Grants for Opportunities in Active Learning Application Opens
August 1, 2025 – The Michigan Youth Education Fund is thrilled to announce that applications for its G.O.A.L. Program for the 2025 – 2026 school year are now open! This year’s grant application period runs from August 1st through September 30th, so don’t miss the chance to apply. This post provides key details about the application process, eligibility criteria, and essential information on the grant determination questions.
About the G.O.A.L. Grant
This year, we will award six (6) grants of $750 each to eligible student groups across Michigan, aimed at supporting academic after-school programs. Grant funds may be used to offset expenses such as:
- Conference, registration, or participation fees
- Transportation costs
- Hotel accommodations
- Other necessary expenses associated with student activities
Application Overview
The application is estimated to take about 25-30 minutes to complete. After submitting, applicants will receive a confirmation email with a copy of their submission. On September 30th, applicants will be notified of the application’s review status, with final grant decisions released to all applicants by October 10th.
Application Structure
The application consists of four initial sections requesting basic information about the applicant, school, student organization, and extracurricular activity. The following sections include grant determination questions designed to help our review committee evaluate the grant based on specific criteria. Below, we’ve provided each question along with sample responses to guide you.
GRANT DETERMINATION QUESTIONS
Q1: Do you receive any financial support or funding?
Answer: Yes or No
(Does your after-school activity currently receive financial assistance from your school, district, local foundations, businesses, etc., to help cover participation costs?)
Q2: If you answered “Yes” above, please describe who you receive funding or financial support from, the approximate amount, and its purpose.
Sample Answer: The Dragon’s Debate Club receives $1,500 in funding from a local business to cover transportation and club t-shirts for each participant.
Q3: Please describe your organization’s financial need for this event.
Sample Answer: Students must pay out-of-pocket to attend the annual science conference. Many participants qualify for free or reduced lunch and require additional financial assistance. The high cost remains a significant barrier, limiting participation.
Q4: Describe the benefits to students attending this event, including how it supports learning, provides new opportunities, and aligns with your organization’s goals.
Sample Answer: Attending the tournament allows students to connect with peers statewide, learn from various educators, and gain access to college scholarships. The event fosters growth, creates valuable opportunities, and advocates for Michigan students’ potential.
Q5: Describe the proposed use of grant funds.
Sample Answer: If awarded, funds will be used to support participation for students unable to pay and cover travel expenses throughout the season. Additionally, funds will enable students to purchase materials needed for projects, such as wood, metal, or acrylic, and to access technology for tasks requiring computer programming.
Q6: How many students would benefit from this grant?
Sample Answer: 25 students
Q7: Additional information for consideration.
Sample Answer: Though only 8 students may attend the competition, the knowledge they bring back and share with the entire organization (100+ students) is invaluable. Additionally, all students are involved in district-wide community service events, and those attending will share their experiences to enrich our chapter.
We encourage applicants to ensure their application is thoughtful and detailed to help our Application Review Committee understand your student organization’s unique circumstances and goals.
For additional questions or further assistance, please email eric.siegrist@miyef.org
