Supporting innovation in the classroom one grant at a time
Enhancing the quality of education in the Cortland public schools
Every year, teachers and staff in the Cortland City School District receive grants of up to $1,000 to support innovative classroom projects that are not funded by the school budget.
These grants are awarded by the Cortland Public Education Foundation (CPEF), a nonprofit that has helped teachers achieve educational excellence in the Cortland public schools since 2005.
Our grants are funded by our annual golf tournament and the generous donations from community members and local businesses.
Since its inception in 1995, CPEF has awarded up to $8,000 in grant funding to Cortland teachers every year. The process starts when teachers submit a formal application detailing how the project will benefit their students and how it will expand the educational opportunities in the Cortland schools.
The CPEF board reviews the applications twice a year and awards grants to teachers and staff every fall and spring. CPEF has provided grants for a wide array of classroom resources, from wobble stools for students with special needs to a set of West African drums for a new music ensemble.
Art materials purchased through a CPEF grant.
Shaping the World of Education
The world map on the wall in Shannon King Root’s social studies classroom at Cortland Junior High School was provided by a grant from the Cortland Public Education Foundation (CPEF).
“I am over the moon excited with this map as an additional teaching tool in my classroom,” Shannon says. “My students and I reference it all the time and even during times we are not learning social studies, such as during study halls.”
Golfing for Education
CPEF raises funding for its grants from our annual Golf Tourney, held every July at Willowbrook Golf Club in Cortland.
Gather your team now for CPEF’s 21st Annual Golf Tourney July, 2026 at Willowbrook. More information coming soon! Check out the results from the 2025 Tournament here!
The CPEF Golf Tourney is a highlight of the summer, with food, prizes and 18 holes of golf with friends!
CPEF’s Stats for 2024-2025
Number of Grants Awarded: 10
Total Funding Provided: $7,463
Number of Teachers Offered Grants: 10
