The Patterson Family Foundation is offering grant funding to support efforts that address the shortage of qualified educators in rural communities. This grant opportunity is specifically focused on initiatives that recruit specialized rural teachers, promote alternative certification pathways, and support the development of “grow your own” educator workforce models. These models aim to strengthen local pipelines by enabling community members to become certified educators, thereby enhancing the sustainability of rural teaching workforces.

All individuals benefiting from continuing education under this grant must attend accredited post-secondary institutions. However, the funding explicitly excludes projects involving capital expenditures or those that include salaries, benefits, or compensation for existing public school district staff. The intent is to ensure that funds are used to advance new or expanded capacity, not to supplement ongoing personnel costs.

The grant is offered in two rounds in 2025. Round 1 opens on April 1, 2025, with Letters of Intent (LOIs) due by April 18, 2025, and full applications due by May 9, 2025. Round 2 begins on April 19, 2025, with LOIs due by July 3, 2025, and full applications due by July 25, 2025. Determinations for Round 1 will be communicated in August 2025 and for Round 2 in October 2025. Early submission of the LOI is strongly encouraged, as it enables timely review and, if approved, allows for more time to complete the full application.

Applicants must register through the Patterson Family Foundation Grants Portal to submit an LOI. Registration must be completed by 12:00 PM CST on April 18 for Round 1 and by 12:00 PM CST on July 3 for Round 2. All registration requests undergo eligibility screening before access to the LOI is granted. Applicants with existing accounts should log in using their current credentials. Questions or login issues can be directed to info@pffkc.org.

The grant serves counties in Kansas and western Missouri with populations under 50,000. To support applicants, the Foundation offers Office Hours sessions from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, where potential applicants can discuss questions and receive assistance. Reservations can be made by emailing Office Manager Sasha Winterowd at sasha.winterowd@pffkc.org with contact details, the preferred session date, and three questions at least two business days in advance.

The Patterson Family Foundation emphasizes a thorough and competitive review process. No verbal or implied commitments are made during the application process, and only applicants who receive and sign a formal award letter may publicly acknowledge funding. All communications regarding funding awards must be approved by the Foundation.