Columbia Public Schools Foundation Grant Program

2012-2013 Grant Guidelines

Grant Program Description

The Grant Program allows applicants (Columbia Public Schools District Curriculum/Program Coordinators or Cohort Principals) to apply for funding of projects costing up to $25,000. Only district-wide or cohort principal projects will be considered for funding.

 Applicants must demonstrate how their proposals support the Columbia Schools Foundation goals:

  • Enhance academic excellence in the public schools by providing funding not available through public sources.
  • Expand learning opportunities for our children.
  • Stimulate creativity and innovation.
  • Enrich the school district’s curriculum.
  • Encourage community and business involvement in the public schools.

Grant proposals must align with Columbia Public Schools Board of Education 2010-2015 Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) goals and objectives.

Grant proposals must also align with the district curriculum, support improved academic achievement, and enhance learning opportunities for the participating students. Significant consideration will be given to the number of students (current and future) who will benefit directly or indirectly, the potential to enhance academic excellence, and the cost effectiveness of the project. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit grant proposals that can be sustained over time and have a classroom focus.  Grant proposals must demonstrate alignment to one or more of the following:  Board of Education goals, CSIP objectives, cohort goals, and/or school improvement goals.   It is not the intention of this grant program to fund projects that are the school district’s responsibility.

All grant proposals are evaluated by an Allocation Committee appointed by the Foundation Board of Directors. The Allocation Committee, composed of community members, operates independently of the Columbia Board of Education. Members and family members of the Foundation Board of Directors are not eligible to participate in the School Grant Program Application process. Final approval of grant awards rests with the Foundation Board of Directors.

Making a Grant Application

Columbia Public Schools District Curriculum/Program Coordinators or Cohort Principals must complete a brief application. Read the guidelines below in their entirety and make sure you follow all of the instructions.  Complete your application on the form provided entitled 2012-13 Columbia Public Schools Foundation Grant Proposal. Only type written applications will be accepted. CPSF Grant Program Guidelines 2012-13. 

Columbia Public Schools Foundation Grant Form 2012-13

Section I:  Grant Coordinator and Contact Information

Identify the grant coordinator for the project.  The grant coordinator is responsible for overseeing planning, development, implementation, fiscal accountability, and evaluation of the grant.  Please include the following contact information:

  • Name of Grant Coordinator
  • Building and street address
  • Phone
  • Email address

Section II:  Grant Title and Summary

Write a summary of grant activities and how the proposal aligns with the district curriculum, encourages academic achievement and enhances the learning opportunities for the participating students.

Section III:  Grant Description

Write a description of the grant that includes:

  1. needs assessment – identify major need addressed by the grant based on student achievement data
  2. students (current and future) who will benefit
  3. identification of a project goal and one or more specific, measurable objectives – State your grant goal and objectives. Align your goal and objectives to the 2010-2015 CSIP goals and objectives in at least one of several areas:  Student Performance, Highly Qualified Staff, Parent and Community Involvement, Governance, and Facilities, Instructional Resources, and Support.  Access the CSIP on the Internet at : http://www.columbia.k12.mo.us/csip/resources.php .   Show alignment to cohort goals and/or school improvement goals.
  4. plan of action
  5. material and equipment needed – identify and describe purpose of materials and equipment
  6. implementation timeline – identify a timeline and steps taken to implement
  7. coordination with existing district curriculum, programs and initiatives
  8. sustainability – A description of how the activities funded under this proposal will continue after the original grant period has expired.

Section IV:  Budget Proposal

List the items that require the expenditure of grant money such as purchased services, materials and equipment. For each item provide sources of supply and projected costs. Note: salaries for school district personnel and substitutes will not be funded. Expenditures that generate long-term benefits are encouraged over expenditures for consumables. Check with the District’s Business Services Office, if your proposal is funded, to understand what information will be required to support your purchase requests.

Section V:  Grant Evaluation

Describe how you will monitor and evaluate the grant to determine if the goal and objectives have been met, what has gone well, and what has caused problems. 

Funded proposals will be required to complete a Grant Evaluation Report by June 1, 2013.  The grant evaluation will include the following:

How many students did the project impact?

  • What was the total cost of the project or total amount expended?
  • What was the cost per student?
  • Describe if the goals and objectives of the project were met.  Why or why not?
  • How did the project advance district CSIP goals and objectives?
  • Describe the activities implemented and their match to project goals and objectives.
  • What is the likelihood that the project will be sustained in the school district?
  • What is the likelihood that the project could be adapted/adopted by other district-wide departments not included in the original grant?
  • Describe the project’s success in providing equity for students.
  • What other important features made this project a success in Columbia Public Schools?  What caused problems for the project?

Grant Due Date and Submittal Process

Only email applications will be accepted and must be received no later than Friday, April 13, 2012.  Email the application to Leslie Trogdon at ltrogdon@columbia.k12.mo.us 

The district’s Offices of School Improvement and Business Services will review each grant for budget adequacy and determine if CPS Board of Education approval is necessary according to the district’s Financial Procedures Manual.  Click on the link below to access the district’s procedural policy for grant approval.

http://www.columbia.k12.mo.us/bcs/bcsbus/PDF%20Files/Finance%20Procedures%20Manual/730.pdf

Grant applications needing CPS Board of Education approval according to the district’s Financial Procedures Manual will be presented to the CPS Board of Education.   It is not the role of the Columbia Public Schools Board of Education to recommend which grants should be approved by the Columbia Public Schools Foundation.  The Office of School Improvement will mail all grant applications to the Columbia Public Schools Foundation.

If you have specific questions regarding the development of a grant proposal or are concerned if your grant meets the district’s CSIP goals, Leslie Trogdon, Office of School Improvement, has graciously agreed to answer those questions.  Contact Leslie by email at ltrogdon@columbia.k12.mo.us or by calling 214-3970. 

The Columbia Public Schools Foundation will announce the grant awards in early summer.

If you have questions: Call Sally Silvers (442-4697).

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