When Submitting a Grant Application for Consideration, It Should Meet One Or More of The

The Westhill Central School District Educational Foundation awards grants to teachers for innovative projects that encourage creative teaching methods. Grants may be awarded for experiential learning and/or expanding students’ understanding of the curriculum. The purpose of the Foundation’s grant program is to enrich student learning and enhance the instructional programming in our schools.

When submitting a grant application for consideration, it should meet one or more of the following Foundation criteria:

• Serve as an opportunity for enrichment that cannot be funded through the normal school budget • Offer the possibility of continued impact for more than one year • Offer expanded opportunities for application in other curricula and use by other educators • Demonstrate innovative approaches or methodologies • Anticipate, encourage, or reflect the expanded use of technology • Impact as large a number of students as possible • Encourage partnership with other funding sources • Is consistent with the Westhill Schools’ curriculum and NY State Standards • Serve as an effective pilot for possible future programs

The Foundation cannot approve funding for: • Faculty/staff salaries and benefits • Support of sports teams and equipment • General capital improvements • Building and grounds operations and maintenance • Ongoing transportation expenses • Routine purchases of equipment and supplies • Administrative and clerical support

In the past three years, the Westhill Educational Foundation has awarded $85,000 to fund 47 different grants that have benefitted students in grades K through 12. These grants encompass everything from science and technology and English and Language Arts to fine arts and music. WEF has funded trips to meet best-selling authors, to explore sculpture parks and to experience live theater and has brought an award-winning author and our local symphony to our schools. It has funded both a traditional community garden and an aquaponic greenhouse. It has introduced our students to robots, bat houses, buddy benches, rice bowls and Raku ceramics. It has allowed our students to explore in an Innovation lab, gain hands on experience in a video production studio and reach out across school district boundaries to connect with other students and confront racism. And so much more.

Grant Application Deadline : November 1, 2017

Grant Announcements: November 27, 2017

Grant Project Evaluation Deadline: June 1, 2018

Please complete all questions in the application that apply to your grant proposal in as much detail as possible. You may expand the answer sections to accommodate your responses.

Each application must contain a budget worksheet that includes item descriptions, vendors/sources and pricing. Please apply any discounts or outside funding to the total amount requested.

In the event of a team grant application, please designate one project coordinator. Any correspondence regarding the grant will go through that coordinator and it will be their responsibility to communicate any pertinent information to the rest of the team.

WEF asks that you please consult the proper IT personnel before making any requests for technology (computers, tablets, software or other hardware). The Grants Committee will contact the District IT Department upon the receipt of a technology request and will return your application for revision if it hasn’t been pre-approved.

WEF also asks that you contact the district Arts In Education Coordinator prior to submitting a grant that includes funds from their organization. Please reflect the projected discount in your budget worksheet.

Teachers and staff that receive grants should acknowledge receipt of the grant funds in any newsletters or communications sent home and should recognize the Foundation in any completed work, publications or presentations.

Grant recipients will be asked to provide documentation of their grant to be displayed at our April Fundraiser. This may include photos, samples of student work or other display boards that represent your project. In addition, WEF also requests electronic links to photos or videos you have taken in connection to your project. These may be used at promotional events and at our presentation to the Board of Directors in June.

Upon completion of the project an evaluation form must be submitted to the Foundation. Evaluation forms will be due by June 1st. Please include with your evaluation copies of any receipts and purchase orders for project services or materials. Please submit evaluations to the Superintendent who will share them with the Grants Coordinator. Grant Application

Name and Position of Applicant: (if team, list only one contact person):

Applicant email:

School Name/Grade Level(s):

Principal’s Name:

Principal’s email:

Project Title and Summary:

Participating Teachers/Staff Members:

If you have previously received a Westhill Educational Foundation grant, please provide the year(s) and project name(s). Please indicate if this is a repeat grant:

How many students will be involved?

How many classrooms will be involved?

What grade levels are involved? Please explain how the project connects to the mission of enhancing students’ educational experience and which Foundation criteria does it meet?

What would students gain from this project that they otherwise wouldn’t experience through the regular classroom curriculum?

What kinds of authentic (real life) experiences will students have as a result of your project?

How does your project connect students to each other or the community at large (how is collaboration fostered through your project)?

How does your project specifically connect to curricular goals in your subject area? Describe the potential long-term impact of your project.

If applicable, in what ways are fine arts enhanced through your grant and what connections to the art and music curriculum are developed through your project?

If applicable, how does the use of the requested technology tools specifically enhance learning in your content area? In what ways does your project guide students towards technological advancements in your field of study?

What is the anticipated timeline for your project? Please be as specific as possible, including all important and/or relevant dates.

Please provide any additional information and/or links (URLs) that may help the Grants Committee evaluate your application.

Budget Worksheet

Item or Service Vendor Price

Subtotal: ______

Please describe and apply any outside funding or discounts ( - )

Total Amount Requested: ______

IT Approval ______Date ______AIE Coordinator Approval ______Date ______

Building Principal’s Signature

______Date ______

Comments:

Superintendent’s Signature

______Date ______

Comments:

Grants Committee Notes: