With support of partner Vista Higher Learning, ACTFL's Classroom Microgrants program provides $300 for K-12 language educators to organizing cultural events or activities and create projects supporting the development of cultural competence.
When students have the opportunity to participate first-hand in collaborative efforts with community organizations, explore new media and modes of expression, and celebrate what makes global cultures unique, they begin a lifelong journey of discovery.
Celebrating November 2025 Grantees
This academic year is off to a great start, with the first of three funding cycles complete!
States represented by recipients—including Arizona, Hawai’i, Kansas, New Jersey, West Virginia & others
Languages taught by grantees: Arabic, ESOL, French, Hawaiian, Italian, German, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, Russian & Spanish
in $300 grants distributed to support K-12 cultural projects during this cycle
Grantee Voices
Now in its third year, this program awarded $60,000 in funding between September 2023 and May 2025, and will grant another $30,000 by May 2026.
Hoda Alnazer (VA) – Arabic
“I teach a language because I believe it opens doors to understanding diverse cultures and connecting with others. My plan is to purchase different Arabic books of different levels to enhance my students’ literacy skills and also establish a book club!”
Jean Chen (KS) – Mandarin Chinese
“By engaging in guided calligraphy practice, students will experience the artistry of Chinese writing, which can enhance motivation, literacy skills, and cultural literacy in a hands-on way.”
Rajini Christadoss (CA) – French
"It is always fascinating for me to see the different dances from around the world. We'll be using these funds for our international club soirée, which is a grand evening party where we have a world pageant and interesting cultural activities."
Rachel Lake (WA) – Spanish
“I teach Mariachi to high school levels 9th through 12th grade, so I am really excited to get brand new music for my students to explore the different culture and the vibrant nature of Spanish.”
Karla Powell (NV) – ESOL
“I'll be using the funds to buy supplies for a final project where my students, who just finished a unit on change makers, will illustrate their own vision for a better world. Each student will choose a social issue they care about and create a visual project showing how they themselves can make a difference in the world.”
Margaret Spire (TN) – French
“We are going to use our microgrant funds to buy books so we can have plays from around the world performed by our puppets en francais. Merci!”
Help bring global cuisine, song and dance, theater, and cultural stories into the classroom: Programs like the Classroom Microgrants are made possible by generous contributions to the LCF from donors like you!
By giving young learners the opportunity to explore new perspectives, we open doors to a world of adventure, curiosity, and empathy.