Beaverton's Choice Awards

There are a few requests that BEF generally does not fund.  If any staff feels there may be a reason for BEF to reconsider a request that falls into one of the categories below, please reach out to us via email!

• Overnight travel for students 
• Classroom furniture and capital expenditures
• Purchase of computers, iPads, Chromebooks and accessories
• Subscriptions and licenses, professional development for staff
• Art Literacy program
• Textbooks, study guides, assessment materials, or packaged curricula
• Snacks during the school day, incentives/rewards for preferred behaviors
• Clothing and uniforms 

There is no limit to the number of projects per school or even per teacher.  At BEF, we evaluate each project on its own merits and alignment with our mission, and we encourage team and department collaborations!

Beaverton’s Choice is a no-fee platform, and 100% of the funds raised go directly toward your project. Thanks to support from local business partners and our community, Beaverton’s Choice can often match funds, allowing your project to get a funding jump start. Our local BEF team is available to work with you to get your project funded as quickly as possible.

We are happy to discuss your proposal idea and answer your questions by phone or email. You are welcome to run your idea by us before submitting your formal application by emailing:  beavertonschoice@beavertonedfoundation.org

ANY Beaverton School District staff member may apply. However, you will need to discuss your project and get support from your principal before you apply.

Part of BEF’s mission is to support innovation and collaboration across the BSD community, providing a platform to share ideas and programs.  Educators throughout the District, and community members beyond the borders of one school, may be inspired by your project and want to support your work.  Using Beaverton’s Choice to help fund your project increases your opportunity for impact through project expansion (think team, school or even district-wide) and diversified funding.  We would love to partner with your school’s PTO/PTC organization!

While BEF recognizes that staff training is valuable, BEF funds may be used only for projects and programs that directly involve students.

A budget may include compensation to pay teachers and staff consistent with district policy and contracts. This is the perfect question to discuss with BEF before submitting an application for funding as there some considerations around staff compensation. 

BEF will compensate for student contact time only. BEF will not compensate for planning time (can be listed as an in-kind contribution). Please contact the School District Human Resources Department, Payroll Department and/or Grant Accountant to assist you with determining classified and certified salary designations.

BEF is excited to support projects that encourage student literacy, and books are an important tool in this area.  We are unable, however, to support the purchase of computers, iPads, or computer accessories.  We are also unable to contribute toward most software licenses.  However, feel free to contact BEF if you feel you have a unique need in this area. 

Yes, additional funding sources strengthen your application and reinforce the collaborative relationship between schools and the community.

Many individuals and local businesses in our community want to support your efforts, and BEF makes this possible.  Depending on the project and overall budget, BEF funds are often available that can be combined with PTO contributions to fund your project without having to rely on your students’ families.  BEF works with you to place your project on a public platform that can be viewed by community members beyond your school network.  We know donor support for student learning runs deep.  Many are anxious for the opportunity to make a difference in our schools!

Beaverton educators are innovative, and Beaverton’s Choice awards honor thoughtfully designed, new initiatives that engage students. Our goal is to help launch an initiative but not to fund it annually.  If you develop a project or activity that really benefits students and want to repeat the activity each year, we will work with you to think about how to find a sustainable method for funding your project long-term.

Yes!  BEF wants to support you throughout the implementation of your project, so we will stay in contact through emails or school visits. You will also submit a final Award Outcomes Report within 30 days after your project is completed.