grant program overview

Please take a moment to review some general guidelines to ensure your application’s success.​

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GRANT CATEGORIES​

• Teaching and learning methods

• Innovative learning spaces

• Social and emotional well-being

• Educator growth and development

• Responsible global citizenship

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GRANT QUALITIES​

• Grants impact a large target population or serve smaller populations of students with high needs.

• Grants enrich and enhance the current academic curriculum—not replace or duplicate it.

• Grant benefits are measurable, replicable and have long-term impact.  

• Grants incorporate innovative and experimental teaching modalities and help increase student curiosity and motivation to learn.

• Grants may provide educators an opportunity for professional development that will enrich the classroom experience. These opportunities should be distinct from professional development typically funded by the BOE. 

• Grants are in line with BTEF and BOE mission and goals.

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OUTSIDE OF BTEF’s SCOPE

• Grants that replace or relieve existing financial responsibility from the BOE for school programming and curriculum development. Grants will not substitute for normal budget growth and maintenance. 

• Teacher stipends, substitute teachers, food (catering, meals, etc.), transportation expenses and consumables. 

• Grants for vague expenses or projects or general furniture that falls under the responsibility of the BOE.

• Because of its focus on long-term impact, BTEF will typically not fund speakers, assemblies, field trips or presentations that are one-time and/or for one school other than for workshop-related programs or districtwide initiatives. 

• Sales tax for grant items. Use the Bernards BOE tax-exempt I.D. number in order to purchase materials.

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TERMS OF FUNDING

• For our first grant cycle, BTEF will be approving projects that range from $2,000-$5,000

• Grant recipients will promote and publicize BTEF in school-related forums (i.e. interviews for school publications, newspapers and social media). When presented, grants will have the tagline, “This project/opportunity was made possible by a grant from the Bernards Township Education Foundation.” A BTEF plaque of recognition will be placed visibly in the classroom.

• All granted equipment and supplies will remain the property of the Bernards BOE and retain the BTEF sticker.

• Grant recipients will comply with reasonable requests for information about grant-related activities including inviting BTEF to see the grant in action where possible. 

• 1 year after the grant is awarded, grant applicant will complete the impact document. 

• All funds must be expended on the approved project within 18 months of the award of the grant. If the project is canceled, delayed or materially changed, the funds will revert to the Bernards Township Education Foundation.

• All Phase 1 and Phase 2 applications require the signatures of the building administrator and content area supervisor. The signature of the technology supervisor is necessary for technology- related requests. 

 

RUBRIC

All grant proposals are reviewed using this Rubric. Other factors that influence if a grant is approved include available funds and equity amongst our schools.
 

SEARCHING FOR INSPIRATION? 

Take a look at examples of awarded grants from other education foundations in the area:   

• Summit Education Foundation

• Chatham Education Foundation

• Florham Park Education Foundation

• Somerset Hills Education Foundation

 

Disclaimer: Please note that these are examples of awarded grants from other districts and do not necessarily reflect the missions of the Bernards BOE and BTEF or our current funding capacity. 

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GRANT APPLICATION​

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