2019-2020 Education Teaching Grants
Grant Application Packet for Teachers

Teaching Grants

Guidelines for Grant Applications

Purpose:
Teaching Grants are designed to encourage, facilitate, recognize and reward innovative and creative instructional approaches to the accomplishment of program objectives.  The Gonzales Education Foundation (GEF) is offering certified professionals the opportunity to apply for grants to support innovative programs or projects to support higher levels of student learning.  The grants must enhance student academic performance and support the objectives, goals, and initiatives of the District and Campus Action Plan.

Persons Eligible to Apply for Grants:
Certified Professionals employed by GISD who are involved in instruction of students or related support services benefiting students are eligible.  All certified professionals interested in writing a grant must attend one of the scheduled grant meetings.

Eligible Proposals:
Instructional approaches or projects designed to begin during the 2019-2020 school year and which meet the selection criteria.  Grants may fund instructional and classroom materials, parent involvement programs, or any activity or material which supports higher levels of student academic achievement.

Award of Funds:
Grants of up to $2,500 will be awarded to individual teacher-initiated programs or projects.  Grants of up to $6,500 will be awarded to campus teams, departments and district initiated programs or projects.  The number of awards will depend on funds available from GEF.

Selection Criteria:

•	The degree to which the grant supports the District goals and the Campus Action Plan and is
specifically designed to address an area of need substantiated by data.      
•	The degree to which student academic performance is emphasized.
•	The degree to which sound evaluation procedures are incorporated in the proposal.
•	The degree to which the proposal represents a creative or innovative approach to the 
accomplishment of objectives.  Funds are not typically available for recurring programs/projects.  
•	The degree to which the proposal is clear and logical, including (a) specificity of objectives; 
	(b) clarity of description of instructional procedures, methods or treatments; and (c) 
correspondence among evaluative procedures, objectives and treatments.

When applying for a grant, please remember the following:

•	Do not use the name of your campus in the application.
•	Grants are to be used to fund projects that cannot be provided for in the school and district 
budgets.

•	Objectives and outcomes should be consistent with the goals of your school and the district.
	Grants cannot be used to fund teacher training or travel.  When creating your budget, 
	research carefully and be realistic.  Small grants are just as likely to be awarded as large 
	grants.  Partial funding will be considered.  Funds will not be awarded for budgeted items 
	available from district resources.
•	Projects awarded must be fully implemented by the end of the following semester.
•	All grants will be subject to a final report which is to be completed electronically, copied and 
signed in blue ink, and the original to be submitted to GEF by the last week of the school year.  This report can be sent to Lucy Pena at the Administrative Office. 
•	Grant Applications should be completed electronically, then copied in order to acquire the 
appropriate signatures.  You will submit 5 copies to GEF (1 original with original signature in blue ink on the cover page, and 4 copies without a cover page). An additional hard copy including a cover page with original signatures in blue ink on the cover sheet must be forwarded to the principal of each campus. Additionally, an electronic copy of the application will need to be submitted to GEF at education.foundation@gonzalesisd.net.  
•	The grant proposals will be rated by an anonymous committee of community individuals.   
•	All equipment and materials funded by GEF will become property of GISD.   If the grant 
award was one individual teacher's award and, if the teacher leaves the grade level, he/she may take the items only if the items work for the next grade level served.   If a grade level group wrote the grant, the grant items remains within the grade level of the award.  

Tips for a Successful Application

Statement of Need:
•	Describe the area of student achievement you wish to address and give any data that supports the need.  Please include how this grant addresses district and campus goals.
•	Keep the statement simple and straightforward.
•	Show how project relates to the District/Campus Action Plan(s).

Objectives:
•	Limit the number of objectives.
•	Imply or state evaluation in the statement of objectives.
•	Be specific.

Description of Proposed Project/Activity:
•	Describe the problem or issue addressed.
•	Show how the project supports the purpose.
•	List steps to be followed in project implementation.
•	Relate project to need and objectives.
•	Be specific.

Evaluation:
•	Relate to stated objectives.
•	Indicate how you will know whether the project was successful.

Partners:
•	Are there others who will participate in this project? (Pilot Club, Rotary, Lion’s Club)
•	What will their roles be?