The Foundation for Portland Public Schools (FPPS) has awarded more grants than ever before in its almost 20-year grant-making history. For the first time, FPPS awarded grants of up to $2,000 via three different grant programs. 135 grants totaling $144,554 will benefit students across 17 schools in the district this school year. FPPS has awarded:

• 101 Equity & Innovation Grants that fund projects to inspire students and improve educational outcomes
• 25 Co-Curricular Grants that benefit school clubs and activities
• 9 Food Fund grants that address food insecurity

These grants will benefit thousands of students from Pre-K through Portland Adult Education in 17 schools across the district. Examples of funded projects range from resources for the Auto Collision Repair program at Portland Arts & Technology High School (PATHS) to a hands-on fossil dig for second-graders at East End Community School studying paleontology, to support for the Model United Nations Club at Deering High School.

“We were able to have seven visits to our classroom from the Maine Audubon,” Malinda Julson, a Pre-K teacher, said of the impact of the grant she received from FPPS during the 2024-25 school year. “This project had a large impact on children's language development, especially in regards to vocabulary development. It was so exciting to hear things like, ‘Here I am! I'm coming to pollinate your garden,’ while playing in our dramatic play center or to hear them talk about the nocturnal animals that were going to live in the caves that they were building in the block area.”

The funding for these grants came from a remarkable, five-year pledge made by the family of Meghan Mellor Trulaske Miers, a PPS parent who passed away in 2024.

Photo: Students in Malinda Julson’s Pre-K class learn from Maine Audubon educators, thanks to a 2024-25 FPPS grant.

The Foundation for Portland Public Schools is a nonprofit organization with a mission to be a catalyst for increased educational opportunities, achievement, and equity for all Portland Public Schools students and staff. Learn more about us at www.foundationforpps.org.

The Portland Public Schools is Maine’s largest school district, with approximately 6,400 students, and it’s also the most diverse. About one-third of the district’s students come from homes where languages other than English are spoken—a total of 59 languages. Approximately 47 percent of the district’s students are white and 53 percent are students of color. Over half of PPS students qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.