The EXCEL Foundation funds grants to teachers for innovative classroom projects in Coeur d'Alene Scho ORGANIZATION'S MISSION OR MOST SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES THE EXCEL FOUNDATION FUNDS GRANTS TO TEACHERS FOR INNOVATIVE CLASSROOM PROJECTS IN COEUR D'ALENE SCHOOL DISTRICT 271. THESE PROJECTS WOULD NOT BE FUNDED WITH ONGOING SCHOOL MAINTENANCE DOLLARS. FUNDING IS MEANT TO IMPROVE THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF STUDENTS AND ENCOURAGE TEACHERS WITH CREATIVE APPROACHES TO EDUCATION. GRANTS ARE NOT AWARDED BASED ON PARTICULAR AREAS OF EMPHASIS OR RIGID CRITERIA. INSTEAD, THE EXCEL BOARD SEEKS UNIQUE AND INVENTIVE IDEAS WHICH WILL INCREASE A STUDENTS MOTIVATION TO LEARN WHILE DEVELOPING HIGHER LEVEL THINKING SKILLS AND DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE.