To: Affiliate Presidents

MEMORANDUM

To: Affiliate Presidents Affiliate Presidents-Elect Affiliate Executive Directors From: Constituent Services Subject: 2011 Influence Grant Proposals Date: 5/17/11 Grant proposals due 7/15/11

About ASCD’s Influence Grant Program

Since 2000, the ASCD Influence Grant program has supported a wide range of affiliate influence activities focused on education policy that align with the association’s goals. The grants help build the advocacy capacity of ASCD’s affiliates—whether they are in the beginning stages of their influence work or expanding their established advocacy efforts. The program is intended to facilitate affiliate commitment to ongoing influence through engaging their members in advocacy work, including ASCD’s Educator Advocates program, and consistent and significant outreach to policymakers and the media.

Because there are limited funds available this year, the program will favorably consider grant proposals that promote policies supporting whole child education; demonstrate sustained advocacy efforts at the federal, state, local, or provincial levels; and help build other affiliates’ influence capacity. ASCD will not consider applications that seek to use funds to attend the Leadership Institute for Legislative Advocacy.

ASCD looks forward to working with affiliates to build a strong foundation to support sustainable grassroots efforts in the coming year and ongoing future. We seek to help affiliates become visible, respected sources of information regarding quality teaching and learning and proactive in shaping recommendations to improve education policy for the success of each learner. Take advantage of the 2011–12 influence grants to jumpstart your advocacy efforts!

Alignment Between Influence Grants and Affiliate Planning

Influence grant proposals should align with affiliates’ ongoing strategic planning.

Activities funded through the influence grants should be part of affiliates’ biennial plans. However, including influence work in the biennial plan does not guarantee the affiliate will receive an influence grant.

When developing influence grant proposals, we encourage affiliates to review the influence and policy section of the Affiliate Developmental Continuum (PDF) and keep their biennial planning in mind. Influence Grant Proposal Details

Affiliates receiving grants are required to provide a midyear update and final activity report so their successes and ideas may be shared with other affiliates and ASCD.

Example activities that could be funded through the Influence Grant program include

 Activities to advance policies that promote a whole child approach to education.  Activities to introduce or adopt ASCD’s whole child state policy recommendations.  Creation of advocacy tools and resources to build affiliate member engagement and preparedness to influence their local decision makers and members of the media.  A briefing, training, or policy symposium around crucial policy issues such as common core state standards implementation or issues related to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization that enhance the affiliate’s profile and reputation as a valued regional policy resource with influential leaders.  An affiliate “Hill Day”—an event held in the state or province capital to meet with lawmakers in support of the affiliate’s policy priorities.

When preparing your proposal, respond to the following:

1. Describe, in detail, the proposed scope of work for which your affiliate seeks funds. Include a timeline of activities and events. 2. Describe your established advocacy activities and previous accomplishments. If applicable, explain how the proposed activities will build upon this existing influence foundation or advance a previous undertaking. 3. Specifically, what issue(s) and audience(s) will the scope of work influence? And how will the proposed activities influence those issue(s) and audience(s)? 4. What is the affiliate’s desired outcome? How will the affiliate support the proposed activities and help reach the desired outcome? 5. How will the affiliate identify specific groups to target for collaboration, if appropriate? 6. What are this proposal’s short- and long-term benefits to your affiliate and members? 7. How will your proposed activities benefit the broader ASCD community? How do you propose to share your work and takeaways with other ASCD affiliates? 8. How will the affiliate evaluate the proposed activities’ success? 9. Specify the funding amount your affiliate would like to request and provide a detailed estimate of how the affiliate will expend these funds. Please indicate whether the project must be fully funded by the association or may be partially funded.

Please contact David Griffith or Sumi Vishnu with any questions about the 2011 influence grant application process. Proposal Submission and Due Date

The 2011–12 grant proposals are due with the completed application form (attached) to Sumi Vishnu by Friday, July 15, 2011.

E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 1-703-575-5495, Attn: Sumi Vishnu Or Mail: ASCD Attn: Sumi Vishnu 1703 North Beauregard St. Alexandria, VA 22311-1714 USA