The Wildcat Foundation is pleased to provide support to teachers, coaches, and students in the Mechanicsburg Area School District by way of our annual grant-funding process.
In the spring of 2025, the foundation awarded more than $87,000 in grant funds to MASD programs for the 2025-2026 school year. The funds distributed align with our mission to strengthen the educational, cultural, wellness, and athletic programs of the Mechanicsburg Area School District.
The grant process for the 2026-2027 academic year will open in November with applications being accepted through Google Forms. The grant application deadline will be Jan. 18, 2026. Grant awards will be announced in the spring of 2026 after final approval from the school board. Applications must include signed approval and feedback from an administrator (principal or athletic director) before submission.
Applications will be reviewed and funding recommendations made by a committee of our volunteer board of directors. Historically, funds granted range from $100-$6,000 per grant. Any person (staff, coach, advisor, etc.) responsible for K-12 education and/or extracurricular activities at MASD may apply for grant funds.
Questions regarding the foundation and the grant-funding process may be directed to the foundation executive director Jeff Pratt via email (jpratt@mbgsd.org) or phone 717-691-4505.
Foundation approves more than $87,000 in grant funding for 2025/2026 academic year
Continuing its mission is to strengthen the educational, cultural, wellness, and athletic programs of the Mechanicsburg Area School District, the Wildcat Foundation is distributing more than $87,000 in grant funding for the 2025-26 academic year.
The educational foundation uses fundraising events and charitable contributions from individuals, groups, and businesses to raise funds each year for distribution in grants.
Key fundraising events include the Annual Golf Outing (recently held on Aug. 8), an Annual Appeal taking place later this fall, and Wildcat Night, which is set for Feb. 20, 2026.
The foundation received grant applications for the 2025-26 school year in January. A committee of volunteers reviewed the applications and funding recommendations were presented to and approved by the Foundation Board of Directors and School Board of Directors in April.
Grants will be used throughout the 2025-26 school year in various programs.
Approved funds for the 2025/2026 academic year | $87,625.00
Athletics – $3,065
- Extra-curricular Fund —– $3,065
Cultural – $6,125
- Architecture Center for the Broad Street and Northside Art Studios —– $625.00
- The Muse —– $3,000.00
- MASH Civil Rights Elective Course Field Trip —– $2,500.00
Education – $13,210
- Let’s Take a Break —– $110.00
- Sensory Needs for Students in the Multiple Disabilities Support —– $600.00
- 2nd Grade Games —– $1,000.00
- MMS Esports Club —– $3,000.00
- Creative Thinking and Developing Peer Relationships through Play —– $2,200.00
- Wee Wildcats, supporting our youngest learners —– $2,500.00
- Dash Robot Refresh —– $3,800.00
Wellness – $14,600
- CPR Reimbursement —– $1,000.00
- Food/Nutrition —– $5,000.00
- Intervention Support Stories/ Emotional-Classroom Readiness Skills —– $1,500.00
- Read.Create.Belong. Project —– $3,600.00
- Self-Regulation for 6th Grade —– $500.00
- Small Group Picnic Tables —– $2,000.00
- Student Assistance Program —– $1,000.00
EITC approved funds | $50,500
- JA Biz Town—–$9,000.00
- JA YES!—–$800.00
- Green Team, Trails and Trees Environmental Center—–$1,200.00
- Dual Enrollment—–$20,000.00
- Design 4 Change—–$4,000.00
- TSA Club—–$4,000.00
- Trails & Trees Environmental Center—–$7,000
- MakerSpace/MASH —–$4,000.00
- MakerSpace/Elmwood Academy 3D Printing Program—–$500.00
The foundation is also approved by Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) as an Educational Improvement Organization (EIO). That means the foundation can accept Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donations to support approved programs.
Throughout the academic year, as funds are available and requests made, the foundation may provide additional support to any DCED/EITC approved program.
DCED/EITC approved programs include:
- Junior Achievement: BizTown and YES!
- Design 4 Change (D4C)
- Dual Enrollment
- Internships & CoOps
- STEAM MakerSpace & Soft Start Morning Activities (grades K-12)
- Media Production
- Model United Nations
- Technology Student Assoc. (TSA)
- Trails & Trees Environmental Center