Fort Atkinson Community Foundation Awards $15,131.55 in Educator Wish Grants

Fort Atkinson, WI – The Fort Atkinson Community Foundation has announced its Board of Directors awarded a total of $15,131.55 in Educator Wish Grants for the 2026-2027 school year to 24 local educators across 8 local schools.

This unique funding opportunity seeks to provide local educators with small grants to support the learning needs, environments, and experiences of the students they serve. The intent is to provide financial assistance, beyond what tax dollars and school budgets can support.

“Since launching this funding opportunity in 2019, our foundation has proudly provided $30,222 to 80 local educators in support of their classrooms and educational experiences for the students they serve, with an average of $,5037 in support each school year,” states Jim Schulenburg, Fort Atkinson Community Foundation Board Chairman. “We are so pleased to have increased that to just over $15,000 for this current school year, after receiving so many worthwhile applications.”

Earlier this year, the foundation board voted to approve increasing the maximum educator grant request from $500 to $750, in the hopes of increasing support and the number of applications received.

“We are fortunate that the financial strength of our foundation has allowed our board to continue to grow support for this grant opportunity, and it was our hope that increasing the maximum grant request would allow for our dollars to benefit more students across our community.”

Grant awards for the 2026-2027 school year range from $150 to $750, and will support field trip costs, new instruments, sensory items, flexible classroom seating, garden club equipment, rain suits, yard games, listening stations, AED trainers, a 3D printer, and more.

“It was an incredibly rewarding experience to review the applications we received from educators across our community,” notes Megan Hartwick, Fort Atkinson Community Foundation Executive Director. “Their innovative approaches to bring impactful experiences, helpful resources, and unique hands-on learning opportunities to their students is truly inspiring.” 

Applicants were required to be educators at the public schools in the School District of Fort Atkinson, or certified teachers at private schools within the school district that are accredited by the Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation (WRISA) organizations or the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA).

Classroom teachers, librarians, interventionists, counselors, or other school staff members who work directly with students on their learning and growth within the school environment were eligible, and encouraged, to apply. Grant applications are limited to requests for specific equipment, materials, supplies, activities, or programs to assist educators in their ability to serve students’ needs and aid in their learning.

“The Educator Wish Grants allow our foundation to play a small role in supporting the critical work of those delivering services for the educational, social and emotional growth and development of kids in our community,” adds Hartwick. “We are so thankful for all those who have invested in this fund, allowing our board the ability to increase support for these impactful grants.”

The Educator Wish Grant Fund is an endowed, designated fund held at the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation and is fully supported by donations. Contributions to the fund can be made via the foundation’s website at www.fortfoundation.org and clicking on the “Donate” button. Check donations can also be mailed to the foundation at 244 N. Main Street, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538, noting “Educator Wish Grant” in the memo.

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About Fort Atkinson Community Foundation The Fort Atkinson Community Foundation was established in 1973 with a gift of $25,000 from Mary Hoard, who wanted to benefit “a future Fort Atkinson.” Inspired by the thoughtful gift, community-minded citizens set up the foundation to be able to accept donations to enhance the quality of life in Fort Atkinson. Run by a volunteer, five-member Board of Directors and full-time Executive Director, the foundation now manages over $44 million in assets across 95 funds and distributes hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in scholarships and local grant funding. All funding supports the organization’s mission of “A Better Fort Atkinson.”