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Leading the Way for Children and Public Education

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OEA Grants & Scholarships

OEA Award & Scholarship Recipients

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(Pictured above) Daneé Pinckney, Ohio Teacher of the Year; Rhonda Ferguson, ESP of the Year; Alice Somers, Jean Kershaw Scholarship; Eugene Mach, Marilyn Cross Scholarship; South-Western Education Association, Blue Ribbon Association Award; LeShun Ship Collins, JFK Scholarship & Doris L. Allen Human and Civil Rights Award; Carmen Pinter and Partners in Education Program-Ohio Lottery Commission, OEA Friend of Education Award.

OEA is pleased to celebrate, honor, and reward the outstanding work of our members and local affiliates who have made special contributions to the improvement of public education.

The OEA will lead the way for continuous improvement of public education while advocating for members and the learners they serve.

  • NEA-R Jack Kinnaman Scholarship
  • NEA Foundation awards over 150 grants to support educators’ efforts to close the achievement gaps, develop creative learning opportunities for students, and enhance their own professional development.
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P.O. Box 2550 | 225 E. Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43216 | 43215

awards@ohea.org

614-227-3116 or 800-282-1500 ext. 3116

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Unless otherwise noted, applications (and forms) must be submitted by January 31, 2025. Click here to download a print-friendly summary of the many OEA Awards and Scholarship opportunities.

Special Notes

  • We recommend careful review of the eligibility guidelines as they vary by program type.
  • All awards and scholarships will be acknowledged during the OEA Spring Representative Assembly.
  • The Committee reserves the right to present no award or to refer an applicant to another award or scholarship.

Additional OEA Awards & Grants

OEA Affiliate Grants

  1. One-Year Special Project
  2. Two-Year Special Project
  3. Effective Locals
  4. Release Time

Four Funding Opportunities

  1. Diversity Program Funding Grant
  2. Innovation Program Funding Grant
  3. Whisper Fund Grants
  4. Make-A-Wish® / Adopt-A-Wish

Apply for OEA’s One-Time Local Capacity Grant!

How your Local Can Benefit

1. Complete the Local Assessment Tool & Receive $2,500

  • Work with your Labor Relations Consultant (LRC) to complete all eight (8) key areas of OEA’s Local Assessment Tool.
  • The Local Assessment Tool is designed for leaders AND members to assess and measure a local’s strength and capacity.
  • Local Leaders should form a committee of members to discuss and provide feedback regarding the eight (8) key areas of the Local Assessment Tool.
  • Once completed, submit the attached Local Assessment Tool Grant Award Form within 30 days to receive a $2,500 grant award.
  • If using the printable version, include a completed hard copy with the grant request form.

2. Develop an Action Plan & Access Additional Grant Funding

  • With your LRC, identify at least one key area of focus (e.g., Advocacy, Contract Negotiations, Communication, Leadership Development, etc.) and develop an action plan.
  • Your local may receive $50 per member (up to $30,000 total) to implement your action plan.
  • Submit the OEA Local Capacity Grant Application and Action Plan (attached) to your Regional Director for approval.
  • All reimbursement receipts must be submitted by July 31, 2026.

We encourage local teams to complete the Local Assessment Tool as soon as possible and begin developing an action plan for implementation in the 2025–26 school year. Rather than completing the assessment individually, local leaders should form a group of local members with their LRC to foster meaningful discussions and accurately assess local needs. Collaborating as a team helps ensure member input and leads to more effective, engaging action plans.

Timeline & Additional Support

  • Ideally, locals should complete the Local Assessment Tool now and develop an action plan for implementation during the 2025-26 school year.
  • Locals may contact their Labor Relations Consultant (LRC) for assistance in completing the Local Assessment Tool, developing an action plan, and applying for the Local Capacity Grant.

Grant Documents