York Education Foundation Grants

Purpose

Grants are awarded for the purpose of supporting curriculum enrichment. They are intended to meet student needs and increase motivation to learn, as well as stimulate creativity in the classroom. Grants may include project-related supplies or equipment, workshop fees, and/or resource materials. Grant awards are intended to be used as seed money to fund new programs and projects rather than previously funded projects.

Statement of Philosophy

The York Education Foundation (YEF) was founded for the purpose of funding creative and original projects in the York Public Schools.

In reviewing grant applications, YEF first considers applications that benefit a large number of students, involve collaboration among colleagues, and have clearly defined goals and objectives.

Secondarily, YEF considers projects on the basis of their originality and the extent to which a detailed plan for evaluating the proposed project has been developed. Budget requests will be considered in the context of the availability of funds for a given grant cycle.

Eligibility

All school personnel are eligible to apply for grants, as long as direct impact on students can be demonstrated. Previous YEF grant recipients must have submitted a Grant Evaluation Form in order to be considered for future grants.

Scope and Requirements

Grant awards are based on the demonstrated needs of the project and the funds available. An award may cover only a portion of the entire project cost. A detailed budget is essential for projected costs, describing how the entire budget will be spent.

All expenditures for equipment or supplies must be consistent with the description outlined in the application. Changes to the project must be approved by the Grant Committee before expenses will be reimbursed. All materials and equipment purchased with YEF funds become the property of the York School System and must be identified accordingly.

All applications require a Principal's signature to ensure the alignment of the project with District curriculum goals.

Projects must be completed within one year of funding approval unless the Grant Chair and YEF President have approved other arrangements.

Grants are not intended to pay for college or graduate school courses, or programs for which funds are otherwise available. Grant money is not awarded by YEF for the purpose of funding York School educator stipends. Nor should they be used to purchase materials, such as core curriculum text and standard school supplies, which should be covered in the school's operational budget.

Criteria

The following criteria will be used to review grant applications:
  • Originality of the project
  • Clarity of the goals and objectives
  • Impact on colleagues--sharing skills and ideas
  • Number of students benefiting from project
  • Alignment with York's K-12 adopted curriculum and Professional Development Plan
  • Accountability for funds as detailed in budget request
  • Evaluation plan

Directions for Grant Application

  1. Review Grant Application package.
  2. Fill out Application form and get required signature from Principal.
  3. Mail completed Grant Application to: York Education Foundation PO Box 565 York, ME 03909 or deliver to the YEF mailbox at the Superintendent's Office.
  4. Once the Grant is approved, submit all Grant invoices with the provided grant number to the Superintendent's Office.
  5. Upon the completion of the project, fill out the enclosed Grant Evaluation form and return it to YEF via the PO Box or Superintendent's Office. Consideration for future grants is dependent upon submission of a completed evaluation form.

Grant Application Deadline and Documents

The application deadline for the 2009-10 grant cycle is April 29, 2009. All applications will be reviewed at this time, and grant awards will be announced by mid-June, 2009.

Download the 2009-10 grant application and evaluation in Microsoft Word format.

Download the grant scoring rubric worksheet in PDF format.

Download a sample completed application, History in Our Hands, submitted by Lisa Graziano, YMS social studies teacher. [2.7 MB PDF file]

N E W >>> Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about YEF Grants - especially for teachers who are thinking about or working on a YEF grant.



If you have any questions about the grant application or grant process, please contact Grant Committee Chair Brenda Alexander at jalexan2maine.rr.com.

Alternatively, you may contact YEF by sending an email to .