Leander Educational Excellence Foundation

For Educators

FOR EDUCATORS

We empower educators

Apply for a LEEF Grant

LEEF grants are for all Leander ISD staff and are awarded for instructional materials, teaching aids, campus projects, literacy programs, professional development and other resources that improve public education for all Leander ISD students. All requests must align with LEEF’s mission and be approved by the District.

Funding Fun
Funding Fun

We empower educators

Apply for a LEEF grant

LEEF grants are for all LISD staff and are awarded for instructional materials, teaching aids, campus projects, literacy programs, professional development, district initiatives and other items that can be used to expand the learning opportunities of the existing school curriculum and align with LEEF’s mission.

Applications may be submitted by any LISD  employee including teachers or a team of teachers, department heads, campus principal or assistant principal, or by administration. LEEF-funded programs should enhance, but not duplicate, the approved curriculum and always impact the students.

We look for innovative, creative ideas that fall outside the ordinary school budget, yet promise to augment the curricula in a meaningful way.

LEEF GRANT SCHEDULE

LEEF offers three grant opportunities: Professional Development grant for individuals seeking opportunities for growth (up to $1,000), Collaborative grant ($5,000) that is awarded at our Convocation in August and a Innovative Grant typically awarded in the Fall ($500).  

Cycle

Collaborative Grants

Fall Innovative Grants

Professional Development Grants

Application Opens

March 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

August – May

Annoucement Date

Convocation August 2025

Fall 2025

September – April

WHEN ARE LEEF GRANTS AVAILABLE?

LEEF has 3 grant cycles: an ongoing, year-round Professional Development grant, a Collaborative grant ($5,000) that is awarded at our Convocation in August and a fall Innovative grant ($500).  See below for the dates for grant cycles:

How to Write a LEEF Grant

Collaborative Grants

Grant Amount: Up to $5,000

Applications Open: February 1

Applications Close: May 1

Announcement Date: Convocation

Collaborative Grants: Col-lab-o-ra-tive – produced or conducted by two or more parties working together.

The Leander Educational Excellence Foundation’s (LEEF) Collaborative grants are designed to provide resources for programs and projects that make a district- or campus-wide impact. All applications must “collaborate” with two or more educators across a grade level, department, entire campuses, an academic department or feeder pattern with the goal to improve the educational experience or opportunities for Leander ISD students and/or staff. Grants will not be awarded for a program or conference that you’ve already attended.

Collaborative Grant application is a once-a-year opportunity to request up to $5,000 for educational resources and innovative programs that benefit an entire campus, academic department, or grade level.  

Click here to see our FAQs for grants. 

Fall Innovative Grants

Grant Amount: Up to $500

Applications Open: July 1

Applications Close: August 1

Announcement Date: Fall

Innovative Teaching Grant: The Leander  Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF) Innovative Teaching Grant to provides any Leander ISD educator with the development, resources and tools needed to impact student success through their individual teaching. The goal of this grant program is to directly support the needs of individual teachers. 

If you have a project based learning idea, need a new tool that would enhance your teaching skills and supplement your classroom learning, are in need of classroom supplies or new books for your library…we invite you to apply for the Innovative Teaching Grant. This grant is focused on the individual educator and improving his/her instructional skills.

Click here to see our FAQs for grants. 

Professional Development Grants

Grant Amount: Up to $1,000

Applications Open: August 20

Applications Close: May 1

Announcement Date: Ongoing

Professional Development Grants: This grant is designed for individual educators interested in professional development training or workshops throughout the year. LEEF prioritizes funds for in Texas events. You must have your request and budget pre-approved by your supervisor before submitting application.

Click here to see our FAQs for grants. 

Grant Do’s and Dont's Updated

Book Portable

The Leander Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF) maintains a book portable of gently used books that are donated all year round. We have books PreK through 12th grade and a limited number of Spanish. The books can be requested by any Leander ISD staff member, booster, PTA/PTO and student groups.

The LEEF team will make every effort to fulfill your book needs based on our current book supply.

The books are gently used, therefore LEEF is unable to provide specific titles.

Please submit your request by clicking the button below to complete the form at least 30 business days before the books are needed. If you require your books sooner you’ll have email LEEF at info@leeftx.org.

Do you have books you’d like to donate to LEEF? Email us at info@leeftx.org and we’ll make arrangements to collect your books. Alternatively you can drop them off at Leander ISD Admin Offices at 204 W. South Street in Leander.

If you would like to support our book portable and help us restock check out our Amazon Wish List. Currently we need Pre-K and Kindergarten books and all grades in Spanish.