Student Grants

Student Grant Application

Student Grants provide funding for innovative, student-led projects by Mamaroneck High School students that can positively impact any of the District schools or the wider community. These grants give students the opportunity and resources to bring their ideas to life.

Key Details:

  • Applications are accepted once a year. Grants are awarded in the Spring and are to be implemented through the end of the following school year.
  • Student Grants are generally limited to $2,500, though larger requests may be considered in exceptional cases.
  • The application consists of two steps:
Notice of Interest
This year, MSF proudly funded 12 student-led projects—an investment of $19,282—that will spark creativity and enrich learning for students throughout our schools.
View Student Grants

Student Grant Application Overview

The Mamaroneck Schools Foundation (MSF) accepts Student Grant applications from MHS students to fund innovative, student-led projects that enhance the community.

Application Timeline

  • Open: Applications open each winter, with exact dates announced on the MSF website, through Tiger Time at MHS, and via emails from MSF and ParentSquare/StudentSquare.
  • Deadline: Specific submission dates are posted annually.
  • Funding Available: Typically by spring, with projects implemented in the following school year.

Eligibility & Guidelines

  • Open to all Mamaroneck High School students currently in grades 9-11.
  • Each application requires at least one student applicant and one District employee to serve as a Faculty Sponsor.
  • Grants must be student-led and benefit the Mamaroneck schools or community.
  • Previous Student Grant recipients are welcome to apply for grants for new initiatives. MSF generally does not award grants supporting continuation of prior projects.

Approval Requirements

  • All applications must be reviewed and approved by the MHS Principal before submission. 
  • Some grants may require additional approvals if they involve District facilities, technology, or professional development/teaching tools. These approvals must be secured before submission.

Tips for a Strong Application

  • Provide clear, thorough, and thoughtful responses to allow the Grant Selection Committee (GSC) to fully evaluate your proposal.
  • Plan ahead to allow time for applicant meetings with MSF Student Grant Liaisons and the MHS Principal, who must approve your application before it is submitted.
Play
Meet our Student Winners

Learn more about the amazing student grants MSF funded for 2026-2027.

Application Process and Timeline

  • 12/1/25 Student grant process opens
  • 1/20/26 Notice of Interest Form Due
  • Week of 1/21/26 – 2/13/26 Applicant meetings with one of the MSF Student Grant Liaisons 
  • 3/2/26 Full Student Grant Applications Due
    (Note: all grant ideas must be approved by Principal Lina Carolini-Cannavò prior to submission)
  • April 2026 MSF Grant Selection Committee Reviews Applications
  • 5/16/26 Applicants notified of MSF Grant Selection Committee decision 
    (Grant decisions become final when the MUFSD Board of Education votes to accept the recommended grant slate on 5/19/26)
  • 6/1/26 Signed Grant Contracts Due

Guidelines and FAQs

Any Mamaroneck High School student currently in grades 9-11. Note: each application is required to have a Faculty Sponsor when they submit their Full Grant Application due March 2 (See below for more information.)

Grant ideas may include curriculum enhancements, new technologies, equipment/materials, events, guest speakers, and/or business ideas aimed at improving student life or learning. Proposals are more likely to be funded if they:

  • are unique and innovative
  • complement or enhance existing District initiatives
  • stand to positively impact a large number of students
  • can be completed by June 2027

NOTE – MSF does not fund:

  • Items that are commonly within the scope of the regular operating budget of the District, including salaries
  • Refreshments for events and programs
  • Any type of prize money or gift

**Please note, grant applications for repeat programs or initiatives are discouraged.

Before submitting an application, please be aware that MSF does not fund:

  • Items that are commonly within the scope of the regular operating budget of the District, including salaries and “standard” furniture.
  • Refreshments for events and programs.
  • Any type of prize money or gift, including but not limited to awards for other indivi

Step 1: Submit your Notice of Interest Form (due January 20)

Share a brief description (100 words or less—in a few sentences, explain what the project is and why it is important for the school community) and estimated budget for your grant idea. Your proposal can be at any stage—MSF welcomes early ideas and will guide you through the process.

Step 2: Meet with the MSF Student Grant Liaison (January 21–February 13)

After submitting your Notice of Interest, you’ll meet by phone or Zoom with an MSF Student Grant Liaison (Marion Goldstein or Bonnie Lin) to discuss whether your idea aligns with MSF’s mission.

  • If fundable: You’ll receive feedback on required District approvals and guidance for completing your Full Grant Application.
  • If not yet fundable: You’ll learn why and get help refining your idea.

Your grant idea may evolve between your Notice of Interest and final submission.

Step 3: Submit your Full Student Grant Application (due March 2)

Use the guidance from the MSF Student Grant Liaison to complete the Full Application (link provided after your meeting). Include a detailed budget using the Budget Spreadsheet.

Important Notes:

  • Necessary District approvals can take time—start early and coordinate with your faculty sponsor.
  • All applications must be approved by Principal Lina Carolini-Cannavò before submission.

To help you prepare, you may view all application questions in advance here. After you’ve submitted your Notice of Interest and met with the MSF Grant Liaisons, you will be provided with the link to the Google Form to submit your application.

MSF Student Grant Faculty Liaison Lainie Lichtenstein, Counselor at MHS, is available to discuss grant proposal ideas or if you need help identifying a teacher or administrator to serve as your faculty sponsor.

MSF Student Grant Liaisons Marion Goldstein and Bonnie Lin (msfgrantliaison@mamaroneckschoolsfoundation.org) are here to help you during your application process. Their role is to discuss grant proposal ideas, clarify MSF funding areas, preview your draft application, and respond to your questions. 

Each applicant is required to have a Faculty Sponsor, who is a teacher or administrator that supports your grant idea and who will assist you in the grant application and implementation process.

Specifically, the Faculty Sponsor should review your application and budget prior to submission by the deadline. If the grant application is accepted and funded, your Faculty Sponsor may: (1) assist with the ordering of materials and facilitate purchase orders through the District; and (2) periodically check in with the student grantee to monitor progress and provide support as needed. 

If you would like assistance identifying a Faculty Sponsor, contact Lainie Lichtenstein.

All Full Student Grant Applications must be approved by Principal Lina Carolini-Cannavò before submission. 

  • Best Practice Tip: Check in with Ms. Carolini-Cannavò well before application is due to share your grant idea and be sure it is permissible from the school’s standpoint. 

Depending on your grant idea, you may also need the following approvals before submission. Your Faculty Sponsor and the MSF Student Grant Liaison can help identify whether you need to seek other approvals.

  • The District’s Director of Facilities, Steve Brugge, needs to review and approve any grant that will alter school facilities.
  • An Instructional Technology Coach needs to review and approve any grant with a technology component. This is to be sure that (i) classrooms can accommodate the technology, (ii) all peripheral components are also requested in the budget and application (i.e. power cords, surge protectors, carts, converters, mounting equipment, etc.), and (iii) requests are consistent with District technology goals.
  • The Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Jeffrey Moore, needs to review and approve any grant involving professional development (e.g., conferences, consultants) or teaching tools (e.g., instructional software, assessments).

A completed Budget Spreadsheet must be submitted as part of the Full Student Grant Application. Please work with your Faculty Sponsor to develop your budget and complete the Budget Sheet.

  • All costs associated with the grant, including shipping costs, must be included in the Budget Spreadsheet. (Be sure to check with the vendor regarding shipping cost if it is not clearly indicated on your price quote.)
  • Budget Spreadsheet should include one well-vetted, cost-effective price quote. 
  • All technology must be ordered through the New York State Department of Education approved price list. 
  • Every effort should be made to ensure that price quotes remain valid through June 1, 2027.

Your faculty sponsor can contact the Interim District Purchasing Agent, Adrienne De Mita, with any budget-related questions.

The GSC is a volunteer committee of the Mamaroneck Schools Foundation that reviews, evaluates, and recommends grants for funding each year. It is made up of members of the MSF’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board, who work together to ensure that all MSF grants align with the Foundation’s mission and benefit our schools.

The MSF Grant Selection Committee (GSC) will review your application in April and May. The GSC will email you with questions or for additional information needed to evaluate your application. It is important that you promptly respond to the questions asked by the GSC in order for the GSC to have the information it needs to properly review your application. 

The GSC will then make its recommendation to the MSF Board of Directors, which will vote on whether to fund the grant at its May meeting. You will be notified as to whether your grant has been approved after that meeting.

Congratulations! 

You and your Faculty Sponsor will enter into a grant contract with MSF and the District. Your Faculty Sponsor will be your main point of contact throughout the project and can help you stay on track and access additional support.

Next steps (you’ll receive detailed instructions by email):

  • Prepare a 20–30 second video about your grant to be shared at the MUFSD Board of Education presentation.
  • Confirm your project timeline with your Faculty Sponsor.
  • Late May: Meet with your MSF liaison to review and sign your contract.
  • Mid-July: Funds become available (all purchases must go through Adrienne De Mita, interim District Purchasing Agent).
    Confirm your project timeline with your faculty sponsor.
  • MSF’s Co-Chair of Grant Implementation will also check in periodically and is available to answer any implementation questions.
    • Keep the Co-Chair of Grant Implementation updated on all relevant dates for your grant.
    • Capture and share photos/videos of your grant with the Co-Chair of Grant Implementation.
  • Submit a mid-year report in December and a final report in June (via Google Forms, which will be emailed to you).
  • Complete your project by June 1 of the following year.

“Getting the opportunity to improvise with the Sci Fi ensemble was really a highlight of my orchestra experience this year. Thank you, MSF!”

– Leo F., participant in the Professional Guest Musician Masterclass Student Grant