Dysart Education Foundation

10/11/2026

Selections for 2027 Laird Mini Grant recipients have been approved and winners will be contacted after Fall Break! In the meantime, here's an update from last year:

Speech therapist Ms. Augenstein was delighted to receive items from a 2026 Laird Mini Grant. The AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication Device) will assist her in her work with nonverbal students. Even though these students are non-verbal, they have IEPs that include speech therapy. They learn how to use the device just as they would learn to use their voice if they were verbal.

The device in this picture is an iPad with protective cover with two applications installed by IT department that makes it an AAC device.

DEF's Laird Mini-Grant Program is supported by an award from the City of Surprise Community Outreach Program, United Way, Subaru of Surprise, and Southwest Foodservice Excellence, as well as other community donors.

09/25/2026

Vernique Montoya Jenkins and Donya Davis-Seay represented the Dysart Education Foundation at the DHS Tailgate Party for their Homecoming game tomorrow.
So much energy and connections with Senior HS students wanting to attend college or still deciding what they want to do.
Either way it was nice attending an event to let them know about the $120,000+ that DEF will be awarding in April 2027!

2027 graduating high school Seniors from the Dysart Unified School District can start applying from the website January 1 thru March 1.

09/19/2026

Application Deadline extended through to 22 September!!!!

We have $20,000 to award at a maximum $2,000 per teacher!

Last chance for 2026 Laird Teacher Mini-Grants for Teachers in the Dysart Unified School District.

You can’t win if you don’t apply!!!
www.DysartEducationFoundation.org

09/17/2026

😀The 2026 Laird Teacher Mini-Grant has $20,000 to award this fall. 💰💵🤑

👏The maximum per Teacher is $2,000 to be able to put back in their classrooms.

🧐We did not receive enough applicants to administer at least 10 winners, so in conjunction with the DUSD, we have extended the deadline to 22 September to apply.

👉Go to: www.DysartEducationFoundation.org
Click on the tab for: Laird Teacher
Mini-Grants

🎯You can’t win if you don’t apply! 📝

Explore the Dysart Education Center for scholarships, teacher grants, and community engagement in education.

09/16/2026

DEF is partnering with The Northwest Valley Family YMCA for an Annual Run/Walk for our communities on Saturday, December 12.

Register online as a participant and sponsors.
https://nwvalleyymcaholiday5krun.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=17206

See the flyers below for details and use the QR code to register.

Your participation supports the El Mirage YMCA community activities and the 2027 DEF Scholarships for graduating high school seniors in the Dysart School District.

09/12/2026

We are in count down mode! This Wednesday, 16 September is the DEADLINE!

Up to $2,000 per grant is available when you meet the criteria!
Click 👇
https://dysarteducationfoundation.org/teacher-mini-grants

09/03/2026

Teachers, time is running out! Submit your Laird Mini-Grant application before the September 16th deadline and receive up to $2000 to fund your special project!
https://dysarteducationfoundation.org/teacher-mini-grants

09/01/2026

Last year, a DEF Laird Mini-Grant allowed teacher Kathryn Voss to replace several outdated webcams with high-quality document cameras for her Stop Motion Animation elective! Teachers have until September 16th to submit this year's grant application:
https://forms.gle/C15vAaqa9BYKvK6k7

More info on the Dysart Education Foundation website:
https://dysarteducationfoundation.org/teacher-mini-grants

DEF's Laird Mini-Grant Program is supported by an award from the City of Surprise Community Outreach Program, United Way, Subaru of Surprise, and Southwest Foodservice Excellence, as well as other community donors.

08/28/2026

Now's the time for teachers to apply for up to $2000! 2026 DEF Laird Mini-Grant Applications are due by September 16th! Use this form to apply:
https://forms.gle/C15vAaqa9BYKvK6k7

More info on the Dysart Education Foundation website:
https://dysarteducationfoundation.org/teacher-mini-grants

DEF's Laird Mini-Grant Program is supported by an award from the City of Surprise Community Outreach Program.

08/24/2026

Dysart Teachers: 2026 DEF Laird Mini-Grant Applications are due by September 16th! Use this form to apply.
https://forms.gle/C15vAaqa9BYKvK6k7
More info on the Dysart Education Foundation website:
https://dysarteducationfoundation.org/teacher-mini-grants