Beckley Area Foundation began the Students First program in 1996, to provide funding support for creative and innovative instructional projects. This grant opportunity is for Raleigh County classroom teachers, Pre-K through 12th grade.

A committee comprised of current and retired educators, community volunteers and BAF board members review applications utilizing a 'blind methodology' in October. This methodology does not present the applicant's name or school during the review process.

Grant Application Details

• The maximum amount per request is $750.
• The project must directly involve and benefit students.
• Educators may submit 2 separate applications. Each application must be a stand alone project and cannot supplement the other.
  • Example of projects that supplement the other: One application requests $750 for plants, seed and fertilizer. The second application requests $750 for garden equipment and vegetable cages.
• DO NOT INCLUDE ANY identifying information in any part of the application. 
  • This includes school, teacher, mascots, Title I status, school annuals or newspapers, etc.
  • Please make sure the school's name does not appear on any uploaded documents.
    • In fairness to all applications, the inclusion of such information will result in the request being denied.
• Projects Typically Not Funded:
  • Items in a classroom that are not part of an instructional project. (Example: Flexible seating and classroom furniture)
  • Subscription based programs that need funding each year.
  • Party food and consumable items.
  • Band/Sports uniforms and t-shirts.
  • Speaker fees.
• The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, September 15th.
• A final report is due following completion of your project and is due no later than May 31, 2025. 
  • Failure to fulfill this requirement will result in exclusion from the next application cycle.

The Foundation may include any photographs you provide, your logo & trademark, or other information/materials about your organization and this grant project in the Foundation’s public reports, newsletters and news releases. 

How to apply:
1)    ​Go to our Grant Portal.
2) If you are a new user, you will need to create an account. Previous grantees will use their previous log on information.
3) At the top of your screen, click on Apply. Select the Students First Program 2024-2025 application to begin.

​If you have any questions about the grant process, or would like to discuss your project ideas with a member of BAF staff, please email [email protected].

2023 Grantwriting Workshop PowerPoint

Example of a fully funded application

---

2023 - 2024 Students First Award Recipients:

Beckley Elementary
Brandon Yost - Catch Thoughts
Beckley Stratton Middle School
Allison Shriver - A Journey Through the Shadows
Sabrina Sears - Exploring the Civil Rights Era through Music
Bradley Elementary School
Beth Nixon - Camp Success
Crystal Brooks - Working the Brain
Kimberly Otte - Kindergarten Cardiology
Coal City Elementary School
Cindy Raines - Stacking up Learning!
Geoffrey Kincaid - Frog Dissection
Margret Perdue - Sensory in STEAM
Fairdale Elementary School
Bethany Daniels - Cubelets & Kindness Rocks!
Elizabeth Jenkins - Early Childhood Coding & Preschool Family Literacy
Jessica Dunbar - Sully and Sally the Seahorse & Force and Motion
Judy Daniel - Early Childhood Art & Learning With Science in PreK
Lisa Brown - Butterflies in Disguise
Staci Stover - The Musculoskeletal System under the "Neon Lights"
Tara Grubb - Career Exploration Through Scientist Discovery Day & STEAM Learning with an HYDROPONIC INDOOR GARDEN!
Ghent Elementary
April Smith - Flexibility in STEM Education
Contessa Worley - Braille Beginnings & Learning through our senses
Danielle Callaway - Unearthing Fossils in 3rd Grade
Lisa Hatcher - Coding with Cody Block & Dinosaur Fossils make Learning Colossal

Independence Middle School
Carolyn Buzbee - Clay Creations in the Classroom
Mabscott Elementary
Amy Thomas - Dragonfly Yoga
Christy Delp - Reading and Math Tools for First!
Marsh Fork Elementary School
Rose Ann Harvey - Coding and Robotics In The STEM Classroom
Park Middle School
Holly Kincaid - Making an IMPRESSION & Memory Moments
Ridgeview Elementary School
April Stevens - Microscope Mysteries
Carrie Earehart - Rocketeers Ready for Launch!
Jessica Rush - Channel 5 TWN Newscast & Owls, Rats, and Voles! Oh My!
Shady Spring Elementary
Alicea Thompson - Enlightened Learning
Carla Campbell - 911-Students Take Over the Library
Crista Childers - Developmental Learning Stations in Visual Arts
Julia Reynolds - A Night Under the Stars
Lindsay Bolen - Terrific Transformations & The Life Cycle of a Learner
Shady Spring Middle School
Lisa Walker - Rocket Boys
Sophia Christian Academy
Beth Jones - History thru Plays
Teresa Bowman - Full STEAM Ahead
Stratton Elementary
Katelyn Workman - Bringing "The Wild Robot" to Life
Amanda Inman - If You Build It, They Will Come
Wendy Basham - News Media Team
Woodrow Wilson High School
Kelli Farr - Students Against Destructive Decisions
Mary Crawford - Baking the Difference
Mary Jo Snow - Food Preservation is my Jam!
MeriBeth Underwood - A Taste of the Pages
Tanya Hayworth - Brooke's Books Accounting Simulations & Run Your Own Business Simulation

---