Students Stand outside of Austin Community College at Early College High School. "Helping ECHS provide the best educational experience possible, encouraging family and community involvement, and enabling our scholars to learn and grow to their full potential."

Encouraging family and community involvement, enriching student experiences, and helping all scholars reach their full potential.

LISD Early College High School PTSA

Gold and purple ECHS Griffin with words Griffin Grants

2026-27 Griffin Grants 

Empowering Innovation & Student Engagement

Missed our Griffin Grants Donation Day? Donate any time to support Griffin Grants for our educators!

Application and Guidelines

Do you have a project or activity that sparks curiosity, builds meaningful relationships, or empowers students to take ownership of their academic success?

The Early College High School PTSA invites all ECHS educators to apply for a Griffin Grant — a micro-grant funding opportunity designed to relieve the financial burden from educators’ efforts to implement student-centered projects and activities that prepare students not just for graduation, but life beyond high school. 

Applications will reopen Fall of 2026.

Griffin Grants funds are awarded at the sole discretion of the ECHS PTSA. No direct or indirect consent or endorsement related to the use of the funds shall be assumed by Leander ISD or Early College High School.

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Purpose of Griffin Grants

Griffin Grants are intended to enhance and extend student learning experiences in ways that go beyond traditional classroom resources. Successful grant applications will be:

  • Student-centered and purpose-driven;
  • Focused on student engagement, relationship building, creating welcoming and empowering learning environments, advancing educational outcomes, or developing student interests & career exploration;
  • And intentionally highlight one or more aspects of the Leander Way principles: Build, Create, Think.

Griffin Grants are meant to support innovative ideas and projects that may not be funded through regular campus or district budgets, while strengthening Early College High School’s vision of preparing students for college, career, and success.

Grant Review & Award Information

Griffin Grant applications are reviewed by a committee of ECHS administration, PTSA Board members and community members using established criteria aligned to campus and district priorities.

  • Applicants may request grants up to $300 per school year, per subject area funds permitting.
  • There will be two grant funding cycles per school year- Fall and Spring (deadlines to be released each semester.)
  • Griffin Grants are one time awards and are not subject to automatic renewal.
  • All funds must be used within the same school year unless otherwise approved by the grant committee and administration.
  • If grant requests exceed available funds, the committee reserves the right to award a lesser amount or to deny a request(s) for that funding cycle.
    • Denied requests that meet all grant application criteria will be automatically reconsidered during the subsequent grant funding cycle.
  • All equipment, program materials and curricula purchased using any Griffin Grants funding become the property of ECHS upon an educator’s separation from the school.
  • Grant funds may not be used for:
    • Food
    • Personal reimbursement
    • Technology purchases (i.e. computer software, annual subscriptions)
    • Travel expenses

Griffin Grant recipients will be recognized and celebrated on the PTSA website for their commitment to innovation and student success.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants please review the attached Selection Rubric prior to submitting a Griffin Grant request. 

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be a full-time Early College High School staff member;
  • Must not have received a Griffin Grant during the same school year;
  • Campus administration and/or department leadership must be aware of and approve the grant application before forwarding it to the grant committee for review;
  • Agree to apply grant funds to a project implemented within the current school year.
  • Applications must include:
    • Specific monetary request
    • Project title and description
    • Defined purpose
    • Anticipated student impact and implementation timeline
    • Budget documentation
    • A statement indicating that other funding opportunities are not available

If selected, Griffin Grant recipients agree to provide:

  • A minimum of three (3) photos or a two-minute video showcasing the project in action.
  • A brief reflection (a minimum of 250 words) describing how the project impacted students, staff, or the campus community.

Ready to apply?

Applications will be available in Fall 2026. If you are considering applying, please be sure to review the Grant Committee Selection Rubric and the Post-Grant Reflection Report before applying.

Griffin Grant Application

Donations

This program is not possible with the support and donations of our local PTSA members and the community. Please consider donating to fund a Griffin Grant today. Your donation makes a difference!

All donations to the PTSA are personally tax deductible up to the federal limit.

EIN: 88-4225042
LEANDER ISD EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL PTSA

Questions or Support

For questions, please contact the LISD ECHS PTSA at lisdechsptsa@gmail.com. 

For application assistance, please contact Lani Teasley at lani.teasley@leanderisd.org.