ICNA Relief EMPOWER Grant FREE Orientation Session - Hosted by ISLA

ICNA Relief EMPOWER Grant FREE Orientation Session – Hosted by ISLA

Organized by: ISLA

Thursday, October 1, 2026 Free Event #Orientation

Event Details

Join ICNA & ISLA for an interactive session to learn more about the EMPOWER Grant and how to apply.

ICNA EMPOWER Grant Orientation Session hosted by ISLA

Thursday, October 1st
Start Time: 8:30 pm ET | 7:30 pm CT | 5:30 pm PT
Duration: 60 minutes

What is the EMPOWER Grant?
Teachers are the backbone of the education system, but they are often overlooked. Statistics show that new teachers rarely remain in the profession beyond their first year, and yet, few education improvement programs are aimed to support them. A student’s success is traced directly to their teachers, which is why ICNA Relief has created the EMPOWER Grant, so they have the means to form a legacy of great students.

Applications open October 1, 2026 at 12 AM CT and are due by October 31, 2026 by 11:59 PM CT. Classroom grants can be used for projects and materials relating to the core subjects (Science, Literacy, Math, Art, Physical Education, and Social Studies). Supplies include but are not limited to, the purchase of books, software, calculators, math manipulatives, art supplies, audio-visual equipment, and lab materials.

Special guests – participants from prior years may join and share tips

Application process:
- Allow 2-4 hours to submit proposal (need all documents ready beforehand)
- Grant is considered taxable income by the recipient, if this will be a burden do not apply
- Grant application is for individuals only, not schools
- Applicants may only be 1st – 8th grade teachers at traditional brick and mortar schools (online programs are not eligible)
- Proposals are encouraged primarily for STEM education and on providing resources for schools to improve
- Application process – rubric for judging, hard deadline, all elements must be submitted, videos huge plus
- this is a grant proposal, and as such follows standard professional procedures at all stages

Reporting on grants received is required – recipients who do not submit in a timely manner will not be eligible to receive EMPOWER grants in future

General Information:

Questions email: back2school@icnarelief.org, response within 24 business hours
Landing page, open for registration on October 1st: https://icnarelief.org/back2school/grants/
Applications close at 11:59 pm CT on October 31st

Key Points to be covered in the Orientation Session