STAMFORD–Attention kindergarten and elementary school teachers: The First County Bank Foundation is awaiting your applications for its annual educators’ grants.

The annual FirstClass Grant Program for Teachers program is open to kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers in Westport, Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Fairfield and Bridgeport. Applications are due by Oct. 31; learn more at firstcountybank.com/community/grant-applications/.

Established in 2016, the program aims to foster creative education in and beyond the classroom. Topics that focus on nature, astronomy, financial literacy, conservation and art can win awards of up to $1,000.

Past grants have supported a wide range of activities and projects including 3D printing, a community garden, bird observation, robotics and a first grade STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) lab. Find a partial list of past recipients here.

“Consistent with our foundation’s focus on supporting educational enrichment programs for young students, the FirstClass Grants for Teachers Program was developed to provide funding to local public-school teachers who otherwise might have to forego creative learning initiatives due to fiscal limitations,” said foundation President Robert J. Granata, who is the chairman and CEO of First County Bank. “Each year we look forward to reviewing the applications and distributing grants to well-deserving and innovative educators.”

The foundation will begin awarding the grants in November for the current school year.

Questions? Contact the foundation at 203-462-4858 or by email to: foundation@firstcountybank.com.