Charter School Design Challenge Initial Application

Round One: Idea Submission

  • Complete sections I – IV. For teams of applicants, please complete these sections for each member of your team.
  • Attach your resume and the resumes of your team members (if applicable).
  • Attach your proposal for a break-the-mold innovative charter school model in whatever format best conveys your idea (i.e., essay, PowerPoint, YouTube video, etc.).
  • Email your completed application, resumes, and school design proposal to . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The Mind Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer

I.Personal Information

First Name
Middle Initial
Last Name
Mailing Address
City
State
Zip Code
Cell Phone
Email Address

II.Professional Background

Company/Organization Title City/Location Dates From/To

III.Education

School/College Location Dates From/To Degree

IV.Initiatives Launched

If you have played a leading role in launching any significant organizations, initiatives, programs, or projects, please list them below.

Please make copies as necessary for all initiatives launched.

Initiative #1

Organization/Initiatives/Project
Organization’s Purpose/Mission (50 words or less)
Your role in launch (100 words or less)
Organization’s Major Accomplishments and Successes (100 words or less)

V. Your Idea

  • Share with us your vision for a break-the-mold charter school in whatever format best conveys your idea (i.e. short essay, PowerPoint, YouTube video, etc.).
  • You may wish to include information about how your idea is innovative, how it will produce exceptional results, how your model will be sustained without significant philanthropy, and how you arrived at your idea.
  • Strong applicants will also explain how they plan to use The Mind Trust’s $250,000 award to successfully launch their proposed school model in Indianapolis.

VI.Next Steps

The Mind Trust will respond to all submissions within four weeks to confirm receipt of the application, communicate the status of the application, and outline individualized next steps for the most promising applicants. Those next steps may include the following.

Round Two: Due Diligence and Follow-on Interviews

  • The Mind Trust will engage in a series of telephone and in-person conversations with strong applicants to learn more about their school design idea. These conversations will allow The Mind Trust to become better acquainted with the applicant, his/her proposed idea, and the support the applicant in seeking from The Mind Trust in planning and launching the proposed school.
  • Throughout these discussions, additional written materials will likely be requested.
  • Please note that the length of this process will vary by candidate. If at any point in this process we determine an idea or applicant is not a fit, we will let you know to honor your time and effort.

Round Three: Expert Review Panel Interview

  • Selected applicants will engage in a rigorous interview with a panel of local and national experts.
  • The panel will then make recommendations to The Mind Trust staff on which proposals to move forward to the accountability planning process.

Round Four: Accountability Planning & Board Approval

  • Applicants who make it to this final stage will develop an accountability plan and success metrics in conjunction with The Mind Trust
  • Once accountability plans are finalized, recommended applicants will be presented to The Mind Trust’s Board of Directors for approval prior to being awarded a $250,000Charter School Design Challenge grant.