Weatherford ISD Education Foundation2017 Grant Writing Workshop

…is to generate and distribute resources for programs that enhance the educational experience of our children and teachers.

Our Mission

The Education Foundation’s Grants Application Program is designed to encourage, facilitate, recognize, and reward innovative and creative instructional approaches that will enhance the education of our students.

• Foundation was established in 2000

• Began awarding grants in March 2001

• Since then 298 grants have been funded to over 1,100 WISD teachers for a total of $1,002,580

Our Grant Awards History

• Dates: February 28 – March 24• Individual teachers may apply for up to $1,000• Two or more teachers may apply for up to $5,000

• Grant Applications will be reviewed in April

• Grants awards will be announced in May

2017 Call for Grant Applications

Grant Review Committee • The Grant Application Review Committee will meet in April 2017 to review

all applications. This committee consists of the following members:• Six to eight Education Foundation directors• WISD Executive Directors of Curriculum and Instruction (Elementary &

Secondary)• WISD Executive Director of Technology and Director of Instructional

Technology• WISD Future Ready Learning Coordinator• One elementary teacher, one secondary teacher, one elementary campus

principal, and one secondary campus principal to be selected by the Executive Director of Organizational Culture.

• Others as determined by the Foundation Board of Directors

Making meaningful change to improve programs, services, and processes and create new value for students and stakeholders. Innovation involves the adoption of an idea, process, technology, or product that is either new or new to its proposed application.

Baldrige Performance Excellence Program

Education Criteria 2015-2016

Innovation Defined

Proposals that get funded…

• Clearly describe how the items requested will be used in the classroom and how instruction will change as a result of these items

• Tell why the items/project will benefit student learning or engagement

• Explain how the items/project bring innovation to the classroom/campus

• Identify the expected outcomes of the project

• Have a plan to measure the success of the project

Yes please!

Include photos of the items you are requesting and web links

Be sure to…• Proof for spelling/grammar errors• Make sure the math on the Budget page is accurate• Define all acronyms used• Ask someone not involved in the grant proposal to

critique your application for you• Important: If you proposal is technology, special

education, or ESL-based, please submit your idea for endorsement by these departments prior to submitting your application

Budget Page Best Practices

• Use current retail prices

• Avoid using sale pricing or special offers that may not be in place at the time your grant is funded

• Include shipping and handling charges

• Itemize your requests for books, gift cards, etc.

Just a note…• The Education Foundation does not fund:

• Requests for food• Typical grade level field trips• Facility improvements• Salaries• Airfare, hotel accommodations• Items that are, or will be, required in a student’s IEP

Responsibilities of Grant Recipients• Use the awards for the purpose(s) intended.

• Agree to share successful procedures with campus and/or District in staff development sessions.

• Grants awarded to 6th grade classrooms will remain with those teachers as they move from elementary campuses to middle school campuses.

• Materials purchased through the funding of grants by the Weatherford ISD Education Foundation are the property of the Weatherford ISD and are to be used for classroom purposes only.

Deadline Day!

• Email your completed application to clagrone@weatherfordisd.com

• No need to tub hard copies of your application any more!

This could be you!

Questions?

Contact:

Charlotte LaGrone

WISD Education Foundation Office

Extension 3013

clagrone@weatherfordisd.com