Greetings, Grant Seekers!
In this issue, you'll find grant programs with January, February, and March deadlines. Principals, please forward this newsletter to your school's listserve, and please keep me informed about all grant seeking activities at your school so I can obtain School Board approval for any applications you submit. Remember that any MCPS employee can call on me for assistance with any educational grant project. I can help with locating funding sources; defining needs, activities, and budgets; writing and editing; and submitting your proposal. My web site (www.mcps.org/mcpsgrant) provides information on grant seeking and links to assist you in funding source searches. If you don't see a grant program in this newsletter that meets your needs, write or call me and I'll help you try to find one that does!
School Board Policy Regarding Competitive Grants (Policy 3-3.11)
All competitive grants sought by MCPS will support projects that are aligned with the district's mission, vision, and goals. Proposals require prior approval by the grant-seeker's principal or supervisor. All competitive grant proposals will be brought to the School Board for approval prior to submission or as soon thereafter as feasible, and always before acceptance of award. The grant seeker or the principal at the originating school should let me know about any proposals to be submitted so I can include them on the school board agenda. This requires no extra work on the part of the originating school. All I need is a copy of the proposal and I prepare the necessary documents to present it to the board
Special
Note: The 2008-09 MCPS STAR Grant application package will be sent to
principals on January 14, 2008! Watch for it!
Competitions Still Open (reprinted from
the November Newsletter)
We The People Bookshelf: Created Equal: Each year, the National Endowment for the Humanities in cooperation with the American Library Association identifies a theme important to the national’s heritage and selects a collection of classic books for K-12 students that embody that theme. In this, the fifth program year, 3,000 school or public libraries will receive a set of classic books related to the “Created Equal” theme. (See http://www.wethepeople.gov/bookshelf/createdEqual.html
for a list of the books included.) Online application deadline is January 25, 2008. For more information, contact me or visit: http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf/
Toyota Tapestry Grants for Science Teachers: The Toyota TAPESTRY grants program awards 50 grants of up to $10,000 each and a 20-32 mini-grants of up to $2,500 each to K-12 science teachers. Interested teachers should propose innovative science projects that can be implemented in their school or school district over a one-year period. Grant categories are Physical Science, Environmental Education, and Integrating Literacy and Science. Applicants must be secondary teachers who teach at least two periods of science per day, or elementary teachers who teach some science. Online application deadline is January 28, 2008. For more information and application materials, visit: http://ecommerce2.nsta.org/toyota/
Upcoming Grant Opportunities
Inspired Teacher Scholarships: Inspiration Software is offering 25 $1,000
scholarships for innovative uses of Inspiration, Kidspiration,
and InspireData software in the classroom. Funds may
be used to purchase classroom technology or to pursue professional development
opportunities related to technology and visual learning. Postmark application
deadline is January 25, 2008. For more
information and the application, contact me or visit: http://www.inspiration.com/prodev/index.cfm?fuseaction=scholarship
Airborne Teacher Trust Fund: This program invites elementary and middle school teachers to submit proposals for art and music programs that their schools are unable to fund. Deadlines are quarterly and proposals can be submitted at any time; the next deadline is January 31, 2008. For more information and the online application, contact me or visit: http://www.airbornetrust.com/
NEA Foundation Grants: NEA Foundation: The
foundation has two grant programs with upcoming deadlines. Student
Achievement Grants offer $5,000 awards for programs that improve the
academic achievement of public school students, especially low income and
minority students. The proposed work should engage students in critical
thinking and problem solving related to standards-based subject matter. Learning
and Leadership Grants fund individuals or groups for
high-quality professional development experiences, action research, or
collegial study. Funding amounts for this program are $2,000 for individuals or
$5,000 for groups. Preference will be given to members of the National
Education Association. This grant program is ongoing; the next application
deadline is February 1, 2008.
For more information, contact me or visit: http://www.neafoundation.org/grants.htm
Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants: This program provides grants of up to $3,000 to schools, libraries and non-profits to help with the implementation or expansion of literacy programs for new readers, below-grade-level readers, and readers with learning disabilities. The next application deadline for this program is February 5, 2008. For more information and an application, visit http://www.dollargeneral.com/community/communityinvestments.aspx and click on the link to Youth Literacy Initiatives
Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grants: Through this program, Lowe's offers grant awards of up to $5,000 to K-12 schools and parent-teacher groups that propose projects to encourage parent involvement, build stronger community spirit, or create a new school tradition. Past winning projects have included gardens, nature trails, playgrounds, after-school programs, and parent involvement centers. The next application deadline is February 15, 2008. For more information and the online application, contact me or visit: http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/index.html
HP Technology for Teaching Grants: The HP Foundation designed this grant program to support innovative and effective uses of mobile technology in the classroom. This year, HP will award nearly $7 million in cash and equipment to schools that are using a collaborative, team-based approach to implementing technology integration. School teams consisting of five teachers will receive the equipment, professional development, and support they need to effectively integrate technology into their instruction. Award packages, valued at $40,000, will include for each teacher: a Tablet PC, a multimedia projector, a digital camera, a printer/scanner/copier, a $500 stipend, and customized professional development. Preference will be given to teams of teachers from schools that serve large numbers of low income students, and to projects that include integration of math and/or science curriculum. Application deadline is February 14, 2008. For more information and an application, visit: http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants/us/programs/tech_teaching/k12_main.html
2008 Mantis Award Program: The National Gardening Association and Mantis Garden Tools is making it possible for schools with gardens to apply for one of 25 Mantis tiller/cultivators, valued at $350, for their educational garden program. Application deadline is March 1, 2008. For more information and an application, contact me or visit: http://www.kidsgardening.com/grants/mantis-criteria.asp
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Laura Williams, Grant Writer/Research Proposals
Montgomery County Public Schools
(540) 381-6158
www.mcps.org/mcpsgrant