Hamilton Community Foundation has a goal to improve high school graduation rates and access to post-secondary, including the trades, by focusing efforts on Grades 6, 7, 8 and supporting the transition to high school.

We are doing this through an initiative called ABACUS.

What is ABACUS?
ABACUS is based on four pillars of successful intervention programs:

ABACUS also recognizes the importance of parental engagement to post-secondary access. You can read more at ABACUSatHCF.ca.

HCF has awarded grants to support initiatives that include extracurricular academic, recreational and arts programs, college and university campus visits, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs such as coding and robotics clubs as well as programs that specifically support Aboriginal and newcomer students.

Focus on teacher projects
Recognizing the critical frontline role of teachers in improving the community’s ability to meet the needs of this student group, HCF initiated a small grants program for teachers in 2016/17.  Since then, we have been pleased to support a wide range of projects to enrich the learning of middle school age children. Hamilton Community Foundation is once again offering a small grants program for teachers serving this age group.

Who can apply? What kinds of projects will be considered?

We are looking to support projects that align with the overall goal of the ABACUS initiative. For example:

Please note: funds may not be used for salary costs.

Funding available
Grants range from $100 to $500. Grants will be limited to three per school per school year.

For the 2022-23 school year, there will be one call for proposals with an application deadline of October 14, 2022. Details to follow in early June.

If a grant is awarded, the funds will be sent to the Board of Education for distribution to your school. Successful applicants should contact their Board of Education for details regarding distribution of their funds.
You will be asked to submit a brief on-line written report at the end of the grant.

Complete and submit the on-line grant application, with required attachments, by 5pm Friday, October 14, 2022.

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Questions? Please email us at grants@hamiltoncommunityfoundation.ca