Special Education Foundation

Give Education Day: Invest in Innovation. Support Our Teachers. Empower Our Students.

Every day, special education teachers go above and beyond to meet the unique needs of their students. Too often, that commitment comes at a personal cost.

In Missouri, teachers spend an average of $1,300 each year out of their own pockets on classroom supplies and student needs—well above the national average of $900. For educators serving students with disabilities in the Special School District of St. Louis County, those expenses are even more critical. Specialized materials, adaptive equipment, sensory tools, and hands-on learning resources are essential—but frequently underfunded.

That’s where the Classroom Innovation Grant program makes a powerful difference.

Through these grants, the Special Education Foundation helps relieve the financial burden on teachers so they don’t have to choose between their paycheck and their students. The program funds creative, student-centered projects that bring learning to life—projects that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive and left unrealized.

These innovative classroom ideas are often designed to meet specific Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals, support diverse learning styles, and help students build independence, confidence, and critical skills for life beyond the classroom.

On this Give Education Day, we’re asking for your help.

Your support ensures that more teachers can receive the funding they need to turn inspired ideas into meaningful learning experiences—without bearing the cost alone. Together, we can invest in educators, remove barriers to learning, and create classrooms where every student has the tools they need to succeed.

Because when teachers are supported, students with disabilities thrive.

The Foundation relies solely on private donations for support. The Foundation also helps students by:

• Providing Scholarships for college-bound students

• Sending kids to camp to bridge the educational gaps during summer, winter, and spring breaks

• Providing hearing aids for children with audiology needs

• Specialized equipment for children with physical disabilities

• Providing Student Aid Funds for Emergencies for timely support that can threaten a student’s ability to attend school, participate fully, or progress toward their goals.

• Leadership Academy for high school students who seek to develop their leadership & interpersonal skills

• Support special projects identified by the principals of Special School District schools