Posted on September 11, 2009

Good Classrooms Minigrants Now Available

Applications Due at 5 p.m. on Monday, October 12, 2009.

Good Classrooms for Grand Rapids Minigrants are designed to:

  • assure access to a quality education for every child in the City of Grand Rapids.
  • assist educators to become more proficient in their ability to teach and engage their students
  • advance collaboration among educators, parents, and community groups
  • encourage innovation, creativity, resourcefulness, and use of best practice in teaching

Mini-grants will be awarded for:

  • SINGLE CLASSROOM MINIGRANTS OF UP TO $1,500 for single classroom projects which address at least one of the Benchmarks for Student Success.
  • MULTIPLE CLASSROOM MINIGRANTS OF UP TO $3,000 for multi-classroom projects that show evidence of cooperative planning and teaching and address one of the Benchmarks for Student Success.

Who is eligible?

  • All teachers in the Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grand Rapids Diocesan Catholic Schools, Grand Rapids Christian Schools, and Public School Academies located within the City of Grand Rapids
  • Pre-K, special education, music, art, and physical education are all eligible

Minigrant proposals must address one or more of the following Benchmarks for Student Success: 1. Student achievement 2. Student attendance 3. Leadership and educational vitality 4. Data-driven decision making 5. Rigorous Curriculum and instruction 6. Student focus and supports 7. School Culture 8. Professional community 9. School, family and community partnerships

The Selection Committee is particularly interested in creative and innovative approaches that represent best practice. Examples of the types of applications that have been awarded in the past include:

  • new projects or programs
  • program enhancement within the curriculum framework
  • expansion of an existing unit
  • student awards
  • special events
  • professional development opportunities
  • experts-in-residence
  • parent involvement programs

Grant funds may be used only for the project for which funds are awarded. Grant funds cannot be used for capital supplies that are not related to a project or program (i.e.; new bulletin board for the classroom). Grant applications seeking funds for student field trips will not be considered unless the field trips are part of a planned educational unit, are essential to the successful completion of that unit. Grantees will be expected to report on the outcome of funded projects at the end of the school year.

Applications will be reviewed and screened by a selection committee representing the public and private schools in the City of Grand Rapids. Awards will be announced in November and funds will be available after that time.

Application forms must be submitted online by 5:00 p.m. on October 12, 2009 at www.goodschoolsforgr.org. Questions regarding applications should be directed to Cris Kooyer, 454-1751 x 118, ckooyer@grfoundation.org. Technical assistance for the Online Grant System is available from Jill Tiefenbach, 454-1751 x112, jtiefenbach@grfoundation.org.