hoke via email (phoke@tcfpe.org). We will be happy to assist you.

Our program has helped hundreds of teachers initiate projects that have had positive impacts on thousands of students. We hope that you will share your ideas with us and that we can help you turn them into reality.

The Consortium for Public Education, through its Great Idea Grants Program, rewards innovative and exciting learning projects that support the efforts of school improvement and student achievement. These ideas have come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from as little as $40 for an enriching classroom project to a maximum of $5,000 for a district-wide activity. 

Over the 21 years of the Great Idea Grants Program, more than one million dollars has been awarded for 1,198 educational programs. As of the 2007-08 school year, the grant total stands at $1,287,108.98.

Great Idea Grants encourage collaboration among teachers. They link learning across the disciplines, pilot new curriculum ideas, test new strategies, and help schools work toward meeting Pennsylvania’s academic standards. But most importantly, successfully implemented grants make learning exciting and meaningful for students in western Pennsylvania.

Teachers at all levels and in every subject area have responded enthusiastically to the opportunities provided by Great Idea Grants. We hope that even more educators will take advantage of the opportunities offered through this program. Great Idea Grants are supported financially by The Grable Foundation as well as by businesses, organizations and individuals who underwrite or endow grants. The Consortium for Public Education is very grateful to these groups for their support.

Click here for new application

Click here for general information and eligibiltiy requirements

Click here for help on completing the Great Idea Grant application

Click here for implementation information

Making Learning Come Alive