Whitnall Schools Foundation

*Leading Edge Grant *

Leading Edge Grant Application Criteria

The Whitnall Schools Foundation is proud to present the Leading Edge Grant program.

1.  Any member of the professional staff of the Whitnall School District may apply for a Leading Edge Grant to the Whitnall Schools Foundation following the prescribed Timeline Schedule.  Teachers in the elementary, middle, and high schools are encouraged to apply, as the projects are not limited to any one discipline.

2. Leading Edge Grants are meant to fund innovative, creative classroom projects up to $750.  This amount may vary from year to year, depending upon the availability of funds.  In addition, the Foundation will give greater emphasis to those proposals, which include matching funds from another source.

3.  The applicant(s) must complete the Leading Edge Grant Application and submit it to the District Office by the deadline set in the Timeline Schedule which currently is as follows:  January 31st , October 31st and March 31st as due dates.

We encourage you to take this opportunity to develop ideas not usually possible within normal school budget restrictions.  Grants are not expected to replace district funds or extend existing programs.  Grants will be made for innovative projects, which will enrich or supplement teaching efforts and learning activities that directly benefit students.

Grant proposals are strengthened if they involve groups outside of school (parents, businesses, civic or community organizations) as volunteers or resources.  Major equipment purchases, honorariums, or teacher stipends will not be funded.

Completed application forms require your building principal’s signature, assuring awareness and approval of your project.  Please copy your application for records and have the original in the District Office by the time and date stated in the Timeline Schedule above.

The Whitnall Schools Foundation Appropriations Committee will evaluate the Leading Edge Grant applications presented on a competitive basis using the following criteria:

1. The overall scope of the project is consistent with the objectives of the Whitnall Schools Foundation.

2.  A project that has potential to benefit students in the school in which it is being conducted and/or the Whitnall School District as a whole.

3.  The proposed project is clearly described.

4.  The project objectives are easily stated, realistic, and educationally sound.

5.  The procedures to be followed are clearly described.  The methods, necessary materials, resource personnel, tentative schedule and completion date are specified.

6.  There is an evaluation plan suitable to the nature of the project.

7.  The budget request is reasonable and sufficiently detailed, and a true financial need is demonstrated.

8.   Availability of matching grants funds.

9.  The proposed project has unique or innovative components as opposed to repeating programs already in progress (i.e. pilot projects, model programs, experimental efforts, meritorious extracurricular projects and creative programs that will expand experiences in a classroom).

10.  Each grant will be treated as new, even if the idea was one not accepted the previous year.  Thus, if you resubmit and application, it will be treated as new and judged against this year’s applications.

11. A Leading Edge Grant will be awarded to an individual teacher no more than two times within a five-year period.

 Timeline Schedule 

There are 3 times a year that APPLICATIONS may be submitted for review.  The dates are January 31st, October 31st and March 31st.

Click here for the application form.

BACK TO FOUNDATION HOMEPAGE.