Inspiring minds. Expanding possibilities.
These four words aren’t simply a catchy tagline. The trustees of the Birmingham Education Foundation believe that by making funding available to inspire teachers and staff members, together we can expand the possibilities for all students in the Birmingham Public Schools.

If you’ve got an idea for a new program, we’d like to hear about it. We fund initiatives of all sizes from a $200 writing tool for the Autistic Impaired program at Derby Middle School to a $525 Listening Center for kindergarteners at Quarton to a $1,200 kaleidoscope for the physics classes at Seaholm.

To help you learn more about applying for a grant from the BEF, we’ve put together a tool kit. Check out the links below before you begin writing your grant.

Technology grants over $2,000 must be received by October 31, 2011 and March 30, 2012. Please make sure to get your technology grants in before these deadlines.

To hear words of encouragement from John Rutherford, Director of Theatre Arts at Groves High School, click on the picture at right. Frequently Asked Questions - if you don’t find the answer to your questions here, please contact Executive Director, Laura Couger at 248-203-3030 or bef@birmingham.k12.mi.us.

Download the Foundation Grant and Great Idea Grant application

Ways you can support the BEF:

• Become a friend on Facebook “Like” the Birmingham Education Foundation
• Share your BEF success stories with colleagues, students & parents
• Write a grant request to the BEF
• Register your Kroger Rewards card to earn extra cash for the BEF
• Donate to the BEF Annual Fund Campaign
• Attend a BEF event
• Volunteer for the BEF
• Make your Amazon.com purchases through the BEF Website
• Support the companies and businesses that support our schools
• Learn more about our current Staff Annual Fund Campaign

What can $22 do?

Take a friend to a movie?
Buy a book, or maybe two if they’re on sale?
Download a dozen songs?
Or, you can invest that $22 in our schools and classrooms.

During the 2010-2011 school year, the Birmingham Education Foundation was able to award over $117,000 in grants for innovative programs – programs you and your peers brought to our attention.

With your help the BEF can do even more. If every staff member contributed just $2 per pay period, which translates to $44 for the whole year, we’d be able to give out an additional $40,000 in grants next year.

Making a contribution is as easy. To make a one time gift, click here to visit our Give2School page. To make a payroll deduction, please download and print the Staff Donation Form.