For Educators
Staff Grant Program Overview
Do you have an idea that will advance the academic and enrichment opportunities for the students and staff of the Schoolcraft Community School District? The Staff Grant Program allows Schoolcraft Community School District staff to submit grant ideas for possible funding.
Phase 1 of the Staff Grant Program is open from 5/8/18 – 9/27/18. Watch your email for the rollout details. You will find our detailed Grant Calendar HERE.
The Schoolcraft Foundation, School Board member, volunteers, and donors view themselves as partners with district staff, working together to achieve our common goal: helping Schoolcraft Community School District staff members advance the success of our children.
The Schoolcraft Community Foundation is honored to award grants for extraordinary ideas.
The Staff Grant Program consists of two grant cycles. Each cycle consists of two phases: Phase 1 – Idea Generation (LOI-Letter of Intent) and Phase 2 – Extending Details.
We believe our phased approach to the grant process does the following:
- Invites more “out-of-the-box” idea generation.
- Gives the LEF Business & Community Partnership Committee an opportunity to identify business and community partnership possibilities so they can be included in the detailed grant applications.
- Provides funding twice during the school year; fall and spring.
The Schoolcraft Community Foundation requires that all ideas submitted for consideration align with district objectives, as well as one or more of the following Schoolcraft Community Schools Strategic Focus areas:
- Improve Academic Outcomes by Guaranteeing a Viable/Rigorous Curriculum, Delivered with Evidence-Based Best Practives and Measured Via Common, Standards-Aligned Assessments.
- Collaborative Partnerships with Students, School Personnel, Parents and the Community
- Assist the Schoolcraft Community School District in the Achievement of its School/District Improvement Efforts
Following is a more detailed description of the phased process:
Phase 1 – Idea Generation! (LOI – Letter of Intent)
This first phase will allow staff to submit high-level ideas for consideration prior to having all the details worked out. During the time the Phase 1 window is open, you provide us a brief explanation of your idea by completing an online questionnaire using our Staff Grant Program ONLINE portal. Once the submission deadline arrives, the Schoolcraft Community Foundation Committee, along with representatives from the district, will review the submitted ideas.
The Schoolcraft Community Foundation Allocations Committee will provide recommendations as to which ideas should move to Phase 2. You will be notified of the outcome of your idea via email.
In addition, the LEF Business and Community Partnerships Committee will review each idea and identify any business or community partnership opportunities that could enhance it. If your idea moves to Phase 2 and does have a partnership opportunity, the LEF will find a contact to work with you to expand your idea to include this component.
If your idea does not move to Phase 2, please don’t be discouraged – start thinking of another one! Our main goal with the Idea Generation (LOI) phase is to encourage all ideas to be submitted, even if they aren’t completely figured out yet. This will allow you to propose an idea, no matter how crazy it might seem, and find out if it has a chance of being funded prior to spending the time writing a detailed grant. So keep those ideas coming!
If your idea is approved, you will receive an email inviting you to complete the Phase 2 – Extending Details grant application. The application can be accessed through the Staff Grant Program ONLINE portal and will be listed on your dashboard. During this phase, you will be assigned an Schoolcraft Community Foundation Committee liaison to help answer any questions while you write your detailed grant application. If a partnership opportunity has been identified, a representative from the LEF Business and Community Partnerships Committee will connect you with the necessary partnership contacts. The LEF Allocations Committee liaison will be in contact with you throughout the time you are completing the application.
Funding
At the conclusion of Phase 2, the LEF Allocations Committee will review all grant applications and make funding recommendations to the LEF Board. After the LEF Board votes on the recommendations, you will be notified as to the outcome of your grant application.
In Conclusion
We encourage you to start thinking of that idea to help advance excellence in education for the students of the Ladue School District. The LEF is honored to work with you to achieve this goal together!
Contact Information
Please contact Jodi Minkler at allocations@laduefoundation.org with any questions. The hope is that this process is simple and accommodating. As you work through this process, we would love your feedback, so please feel free to let us know your thoughts via email, phone or in person!
Good luck! We look forward to helping you “open doors” for our children with your extraordinary ideas.
Phase 1 – Idea Generation!
Phase 1 – Idea Generation! (LOI – Letter of Intent) allows staff to submit high-level ideas for consideration prior to them being completely documented. Our goal with this phase is to encourage more “out-of-the-box” idea generation. You will provide a brief explanation of your idea by completing an online questionnaire using our LEF Grant Program online portal.
How do I submit an idea?
From May 8, 2017 through September 27, 2017, when the Phase 1 submission window is open, you can submit your idea using our LEF Grant Program ONLINE portal.
Click HERE to APPLY. Access the LEF Grant Program online portal, create a user ID/password and apply.
Click HERE for instructions on how to use the online software.
TIP: Copy the link to the LEF Grant Program online portal to your desktop or favorites.
What questions do I have to answer?
Click HERE for a preview of the questions on the Phase 1 – Idea Generation (LOI – Letter of Intent) form.
Remember, during Phase 1, you don’t need approval, but making your building administrator aware of your idea is encouraged. Note: You will have to have your building administrator’s support if your idea is approved and you begin Phase 2 – Extending Details of the LEF Grant Program.
Can I make changes to my idea after I submit it?
You can make changes to the online form until you “submit” it. As you are working, the form is automatically saved. Once you decide it is complete, you press the “submit” button at the bottom of the Phase 1 – LOI form. Once submitted, you can view but not edit the form.
When will I find out if my idea is moving to Phase 2?
Please see the rollout calendar that lists the date you will be notified if your idea is moving to Phase 2 or not. If your idea is not accepted, please don’t be discouraged! Start thinking about your next idea! If your idea is accepted, you will receive an email inviting you to complete the Phase 2 – Extending Details online grant application. At this time, you will also be assigned an LEF Allocations Committee liaison that will keep in touch with you during the process and answer any questions you have about the application. If the LEF has identified any business or community partnership opportunities that could enhance your idea, we will connect you with a partnership person who will work with you to include that component.
What if I have questions about the Phase 1 – Idea Generation (LOI – Letter of Intent process or form?
Please contact Jodi Minkler at allocations@laduefoundation.org with any questions!
Phase 2 – Extending Details
If your Phase 1 idea is approved, you will receive an email inviting you to complete the Phase 2- Extending Details online grant application. You will be given a window of time to research and complete the online form. If any partnership opportunities were identified that could possibly enhance your idea, a member of the Business and Community Partnership will be in contact with you to help facilitate possibly including a component in your grant application.
The Phase 2 – Extending Details online grant application will be accessible from your dashboard on the Staff Grant Program ONLINE portal.
Click HERE for a list of questions on the Phase 2 – Extending Details online grant application.
Click HERE for a document which explains how to use the Staff Grant Program online portal.