Student Grant Opportunity

 The Lee's Summit Educational Foundation has awarded nearly $30,000 in grants to

LSR7 middle and high school students since the 2022-23 school year.

Students: Apply for an opportunity to win up to $1,000 to use at your school!

*Applications for the 2025-26 school year will open on October 1, 2025.

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For the fourth year in a row, LSEF will be awarding up to $10,000 in grants through an opportunity for LSR7 students!

The Student-Led Grant Program will give LSR7 middle and high school students the opportunity to request between $250 - $1,000 to implement a project that enhances learning at their school. Projects must support the Foundation’s mission to promote excellence in education in Lee’s Summit R-7 Schools. Students must select a staff member “Ambassador” to serve as a liaison between the Foundation Office, building administration, and the student group.

All submitted applications must be vetted and approved by the selected staff Ambassador and by Building Administration (Principal or Assistant Principal), then will be reviewed by an LSEF committee and the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Projects will be selected from LSR7 middle and high schools and awarded funding in January 2026 to be used during the 2025-26 School Year.

Examples of Grant Projects

  • Equipment or materials that support curriculum

  • Resources that promote collaboration and teamwork

  • Enhancements to school facilities that benefit students and learning environment

  • Projects that encourage innovation, unity, inclusion and/or new opportunities

Rules and Guidelines

  • Applicants must be currently enrolled in an LSR7 middle school or high school.

  • Projects must be rooted in learning, supporting the Foundation’s mission to promote excellence in education in Lee’s Summit R-7 Schools.

  • Each applicant group must find an LSR7 staff member willing to serve as their grant Ambassador. The Ambassador will need to work with building administration in vetting/approving the project and serve as a liaison between the school/applicant group and LSEF. If the grant should be awarded, the Ambassador will be asked to manage purchasing of materials. Please note: This is a student-led grant, we ask that staff Ambassadors provide guidance and oversight, and ensure the student applicant(s) generate the idea and complete the application process. Staff members have the opportunity to apply for grants through LSEF’s PEAK Grant Program.

  • LSEF typically does not fund field trips, travel, consumable materials, or furniture. If these items are part of your request, please include justification of how it supports learning in your building;

  • If your grant has a technology-related request, please check pricing and item availability with the R-7 Technology Department.

  • All materials/resources purchased with the grant funds will become the property of the school and not the students or staff.

Timeline

  • Application Opens: October 1, 2025

  • Applications closed on December 1, 2025 at 9:00 am

  • We will announce the recipients of Student Grants in early January 2026. GOOD LUCK!

    If you have any questions regarding Student grants, contact Cindy Swatek at cindy.swatek@lsr7.net

FAQS

  • A grant is a financial award provided by an organization to a group/individual/institution for a particular purpose

  • Grants will be reviewed and approved by the Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation’s Board of Directors. Factors that will be considered will include (but not be limited to) how many students would be positively impacted, equitability, innovation/creativity, how request would enhance learning opportunities and/or creating a positive environment/culture within the school.

  • If all or some of your grant funding could not be implemented until next school year, please provide an explanation and outline a preferred timeline within your application.

  • You should seek a staff lead/’Ambassador” that would be in support of your request and believe it would be of use within your school and make a positive impact. The Ambassador should also be willing to help serve as a liaison between the school and LSEF to help manage purchasing/reimbursement and logistics involved with the utilization of your grant.

  • YES! We hope this adds a fun opportunity to be creative.
    Create a short video (3–5 minutes) or slideshow that showcases your project idea and explains why it deserves funding. Be persuasive and show us the impact your project will make!

  • Our hope is for you to utilize this grant in the 2025-26 school year. If you have a request that could not be implemented until next year due to availability of the resource and/or if it’s based on a “season” for your group/project, it may still be considered by the Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis.

  • LSEF will only provide what is initially awarded (up to $1,000). If the estimated prices within your budget increase and/or you are to spend more than what is allotted, it will be up to your group to secure the additional funding necessary through your school or fundraising efforts.

  • Grant recipients will be provided a code to purchase items through their staff lead or building secretary’s district purchasing card. LSEF will reimburse LSR7 for approved expenses charged to the code.