Fort Atkinson Community Foundation Launches Rebranded Educator Wish Grants

Fort Atkinson, WI – August 21, 2025 – The Fort Atkinson Community Foundation is set to launch a rebranded grant program aimed at supporting local educators.

Formerly known as the “Classroom Teacher Wish Grants,” the newly named “Educator Wish Grants” seek to provide local educators with small grants to support the learning needs and environments of the students they serve. The intent is to provide financial assistance, beyond what tax dollars and school budgets can support.

“Six years ago, our foundation’s board of directors voted to structure this new fund and grant cycle to support the needs of our local teachers and students,” states Lisa Caras, Fort Atkinson Community Foundation Board Chairman. “We have seen great success since, and we are honored to be in a position to continue to offer this unique funding opportunity in support of Fort Atkinson schools.”

Applicants must 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).

Educators can be classroom teachers, librarians, interventionists, counselors, or other school staff members who work directly with students on their learning and growth within the school environment.

“As the needs of our schools and students continue to evolve, we recognize that our funding structures should evolve as well,” Caras added. “Students are supported by various positions and levels of educators throughout their schooling, so rather than limiting our funding support to classroom teachers, we thought it was important to expand the opportunity to all those who work directly with supporting students’ learning environments and experiences.”

Grant applications are limited to requests for specific equipment, materials, supplies, activities, or programs to assist educators in their ability to serve students’ needs. The maximum individual grant award amount is $500, and all grant awards, including how much total grant funding is provided, are determined at the discretion of the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Since launching in 2019, a total of 66 grant awards have been issued in support to local schools and educators, totaling $25,452. Those funds have supported projects ranging from book bins & carts to flexible seating, video equipment, writing tablets, social & emotional learning tools, and much more. In 2020, the grant program was temporarily suspended with all funds ($4,000) used to provide PPE equipment to the School District of Fort Atkinson to accommodate safety measures related to COVID-19.

“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 Megan Hartwick, Fort Atkinson Community Foundation Executive Director. “We are so thankful for all those who have invested in this fund, allowing our board the ability to continue offering 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.

The application process for the Educator Wish Grants is open now through September 30^th. Interested applicants can contact Hartwick at facf@fortfoudnation.org. All grant awards will be announced in October, following the FACF Board’s review. 

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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 $42 million in assets across 89 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.”