Jean Graham Fund Grant Application Page
Jean Graham Fund provides funds for Sabbatical Project and Mini
Summer Passport.
The JGF Sabbatical Grant provides teachers opportunities to
broaden and deepen their curricular knowledge through international travel, while the Mini Summer Passport gives teachers the opportunity to take short, domestic trips offering immersive, experiential learning related to the subject area they teach.
Both JGF Grants are utilized to help reinvigorate teachers’ passion for
their work.
JGF Summer Passport Grant
The purpose of this mini-grant is to offer educators the opportunity to take a short, domestic trip during the summer that offers immersive, experiential learning related to the subject that they teach. By defraying the cost of accommodations, meals, and gas money, educators will be able to break away, feel rejuvenated, and fuel their love of learning as it translates back to students and into the classroom.
Who is Eligible?
Teachers, teaching assistants and student support staff are eligible to apply for a JGF Summer Passport Grant. Teaching teams are also allowed to apply. For instance, the kindergarten teaching team took a trip to Canada and the third grade team took a trip to Boston, MA.
What Can I Do on Sabbatical?
Summer Passport grants are for short, predominatly domestic travel that relates to an applicant's area of expertise. Previous winners have travelled to Gettysburg to learn more about the Civil War and Boston to learn more about the founding of the United States. A STEM teacher visited multiple sites across the northeast and Canada to learn more about butterfly migration. Other teachers have traveled out West to deepen their understanding of Native American history. The goal of a Summer Passport grant is for winners to learn more about their curriculum and to restore and renew their love of both teaching and learning. The average grant is ~$500.
Who Evaluates and Decides on the Grants?
The Skaneateles Education Foundation manages the Fund. A Jean Graham Fund committee reviews grant applications and makes recommendations to the Foundation Board for approval. The Jean Graham Fund committee is comprised of two Foundation Board members, two community members, two representatives from the school district and a member of Jean Graham’s family. The Foundation’s Executive Director serves as a non-voting member of the committee.
When Are Applications Due?
The JGF Committee sets the due dates for each year's applications in September of the current school year. Applications will be due this year on May 31, 2026. Please check with Connie Bohrer or the SEF Executive Director, Amanda Ducharme, for up-to-date information and to answer any questions.
Is Grant Writing Assistance Available?
Yes. Connie Bohrer is available to review your application prior to submission. Prior awardees are happy to discuss their experiences to help shape your application.
Jean Graham Summer Sabbatical Grant
The Jean Graham Fund Summer Sabbatical Award provides funding for summer sabbaticals for teachers in the Skaneateles Central School District. Grants are for teachers to pursue learning opportunities related to classroom curriculum and global studies through international travel. These are opportunities for personal growth and enrichment, supporting the pursuit of lifelong learning in a particular area of study.
Who is Eligible?
The JGF Summer Sabbatical is for teachers that meet the following criteria:
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Have demonstrated a record of curriculum development and innovative approaches to instruction in the classroom.
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Have a minimum of 3 years of teaching experience in, and been granted tenure by, the Skaneateles Central School District.
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Have the support of the building principal, as demonstrated in a written letter of recommendation.
What Can I Do on Sabbatical?
The main component of a JGF Summer Sabbatical is travel, primarily international. Previous award winners have visited India, Africa, Europe and Central America. The length of stays are determined by location, activities pursued, and cost.
For instance, the 2024 awardee, Connie Bohrer traveled to Tanzania where where she volunteered her reading training at a local school for a week, spent a week climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and two days for a photo safari. Including travel to and from Africa, her trip lasted approximately 23 days. Connie's sabbatical deftly combined her love of teaching reading and sharing her expertise with her passion for hiking and her sense of adventure. Her grant enriched her personally, energized her professionally, and provided real world experiences to share with her students and fellow faculty.
Who Evaluates and Decides on the Grants?
The Skaneateles Education Foundation manages the Fund. A Jean Graham Fund committee reviews grant applications and makes recommendations to the Foundation Board for approval. The Jean Graham Fund committee is comprised of two Foundation Board members, two community members, two representatives from the school district and a member of Jean Graham’s family. The Foundation’s Executive Director serves as a non-voting member of the committee.
When Are Applications Due?
The JGF Committee sets the due dates for each year's applications in September of the current school year. This year's applications are due on January 31, 2026. Please check with Connie Bohrer, cbohrer@skanschools.org & Amanda Ducharme, SEF Executive Director, at amanda@skanedfoundation.org, for up-to-date information and to answer any questions.
Is Grant Writing Assistance Available?
Yes. Connie Bohrer is available to advise on and review your application prior to submission. Prior awardees are happy to discuss their experiences to help shape your application. Resources are also available to assist with travel planning and budget creation.