2015 Grants Application Instructions

2015 Grants Application Instructions

Thank you for your interest in serving the Morningside Community. Please review, complete, and submit the application either by email to or hard copy to: Morningside Children's Partnership, 1201 E. Jefferson, Bldg. #2, Fort Worth, Texas 76104.

In 2015 there will be two application rounds: July 1st and September 15th. Applications received by these dates will get first priority although applications may be submitted at any time. There will be information sessions for interested organizations to learn more about the process. The sessions will take place on June 16th at 7 pm and on June 20th at 10 am at the Shamblee Library located at 1062 Evans Avenue. The first round of awards will go out by August 14th and the second round by November 4th. If you have additional questions, please email .

About the MCP Small Grants:

An area foundation has made limited funding available to support programs and services that ultimately improve the educational outcomes of children in the MCP community. This includes, but is not limited to, creative approaches to education, exposure to careers, ideas and activities that broaden horizons and innovative experiences that encourage students to raise their expectations and achieve their goals.

Small grants are available to non-profit organizations including schools, faith-based organizations, and community partners. Ideally, the small grants program will identify programs that can be sustained and modeled by others in the Morningside Community and ultimately, across Fort Worth. Grants will only go to projects being carried out within the Morningside Community or with residents of the Morningside Community. Please see the map in this attachment for the MCP boundaries.

Selected programs should enhance existing curriculum, pilot innovative programs, and/or expand existing successful services to reach more people. However, they should not underwrite basic school supplies, curriculum, and facilities that should be provided by the school district. Funds may be used for educational materials, programs, and technology unique to the grant project.

Each application will be evaluated on the extent to which it: enriches educational experiences, challenges students, shows creativity and innovation, has realistic objectives and reaches significant a number of students and/or families. Projects that have proven to be successful elsewhere (evidence-based and/or research-based) will be given special consideration.

Structure

All applicants should submit the attached Application Form.
Applicants must include relevant tax status documentation (i.e., 501(c) (3) determination letter). Organizations that have not completed this step may still apply, though initial awards may be limited. School districts and other public entities do not need to provide this documentation.
Amount requested in U.S. Dollars: Up to $3000.00

2015 Grants Application Form

General Information
Organization Name: / Contact Name:
Project Name: / Contact Title:
Address: / Contact Email:
Phone: / Contact Phone:
How did you hear about the MCP Grants opportunity? / Website (if applicable):
Please provide a brief history of the organization including year founded:
Describe the activity for which you are seeking funds and how you will use the grant funds. Include dates and location of funded events, as well as event coordination/facilitator qualifications to perform the program and other details providing a more complete sense of the project.
Administrative Support (to be completed by teachers or district staff only)
If relevant, has the Principal or other school site administrator reviewed this application? / Yes: / No:
Principal/School Administrator:
Title:
Signature:
Comments:
Please Mark Which Groups Would Benefit from the Grant
Children 0 to 4: / Elementary School: / Middle School:
High School: / Parents: / Community Members:
Teachers: / Special Needs: / Other______:
Purpose of the Grant
Grant Title:
Date funds are needed: / Project Period:
Description of the goals (and how each of these goals will be measured):
Do you have any program outcomes or successes to-date?
Why is this project needed and how does it enrich educational experience for students?
In what ways is this grant innovative or creative?
Is there an existing model or research or other evidence that demonstrates this proposal will be successful? If so, please describe.
Will this grant increase student, parent or community involvement in education? / Yes: / No:
If yes, describe how the grant will increase involvement.
Will the proposed grant be used to supplement an existing program? / Yes: / No:
If yes, what added benefit will the grant provide?
How many people will your project impact?
Describe how the project will be sustained beyond the grant period and how it provides a model that can be used by others.
Budget
Give a budget breakdown of your request: Please attach the proposed budget if necessary.
Will this grant meet all of the expenses necessary to achieve the stated goals? / Yes: / No:
If not, what is the total funding required?
Have you requested funds from any other source or will the grant be matched? / Yes: / No:
If yes, from which source?
Please provide the total amount you will be receiving:
Will the grant be instrumental in obtaining other funding?
Do you have Financial Statements? (if yes please attach) / Yes: / No:
Is this a one-time request? / Yes: / No:
If no, please provide frequency:
Duration of the Project
Spreading Awareness about MCP
To ensure the ongoing success of the MCP Small Grant program, it is important to increase awareness of the program among parents and other donors to MCP. After the grant project (or periodically if appropriate) applicants must report back to MCP about the outcome of the project. For grants that are selected, more information will be shared about these outcome reports.
Please describe the ways you will be able to promote MCP funding of this project (for example, including a write up in newsletters, including the MCP logo on materials provided, promoting at meetings, highlighting on the school website, etc.)

Map of Service Area

The following is a list of factors the MCP Grants Community Council will consider in selecting grant recommendations:

Small Grant Evaluation Rubric
Application is timely, complete and free of mistakes
Project enriches educational experiences
Project has been demonstrated to work (here or elsewhere)
Project is creative and/or innovative
Need for project is clearly defined
Project impacts a substantial number of residents/students
Project fills an unmet educational need
Project has realistic and measurable objectives with a clear evaluating process
Project has teacher, administration and/or community support
The project will increase student, parent, and/or community involvement in education
The project can be sustained in the future and/or modeled by others
Goals and expectations are complete and reasonable
Additional funding sources have been identified
Other factors: