DPS Foundation Awards More Than $102,000 to Bring Innovative Ideas to Life Across Durham Public Schools

19 student- and educator-led projects will expand opportunities in STEM, music, student leadership, career pathways, and wellbeing across 26 schools.

Great ideas are growing across Durham Public Schools, and we're excited to help bring them to life! Durham Public Schools Foundation (DPSF) is proud to announce the recipients of our 2026–27 Innovation Grants, awarding $102,419 to 19 projects benefiting 26 schools across the district.

From creating accessible learning spaces and expanding music education to supporting student wellness and opening doors to future careers, this year's projects reflect the creativity, commitment, and leadership already present in our public schools.

The demand for these opportunities was extraordinary. DPSF received 99 applications requesting more than $759,000, representing 51 of Durham Public Schools' 57 schools. These applications demonstrate just how many educators, students, families, and school staff have ideas for strengthening their school communities when given the resources to put those ideas into action.

And Innovation Grants are about more than funding. Each recipient joins a peer cohort and receives ongoing support, resources, and opportunities to connect and learn from others. By investing in both the ideas and the people leading them, DPSF helps promising projects grow into lasting opportunities for students.

Big Ideas, Meaningful Impact

Each year, DPSF identifies impact areas that reflect the priorities and needs of our school communities. This year's grants support five areas: Advancing STEM Learning, Elevating Music Education, Empowering Youth Leaders, Expanding Future Pathways, and Strengthening Wellbeing.

Together, the funded projects demonstrate what becomes possible when students and educators have the resources and support to turn their ideas into action.

These projects aren't just about providing new materials or establishing meaningful activities, they're about trusting the people closest to our schools to identify opportunities, develop solutions, and lead meaningful change.

Meet the 2026–27 Innovation Grant Recipients

We're proud to celebrate all 19 funded projects and the educators, students, families, school staff, and community partners bringing them to life.

Advancing STEM Learning

Supported by Lenovo, this impact area invests in hands-on, student-centered STEM experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and real-world problem-solving.

• Green STEM Pathway — Lakeview School: $8,000 to transform a former greenhouse site into a student-designed STEM Learning Pavilion and Innovation Lab.

• Accessible Classroom Greenhouse Project — Morehead Montessori Elementary School: $3,369 to create a wheelchair-accessible greenhouse where students of all abilities can participate in hands-on gardening and science education.

• L.E.A.F.S. in STEM — Sherwood Githens Middle School: $7,000 to bring STEM learning through culinary arts, medicine, robotics, and computer programming to an afterschool program.

Elevating Music Education

This impact area expands access to music education, creating opportunities for students to express themselves, collaborate, and grow as musicians and leaders.

• Jazz Legacy Project — Jordan High School and 12 additional DPS middle and high schools: $5,000 for a two-day jazz residency featuring student musicians, professional artists, and performances at the Carolina Theatre of Durham.

• Sound In Color — Oak Grove Elementary School: $5,000 to combine original music composition, visual art, and student storytelling in an interactive gallery.

• All Together Now — Brogden Middle School: $5,000 to expand access to band through instrument support, enrichment, and mentorship with Riverside High School musicians.

Empowering Youth Leaders

This impact area elevates student voice, builds leadership skills, and creates opportunities for young people to shape their schools and communities.

• Leopard Landing — Lucas Middle School: $10,000 for a student-designed outdoor classroom and community gathering space.

• Make It a Beautiful Day in Our Neighborhood — Southwest Elementary School: $8,000 for student-led campus beautification, multilingual welcome installations, and outdoor learning spaces.

• From Ambassadors to Mentors — Durham School of the Arts: $4,000 to connect student leaders with alumni, artists, and community mentors.

• empowHERment — School for Creative Studies: $5,000 for a year-round leadership and wellness program supporting middle school girls.

Expanding Future Pathways

This impact area strengthens literacy, expands access to college and career opportunities, and helps students build the skills and confidence to pursue their goals.

• The DST MTI Lab Club — Durham School of Technology: $6,000 to establish a student-run media, technology, and innovation studio featuring robotics, drones, 3D printing, and entrepreneurship.

• Lakewood Elementary Bike Library — Lakewood Elementary School: $6,000 to expand access to bicycles, repair education, and family-supported cycling opportunities.

• Empowering Futures Innovation Hub — Jordan High School: $6,500 to create a dedicated space for career exploration and independent living skills for students with disabilities.

• Bringing Books Home — Glenn Elementary School: $5,000 to strengthen family literacy through multilingual learning opportunities and take-home books.

• Journey Through Our History — Ignite Online Academy: $2,500 for HBCU visits, cultural history exploration, and peer mentorship that builds belonging and college readiness.

Strengthening Wellbeing

Supported by the Zachari Hawkins Memorial Fund, this impact area invests in sustainable approaches to mental health, wellness, and belonging that help students, educators, and families thrive.

• Weighted Neurosensory Kits — Hope Valley and Southwest Elementary Schools: $1,050 to provide sensory support tools and training for students, educators, and caregivers.

• Clean Clothes, Ready to Learn — Burton Elementary School: $2,500 for a laundry access pilot supporting students and families.

• You Belong at Jordan — Jordan High School: $6,500 to expand student-led initiatives that foster inclusion, connection, and peer support.

• Creating a Strong Foundation for Students — J.D. Clement Early College: $6,000 for student mental health education and a dedicated wellness space.

Investing in Ideas That Strengthen Our Schools

Since 2018, Durham Public Schools Foundation has awarded more than $1.8 million in grants, investing in ideas that strengthen schools and expand opportunities for Durham's students.

Our Innovation Grants are rooted in a simple belief: the people closest to our schools have the vision and creativity to help transform them. When we invest in their ideas and provide the support to bring them to life, meaningful change becomes possible.

A committee of 31 reviewers, including DPSF staff, previous grant recipients, caregivers, DPS staff, and Durham community members, helped select this year's recipients, prioritizing projects with the potential for measurable outcomes, transformational impact, and long-term sustainability.

With nearly $760,000 requested and just over $102,000 available to award, this year's grant cycle highlights both the creativity within our schools and the need for greater community investment to bring more ideas to life.

Congratulations to our 2026–27 Innovation Grant recipients! We're grateful to the educators, students, families, school staff, and community partners whose creativity and commitment continue to move Durham's public schools forward.

And to the donors and supporters who make these investments possible: thank you for believing in Durham's public schools and the people who make them thrive.

When Public Schools Thrive, Durham Thrives.