National PTA Names Middle Ground Program and Family Engagement Solutions Challenge Grant Recipients

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- National PTA is pleased to announce the recipients of $70,000 in funding to support PTAs across the country as they work to strengthen family engagement and support student success and well-being in their schools and districts. Fifteen local PTAs have been selected to receive the association's 2025-2026 Middle Ground Program Grant of $3,500 each. The funding is made possible in collaboration with the New York Life Foundation as part of National PTA's Healthy Minds initiative. Seven council PTAs also have been selected to receive the association's 2025-2026 Family Engagement Solutions Challenge Grant of $2,500 each. The funding is made possible by the Overdeck Family Foundation as part of National PTA's efforts to advance evidence-based family engagement programs nationwide.

The 2025-2026 Middle Ground Program Grant recipients are:

• Cardozo Middle School PTSA (Mississippi)
• Childers Middle School PTA (Oklahoma)
• Churchill Jr High PTSA (Utah)
• Donald S. Ray PTA (New York)
• Great Bridge Middle School PTA (Virginia)
• James Madison Middle School PTSA (Florida)
• John Adams Middle School PTA (West Virginia)
• Northern Guilford Middle School PTSA (North Carolina)
• OW Holmes Middle School PTA (Virginia)
• PHACT PTA (Connecticut)
• Robert Driscoll Middle PTSA (Texas)
• Santa Fe Parent-Teacher Association, Inc. (California)
• Silver Spring International Middle School PTSA (Maryland)
• South Orangetown Middle School PTA (New York)
• T.C. McCormick Jr Middle School PTSA (Texas)

The 2025-2026 Family Engagement Solutions Challenge Grant recipients are:

• Broward County Council PTA/PTSA (Florida)
• Chesapeake Council PTA (Virginia)
• Durham Public Schools Council PTA (North Carolina)
• Long Beach Council PTA (California)
• San Diego Unified Council of PTAs (California)
• Tulsa Council of PTAs (Oklahoma)
• Yonkers Council of PTA/PTSAs (New York)

National PTA and the New York Life Foundation have collaborated to launch the Middle Ground Program Grant to support the creation of dedicated spaces in schools for grieving students. Inspired by the New York Life Foundation's graphic novel Lost in the Middle, these spaces will provide opportunities for storytelling, creative expression and peer connection and will reflect a commitment to fostering supportive, inclusive environments where students feel seen, heard and connected to ensure no child feels alone in their grief. In addition to the funding, grant recipients will also receive tools and resources to help their schools become Grief-Sensitive Schools through the New York Life Foundation's Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative. 

The Family Engagement Solutions Challenge Grant recipients will participate in a train-the-trainer convening and then deliver a training to their school district administrators and/or school leaders on the importance of evidence-based family engagement programs and Family Engagement Solutions. The grantees will also partner with their school district to understand if and how evidence-based family engagement programs are a part of their budget and strategic priorities. Up to $5,000 in match-funding will be provided to the participating PTA's school district and/or schools if they are able and willing to implement one of these programs in the 2025-2026 school year. 

"PTAs work hard every day to meet the critical needs of students, families and schools and strong partnerships between families and schools are critical to support our students' success academically, socially and emotionally," said Yvonne Johnson, president of National PTA. "The grant recipients will play an important role in helping advance meaningful and effective strategies and programs that will make a real impact for students, families and schools. We are grateful to the New York Life Foundation and Overdeck Family Foundation for making this funding possible."

National PTA's Healthy Minds initiative is designed to equip families with the information they need to make mental health a daily priority and build healthy minds and healthy lifestyles. Family Engagement Solutions is a free online tool spearheaded by National PTA's Center for Family Engagement to help district and school leaders, educators and advocates find evidence-based programs that strengthen family-school partnerships and improve student outcomes. For more information about Healthy Minds and Family Engagement Solutions, visit PTA.org/HealthyMinds and FamilyEngagementSolutions.org.

About National PTA
National PTA^® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.

SOURCE National PTA