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VEA and NEA Grant Opportunities

VEA Mini-Grants. We encourage you to try for a VEA mini-grant of up to $500. Deadline for the next round of grant applications is June 1, 2010. Click here for an application form or call VEA’s Instruction and Professional Development department at 1-800-552-9554. (For a Word document sent by email, call Renee Hancock at the toll free number.)

NEA Foundation Grants. The NEA Foundation offers competitive grants of up to $5,000 for a range of professional development and instructional improvement endeavors. Application deadlines vary by program. Check out www.neafoundation.org for application forms, examples of projects that have received funding, and much more.

VEA and NEA Awards Programs

VEA Awards Programs
VEA recognizes top-flight educators, support professionals, and supporters of public education through a range of awards. Click the links below for more information on awards programs and help us recognize excellence today!

Fitz Turner Commission Awards. The Fitz Turner Commission is seeking nominations for individuals or groups who have demonstrated positive human relationships in your education community and helped to encourage leadership development. There are three categories for recognition: The Fitz Turner Award for Outstanding Contributions in Intergroup Relations, The Mary Hatwood Futrell Award for Distinguished Leadership in Education and The Youth Award for Human Relations & Civil Rights. Learn more about the awards and download a submission form to nominate a worthy individual or group. Annie Mickens was awarded the Mary Hatwood Futrell Award for Distinguished Leadership in Education at the April convention. The deadline for 2010 nominations is February 8.

VEA Award for Teaching Excellence. This is the highest award VEA offers for teaching excellence in the Commonwealth. The winner earns $500 and becomes Virginia’s nominee for the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. Deadline for the next award is January 29, 2010. Read our call for nominations and application  to learn more.

VEA Education Support Professional Award. This award honors outstanding work in the areas of professional practice, Association involvement, community engagement, personal achievement, and the enhancement of the image of support professionals. The 2009 award winner is Janet Valent, Instructional Assistant from Fairfax County. Nominations for the 2010 ESP award are due September 15.

VEA Friend of Education Award. The prestigious VEA Friend of Education Award is intended to honor an individual or organization whose leadership, acts, or support has significantly benefited education, education employees, or students in Virginia. The award is presented by the Board of Directors and is the highest award presented by VEA. The 2009 Friend of Education is Dr. Gary L. Jones, former member of the Virginia Board of Education.

An individual recipient need not be a Virginian, but he or she should reflect the philosophy and principles of he VEA. Individual nominees may be public or private citizens, and selection of finalists will be made regardless of age, sex, race, color, or creed. The nomination form for the 2010 award will be available this fall.

NEA Awards Programs
The NEA Foundation and the NEA offer a range of awards, including the following:

The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. Awarded to a distinguished Association member for “professional practice, advocacy for the profession, community engagement, leadership in professional development and attention to diversity. Each affiliate of the NEA submits one candidate. Visit the NEA Foundation web site for details.

NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards. The NEA’s division of Human and Civil Rights conducts an annual awards program honoring distinguished leaders in education and other settings. Descriptions of award categories are available here. For more, contact NEA Human and Civil Rights at 202-822-7700.