In June, the Virginia Beach Education Foundation (VBEF) awarded $85,000 to teachers to support their 2016-17 Schoolwide Grants and Innovative Learning Grants. To celebrate its 25^th anniversary, the VBEF will award an additional $40,000 this fall for a total of $125,000 in grant funding this school year.

The grant application deadline for the fall review process is Friday, Oct. 7, at 4 p.m. Staff members may be awarded up to $2,000 for innovative learning projects that benefit students. The Innovative Learning Grant application, including detailed submission instructions, is available on vbcps.com on the Media and Communications Forms page.

The VBEF will celebrate all 2016-17 grant recipients and its 25^th anniversary at the foundation’s annual TGIF Celebration (Teacher Grants Improve Futures) held Nov. 2 at the Sandler Center.

This special event will also include the “Taste of Art” silent auction, featuring original works of art by school division employees. Participants receive 50 percent of the purchase price at auction and the remaining proceeds are donated to the VBEF to support future grants. Two-dimensional artwork may also be considered for the VBEF’s 2017 Commemorative Print Contest. Auction and contest entries must be submitted with a completed registration form and release by Oct. 7.

Staff members with questions about grant applications or artwork submissions may contact VBEF coordinator Debbie Griffey at 757-263-1069 or debbie.griffey@vbschools.com