- Educational Innovation Grants: These are new and uniquely innovative projects. (30% - 70% of available funds will be allotted to these grants.)
- Proven in Practice Grants: These were innovative grants from prior years that the school district leadership sees as worthy, proven programs, but isn’t able at this time to put into their budget. Applicants will need to observe the prior grant “in action,” and/or consult with the educators who implemented the grant before applying for this type of grant. (10% - 70% of available funds will be allotted to these grants.)
- Expert in Residence Grants: These grants cover expenses related to bringing authors, artists, and other experts into a school to work with students and teachers. (0%-20% of available funds will be allotted to these grants.)
GENERAL CRITERIA:
- Applicants are not limited in the number of proposals they may submit.
- Although previously there has been a cap of $5000 per grant, the EAEF board voted recently to consider grant proposals in higher amounts provided there is adequate justification for these expenses in the grant’s itemized budget. Please NOTE: If a grant is approved, it is strictly capped at the amount approved. Expenditures in excess of the grant amount will not be covered with Foundation funds.
- Grants may be used for the purchase of instructional supplies and equipment, or for expenses associated with bringing in an outside resource person or facilitator. Grants are not intended to be used for items that would normally be provided through the school budgetary process; for payments to district employees for time spent on project design; or for professional development/training. (Exceptions may be considered in cases where training/certification is required for implementation of an approved project.)
- Technology proposals must be presented to and approved by Tim McCormick, Director of Technology, to insure that district licenses or existing technology will support the requested equipment or software.
Application Process: By the first week of January 2017, an explanation of the Venture grant program and applications for each grant category will be distributed to each EASD staff member. Grant applications will be received through February 24, 2017. Grant applications are to be typed or computer generated and, to the greatest extent possible, should NOT include the name(s) of professional employees involved in the grant within the body of the grant application. Funds awarded are to be expended during the 2017-2018 school year between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018. Please discuss your Venture grant idea with your building principal (and the Director of Technology, if applicable) and have him/her sign the application cover sheet before submission.
SELECTION PROCEDURES: In March, a grant committee will evaluate grant applications. This will be completed as a blind evaluation; names will not be included on individual applications. Once the grant committee review is complete, applications are sent to the PA Department of Community and Economic Development to see if programs are eligible for Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program monies. A grant is NOT automatically denied locally if it is denied on the state level. The grant committee then presents their recommendations to the Ephrata Area Education Foundation board and the board makes the final approval decisions. Every effort will be made to notify grant recipients before the conclusion of the current school year. A written summary including several photos with students and activities involved in the project must be submitted to Ann Marie Haus at the close of the 2017-2018 school year.
SELECTION CRITERIA: Proposals must promote one or more of the Foundation’s current initiatives (expanding innovative learning opportunities, advancing technology, supporting early childhood, i.e. K-4 education.) Although seeking to make delivery of the current curriculum more effective or more efficient is a laudable goal, such proposals generally do not rank as high as “curriculum ventures” that are new and uniquely innovative. Grants which have the potential to impact a significant number of students or a smaller, but underserved, population also tend to rank higher. Sustainability beyond the “seed money” provided by the grant is also a factor, although several one-time experiences have been funded over the years.
PURPOSE: Venture grants are awarded to individual teachers, groups of teachers, departments, and other professional employees to fund projects designed to enhance and expand educational experiences and opportunities for the students in the Ephrata Area School District.
GRANT CATEGORIES: For 2017-2018, there will be three grant categories each with its own application criteria, evaluation rubric, and an allotted percentage of available funds.
GRANT CATEGORIES: For 2017-2018, there will be three grant categories each with its own application criteria, evaluation rubric, and an allotted percentage of available funds.