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Foundation Supports Teachers Through 2025 Mini Grant Program 

Oceana Community Foundation Supports Teachers Through 2025 Mini Grant Program 

The Oceana Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), in partnership with several donor-advised funds at the Oceana Community Foundation, proudly announced that every Teacher Mini Grant applicant received funding this year, totaling $8,345.08 in support for Oceana County educators. In all, 32 classroom projects across area schools were awarded grants to help enhance learning environments and spark creativity in the classroom.

The Mini Grants provide up to $250 per project and are designed to help educators enrich curriculum, expand existing programs, or introduce new and engaging learning opportunities for students. The program opens each August, giving teachers time to plan for the upcoming school year.

The Foundation’s Teacher Mini Grant program is an extension of its youth philanthropy efforts, led by Youth Advisory Council (YAC) members who identify and support youth-focused needs in their communities. This year, YAC contributed $1,964 from the Foundation’s Oceana Youth Fund to support local teachers and their classrooms. The Oceana Youth Fund was established in 1989 through a challenge grant from the Kellogg Foundation to develop student civic involvement and leadership.

“Each year, we are thrilled to facilitate Oceana County’s Teacher Mini Grant program. For our YAC members, it is an opportunity for them to impact learning at their schools and uplift their fellow students through new, exciting programs,” YAC Advisor Maggie Payne shares. “For our staff and fund partners, it is a chance to say we see you and support you to our area’s educators.”

This year’s grants supported a wide variety of classroom innovations across Hart, Hesperia, New Era Christian, Oceana Christian, Pentwater, Shelby, and Walkerville Public Schools. Examples include:

  • Hart Public Schools – Flexible seating, sensory tools, and classroom movement projects to support active learning.
  • Hesperia Community Schools – An eighth-grade journalism project and technology-based art and science programs.
  • New Era Christian School – Hands-on STEM challenges, cursive literacy, and creative music and art initiatives.
  • Oceana Christian School – Multisensory learning materials and targeted math interventions.
  • Pentwater Public Schools – Sensory support spaces and interactive “breakout box” activities for students.
  • Shelby Public Schools – Guitar repair and music programs, phonics instruction, and sensory development projects.
  • Walkerville Public Schools – Art room supplies, flexible seating, and electrical science materials for hands-on learning.

This year’s Teacher Mini Grants were made possible through the generosity of Foundation partners, including: the Oceana Youth Fund, Mrs. Mullen’s Closet Fund – Oceana, Little Point Sable – Arts for Oceana County Fund, Gary & Mary Ann Peterson “Grandpa & Grandma Pete” Memorial Fund, Ralph’s Kids Fund, Sobecki Family Memorial Fund, Elaine & Lee Curtis Fund, Kimmel Family Fund, Ordoobadi Family Fund, and an Anonymous Donor.

A full list of the 2025 Teacher Mini Grant recipients and their funded projects is available here.

For more information about making a gift, creating a named fund, or supporting educational opportunities in Oceana County, contact Tammy Carey at (231) 869-3377 or visit www.oceanafoundation.org.