Mini-Grants (Teachers)

Criteria for the Grant Review Process

The Valhalla Schools Foundation is most interested in supporting projects that enhance the educational program and encourage innovation, offer supplemental programs, and enrich the curriculum above and beyond that which is provided by the school district budget.
 
Preference this year will be given to proposals that reach large numbers of students or an entire grade level and are linked in some respect to the enhancement and use of the school library/media center. These can include interdisciplinary programs that include use of the school library/media center for research, the purchase of materials that will later be housed in the school library/media center, the purchase of equipment or materials on behalf of the school library/media center, and programs that directly benefit the library/media center.  School librarians, of course, are encouraged to apply for mini-grants.

Projects will be considered in all academic areas as well as in areas that will serve to enhance the social/emotional development of students on all grade levels. 

Proposals that request equipment to support the curriculum will also be considered, and proposals for staff development related to innovative projects or the startup of a new program are encouraged. Training related to existing programs or state mandates are the province of the Board of Education. 

TEACHER MINI-GRANT FAQ

Q: How do I go about applying for a grant?

A: In the spring a representative from the Valhalla Schools Foundation will visit your school to talk about the grant process in a monthly teachers meeting. Grant forms will be handed out at this time. You can also go to our website and download a grant packet. www.valhallaschoolsfoundation.org

Q: Can any teacher apply for a mini-grant?

A: Yes, we encourage all teachers from our public schools to take advantage of our grant process.

Q: Can I apply for a mini-grant with another teacher?

A: Yes. There have been grants requests from teachers representing entire grades.

Q: What information would I need to supply to be considered for a grant?

A: All the necessary information to apply for a grant will be contained in the grant packet. You will need to attach itemized vendor estimates (not your own handwritten estimates) of the monies that you will need to implement your project. If you have any questions you can email the VSF or call our grant chairperson. Their name and number will be provided at the school meeting.

Q: Do you have a list of past grant winners?

A: Our website contains all past grant recipients and their grant descriptions.

Q: How do you judge who receives a grant?

A: The Valhalla Schools Foundation is most interested in supporting projects that enhance the educational program and encourage innovation, offer supplemental programs, and enrich the curriculum above and beyond that which is provided by the school district budget.

Q: How much time do I have after I am notified that I am a grant recipient to implement my project?

A: Grants are awarded annually and cover a one-year period. Therefore, you must make a new grant request each year in order to be eligible. Additionally, in order to be eligible for a subsequent grant, you must provide the Valhalla Schools Foundation with a statement (but no more than 3 pages) of how the funds were used. If after the one-year period the grant monies have not been used, the grant will have officially expired and all monies will revert back to the Valhalla Schools Foundation.

Q: What if I donít use all of the monies that were originally sought after in my project proposal? Can I use it for other equipment?

A: Any leftover monies will revert back to the Valhalla Schools Foundation for possible future grant distributions.

**The Foundation will consider grants for a maximum of $3,000 each.