Past Recipients | Grant Application
Since 2001, HEF has awarded 189 Innovation Grants totaling $116,500, supporting teacher-driven initiatives in technology, engineering, mathematics, reading, foreign languages, creative arts, social development and parental engagement.
2018 – 2019
In April, we had a terrific grant reception at Ion Bank. The event was attended by our grant recipients and three newborn chicks! It was an uplifting exchange of ideas and extremely inspiring.
2017 – 2018
HEF Board members and grant recipients enjoy a reception hosted at Bankwell Bank, Hamden.
Grant recipients for 2016–2017 discuss their projects while enjoying a reception sponsored by Bankwell.
“It’s nice to watch a student work at rough piece of wood and transform it into to a finished product. What’s even nicer are the changes that occur within the student throughout this process. Students develop patience, skill and self reliance during this difficult exercise. Their creation on the lathe of something useful and beautiful is symbolic of this change.”
— Chris Sagnella, 2013–14 grant recipient
“We had a huge Multi-cultural Expo in the spring of 2013 and all the brand new bilingual books were spread out for all the families to see. One Shepherd Glen mom was quite excited when she found a book written in her family’s native language of Farsi. (Farsi is not easily found written in the US.) She quickly ran over to her own mother sitting alone in a corner in her wheelchair to show her. When the elderly woman opened the book and started to read….. tears fell from her eyes. Although she never learned how to read English, she was able to read this book because it was in Farsi. Her granddaughter sat in her grandmother’s lap and listened intently to her grandmother’s every word.
This touching example illustrates just one of the ways this grant has made a difference in the lives of our Hamden students. It shows us firsthand how literature can bring families and generations together.”
— Tricia Ciaburri-Rodriguez, EL Specialist, 2012–13, 2013–14 grant recipient
2016 – 2017
The 2016–2017 Innovation Grants awarded a total of approximately $7,500 to support 18 Innovation Grants benefitting children in all grades, ranging from pre-K through 12th grade. Grant recipients are educators at 9 of the district’s public schools. Bankwell hosted a reception celebrating the grants in April.
2015 – 2016
2014 – 2015
The Hamden Education Foundation’s 2014–2015 Innovation Grants awarded a total of $7,499 to support 14 Innovation Grants, benefiting children in all grades, ranging from pre-K through 12th grade. Grant recipients are educators at 9 of the district’s public schools. Bankwell hosted a reception celebrating the grants.
2013 – 2014
The Hamden Education Foundation’s 2013–2014 Innovation Grants awarded a total of $8,124 to support 14 Innovation Grants, benefiting children in all grades, ranging from pre-K through 12th grade. Grant recipients are educators at 9 of the district’s public schools. Quinnipiac Bank & Trust Company hosted a reception celebrating the grants.