2013-2014 FCAE
Improving Your Agricultural Education Program Grant
Purpose
FCAE may provide “Improving Your Agricultural Education Program” Mini-Grants up to a maximum of $10,000 per local educational agency to fund a major program improvement project for the agricultural department.
Implementation of this mini-grant is contingent upon the availability of funds.
Eligibility
School districts with an approved agricultural education program are eligible to apply.
Requirements
· Proposed plan for the project including detailed description, photos, sketch and/or blueprint.
· Proposed budget.
· Verification of a minimum of 50% local match. Matching funds may include values of donated contributions, except for the value of labor. Use of state or federal CTE grant dollars, as matching funds, are non-allowable. Preference will be given to proposals with higher levels of local match.
· Information regarding number of students impacted by this project and the size of the district.
· Identification of agricultural instructor, agricultural education advisory committee member, school administrator and school board member responsible.
· Contact with your FCAE program advisor in completing your proposal.
· Proposal must be postmarked by January 3, 2014 and sent to the FCAE office in Rantoul. Faxed proposals will be acceptable, but an original signed application will be required prior to payment of funds.
· Proposals received after the January 3, 2014 postmarked date will be considered for funding, if all funds have not yet been contracted.
· All projects must be completed and a final report received by June 6, 2014.
· Grants will be evaluated by a committee of ICAE & ILCAE members based on the criteria listed in the application.
· Selected grant recipients will be notified as soon as possible after the selection committee meets.
· Priority will be given to first time recipients if applications meet all the requirements and committee qualifications. Previously awarded applicants will be give consideration if funds are available.
· All schools awarded grant funding will be required to facilitate a monitoring visit by an FCAE staff member to tag new equipment, facilities, etc, to view expenditures according to the budget, and to take photos of improvements.
Funding
The mini-grant projects are funded through the Agricultural Education line item in the Illinois State Board of Education budget. FCAE will award mini-grants up to a maximum of $10,000.00 per school district. If selected as a grant recipient, payment of 50% of the funds awarded will be at the beginning of the project in a check from Parkland College, the fiscal agent. The balance of the funds will be awarded at the completion of the project once the final report has been submitted to the FCAE office in Rantoul.
Improving Your Agricultural Education Program Grant Application
Mail to the FCAE Office, 200 South Fredrick, Rantoul, IL 61866. Due: Postmarked by January 3, 2014.
Project Name
Agricultural Department
High School School Phone
Mailing Address
Total Project Cost (Budget) ______
Total Dollars Requested: $ (Maximum - $10,000.00)
Source of Matching Funds
Sponsor Name:______
Sponsor Address:______
Sponsor Phone;______Amount of Matching Funds $______
******************************************
Sponsor Name:______
Sponsor Address:______
Sponsor Phone;______Amount of Matching Funds $______
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Sponsor Name:______
Sponsor Address:______
Sponsor Phone;______Amount of Matching Funds $______
***Return with the proposal to the Rantoul FCAE office postmarked by January 3, 2014***
(1 – Title & Source of Matching Funds Page )
Verification of Local Matching Funds
I do herby affirm the above named sponsor(s) provided $______in matching funds to be used in the Improving Agricultural Education Programs Grant.
(All Signers – Please Print Name and Sign)
Agricultural Instructor______Signature______
High School Principal______Signature______
School Board Member______Signature______
Advisory Committee Member______Signature______
***Return with the proposal to the Rantoul FCAE office postmarked by January 3, 2014***
(2 – Verification of Matching Funds Page)
Proposal Components
Provide the following information on a separate page(s) in order as listed:
Page 1 – Title & Source of Matching Funds
Page 2 – Verification of Matching Funds
Page 3 - Goals/Objectives – (What do you want to accomplish)?
Page 4 - Plan of action – (Who, what, where, why, how, & timeline for project including proposed starting and completion date? Include a sketch or diagram if applies.)
Page 5 - Impact – (How will this project make an impact on your students and/or program?)
Page 6 - Budget – (Indicate expenses, resources, materials and cash needed to complete the project. An itemized budget indicating the total amount for the project is required using the format in the table below. )
Item #
/Description of Item
/Unit Cost
/Quantity
/Total Cost
1. / $ / $2. / $ / $
3. / $ / $
4. / $ / $
5. / $ / $
6. / $ / $
TOTAL COST OF PROJECT (includes requested dollar amount & local match)
** Must match “Total Project Cost” amount listed on page one of the application. / ** $Total Dollars Requested: $ (Maximum - $10,000.00)
Verification of a minimum of 50% local match. $______(amount of match)
Matching funds may include values of donated contributions, except for the value of labor. Use of state or federal CTE grant dollars, as matching funds, are non-allowable.
Page 7 - Other – List any other information you feel is vital to your request or which the committee should consider.
Criteria for Grant Application Evaluation
· Objectives – 25%
· Plan of Action – 15%
· Impact – 30%
· Budget – 20%
· Other – 10%
Final Report
A Final Report is required at the end of the project prior to June 6, 2014 reflecting project accomplishments. Include both before and after photos. Copies of receipts/vouchers must accompany the Final Report verifying total budget expenditures to qualify for final grant payment. The format for the Final Report is outlined below.
Improving Your Agricultural Education Program Grant
Final Report Information Sheet
Final Report Parameters:
YOUR FINAL REPORT IS DUE IN THE FCAE OFFICE, 200 S. FREDRICK, RANTOUL, IL 61866, ON OR BEFORE June 6, 2014.
· Grants with final reports received on or before June 6, 2014 will receive full funding.
· Final reports received June 7 – 30, 2014 will have their final grant payment reduced by $500.00 for every 7 day period (or portion thereof).
· If a school does not have its approved Final Report into the FCAE office, 200 S. Fredrick, Rantoul, IL 61866 by June 30, 2014, the remaining 50% of their grant will be forfeited.
· IF THERE IS AN UNFORESEEN COMPLICATION MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO MAKE THE June 6, 2014 DEADLINE, YOU NEED TO NOTIFY THE FCAE OFFICE IN RANTOUL BY MAY 15, 2014 AND WE WILL WORK WITH YOU FOR AN EXTENDED COMPLETION DATE.
Final Report Contents:
(Please compose your Final Report in the order listed below.)
1. Up to a one page narrative (Include the project title, school name, and instructor’s name.)
2. Itemized Final Budget (There should be a total for each section and a grand total at the end.) USE THE EXCEL FILE YOU WERE PROVIDED WHEN YOU RECEIVED YOUR APPROVAL LETTER. You may add as many rows to any section as you need to include all items.
a. Income & Cash Donations
b. Expenses
c. In-kind Donations (i.e. labor, materials, supplies, discounts, equipment and/or its usage)
3. Legible copies of receipts
4. Legible copies of expenses/bills
5. Before and after pictures