Suszan Cadwell Innovation Grant

The Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind (IESDB) Foundation has renamed its Mini Grant opportunity in honor of the late Suszan Cadwell.

Suszan joined the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind in 1992, where she taught multiple grade levels in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Department. A Nationally Certified American Sign Language Interpreter, she had a remarkable gift for signing. For the last eight years of her career, she served as principal of the Elementary Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Special Needs Department.

Beyond her role in education, Suszan was a dedicated member of the IESDB Foundation Board for nine years, holding various leadership positions. She was also the founder and driving force behind the Mini Grant awards in Idaho.

This renaming is a tribute to Suszan’s lasting impact. Mini Grant applications submitted for the 2025–2026 school year remain valid, as this change is solely in recognition of her legacy and does not alter the grant’s structure or requirements.

About the Application and Grants

Suszan Cadwell Innovation Grants are small grants funded by the IESDB Foundation. These grants may be applied for by IESDB employees and are intended to support initiatives within IESDB. The foundation is seeking to fund novel ideas and projects.

Awarded funds must be spent between 01 July 2025 and 31 May 2026. The maximum grant award is $2000 and projects should be limited to one application. This application is due 25 March 2025 12:00PM Mountain Daylight Time. Supervisors must complete the secondary application by 30 April 2025 11:59 PM DMT. To complete the secondary application, supervisors will be emailed a grant ID along with a separate form and must verify that the grant is an appropriate use of IESDB Foundation funds (This cannot be funded via the school budget). 

At this time there is not an equitable way to review Grant Committee funding decisions. Therefore all funding decisions are final at the time of award announcement.

If you have questions regarding how to fill out this application for maximum chances of grant funding please email: apalmerdusenbury@iesdbfoundation.org with the subject: Mini Grant App [Last name]. Questions will be responded to weekly. 

Statement on AI and LLMS

The Grant Committee recognizes the evolving landscape of technology and the increasing role of AI and LLMs in various workflows. However, to ensure fair and ethical evaluation, applications suspected of over-relying on these tools will be asked to revise and resubmit for further consideration. Authenticity and intellectual honesty are key factors in our evaluation process.