SchoolGrants Newsletter
Vol. 1, No. 6
February 2000
INTRODUCTION
SchoolGrants was created to help fill the needs of the K-12 education
community in locating and applying for grants so that some of the dream
projects of our Nation's teachers can be realized. Our expressed mission is
to address these resource development needs of school administrators,
teachers and support personnel by providing a resource depository and easier
access in order to reach our ultimate aim: to improve and enhance the
educational opportunities for the largest number of students possible.
SchoolGrants is now available in a format that teachers using older
technology can access without experiencing formatting problems. If you have
experienced formatting problems on the SchoolGrants site, try SchoolGrants
Lite. Most of the information available on SchoolGrants is also available
on SchoolGrants Lite.
A small snafu occurred during January that affected about 1,000 subscribers.
A subscription request was inadvertently sent to an e-mail address that is
used to access the subscriber database when the newsletter is sent out. The
result was that everyone on that particular database received the
subscription request in their mailbox. Two important things were learned
from the incident. The first, and most important, is that SchoolGrants
subscribers are some very nice and helpful people as a great many of you
e-mailed either Ann or me, or in some cases both of us, to let us know of
the error. In addition, we learned that subscriber databases should not be
left on the server where errant messages can access them. Steps have been
taken to, hopefully, avoid a reoccurrence. Again, thank you for your
understanding and willingness to help another subscriber!!
We always welcome your tips and suggestions!! If you would like to
contribute to the content of the SchoolGrants Web site or newsletter, please
let us know. Working together, we help all students. A very special thanks
to those of you who have already shared opportunities with us!
***************
GRANT-WRITING TIPS
Many foundations require a letter of inquiry before accepting full proposals
from applicants. This allows foundations to easily choose projects about
which that they wish to learn more. It saves schools the time it takes to
complete a full proposal that no one reads. But, what should you include in
a letter of inquiry?
Before submitting a letter of inquiry (or, certainly, a full proposal), be
sure your project meets the foundation's guidelines and initiatives. If the
foundation does not provide specific instructions for a letter of inquiry,
the following format has been recommended:
* Name and address of the legal grant recipient organization;
* Contact person(s) and title(s). Include telephone and fax numbers, as
well as e-mail address!;
* A summary of your organization's mission;
* The size of this year's operating budget;
* A description of your proposed project. Make sure this is closely related
to the foundation's giving initiatives!!;
* A summary of your project goals, objectives, and measurable outcomes.
Again, these should be closely tied to the foundation's guidelines!;
* A list of the key individuals responsible for the project;
* If applicable, a list and brief description of project partners;
* The time frame for the proposed project;
* A brief description of funds requested and a description of how they'll be
used; and
* A statement regarding any prior funding you've received from the
foundation.
All of the above should be included in a letter to the foundation that does
not exceed 3 pages, plus any required attachments. Required attachments
typically include a project budget, a year-to-date financial statement, and
a copy of your IRS tax-exemption letter.
***
Grants are not always the best way for schools to raise the money they need.
Sometimes schools may be better served through fund-raising activities. We
discovered a site, Fund-Raising.com, that has hundreds of fundraising ideas
for nonprofits. In addition to the posted ideas, they offer free
fund-raising ideas and an Idea Bank Newsletter via email. Visit their site
at http://www.fund-raising.com
***
GRANT-WRITING RESOURCE
Grant Seeking Primer
http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/grants/grantprimer.htm
Adapted from Grantseeking Primer for Classroom Leaders, by David G. Bauer
and featured on Scholastic.com's Web site, this article features information
on how to get ready to seek grant support, gives six rules for developing
proposals, five ways to increase chances for success, how to develop
objectives, and how to deal with the grant-makers decision.
***************
More information about the expiring programs listed below can be found on
the SchoolGrants Web site at www.schoolgrants.org - look for them on the
various "Grant Opportunities" pages.
FEBRUARY 2000 DEADLINES
Toshiba America, February 1
New Jersey - Goals 2000 Local Reform Enhancement Program, February 1
New Jersey - Pairing and Sharing Instructional Resources via
Teleconferencing (Pilot Projects), February 1
AAUW Community Action Grants , February 1
Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards Program, February 2
OhioReads Community Reading Grants, February 4
Youth Service America, February 4
Texas Academics 2000: First Things First, February 4
Cinergy Foundation, February 9
Fund for the Improvement of Education: Partnerships in Character Education
Pilot Projects, February 11
NIS Secondary School Partnership, February 11
Bilingual Education: Career Ladder Program, February 14
Women's Educational Equity Act Program (WEEA), February 14
NASA Educational Workshops, February 20
Texas Technology Integration in Education (TIE), February 22
Texas - Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Grant Program, Planning and
Facilities Improvement Grants, February 23
New Jersey - AmeriCorps - Formula, February 23
NAA Foundation Secondary School Journalism Grant, February 29
****
MARCH 2000 DEADLINES
New Jersey's Technology Literacy Challenge Grant - Education Technology &
Whole School Reform, March 1
Council for Exceptional Children MiniGrant, March 1
Jostens' Our Town Award and Grant, March 1
Arts in Education (Mississippi Only), March 1
Office of Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, March 3
Learn and Serve America (for States), March 6
Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers To Use Technology, March 7
Bilingual Education: Training for All Teachers, March 8
High School Equivalency Program (HEP) and the College Assistance Migrant
Program (CAMP), March 10
Sp Ed--Personnel Preparation To Improve Services and Results for Children
With Disabilities, March 10
Sp Ed--Technical Assistance and Dissemination To Improve Services and
Results for Children With Disabilities, March 10
Alabama Reading Excellence Act Grant Program, March 10
Craftsman/NSTA Young Inventors Awards, March 10
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - College
Scholarship Awards, March 15
Compaq's Teaching with Technology Grant Program, March 15
Curriculum Associates' Excellence in Teaching Cabinet Grants, March 15
Science Education Partnership Award (NCRR), March 16
Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant and Loan Program (USDA), March 17
Sp Ed--Research and Innovation to Improve Services and Results for Children
with Disabilities, March 20
21st Century Community Learning Centers, March 20
Texas Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Program, March 30
Urban Systemic Program (NSF), March 31
Dunn Foundation, March 31
Ludwick Family Foundation, March 31
***************
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOOLS
Youth Service America
http://207.193.111.190/servenet/
Win a $2,250 grant from Youth Service America to fund a Community Health and
Service Fair on National Youth Service Day, April 14-15, 2000! Youth
Service America, in partnership with the White House National Youth
Anti-Drug Media Campaign, is offering an opportunity for 20 youth service
organizations to promote healthy choices and community service as a drug
prevention strategy for youth. Hurry! The simple online application must
be submitted by February 4, 2000.
Ludwick Family Foundation
http://www.ludwick.org/
The Ludwick Family Foundation seeks opportunities to encourage new and
expanded projects and programs by providing grants to non-profit
organizations for new equipment, equipment replacement and modernization,
improvements to facilities, and educational materials. 501(c)(3) nonprofit
public charities, government agencies (any level), and public schools are
eligible for funding. Grants are made for a single year. Grants typically
range from $5,000 to $50,000. Foundation grants are awarded twice a year, in
February and October. There is a two-step application process: 1) a letter
of inquiry with the Information Form (available on Ludwick's Web site) and,
if chosen, 2) a full proposal. Letters of inquiry are open to any
organization that wishes to be considered. Full proposals are by invitation
only. Deadlines for the letters of inquiry are March 31st (to be considered
for the October grant cycle), and August 31st (to be considered for the
February grant cycle).
****
Council for Exceptional Children MiniGrant
http://www.cec.sped.org/fd/minigapp.htm
Individuals employed by public and/or nonprofit institutions can apply for
up to $500 mini-grants from the Council for Exceptional Children for
innovative education-related projects which directly benefit gifted children
or youth and/or children and youth with disabilities. Funded projects will
not begin before July 1, 2000 and will end by June 30, 2001. Applications
must be postmarked by March 1, 2000.
****
Compaq's Teaching with Technology Grant Program
http://www.compaq.com/education/k12/success/devgrant_2000.html
K-12 educators from U.S. public, private and Department of Defense schools
are invited to apply for Compaq's 1999-2000 Teaching with Technology Grant
Program, which recognizes educators for their effective uses of technology
to create challenging and inspiring learning opportunities for students. The
grant program provides educators national recognition for their work, the
opportunity to share best practices with teachers around the country, and a
chance to win Compaq products for their schools. Compaq is partnering with
TECH CORPS, a nonprofit network of volunteers and resources for K-12
schools, to manage the application process and recruit distinguished leaders
in education and technology to serve as judges for the program. Visit
Compaq's Web site for more information or to apply online. The deadline for
submissions is March 15, 2000. Winners will be notified in May 2000.
(thanks to Lara Rice for sharing this opportunity!)
****
Curriculum Associates' Excellence in Teaching Cabinet Grants
http://www.curriculumassociates.com/cabinet
Educators interested in applying to receive one of Curriculum Associates'
Excellence in Teaching Cabinet Grants will need to submit a 500-750 word
project by March 15, 2000 to Curriculum Associates, 153 Rangeway Road, North
Billerica, MA 01862. The grant program provides K-8 educators with a $1,000
implementation grant for their projects, and $500 worth of Curriculum
Associates' programs. The Curriculum Associates Grant Web site also offers
grant-writing tips from previous winners. For more information, visit the
Curriculum Associates Grant Web site at
http://www.curriculumassociates.com/cabinet. (thanks to Kati Elliott for
sharing this opportunity!)
****
Candle Foundation
http://www.candle.com/aboutcandle/community/foundation/index.html
The Candle Foundation supports grants for community investment, education
and information dissemination, hunger and homelessness, preventive
healthcare and medical research. The Candle Foundation supports
grant-seekers throughout North America with preference given to areas in
which there are Candle Corporation offices. All information must be
postmarked no later than May 16, 2000, to be eligible for 2000 grant awards.
The Foundation will begin accepting proposals after Jan. 1, 2000
****
HUD's Teacher Next Door Program
http://www.hud.gov/tnd/tnd.html
Have you heard about HUD's Teacher Next Door Program that makes any
certified K-12 teacher eligible to purchase certain HUD-owned homes at a 50%
discount if they agree to live in the house for at least three years and do
not own any other residential property during that time? The homes are
single-family homes that have been foreclosed on by HUD and are located in
neighborhood revitalization areas that often have high home vacancy and
crime rates. School districts, local governments, and other nonprofit
organizations are also eligible to purchase the homes at the 50% discount
provided the homes will be resold to qualified teachers. Additional
information about the program can be found on HUD's Web site.
****
Child Care Centers will be particularly interested in this opportunity:
The For All Kids Foundation, Inc.
http://rosieo.warnerbros.com/cmp/allkids/grant.htm
The Foundation supports at-risk and disadvantaged children by funding
nonprofit organizations that provide child care, health care, education and
other programs in underserved communities. Organizations providing direct
child care services are given preference because the Foundation's Board of
Directors believes the availability and affordability of quality child care
is a pressing concern for families throughout the United States. Grants are
awarded to child care centers for tuition scholarships and subsidies, for
improving facilities, and for upgrading equipment. Grants also are made to
child care centers to help retain teachers and child care professionals who
have demonstrated proficiency in their field.
****
Of Particular Interest to Nonpublic Schools/Organizations:
Frank Stanley Beveridge
http://www.beveridge.org/
The Beveridge Foundation funds a broad range of projects including annual
campaigns, building/renovation, capital campaigns, and a whole lot more.
Units of government including federal, state, county and municipal agencies,
schools, colleges, universities and hospitals and their foundations are
excluded from funding.
****
Potential Sources for Funding for Playgrounds
http://www.uni.edu/coe/playgrnd/test/test.html
While the information provided on this site is from the 1994/95 Grants for
Recreation, Sports and Athletics, published by The Foundation Center, it
lists potential funding sources for school and public playgrounds that are
still relevant. Suggestions include contacting your local community
foundation (http://www.tgci.com is a great resource for locating information
about community foundations), the Junior League, Jaycees, Kiwanis, and Lions
Clubs. Local businesses and industries may also be willing to donate toward
playground development and/or renovation. The site also lists various
foundations, by state, that have funded playgrounds in the past.
***************
PRIVATE/PAROCHIAL SCHOOL TUITION ASSISTANCE
Each month a number of requests for help in sending children to
private/parochial schools are received. Those seeking such assistance
should visit the SchoolGrants "Scholarships and Tuition" page
(http://www.schoolgrants.org/financial_aid.htm) where a few resources have
been gathered that may be helpful. Searches for individual
tuition/financial assistance for college and/or K-12 private school
attendance are not performed as they are outside the SchoolGrants mission.
However, as resources are discovered, they are included on the "Scholarships
and Tuition" page.
If any of our readers have ideas or suggestions for parents seeking grants
and scholarships to send their children to private schools, or for those
seeking financial assistance for college attendance, please let us know!
Write to us at private_school@schoolgrants.org Thanks!
***************
A number of sites are referenced in this newsletter. SchoolGrants does not
receive compensation for these referrals. They are made only because they
may be of assistance to many of our readers.
Thank you for subscribing to SchoolGrants Newsletter! Suggestions and
comments are always welcome. Write to us at suggestions@schoolgrants.org
We also thank each of you who has helped spread the word among your friends
and colleagues about the SchoolGrants site/newsletter.
If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you wish to subscribe, send a
blank e-mail to subscribe@schoolgrants.org We would love to have you join
our community!
Have a good month!
Donna Fernandez
http://www.schoolgrants.org
Copyright © 1999-2000 www.schoolgrants.org. All rights reserved.
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