21st Century Initiative Grant Application SY24.25 APPLICATION GUIDELINES Read carefully to fully understand guidelines and expectations. Award Range: Up to $2,000 per project. The number of initiatives funded will depend upon available funds. Key Criteria & Eligible Projects: Review and award of project funds will be based on the project’s anticipated contribution to essential knowledge and skills students must have to be successful in life and employment in the 21st century, clear alignment with the BCPS The Compass: Our Pathway to Excellence and the school progress plan, clear measurable objectives, and overall impact and potential for successful implementation. The 2024-2025 projects should address at least one of the following instructional focused 21st century themes: Financial, Economic, Business, and Entrepreneurial Literacy Health Literacy Environmental Literacy Civic Literacy Arts & Culture Global Awareness Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Projects must be conducted and supervised by BCPS professional personnel who work directly with students, including teachers, school counselors, media specialists, nurses, etc. Projects must address an identified need that is aligned with BCPS goals for academics, The Foundation's mission, and the school's progress plan. Funds may not replace normal funding from tax-based sources. The proposal should describe a quantitative and/or qualitative method to evaluate the success of the project. Funds may cover travel, participation in events/activities, consulting fees, and speaker honorariums. Funds may not cover personnel or any related expenses for BCPS staff, including gift cards and food/beverages. If food is purchased for students, it must align with USDA health regulations. Application Deadline: On or before October 25, 2024 by 5 p.m. Notification of Recipients: Recipients will receive an e-mail notification from the Associate Director on November 13, 2024, and a media release will be placed on our website on Tuesday, November 22, 2024. Awarding of Funding: Funds will be disbursed to the school/organization for project expenses according to standard Education Foundation practice as stated on on the Request To Disburse Funds From The Foundation Account using the form titled "Request for Reimbursement/ Disbursement from a Foundation Project Fund" also located on that page. Any unexpended funds will revert to the Education Foundation unrestricted fund at the conclusion of the project on Friday, May 23, 2025. NOTE: Please do not use personal credit cards or cash when making grant purchases. Length of Project: Projects should be implemented during the 2024-2025 school year with all projects to be completed on or before Friday, May 23, 2025 , including the request to reimburse/disburse from the foundation project account. Applicant Eligibility: Applicants must be BCPS professional personnel. In the case of team-based proposals, a project coordinator must be designated to assume overall administrative responsibility for the instructional initiative grant application, submission of disbursement requests, and any other requested information or reports. Simultaneous funding of projects from the same applicant or benefitting the same classroom, department, or team will not occur. Proposal Review:Proposals will be competitively reviewed by the Programs and Allocations Committee of the Education Foundation. BCPS curriculum and instruction and/or business services professionals may be consulted as part of the proposal review for the purpose of compliance and alignment. Initiative Summary: A project summary is due to the Education Foundation upon the conclusion of the initiative no later than Friday May 23, 2025. See the project summary for details. In addition to the project summary, a one page “Story Board” document, created on the Power Point template provided by the foundation is required. This “Story Board” will provide a snapshot of the impact the awarded grant has had on the school community. It will be published for future content supporting the foundation. A grant recipient who does not submit a summary will not be eligible for future funding consideration until the summary has been received. Application Cover SheetName of Principal or Supervisor Email Address of Principal or Supervisor School/Office PhoneName of Applicant/Project Coordinator (Must be BCPS professional personnel)Email Address of Applicant/Project Coordinator Is this a team proposal? Yes No If yes, list team members NOTE: Application must be completed and submitted electronically on or before October 25, 2024, by 5 p.m. This cover sheet will not be included as part of the actual selection process by the Programs and Allocations Committee. Consideration of your request will be based entirely on the following proposal. Application Project DescriptionTitle of Proposed Project Core Subject(s) English, Reading and Language Arts History and Culture Studies Government and Civics Arts Mathematics and Economics Science and Geography World Languages, Early Grades through Grade 12 Physical Education/Health Other (May check more than one)How does project align with the academic goals of BCPS, The Foundation's mission, and the school's progress plan and addresses the following instructional focused 21st century theme(s) Financial, Economic, Business, and Entrepreneurial Literacy Health Literacy Environmental Literacy Civic Literacy Arts & Culture Global Awareness Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) (May check more than one)Anticipated Date of Implementation MM slash DD slash YYYY Anticipated Date of Completion MM slash DD slash YYYY Total funds required for project(May include funds from other sources)Total funds requested from The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc. for projectWritten Response DIRECTIONS: Respond clearly and specifically to each of the statements/questions below. Do not include the name of your school, administrator and/or teacher in this application project description. List the plan of action including a chronological timeline for academics and key actions in the preparation and implementation of this project. Include: completed lesson plan(s); communication tools and techniques for community outreach; multi-media presentations; ordering/receipting of materials; classroom implementation; evaluation tools; and significant dates, etc. (5 points)Briefly describe this project and how it will address at least one (or more) of the instructional focused 21st century themes. (10 points)What grade level(s) and core subject area(s) will be addressed by this project? Approximately how many students will benefit? What is the potential impact on students and is there a possibility for expansion of this project to other grade levels and/or schools? (10 points)How will you evaluate whether the objectives for this project have been achieved? (10 points)A project summary is due to the Education Foundation upon the conclusion of the initiative.Explain how this project meets the goals for academics in BCPS, The Foundation's mission, and the school's progress plan. (15 points)Identify and explain the research-based instructional methods/techniques and skills that will be implemented through this project. (Learning and Innovation Skills, Information, Media and Technology Skills, and/or Life and Career Skills). Be specific. (20 points)What are the clearly defined, obtainable educational outcomes that are measurable of this project and what are the needs it will meet? (20 points)Identify your detailed budget request for this project in order of priority. (10 points)ItemDescriptionExpenseSource Include specific information on materials of instruction, equipment, services, and any other fees, charges, and/or payments. If applicable, list funds/resources that will be required to implement this project beyond this grant request. Identify the anticipated source of funds for each expense. Proposed budgets can be revised upon request through the Foundation headquarters. Please list grant in the source column for expenses to be covered by receipt of this Education Foundation award. NOTE: NOTE: Copies of all original invoices and proof of payments will need to be attached to the Request for Reimbursement/ Disbursement from a Foundation Project Fund (See Attached – Page 6) and the grant summary (pages 8 and 9), and returned to The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., by the end of the 2024-2025 school year in which the initiative is implemented. All reimbursements need to be submitted on or before Friday, May 23, 2025. Self Checklist for Completion of Application Project is appropriate for submission if the following questions can be answered in the affirmative: Project addresses at least one or more of the instructional focused 21st century themes. Yes No Project meets the goals for academics in BCPS, The Foundation's mission, and the School's Progress Plan. Yes No Project has clearly defined, attainable educational outcomes that are measurable. Yes No Project has identified instructional methods/techniques and skills that are research-based and instructionally sound. Yes No Project has the potential to involve a large number of students with a long-term impact. Yes No Project plan of action and timeline is clearly stated with realistic attainable dates for completion. Yes No Project has a built-in evaluation component. Yes No Project includes a detailed budget with items and costs listed. Yes No 89330
