Insight Grants

FY 2016 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Application Period Opening Soon

FEMA sent out an email this past Friday, 9/2/2016, indicating the next application period for Assistance to Firefighters Grants will open in about a month on Tuesday, 10/11/2016. Applications will be due Friday, 11/18/2016 at 5pm ET. Applicants are advised to begin preparing to apply ASAP and can do so using several tools provided by FEMA which are available now and accessible here, including:

  • FY 2016 Notice of Funding Opportunity  (NOFO)
  • FY 2016 AFG Grant Application Get Ready Guide
  • FY 2016 AFG Narrative Get Ready Guide
  • FY 2016 AFG Self-Evaluation – Operations and Safety
  • FY 2016 AFG Self-Evaluation – Vehicle Acquisition
  • FY 2016 AFG Application Checklist
  • FY 2016 AFG Cost Share Calculator

For the latest information on the Assistance to Firefighters program and all of the details, visit the official program site.

 

2016 PEP Grant Application Period Now Open

The application period for the Carol M. White Physical Education Program grants, or PEP grants, opened today. Applications are due 5/20/2016. You can access the application package and instructions via grants.gov here. Click on the Funding Opportunity Number (ED-GRANTS-032116-001) to go to the grant summary page. Then click on the “Package” tab to download the grants.gov package and the RFP. You can also access the RFP directly by clicking here. Good luck!

-Rosalie

2016 Carol M. White PEP grants due 5/20/2016!

Although the docket indicated Monday, the Federal Register Notice for the 2016 Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant competition was published very early this morning. The Notice shows the application will be available/application period will open Monday, 3/21/2016. The deadline for all applications is 4:30 pm Washington DC time on 5/20/2016.

Grants.gov submission is required. If you’d like to apply and your organization does not already have an active grants.gov account with an approved AOR Role, go to grants.gov to establish (or reactivate) an account as soon as possible beginning on Monday. (The system is down this weekend for maintenance.) Grants.gov account establishment requires your organization to have an active sam.gov account first. If this is your organization’s first time establishing a grants.gov account, and/or if your organization’s sam.gov account is expired, you will need a high-level administrator to work on the sam.gov account. Note that the US Department of Education (ED) has done a really nice of job of including detailed information about grants.gov this year in the PEP grant Federal Register Notice. Use that resource as well as the information available on the grants.gov and sam.gov sites and their respective helpdesks. Establishment of these accounts can take a few minutes or a more than a month depending on your organization’s situation. Begin work preparing your accounts ASAP to ensure they are ready well in advance of when you need to submit the grant. Extensions are not granted for organizations that miss the deadline because their accounts are not ready to submit in time.

Good luck!

-Rosalie

Carol M. White PEP grant competition opens Monday, 3/21/2016!

The Federal Register Notice that will officially open the 2016 PEP grant competition will  be posted MONDAY, 3/21/2016. This is very likely to be the final PEP grant competition ever, so this is particularly exciting.

 

The grant deadline will be 60 days from the Notice publication date and will be listed in the final publication on Monday.

The full RFP may be available Monday, or it may take a few days. The release is not always immediate. Grants.gov submission is required, and the grants.gov application package will be available for download by Tuesday.

A few quick notes:

  • Recommended award range is now $200,000 – $800,000 per year, with average size expected to be $500,000 per year.
  • Total amount available for new awards is $23 Million.
  • Awards are still for 1, 2, or 3 years. Forward funding will apply as anticipated. This means funds for all years of each awardee’s grant will come out of this year’s $23 Million since this is the last year of funding.
  • Anticipated number of awards is 15—this could go up or down some depending on the size of the requests of the applicants chosen for awards.
  • There are three opportunities for bonus points via Competitive Preference Priorities. The first involves partnerships. The other two are related to student achievement.
  • There is an Invitational Priority (not required and not attached to any additional points) for discussion of Evidence of Promise–research showing program elements are proven to work.

If you’d like assistance, please contact us today. Good luck to all applying!

2016 Carol M. White PEP grants coming soon!

The Carol M. White Physical Education Program–also know as the PEP grant–will be holding what is almost certain to be its last competition this spring. This is because the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which goes into effect in 2017, did not include PEP as an authorized program. Congress did, however, appropriate $47 Million to PEP for 2016, and PEP is still authorized for this year. Insight was able to confirm with US ED PEP Program Manager Carlette KyserPegram a little over a month ago that US ED does plan to hold a PEP grant competition in 2016.

For months now the US Department of Education’s Forecast of Funding Opportunities has indicated PEP may open on or around 3/15/2016 with applications due on or around 5/13/2016. While those dates could change at any time, and we won’t know for certain when the application period will be until the actual RFP is released, this information suggests the application period could open as soon as this coming Tuesday. Therefore, organizations interested in applying should begin preparing immediately, if they aren’t already doing so.

PEP is always very competitive, with just 5-18% of applicants nationwide receiving awards depending on the competition year. Here are a few reasons why PEP is expected to be even more competitive than usual in 2016:

  • Due to PEP not being included as an authorized program under ESSA, 2016 will almost certainly be the last time ever that PEP will be funded. Many districts will be looking to apply this year since it will be their last chance.
  • Since PEP cannot receive funding after 2016, US ED was considering applying a forward funding approach to this year’s awards. If that happens, that would mean that the applicants selected through the competition would have all of their grant years funded out of the 2016 appropriation, rather than just the first year which is the usual approach. This means each award would cost the 2016 PEP appropriation the full project period cost rather than the just the first year cost. Ultimately, this would mean fewer total awards could be made.
  • Fewer funds are available in total than in previous years because the Congressional appropriation was lower than in most PEP years at $47 Million total compared to the $70-80 Million total for most of the program’s past years.
  • The last PEP competition was held 3 years ago in 2013. The last set of new awards were made 2 years ago in 2014, but only high-scoring but non-winning applicants from the 2013 were eligible for consideration. Many districts have literally waited years for a chance to apply, and some of them have been preparing for most of that time.

Preparation will be critical to applications being highly competitive!

If you’re not too familiar with PEP, here are the basics:

PEP exists to support physical activity and nutrition education programs that help K-12 students meet or exceed state PE standards.

As of the most recently concluded competition, PEP grants could be 1, 2, or 3 years in length with award sizes of up to $750,000 per year. Matching is required at 10% of the total project cost in Year 1, and 25% of the total project cost per year in Years 2 and 3. Matching may be inkind and/or cash. PEP grants must adhere to a supplement not supplant rule.

 

Will your district be applying for PEP this year? Don’t miss out! For 16 years, PEP has been the biggest and best-fit funding source for PE, physical activity, and nutrition programming for schools and community-based organizations serving school-age kids. While the competition will be tough, this year’s competition is your “last chance” opportunity to obtain a PEP grant. So start preparing now to submit a stellar application.

If you’re interested in grant writing or editing-only assistance, please contact us. Insight has a strong track record with PEP. The Insight Team includes several writers who have each won many PEP grants over the years. I myself have written 24 and edited an additional 46 winning PEP grants (70 total) for districts around the country.

Good luck!

-Rosalie Mangino-Crandall

Grant Opportunity: PHIT America Go! Grants

The grant competition for PHIT America Go! Grants is now open. This program funding is designed to “Jumpstart more movement at your elementary school with the Go! Grant.”

Projects Supported: Grants support more minutes on the move before, during, and after school through funds and gear for new classroom and playground programs.
Who Can Apply: Public or charter schools enrolled or willing to enroll in Let’s Move! Active Schools with little to no organized physical activity offered to students at present. Projects must serve students age 5-12. A list of complete project guidelines is available here.

Awards: Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000.

Deadline: Applications are due June 1, 2015.

Please note that while some information sources refer to these grants as “mini PEP grants,” this grant program is NOT the Carol M. White Physical Education Program grant–or PEP grant–program. Go! Grants are an entirely separate opportunity being offered by PHIT America, NOT the US Department of Education.

To get the application and see complete program information including resources and tools, visit the grant page at the Kids in the Game website.

 

Grant Opportunities: US Department of Justice Mentoring Funding

The U.S. Department of Education’s  Prevention News Digest for 5/1/2015 stated:

The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has reposted the following fiscal year 2015 funding solicitations with a new deadline of June 23, 2015:

  • Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative. This solicitation supports organizations as they strengthen and/or expand their existing mentoring activities with local subawardees and/or other mentoring organizations. Mentoring activities include direct one-on-one, group, peer, or a combination of these types of mentoring services for at-risk and undeserved youth populations. Applications are due by June 23, 2015.
  • Mentoring for Youth: Underserved Populations. This solicitation will support mentoring services for underserved populations, including youth with disabilities, youth in foster care, and lesbian gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning youth (LGBTQ). Applications are due by June 23, 2015.

Visit OJJDP’s funding page for more information about these solicitations.

Sign up to receive the ED prevention news digest by email here.

Grant Opportunity: Best Buy Looking for National Partners for Out-of-School-Time Program Technology Grants

Best Buy is seeking national nonprofit organizations as partners that create hands-on learning opportunities for underserved teens to engage them in learning, experimenting, and interacting with the latest technologies to build 21st century skills.

“The goal of the program is to provide youth with access to new technologies and help them become interested and fluent in digital learning while developing skills to help better prepare them for future education and career success.”

Who Can Apply: Out-of-school-time programs that have a fundamental commitment to youth, ages 13-18, are invited to apply for funding. Minimum eligibility criteria is available at the Best Buy grant page under eligibility criteria.

Programs Supported: Programs should help teens build 21st century skills by utilizing cutting-edge technology such as computers, digital cameras, video cameras and professional software in a wide range of areas. To see specifics on suggested areas see the list from Best Buy under National Partner Overview here.

Awards: Program grants typically range from $100,000 to $200,000.

Deadline: Proposals must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. EDT on Saturday November 1st, 2015.

Get Complete Information on this exciting Program at the Best Buy Foundation Page.

Grant Opportunity: The Colorado Health Foundation’s Out-of-School-Time Physical Activity Grant

Who is offering this grant? The Colorado Health Foundation

What is the purpose? Provide high quality, structured physical activity in out-of-school-time settings. Specifically, the foundation is interested in receiving proposals for: implementation or enhancement of quality, structured physical activity opportunities in out-of-school-time settings (school- or community-based programs).

What types of activities might be supported? Funds can be used to start new or to maintain/expand existing effective physical activity programs in established out of school time settings (out-of-school-time includes before school, after school, school breaks and summer programs). The Foundation will fund the following: Purchase of curriculum, Equipment for structured activity time, Staff development/training costs, Personnel costs for staff directly implementing the program, Sport specific activities if embedded in existing out-of-school time program, Evaluation costs.

Who can apply? Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and public agencies that currently implement an out-of-school-time program targeting youth in kindergarten through eighth grade. Proposals to support establishment of entirely new out-of-school-time programs will not be funded. Applicants must demonstrate that they serve a high proportion of youth from low-income families; percentage of children eligible for free and reduced school meals, average family income or other indicators of low income will be considered to determine low-income status.

When is the application due? June 15, 2015.

How much can I request? Award range not specified; but past grant awards have ranged from $30,000-$300,000.

Do I have to offer a match of any kind? No.

How long is the project period? They will consider proposals for up to two years of funding. Programs must be at least six weeks in length.

Is there anything else I should know? Associated Measurable Results: Applicants will be asked to indicate how their work will numerically: Increase number of children and adults who engage in moderate or vigorous physical activity.

  • Preference will be given to proposals serving children from families living on low incomes in the top 10 regions with high rates of childhood obesity (as defined by CDPHE’sHealth Statistics Regions). These regions have rates of childhood obesity ranging from 13.6 to 26.2 percent and include the following regions: Region 4 (El Paso County); Region 6 (Huerfano, Las Animas, Crowley, Otero, Bent, Kiowa, Prowers and Baca counties); Region 7 (Pueblo County); Region 9 (Dolores, Montezuma, San Juan, La Plata and Archuleta counties); Region 12 (Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin, Grand, and Summit counties); Region 13 (Lake, Chaffee, Fremont and Custer counties); Region 14 (Adams County); Region 15 (Arapahoe County); Region 20 (Denver County); Region 21 (Jefferson County).
  • Program must dedicate at least 20 percent or at least 30 minutes of program time to structured physical activity for a part-day program (60 minutes for a full-day program), most days of the week. Children must be engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) a minimum of 50 percent of the structured physical activity time.

How can I find out more? Visit the Colorado Health Foundation’s website to view application guidelines and online application at http://www.coloradohealth.org/yellow.aspx?id=6803.

Grant Opportunities: Digital Wish Technology Grants and Teaching Resources

By Jen Adams

Who is offering this grant? Digital Wish is a nonprofit organization that believes that every child deserves a technology-rich education that will provide them with the skills necessary to excel in the global economy.

What is the purpose? Digital Wish is a non-profit on a mission to help teachers solve technology shortfalls in their classrooms. Apply for grants, create a wish list of technology your classroom needs, and share lesson plans and fundraising ideas with fellow educators across the country. Digital Wish also provides a searchable library of grants and a myriad of ideas for fundraising. The entire site is designed to empower teachers to find funding for technology for their classrooms.

What types of activities might be supported? Digital Wish supports specific technology initiatives each month. By submitting a lesson plan that responds to the targeted material, educators have an opportunity to receive curricula and associated materials free of cost. After registering at the Digital Wish site, you can login and submit a technology-based lesson plan for a chance to win over 50 different technology grants. In addition to serving as your grant application, every lesson plan you enter will be automatically added to your classroom’s profile, allowing you to share technology integration ideas with colleagues and fellow educators across the country! Examples of current grant opportunities are listed below.

·         Digital Citizenship and Cyber Safety – April – Digital Citizenship IT Curriculum Unit Package ($199.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015
Submit a lesson plan on cyber safety or digital citizenship and qualify for a Digital Citizenship IT Curriculum Unit Package awards. Students will be well-prepared to use technology every day in a safe, respectful, and responsible way. Digital Citizenship Unit contains an instructor preparation checklist and four important lessons: Digital Citizens and the Internet; Cyber Safety; Safety Skits for Reinforcement; Copyright in the Classroom.
·         Autism Awareness Month – Tool Factory’s Autism Software Bundle for Interactive Devices ($249.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015
Create and submit a unique lesson plan on inclusive teaching techniques with autistic elementary students. Lesson plans utilizing tablets and interactive devices are encouraged. Award: Tool Factory’s Autism Bundle that offers tools to: Encourage collaboration; Develop concentration and attention; Inspire imaginative play; Promote reading / early literacy; Teach emotional literacy.
·         Mobile Devices in the Classroom – April – 1 Dell Venue Pro Smartphone ($399.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015
·         Let’s Get Podcasting – Simple Guide to Podcasting Book/Cd Set and the Adventures in Podcasting! Incredible Lesson Plans for Your Classroom Book/CD Set! Plus Tool Factory Podcasting w/Video Software ($100.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015 11:59:59 PM
·         Collaborative Writing and Debating – April – Classroom Collaboration and Debate Curriculum Unit Package ($199.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015
Write and submit a lesson plan on collaborative writing or debating and you may be awarded a Classroom Collaboration and Debate Curriculum Unit Package. Using the Classroom Collaboration and Debate Curriculum Unit Package students will become editors of their own classroom wiki or other collaborative website. The right wiki program will allow students to post questions, pictures for analysis, or documents for group editing. They will also be able to see their classmates’ work and give feedback digitally, creating a classroom environment that gives all students a voice and nourishes and fosters fresh ideas. Moreover, it is an excellent opportunity to practice good digital citizenship.

Who can apply? Teachers and educators from private and public schools across the nation. Find your school and register here: http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/grant_awards.

When is the application due? There are specific deadlines associated with technology initiatives which change on a monthly basis (see sample grants and deadlines above).

How much can I request? Grants are awarded in the form of technology and/or associated curricula and materials. See examples above.

When will the awards be made? Grants will be awarded on the 15th of every calendar month after the grant application deadline

Is there anything else I should know? Lesson plans may cover any subject area. For monthly recurring grants, you don’t have to reapply to be considered. Relevant lesson plans will be stored and reevaluated each month.

Judging Criteria

  • Guideline adherence. Lesson plans must follow the directions outlined in each grant’s description.
  • Coherency. Lesson plans must be well-organized and well-written.
  • Proper Grammar Usage, Punctuation, and Spelling. Lessons should contain no grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors.
  • Curriculum Relevance. Lesson plans must be curriculum-oriented.
  • Creativity and Fun. Lesson plans must be unique and exciting to implement.
  • Student Involvement. Lesson plans must encourage student participation.
  • Technology Integration. Lesson plans must incorporate technology.

How can I find out more? Visit the Digital Wish site at: http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/grants and view the full grants calendar.

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Insight Grants