Teacher Grants Guidelines

 

GRANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

 

  • The Mamaroneck Schools Foundation (MSF) accepts grant applications from District staff to fund projects and initiatives that will enhance the quality of education in our schools.

  • Grant applications open in June 2023 and are due by Friday, December 1, 2023. No late submissions will be accepted. Grant funds in this application cycle will be available in June 2024, and are expected to be used by June 2025.

  • The grant application consists of two parts:
    1. The application
    2.     The budget

  • Recipients of MSF Teacher Grants from prior years are welcome (and encouraged!) to apply for additional grant(s). Please note that MSF does not typically fund continuation of projects for future years. However, we welcome your new ideas! 

  • All grant applications require one applicant and at least one co-applicant, both of whom must be District employees. Providing the information requested on the application in a thorough and thoughtful manner allows MSF’s Grant Selection Committee (GSC) to properly consider each request.

  • Individual grants typically range from $1,000 to $50,000, though grants will be considered outside of this range.
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  • All grant applications must also be reviewed and approved by your school principal or applicable supervisor BEFORE submission.

  • Some grants will require additional approvals BEFORE submission. For example, if the proposed grant utilizes or alters District facilities, has a technology component and/or includes professional development or teaching tools, additional approvals are required BEFORE submission.

  • NEW THIS YEAR – MSF Grant Liaisons are available to discuss ideas and answer questions during the grant application process. MSF Grant Liaisons previously served on the MSF Grant Selection Committee and are very knowledgeable about the process. We encourage applicants to use this valuable resource!

 
FUNDING RESTRICTIONS
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Before submitting an application, please be aware that MSF does not fund:

  • Items that are commonly within the scope of the regular operating budget of the District, including salaries.

  • Refreshments for events and programs.
     
  • Any type of prize money or gift.
     

PREPARING A BUDGET 

 

All costs associated with the grant should be included in the separate Budget Spreadsheet to be submitted with the Grant Application.

 

When preparing the budget:

 

  • Follow district procedures for purchasing. Contact Lauren Leone in Purchasing to ensure that the District can purchase from the suggested vendor and that the best pricing has been found.

  • Include appropriate shipping costs. Check with the vendor if this information is not clearly indicated on your price quote.

  • Obtain a well-vetted, cost-effective price quote. Please be sure to request that price quotes remain valid through July of the following year.

  • Follow district procedures for conference attendance.

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APPROVALS NEEDED PRIOR TO GRANT APPLICATION SUBMISSION

 

As noted above, all grant applications must also be reviewed and approved by your school principal or applicable or applicable supervisor BEFORE submission. Principal approval is an automated step in the application process. When you submit your completed application, it will be sent to your principal or applicable supervisor for approval before the final version is received by MSF. It is highly recommended that you discuss your grant proposal with your building principal prior to submitting it to ensure you have administration support.

 

The following additional approvals may also be required prior to submission: 

 

  • All grants requiring facility modifications (e.g., electrical, plumbing, alterations to walls and interior spaces, exterior building grounds, or use of classroom or other facilities when school is not in session) must be reviewed and approved by the District’s Director of Facilities, Steve Brugge.

  • All grants for professional development (e.g., conferences, consultants) or for teaching tools (e.g., instructional software, assessments) must be reviewed and approved by the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.

  • All grants with a technology component must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate Instructional Technology Coach.



If there is any doubt about the viability of a grant, or whether the application requires District-level support or coordination (i.e., would impact an entire grade level, require follow-up purchases for other classrooms or grades at a later date, or result in potential upkeep and maintenance for the District), please discuss your grant application with either the District Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction prior to submission.

 

GRANT APPLICATIONS THAT INCLUDE STAFF DEVELOPMENT/TRAINING

 

If your grant proposal includes professional development or staff training, the following costs must be included, if applicable:

 

  • Trainer/consultant costs (include daily or flat rate).

  • Reimbursement costs for each District employee if training will occur outside of contractual hours.
     
  • Travel expenses for District staff or consultant/trainer traveling to the District.

  • Substitute teacher cost (if training is to take place during school hours). District procedures regarding travel and conference attendance must be followed if your grant is for a conference or workshop.

 

NOTE: Current staff development reimbursement costs should be budgeted at $353/day. This rate includes the approved daily teacher reimbursement as well the cost to the District for benefits (Social Security, Medicare, and TRS pension rates). Substitute teachers should be budgeted at $153/day for elementary schools and $153/day for secondary schools. These rates may be updated during the grant process if allowable contractual rates increase.

 

SUBMITTING A GRANT APPLICATION

To assist with preparation of your application, you may access the full application here. Please note, your final application must be submitted via the Google form.

 

Completed applications must be submitted by December 1st at 5PM. If you believe that additional information would benefit the GSC, please provide a URL (where possible) or send the information via email to MSF at MSFoundation@mamkschools.org, listing your grant application title in the email subject line. 

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GRANT REVIEW PROCESS

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The grant review process takes place from January through March. During this process, one GSC member will be assigned to each application. The liaison may contact the applicant by email or phone to discuss the application, request clarification, or ask for a modification to the original grant request. Timely responses to these inquiries are appreciated.

 

In mid-March, the GSC will present its proposed slate of grants to MSF’s Board of Directors for approval. Applicants will be notified if their application has been approved following the Board vote. The slate of grants is then presented to the District’s Board of Education for adoption in late March. After approval, the liaison will contact the grantee to start preparing a grant contract. In April, funds are transferred from MSF to the District, which will then be responsible for administration of the grant funds. Grant implementation cannot begin until this has occurred and a contract has been signed.

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OBLIGATIONS OF GRANT RECIPIENTS

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  • Sign and fulfill a grant contract, which is a three-way agreement between MSF, the grant recipient and the District. Grant funds must be spent in accordance with the approved budget defined in the contract, unless prior approval from MSF has been provided.

  • Any unused funds must be returned to MSF.

  • Submit progress reports on the grant in December 2024 and June 2025.

  • Assist MSF in its efforts to publicize the grants.