In a world where educators’ creativity and dedication often extend far beyond the classroom, the ICNA Relief EMPOWER Grant offers an opportunity to bring bold, innovative ideas to life. EMPOWER stands for Encouraging Meaningful Proposals Offering Wisdom, Excellence, and Responsibility — a fitting name for a grant designed to support teachers who want to make a lasting impact on their students and school communities.
This annual program challenges teachers to design projects that address real needs, inspire students, and strengthen schools — whether public, private, or Islamic.
What Is the ICNA Relief EMPOWER Grant?
The EMPOWER Grant is an annual initiative of ICNA Relief, aimed at supporting Muslim educators working in public and private schools, as well as non-Muslim educators serving at Islamic schools. The program provides funding, mentorship, and recognition to help teachers implement creative, meaningful projects that benefit their students and school communities.
It’s not just financial assistance — it’s an invitation to lead, to innovate, and to show how education can be a powerful force for positive change.
Why It Matters: Supporting Teachers and Schools
- Empowering teachers: The grant provides educators with resources and validation to implement creative projects they may not otherwise be able to pursue.
- Encouraging collaboration: By inviting teachers to connect with school administrators and colleagues, the program fosters a culture of shared innovation in schools.
- Building leadership in education: Teachers who receive the grant gain experience in project design, management, and evaluation — skills that extend far beyond a single initiative.
- Creating ripple effects: From classrooms to entire school communities, funded projects have the potential to inspire, engage, and set models that others can replicate.
The Application Process: Competitive, Rigorous, Rewarding
The EMPOWER Grant is a highly competitive process. Educators must carefully craft proposals that stand out by demonstrating:
- Clarity of problem and impact – Define the issue your project addresses and explain how it will improve student outcomes or strengthen your school.
- Creativity and originality – Judges are looking for innovative ideas that go beyond traditional programs or classroom activities.
- Feasibility – Strong proposals include a clear plan, timeline, and budget that demonstrate the project can realistically be carried out.
- Sustainability and scale – Can your project continue after the grant period, or be replicated at other grade levels or schools?
- Evidence of commitment – Highlight your passion for teaching and your dedication to seeing the project through.
📹 Video Requirement: All applicants must submit a short video (minimum 30 seconds) describing their project idea. This video must be posted publicly on YouTube and included with the application. A clear, engaging video strengthens your proposal and helps reviewers connect with your vision.
Key Dates for the 2025 EMPOWER Grant
If you’re preparing to apply, here’s the timeline you need to know:
- Application Opens: October 1, 2025
- Office Hours: October 21, 2025
- Application Closes: October 31, 2025
- Awardees Announced: by Monday, December 1, 2025
- Grant Monies Disbursed: by December 31, 2025
- Grant Reporting Due: April 30, 2026
Mark your calendar, begin brainstorming early, and plan time to create and upload your video before the deadline.
Spotlight: A 2024 EMPOWER Grantee
Each year, the EMPOWER Grant uplifts teachers who bring vision and creativity to their classrooms. One of the 2024 grantees was Maajida Coleman, a 5th grade teacher at Al Falah Academy. In her video submission, she shared her project idea with clarity and passion, demonstrating how even simple, thoughtful proposals can create meaningful change for students.
Her example shows how the required video component can be used not only to meet the guidelines, but to make a lasting impression on reviewers.
Watch Maajida’s video here: ICNA Relief EMPOWER Grant – Maajida Coleman.
Impact Report 2023
Impact Report 2024
How To Apply & Next Steps
To learn more details and submit your proposal, visit the ICNA Relief grants page: Learn more and apply here.
📩 Have questions? Reach out to the ICNA Relief team at back2school@icnarelief.org.
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Tips for Applicants: Standing Out
- Start early: Give yourself time to brainstorm, research, and refine your proposal.
- Must come from a school administrator (Superintendent, Head of School, Principal, Team Lead, or Board Member).
- Cannot come from a relative.
- Should highlight your strengths as a teacher, your unique value to the school, and how your project will impact students.
- Must include a proper signature with printed name and title.
- Ask early — ideally 10 days in advance — and provide bullet points about your project and teaching strengths.
- Request the letter in PDF format for upload.
- Seek feedback: Work with your school administrators and colleagues to strengthen your idea and ensure it aligns with your school’s mission.
- Leverage storytelling and visuals: Use your required video to communicate your vision in a compelling way.
- Balance passion with planning: Show your enthusiasm for your project while presenting a clear and realistic plan.
- Demonstrate commitment: Emphasize your role as an educator and why you are uniquely equipped to carry this project forward.
Final Thoughts
The ICNA Relief EMPOWER Grant is more than an award — it’s a platform for teachers to shine as leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers in education. Every proposal represents the courage of educators who dare to imagine change and take the first steps toward making it real for their students.
If you’re preparing an application, remember: your perspective as a teacher matters. Be bold, be clear, and be creative. Whether or not you win, the process itself strengthens your ability to inspire students, collaborate with colleagues, and build lasting impact in your school community.
Info Session Slide Deck:
ISLA and ICNA Relief co-hosted the Info Session; click here to view the slides presented.
