Fabulous Firsts Act II
Fabulous Firsts Act II: Storybook Theatre is an extension of HEF’s tradition of giving a new, hardcover picture book to every first grader in the district. This program that challenges high school drama students at both CHS and HHS with bringing some of the Fabulous First stories to life as performances for first graders at every elementary school in the district.
Great Conversations
Great Conversations 2026 is Wednesday, November 18! Great Conversations brings together life-long learners of all ages for an evening of informal conversation and dinner and to honor great teachers. Great Conversations draws more than 250 guests each year and features a wide range of relevant, thought-provoking topics; topic areas include science and technology, religion, politics, the economy, literature, history, and current events and culture.
Grants to Educators
Great educators make great schools. The Helena Education Foundation supports Helena’s educators by providing grants that bring their great ideas to life. The Helena Education Foundation offers two grant opportunities to educators of the Helena School District (HSD): Great Ideas Grants and Spark Grants. Both opportunities put funds directly in the hands of educators for innovative projects serving students in and out of the classroom, providing enriching educational opportunities and experiences to all students.
Supporting Helena Teachers, Students, and Community
The Helena Education Foundation enhances the experiences of public education students and educators in Montana’s capital city. HEF sponsors a wide array of events annually: Issues Institutes for students, teachers and community, Great Ideas Grants and Spark Grants; the Celebration of Excellence for graduating seniors and their Distinguished Educators; Trading Places for learning and collaboration among school administrators and community leaders; Great Conversations for civil discussion and life-long learning; Fabulous Firsts providing books to first graders; the community celebration Carnival Classic and more.
Key to HEF’s innovation is our message that excellent public schools forge healthy communities and that this vehicle allows the entire community to invest time, assets and enthusiasm in the cause:
“Great schools are everyone’s business!”
