Teacher Grants Guidelines

 

GRANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

 

  • The Mamaroneck Schools Foundation (MSF) accepts grant applications from District staff to fund projects and initiatives that will enhance the quality of education in our schools.

  • Grant applications open in June 2024 and are due by Sunday, December 8, 2024. No late submissions will be accepted. Grant funds in this application cycle will be available in May 2025 (if not earlier), and are expected to be used by June 2026.

  • The grant application consists of two parts:
     1. The application
     2. The budget

  • Recipients of MSF Teacher Grants from prior years are welcome (and encouraged!) to apply for additional grant(s). Please note that MSF does not typically fund continuation of projects for future years. However, we welcome your new ideas! 

  • There is no limit to the number of grant applications an applicant may ask for in a given year. In addition, an applicant is not precluded from applying for a Fast Track grant and an Annual Teacher grant in the same year.

  • All grant applications require one applicant and at least one co-applicant, both of whom must be District employees. Providing the information requested on the application in a thorough and thoughtful manner allows MSF’s Grant Selection Committee (GSC) to properly consider each request.
  • Individual grants typically range from $1,000 to $50,000, though grants will be considered outside of this range.

  • All grant applications must also be reviewed and approved by your school principal or applicable supervisor BEFORE submission. Please confirm with your school principal or applicable supervisor that the item/program/training requested in the grant application would not otherwise be covered by the District’s operating budget.

  • Some grants will require additional approvals BEFORE submission. For example, if the proposed grant utilizes or alters District facilities, has a technology component and/or includes professional development or teaching tools, additional approvals are required BEFORE submission.

ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR SUBMISSION

  • MSF Grant Liaisons are available to discuss ideas and answer questions during the grant application process. MSF Grant Liaisons previously served on the MSF Grant Selection Committee and are very knowledgeable about the process. We encourage applicants to use this valuable resource!

  • MSF Grant Liaisons: Alison Gottsegen (ajgottsegen@yahoo.com) and Bonnie Weinbach (bonnieweinbach@gmail.com)  

 

FUNDING RESTRICTIONS
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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 grants that seek funds to grant or award to other individuals or organizations.
     
     

PREPARING A BUDGET 

 

All costs associated with the grant should be included in the separate Budget Spreadsheet to be submitted with the Grant Application.

 

When preparing the budget:

  • Follow district procedures for purchasing. Contact Lauren Leone in Purchasing BEFORE submission to ensure that the District can purchase from the suggested vendor and that the best pricing has been found.

  • Include appropriate shipping costs. Check with the vendor if this information is not clearly indicated on your price quote.

  • Obtain a well-vetted, cost-effective price quote. Please be sure to request that price quotes remain valid through July of the following year.

  • Follow district procedures for conference attendance.

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APPROVALS NEEDED PRIOR TO GRANT APPLICATION SUBMISSION

 

As noted above, all grant applications must also be reviewed and approved by your school principal or applicable supervisor BEFORE submission. Principal or supervisor approval is an automated step in the application process. When you submit your completed application, it will be sent to your principal or  supervisor for approval before the final version is received by MSF. It is highly recommended that you discuss your grant proposal with your building principal or supervisor prior to submitting it to ensure you have administration support.

 

The following additional approvals may also be required prior to submission: 

 

  • All grants requiring facility modifications (e.g., electrical, plumbing, alterations to walls and interior spaces, exterior building grounds, or use of classroom or other facilities when school is not in session) must be reviewed and approved by the District’s Director of Facilities, Steve Brugge.

  • All grants for professional development (e.g., conferences, consultants) or for teaching tools (e.g., instructional software, assessments) must be reviewed and approved by the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Jeffrey Moore.

  • All grants with a technology component must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate Instructional Technology Coach.

 

If there is any doubt about the viability of a grant, or whether the application requires District-level support or coordination (i.e., would impact an entire grade level, require follow-up purchases for other classrooms or grades at a later date, or result in potential upkeep and maintenance for the District), please discuss your grant application with either the District Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction prior to submission.


GRANT APPLICATIONS THAT INCLUDE STAFF DEVELOPMENT/TRAINING

 

If your grant proposal includes professional development or staff training, the following costs must be included, if applicable:

 

  • Trainer/consultant costs (include daily or flat rate).

  • Reimbursement costs for each District employee if training will occur outside of contractual hours.

  • Travel expenses for District staff or consultant/trainer traveling to the District.

  • Substitute teacher cost (if training is to take place during school hours). District procedures regarding travel and conference attendance must be followed if your grant is for a conference or workshop.

NOTE: Current staff development reimbursement costs should be budgeted at $353/day. This rate includes the approved daily teacher reimbursement as well the cost to the District for benefits (Social Security, Medicare, and TRS pension rates). Substitute teachers should be budgeted at $153/day. These rates may be updated during the grant process if allowable contractual rates increase.

 

 

SUBMITTING A GRANT APPLICATION

To assist with preparation of your application, you may access the full application here. Please note, your final application must be submitted via the Google form.

 

Completed applications must be submitted by December 8th at midnight. If you believe that additional information would benefit the GSC, please provide a URL (where possible) or send the information via email to MSF at MSFoundation@mamkschools.org, listing your grant application title in the email subject line. 

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GRANT REVIEW & APPROVAL TIMELINE 

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January - March:

  • Each application is assigned a liaison from the GSC. The liaison may contact the applicant by email or phone to discuss the application, request clarification, or ask for a modification to the original grant request. Timely responses to these inquiries are appreciated.
  • GSC reviews each application and decides on a proposed grant slate.

March - April:

  • MSF Board of Directors votes on the proposed grant slate. Applicants will be notified if their application has been approved (pending District Board of Education (BOE) adoption) following the MSF Board vote. 
  • MSF presents the grant slate to the District’s BOE for adoption. 
  • After BOE approval, the liaison prepares a grant contract and meets with the applicant to review grant expectations and contract terms. 
  • Grant contracts are executed via DocuSign.
  • Grant funds become available by the date indicated in the contract. Grant implementation cannot begin until a contract has been signed.
  • Note: the District oversees administration of the grant funds. Grantees must follow all districting purchasing procedures when using grant funds.​

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OBLIGATIONS OF GRANT RECIPIENTS

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  • Sign and fulfill a grant contract, which is a three-way agreement between MSF, the grant recipient and the District. Grant funds must be spent in accordance with the approved budget defined in the contract, unless prior approval from MSF has been provided.
  • Any unused funds must be returned to MSF. 

  • Submit progress reports on the grant in December 2025 and June 2026.

  • Assist MSF in its efforts to publicize the grants.