Teacher & Staff Portal

Foundation Grant Requests-For Teachers

The Shorecliffs Middle School Education Foundation is strongly committed to supporting the needs and providing supplemental resources to fill the gaps for teachers and student enrichment. We understand there is a great deal of need for additional nest activities, student enrichment and additional resources in every class.

Purpose

The Foundation is implementing a formal process to streamline these requests – to operate more efficiently and meet the needs of the school and staff. This process will provide a simplified system, for teachers to secure funding for classroom needs, that exceed the standard school budget.

Please note: Funding is typically used for student enrichment programs, security, STEM equipment, field trips, music, drama, school and classroom upgrades.

Sourcing Materials and Resource for Classrooms

We ask that teachers post individual classroom wish lists for supplies and seek supply donations from families of students in their classes, prior to submitting requests to the foundation.

This will help to ensure we are able to distribute foundation resources, in areas that we are not able to get resources and supplement when those resources are not able to be obtained through parent donations. Listed are two great sources that can be used and sent to parents directly via Canvas/school messenger. The links and directions are provided below:

DonorsChoose:

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to creating a DonorsChoose Classroom Essentials list so donors can help you get the supplies you need without writing a full project essay. The website requires a teacher or administrator to establish a classroom specific account: so please make an account and start making your lists.

1. Sign in or Create a DonorsChoose Account

• Go to DonorsChoose.org.

• If you’re new, sign up as a teacher and verify your school.

2. Access the “Classroom Essentials” Feature

• From your teacher dashboard, look for “Classroom Essentials” in the menu.

• This option lets you request basic supplies without the longer project process.

3. Browse and Add Items

• You’ll see a curated inventory of common classroom items (pencils, paper, art supplies, cleaning products, etc.).

• Add the items you need to your list — there’s no minimum cost requirement.

4. Publish Your List

• Give your list a friendly, clear title (e.g., “Help Us Stock Our Classroom for Success!”).

• Add a short description explaining how these items will help your students.

• Publish it so donors can find and support it.

5. Share Your List

• Share the link with parents, friends, and your community via email, social media, or your school newsletter.

• The more you share, the more likely you’ll get funded quickly.

Extra Tips for Success

• Keep your list focused and realistic — smaller lists often get funded faster.

• Update your list as supplies run low.
• Thank donors promptly to encourage future support.

Amazon Wish List

This site allows educators to share specific classroom needs with parents and donors, who can then purchase items to be shipped directly to the school. Teachers can create these lists through the “Account & Lists” section on Amazon and share them via direct links, QR codes, or social media.

How to Create a Teacher Wish List

Setting up a list involves creating a new list, configuring privacy settings, and adding items.

1. Create the list: Log in to Amazon, go to “Account & Lists,” and select “Create a List”. Name it something recognizable, such as “Mr. Smith’s 5th Grade Classroom”.
2. Configure settings: Select “Manage List” (via the three dots) to set the privacy to “Shared” or “Public”. Most importantly, update the shipping address to your school or home while ensuring the “Ship to this address” option is enabled for gift-givers.
3. Add items: Browse Amazon and use the “Add to List” button on product pages to populate your classroom needs.
4. Organize and prioritize: You can add comments to explain why an item is needed, specify quantities, and set priority levels (e.g., High, Medium, Low)

For Specific Fundraising- Where Teachers need Cash Donations

**This Process is set up for collecting and receiving funds donated by parents for individual classes and other school organizations, where funds are held through the Education Foundation.

Examples: Surf, Music, Field trips, Off-site performances Etc

1. Email- Shorecliffstreasuer@gmail.com
2. Include: Date of Event, Class or Event needed to Collect Funds

1. The Foundation will then provide you an individual Zelle barcode specific to your event, club or class.
2. This barcode will earmark and track those funds for your specific event, making it an easy process to keep track of who has donated- by automatically generating a list of donations. We can then make the payments needed directly from your funded account to vendors needing payment or provide direct reimbursement to the educator for out-of-pocket expenses.

Submission of Foundation Grant Requests: 

Teachers are asked to work directly with the Foundation board to submit requests for specific equipment, materials or events.

Electronic Submission: The submission forms are now available on the Shorecliffs Foundation Website, and can be submitted electronically on our website:

https://www.shorecliffseducationfoundation.org

Paper form Submission/ Reimbursement with Receipts:

1. Complete form and attach copies of receipts or expect expenses being requested. Please include details and specific costs of events. For example: transportation, price per ticket for an event, etc.

C:\Users\Jen {ayne\OneDrive\Desktop\Shorecliff’s Request for Funds form.pdf2.

2. Email the form and attached receipts/bids to Shorecliffsfoundationtreasurer@gmail.com

1. We will do our best to ensure prompt reimbursement within one week to minimize out-of-pocket expenses for staff.

Funding Source: These grants are 100% funded by parents and community donations through platforms like Zelle or directly on our website at:

Shorecliffseducationfoundation.org