The Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts (GOCSD) and the Missouri Capital Asset Advantage Treasury (MOCAAT) are excited to give back to the GOCSD membership through multiple competitive grant opportunities.

GOInnovate Grants support innovative projects that improve student learning through personalized competency based learning and learner agency practices.

The 2025 GOInnovate Grant maximum award amount is $1,500 and the minimum is $250.

We encourage district officials and school boards of grant recipients to consider matching the amount of the awarded GOInnovative Grant. This is not a requirement to receive a grant.

The purpose of this grant opportunity is to:

• Improve student learning through increased student engagement, motivation, and the development of systems that empower students to make important decisions about their learning experiences.

• Create opportunities to allow students to reach their full potential through enriched, personalized competency based learning environments.

• Support innovative and creative teaching methodologies, strategies, and tools that lead to increased learner agency in classrooms.

• Give back to and support the innovative work of the members of the Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts (GOCSD).

• This grant opportunity is open to all professional staff who are employed by GOCSD member school districts. Professional Staff are positions that legally require a certificate issued by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) or that have been designated by the district as "professional" positions in the relevant job descriptions.

• The grant can be submitted by an individual or by a group.

Prior to submitting the application:

1. Verify that your innovative idea is aligned to the GOCSD Professional Learning Framework.

2. Discuss the grant application with your principal and/or the superintendent. Describe the innovative concept that you plan to submit.

3. Follow your district's policies or requirements for grants, obtaining the needed authorization.

Submit the Application by April 15, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

Applicants may submit multiple grants. However, applicants will only have the potential to be awarded one individual grant and to be a part of one collaborative grant. This is a one time grant.

Applicants will be notified by mid-June, once a final review of all applications has been completed.

Applications will be scored based on their:

• Alignment to the GOCSD Professional Learning Framework

• Student Learning Sustainability Impact

• Measurability

• Budget

• Innovation

• Replicability

• Clarity of Application

This scoring guide will be used by the GOCSD Team when reviewing the applications.

Grant recipients will be expected to:

1. Attend the 2025 GOCSD Innovation Summit in Branson MO on July 31-Aug 1, 2025 to receive your grant check and participate in promotional photo opportunities.

2. Host a 45 minute breakout or roundtable session showcasing your project at the 2026 GOCSD Innovation Summit in Branson MO on July 30-31st, 2026 to share your innovative work with attendees, inspiring them to explore and implement innovative practices.