Any additional questions not answered below should be directed to Cindy Gray of The Encinitas Educational Foundation at (760) 815-6901 or via email to cgray_ca@hotmail.com
1. When is the application due? What if I need more time? October 3, 2008. Absolutely no late applications can be accepted.
2. Who is eligible to apply for a EEF grant?
Teachers and Administrators; staff, parents, students of EUSD, and community members sponsored by certified staff and approved by the school principal are encouraged to apply. Each of the 9 schools of EUSD will be awarded a minimum of $500 in grant monies assuming acceptable grant requests are received. Multiple grants may be awarded to a single school.
3. What is the most money I can request for my grant idea?
Mini-Grant applications will be considered for amounts less than $1,000 from EEF, with no exceptions.
4. My proposal is related to technology. Are there any requirements of me?
Yes. Applications requiring purchase and/or usage of technology-related equipment must be accompanied by a simple signed letter of consent to support your proposal from the Encinitas School District’s Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services’ office.
5. My proposal will rely on other sources of funding in addition to EEF. What do I need to do?
Any other funding sources must be documented by a simple signed letter of commitment from the funding source in order for your application to be considered. Specific dollar amount must be included in the letter.
6. Will my idea work? What is the committee looking for?
Applicants are encouraged to apply for funds for innovative project ideas that will enhance student learning, or for projects whose funding will result in active student engagement and improved comprehension and/or level of learning for participating students. Preference will be given to those requests aligning with EEF’s goals of integrating technology into learning or providing opportunities to learn or experience Visual or Performing Arts. Be creative! We are also looking for innovative ways to incorporate The Arts with Language Arts, Math, or Science.
7. When and how will I know if I will receive an EEF Grant?
You will be notified by October 10, 2008 and are asked to attend the Grant Recipient Showcase Event on May 18, 2009 (date subject to change).
8. If I do not receive a grant this time, can I re-apply?
Yes! If you do not receive a grant in this grant cycle, you may re-apply during the next open grant cycle. The next cycle will be determined by the board based on the availability of funds.
9. What are the restrictions for funding?
Non-fundable requests include EUSD staff salaries or leave, food, and clothing (excluding costumes).
10. What criteria will be used to select award recipients?
Your application will be evaluated according to the following scale: 25 points: Does this request target a specific need? 20 points: Degree to which innovation is used in the concept and/or execution of the project. 15 points: The number of students served. 8 points: Are there matching funds and/or other community support provided? 8 points: Budget – Is the submitted budget clear and concise? 8 points: Presentation – Is the request detailed and accurate? 8 points: Clarity of Purpose – Is the purpose clearly communicated? 8 points: Alignment with EEF Goals (see #6 above) 100 points TOTAL
All requests receiving a minimum of 70 points will be eligible for Board approval. The Board reserves the right for final determination of an award.
11. If I am awarded a grant what will be required of me?
You will be invited to attend a Grant Recipient Award Night (Oct. 13, 2008) at which you will receive information about how to access your funds. You’ll also be guided through the process of showcasing your grant in the community. For example, you will be expected to share guest speaker/assembly dates and times with EEF, or you may choose to submit a photo essay authored by the affected students, or you may choose to submit student narratives, photos, slideshows, etc. to document your execution of the completed project, etc. Other expectations and requirements include:
-Fund expenditure within one year of being awarded a grant and revert all unused funds to the Foundation.
-Obtain approval from the EEF Board of Directors for any changes to the project or budget, and notify the board in a timely manner of any major problems that will prevent completion of the project.
12. If there is an award of equipment or non-consumables do I keep them for future use? All awards granted by EEF are made to the school where the students were served not to the recipient of the grant. Any equipment and/or non-consumable materials must remain the property of the sponsoring school for future student use.
