The Randolph Foundation for Education, a new organization, intends to help finance the public schools with private donations.

The RFE’s first project, the “Competitive Grants Program,” seeks proposals from public school teachers for any purchases that benefit students, typically for expenses that teachers would have paid out of their own pockets.

“We have cash in the bank donated from generous Randolph businesses, and we’re looking for teacher grant applications,” said Jesse Gordon, an RFE board member.

The grants, up to about $1,000, encourage innovative teaching projects with direct benefit to students that involve an individual classroom, several classrooms and/or school-wide activities. Teachers are encouraged to check out grant opportunities on the website, which features a one-page grant application along with grant guidelines and sample grants.

“We asked elementary school teachers how many of them spend their own money on classroom expenses, and the answer was ‘All of them.’ We want to reimburse them for expenses that benefit education,” Gordon said.

“We’ve been going out to local businesses seeking donations,” said Judy Conway, the RFE’s co-director. “Businesses have been receptive, but individuals could donate, too.”

The RFE is a nonprofit organization and donations are tax deductible. All donations will go to projects submitted by teachers. The RFE plans additional programs starting in the next school year.

The RFE is modeled after the Milton Foundation for Education, which has been providing private funding for the Milton public schools for 23 years.

For information, or to apply for a grant: http://RandolphFoundation.org.