Greetings, Grant Seekers!

Welcome to the Winter 2008-09 issue of the Grant Opportunities Newsletter.  In this issue, you'll grant programs with December, January, and February 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. 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, contact me and I'll help you 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.

Upcoming Grant Opportunities

Captain Planet Foundation Grants: The mission of the Captain Planet Foundation is to support hands-on environmental projects for youth in grades K-12. The Foundation offers grants of up to $2,500 for projects that promote understanding of environmental issues, focus on hands-on involvement, and promote group interaction, cooperation, and problem solving. Deadlines are quarterly; the next deadline is December 31, 2008. For more information and the online application, visit: http://captainplanetfdn.org/

Champions for Healthy Kids Grant Program: The General Mills Foundation, in partnership with the American Dietetic Association Foundation and the President's Council on Physical Fitness, developed this program to encourage communities to improve the eating and physical activity patterns of young people ages 2-18. Fifty grants of $10,000 each will be awarded to community-based groups (including schools) that develop creative ways to help youth adopt a balanced diet and physically active lifestyle. Deadline is January 15, 2009. For more information and the online application, visit: http://www.generalmills.com/corporate/commitment/champions.aspx

Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers: This program offers grants to K-12 teachers of science for innovative projects that enhance science education. Fifty grants of up to $10,000 each and 20 mini-grants of up to $2,500 each will be awarded this year. Interested teachers should propose innovative science projects that can be implemented in their school or school district over a one-year period. 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 21, 2009. For more information and the online application, visit: http://www.nsta.org/pd/tapestry/

Bayer Advanced "Grow Together With Roses" School Garden Awards: These awards will help 25 schools establish new rose gardens as a way to nurture students and build relationships with the local community. Winning schools will receive a selection of 10 rose bushes and educational materials. Deadline is January 23, 2009. For more information and the application, visit: http://www.kidsgardening.org/grants/rosegrant.asp

We The People "Picturing America" Bookshelf: 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 sixth program year, 4,000 school or public libraries will receive a set of classic books related to the “Picturing America" theme. This bookshelf is the literary complement, to the NEH Picturing America visual arts project, which provided a set of prints to all MCPS schools last year. Application deadline is January 30, 2009. For more information, including a list of books in the award package and a link to the online application, visit: http://www.wethepeople.gov/bookshelf/picturingamerica.html

Airborne Teacher Trust Fund: This program was developed by Victoria Knight-McDowell, former second grade teacher and creator of Airborne. The 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, 2009. For more information and the online application, visit: http://www.airbornetrust.com/

Toshiba America Foundation Math and Science Grants for Grades 7-12: Toshiba America Foundation contributes to the quality of science and mathematics education by investing in projects designed by classroom teachers to improve instruction for students in grades 7-12.The Foundation strongly encourages projects planned and led by individual teachers or teams of teachers for their own classrooms. Many successful grantees have designed projects that tap into the natural curiosity of their students, enable students to frame their own scientific questions, and incorporate the expertise of community partners. The Foundation has an annual grant making budget of approximately $500,000. Next deadline for grant requests over $5,000 is February 1, 2009. Grant requests for less than $5,000 may be submitted at any time. For more information, visit: http://www.toshiba.com/tafpub/jsp/home/default.jsp

Intel Schools of Distinction Awards in Math and Science: Through this program, Intel recognizes schools that develop an environment and curricula that meet or exceed benchmarks, including national mathematics and science content standards. Eighteen schools - three elementary, three middle, and three high in each of two categories (math and science) will be selected as Finalists, and will receive a cash award of $2,500. Six winners will receive $10,000 grants and one "Star Innovator" school will receive an additional $15,000 as well as products and services from Intel. Application deadline is February 17, 2009. For more information including descriptions of previously-selected schools, visit: http://www.intel.com/education/schoolsofdistinction/

MCPS STAR Grant Program: Again this year, the MCPS STAR Grants program will award approximately ten grants of up to $1,200 each to MCPS educators for innovative instructional projects. The 2009-10 MCPS STAR Grant application package will be sent to principals on January 12, 2009. Application deadline will be February 27, 2009. Awards will be announced by April 2009 for projects to be completed during the 2009-10 school year. Please feel free to contact me for more information and assistance.