2008-2009 Mini-Grant Application Information
Thank you for your interest in a 2008-2009 Mini-Grant from The School Foundation. The information that you return on the attached application will provide The School Foundation Grants Committee with the data it requires to make a judgment regarding the possible funding of your project.
Applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis and a limited number of grants will be awarded. In general, grant amounts will be between $200 and $500. The deadline for the receipt of grant application is April 11, 2008. Proposals should identify special problems, opportunities or circumstances, and present a thoughtfully developed plan for dealing with that issue. Monies may be used to purchase materials needed to accomplish the project and/or to hire consultants to assist with the project. Funds are to be used to supplement existing school programs, not to supplant them. Funds may not be used to: a) pay the salaries of employees of the Florence County School District 1 or b) pay for major equipment purchases, unless they are absolutely critical to the project proposal and cannot be financed in any other manner. Once the grant materials have been received, they remain the property of the school that was the recipient of the grant unless otherwise approved by The School Foundation.
The grant period will begin in August 2008, and the project funds must be spent within the school year. A Project report and final report will be required, and a site visit may be conducted by TSF staff and/or board during the grant period. The Grants Committee will review each application using the following criteria:
§ clearly defined learning objectives;
§ direct involvement and benefits to students;
§ creativity and innovativeness;
§ involvement of parents, community members or businesses;
§ evidence that the project addresses a significant need;
§ potential for adaptation by other teachers;
§ the number of students reached; and
§ a cost-effective budget.
You may want to include how you have collaborated with community and school partners to develop this proposal. Please keep specific questions in mind when developing grant proposals:
§ Is the project proposed an innovative solution to the stated problem or issue?
§ Does the project have promise of improving your school by addressing a specific school-wide issue?
§ Does the project team have the capacity to implement the proposed program?
§ Are the statement of purpose and procedures for carrying out the proposed project clear?
§ Are the plans for evaluating the project suited to the nature of the project?
§ Is the budget request reasonable and sufficiently detailed?
Please submit your application by email to dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org. (Save the application to your computer, then send as an attachment).
The ORIGINAL SIGNED COVERSHEET MUST BE MAILED OR HAND DELIVERED to The School Foundation, 370 W. Cheves Street, Suite 175, Florence, SC 29505.
Alternatively, you may also mail or hand deliver your completed application to the above address.
In either case, all application materials must be received by The School Foundation no later than April 11, 2008. We will acknowledge receipt of each application.
NOTE: The Grants Committee will not review any application that is not complete.
Each topic/criteria listed below should be explained to a level that will allow the Grants Committee members to understand the scope of the request. The relative evaluation weight for each proposal section appears to the left of the corresponding topic/criteria (100 total point scale).
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WEIGHT
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TOPIC/CRITERIA
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(Required)
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A.
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Complete the GRANT REQUEST COVER SHEET.
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5
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B.
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Executive Summary Description of Grant Proposal
The summary provides the evaluation committee with an introductory overview of the grant proposal.
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10
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C.
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Clearly articulated statement of need
E.g., to supplement the curriculum and/or to address a specific problem and/or to enhance the learning experience.
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10
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D.
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Creativity and Innovativeness
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10
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E.
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Methods, techniques, procedures to be used on project
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5
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F.
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Timetable for completion
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5
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G.
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Material needed for Project
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15
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H.
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Anticipated impact on students, teachers, programs, curriculum, teaching methods or the entire district.
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15
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I.
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Potential for adaptation by other teachers.
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5
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J.
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Involvement of parents, community members or businesses.
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10
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K.
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Plan for Evaluation and Follow-up
The standards of measurement to be used to determine if goal(s) have been achieved and timeline for assessment of results.
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10
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L.
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Itemized Budget for the Project
Expense projection; funding from other sources, if applicable. List in-kind contributions by the school, district, and volunteers, if applicable.
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The School Foundation Mini-Grants are designed to support creative classroom, outreach or enrichment projects submitted by teachers, media coordinators, guidance counselors or other education professionals. Groups/teams as well as individuals are invited to apply. Grantees will be expected to produce materials which facilitate project adaptation by other teachers.
Click here for Mini-Grant Application Forms
