Insight Grants

Featured Grant Opportunity: NYSED Extended School Day/School Violence Prevention Program

The New York State Education Department has announced a new grant competition, the NYSED Extended School Day/School Violence Prevention Program. The program’s primary purpose is “to provide support to students through extended school day activities and/or school safety programs which promote violence prevention.”

Extended School Day (ESD) programs must serve students in grades PreK-12, and a total of at least 50 students must be served. ESD programming may take place before or after school, Saturdays, Sundays, and/or during the summer. ESD programs must operate at least 3 days per week for at least 2 hours per day. The RFP states ESD programs must, “Provide extracurricular enrichment activities including but not limited to athletics, academic enrichment, art, music, drama, academic tutoring, mentoring, community services and related programs that will increase student achievement and contribute to school violence prevention.”

The RFP indicates, “School safety activities include goods and services to provide safe corridors, diversity programs, collaboration with law enforcement agencies or community-based organizations, metal detectors, intercom systems and other intra-school communication devices, devices to increase the security and safety of program personnel and students. School safety activities may also include comprehensive school-based intervention models that reduce violence and improve school safety.”

Additional Details:

  • Applications are due January 8th, 2016.
  • Public school districts and not-for-profit organizations working in collaboration with a public school district(s) are eligible to apply.
  • Maximum annual request is $350,000.00 per year.  There is a per-student cap on Extended School Day activities that could reduce the individual applicant’s maximum request amount. There is no per-student cap on violence prevention activities.
  • The grant period is 5 years – from July 1st, 2016 to June 30th, 2021.
  • A total of $24.3 Million is available per year.
  • Funds will be allocated to geographic areas across NYS at: 55% to NYC, 15% to Buffalo/Rochester/Syracuse/Yonkers, and 30% to the rest of the state.
  • Applications must be submitted electronically through the new FluidReview portal at https://nysed-esdsvp.fluidreview.com/and hardcopies must also be submitted.

For complete details and grant documents visit the NYSED Extended School Day/School Violence Prevention Program page.

Some Upcoming Grant Opportunities: Fall 2015

Here are some featured upcoming grant opportunities:

Fuel Up To Play 60 Grants (All States)

Program Information: Up to $4,000 per year is available to qualified K-12 schools enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60 to kick start healthy changes. Grants are for approved physical activity and healthy eating “plays.”

Deadline: November 4th, 2015

2015 National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants (California)

Program Information: This grant will allow school food authorities (SFA) to purchase the equipment needed to serve healthier meals, meet the new nutritional standards with an emphasis on more fresh fruits and vegetables, improve food safety, and expand access. Awards will be up to $100,000

Deadline: November 2nd, 2015

Straight A Fund (Ohio)

Program Information: Applicants may select one of the following goals: (1.) Increased student achievement; (2.) A spending reduction in the five-year forecast or positive performance on other fiscal measures established by the Straight A Fund Governing Board; (3.) Greater share of resources directed into the classroom; and (4.) Use of a shared services delivery model that demonstrates increased efficiency and effectiveness, long-term sustainability and scaleability. Individual applicants my request up to $1 Million, and consortia may request up to $15 Million; although because only a total of $15 Million is available this year, requests for under $1 Million may receive preference/priority.

Deadline: December 1st, 2015

NYS Health Foundation 2016 Special Projects Fund (New York)

Program Information: The Special Projects Fund provides grants for projects outside of the Foundation’s two priority areas of (1) Building healthy communities and (2) Improving transparency and affordability to empower consumers. Projects serving vulnerable populations and that are expected to have large-scale or statewide impact tend to be more competitive.

Deadline: There are two cycles. The required online inquiry form deadlines are November 4th, 2015 and April 7th, 2016. Full application deadlines are December 29th, 2015 and Wednesday May 25th, 2016. Applications in which the Foundation is interested following review of the online inquiry form will be invited to submit full applications and sent information on how to do that at that time.

Colorado Health Foundation’s Out-of-School Time Physical Activity Grants (Colorado)

Program Information: This funding opportunity will support organizations to provide quality, structured physical activity in out-of-school time settings (including before school, after school and summer programs). Applicants must propose to add or expand physical activity in an existing out-of-school time program. Projects must focus on grades K-8 and serve a high proportion of students from high-need/low-income communities. The funder also requires proposed programs, “Provide a minimum of 90 minutes of structured physical activity per week, for no less than two days per week. Children must be engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) a minimum of 50 percent of the structured physical activity time.”

Deadlines: February 15th, 2016 and June 15th, 2016

Saucony Run for Good Grants (All States) 

Program Information: The Saucony Run for Good Foundation is committed to reversing obesity rates by offering children the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of running and a healthier lifestyle. Maximum award size is $10,000 to initiate, expand, or improve running programs for children and/or teens.
Deadlines: Deadlines are on February 1st and August 1st annually.

Grant Opportunity: Learning Technology Grant (NYS)

The New York State Education Department is offering funding through the 2015-2018 Learning Technology Grant Program.

“The Purpose of this grant is to help transform learning environments through the integrated use of instructional technology in classrooms and school libraries, and to provide sustained professional development to increase the skills of teachers and school librarians in the use of instructional technology in coordination and implementation of the Learning Standards of New York State ( http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/standards.html), and the New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards, ( http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/common_core_standards/). The goals of this grant are to integrate instructional technology in classrooms and school libraries to help students attain higher levels of performance in the State Learning Standards of NY and NYS Common Core Learning Standards to ensure that all New York students graduate from high school ready for college and careers.”

Examples of Learning Technology programs given include: Professional development for the integration of instructional technology purchase through the Smart Schools Bond Act, One-to-one computing programs, closing the digital divide, flipped classrooms, online and blended learning initiatives including creation or completion of course models for use in online or blended learning environments, increased broadband access, computer-based testing readiness, online learning as accommodations for students with disabilities, and school librarians as educational technology leaders.

Who Can Apply? Public school districts and BOCES. Big Five Applicants – New York City, and Big 4 – Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers –must include a primary focus on at least one school identified as “Priority” in the application to be considered for funding. Rest of State (ROS) applicants must include primary focus on at least one school identified as “Priority” or “Focus” in the application to be considered for funding. Applicants must give nonpublic schools within their boundaries the opportunity to participate. In NYC, the districts/applicants are the Community School Districts (CSD) within NYC DOE.

Awards: Maximum amount is $50,000 per project year. The grant period runs December 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018.

Deadline: Friday, September 18, 2015

To get complete information and to access the application, visit the Learning Technology grant page at NYSED.gov.

Grant Opportunity: New York State Pathways in Technology (NYS P-Tech)

NYSED has released information on the New York State Pathways in Technology (P-Tech) program through it’s Pre-Collegiate Preparation program.

“The New York State Pathways in Technology (NYS P-Tech) program is a public-private partnership that will prepare thousands of New York students for high-skills jobs of the future in technology, manufacturing, healthcare and finance.”

Project Scope: The project seeks to fund regional partnerships in economic development regions of the State that are currently under-served by the P-TECH model and that demonstrate the greatest need for enhanced access to post-secondary opportunity. Each partnership will include K-12, higher education, and business/employer partners.

There are five critical benefits to students from the NYS P-TECH model:

1.) A rigorous, relevant, and cost-free grades 9 to 14 education focused on the knowledge and skills students for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers;

2.) Workplace learning that includes ongoing mentoring by professionals in the chosen career sector, worksite visits, speakers and internships;

3.) Intensive, individualized academic support by K-12 and college faculty within an extended academic year or school day that enables students to progress through the program at their own pace;

4.) An Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS), or the two-year degree that is the industry standard for the targeted jobs, in a high-tech field; and

5.) The commitment to be first in line for a job with the participating business/employer partners following completion of the program.

Deadline for Applications: July 15th, 2015.

Award Information: Grants will be for seven years, from September 1, 2015 to June 30, 2022. Up to a total of 7 awards will be made to eligible partnerships. Awards will be eligible to receive up to $3 million for their approved program over the full seven years.

Who Can Apply: A New York State public school district must serve as the fiscal agent/applicant for each application. A BOCES, community college, or other member of the consortium may serve as lead implementing partner.

For complete information and to access the RFP visit nysed.gov

Sharing Great Ideas in Action (NY)! Insight Sponsored Mini-Grants

Insight Grants Development has been proud to work with many NY schools to obtain funding and evaluate successes for AWESOME physical activity and healthy eating projects since 2006! We know that there are many schools out there who are doing terrific work – with and without outside funding. We know that funding sources are limited, and sustainability is always a critical challenge. In 2015, we’d like to play a part in helping spread the word about cost-effective strategies and activities that are working in NY schools.

Please join us in submitting your best projects and activities!

  • Submitted projects and activities will be featured on our blog this Fall.
  • The top 3 will receive awards of $200 each to continue making or sustaining improvements at their schools!

Interested in participating? Email a submission of no more than 2 single-spaced pages (font size 11+) that includes the information below to info@insightgrants.com by July 1, 2015!

1. Full name, address, phone number for the school, and grades served. (Up to two submissions may be sent for an individual school.)

2. Full name, title, phone number, and email address of the individual sending the submission (Teachers, principals, other school staff, parents, and coaches are all eligible to participate!)

3. Full name, phone number, and email address of the school principal and assurance the principal has been made aware of the submission.

4.   An explanation of the strategy, activity, or program you have participated in putting in place to increase physical activity and/or healthy eating at your school. Up to three strategies/activities/ programs may be included in each submission. Be sure to include for each:

a.    Name of the strategy/activity/program and date of initial implementation
b.    Whether it promotes physical activity, healthy eating, or both
c.    How it works
d.    When it is offered
e.    Who uses the strategy/activity/program (ex: PE teachers, classroom teachers, cafeteria aides, etc.) and for which participating audiences (ex: students, staff, families, etc.)
f.    Your role in putting the strategy/activity/program in place
g.    Who partnered with you to put the strategy/activity/program in place and how
h.    Why you chose to do this. Be clear about the challenges or problems at your school that needed to be addressed. If you looked at data to determine your need for the strategy/activity/program, please share that.
i.    Results you’ve seen since implementing the strategy/program/activity (IMPORTANT)
j.    If outside funding was needed, how much was received, when, and from which funder
k.    Your plans for sustainability, including any ongoing funding, equipment, training, and/or staffing needs in order to sustain these efforts and their impact

Grant Opportunity: Opportunities for Students With Disabilities (NY)

NYSED is offering a grant program for New York Schools to assist students with disabilities. The Program Development Grant to Prepare Students with Disabilities to Exit School with Work Readiness Skills is now open.

“The Program Development Grant program is a competitive grant program to provide funding for schools to enhance their instructional programs to increase students with disabilities’ access to and participation in career and technical education (CTE) coursework, instruction in the Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) learning standards, and work-based learning opportunities to fulfill requirements for the award of the NYS CDOS Commencement Credential.”

Who Can Apply: NYS School Districts, approved private schools, special art school districts, state supported schools and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) are eligible to apply.

Award Information: Estimated funds available are $10 million annually. The anticipated project period is 9/1/15 to 6/30/18. Maximum annual award amounts: NYC $500,000 –  Syracuse, Rochester, Boston, Yonkers $400,000 – rest of state $300,000 – a consortium of eligible applications $300,000.

Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by May 29th, 2015.

For complete information and to access the RFP, visit the NYSED website.

Grant Opportunity: Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Awards (Upstate NY)

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is making awards available to support the financial needs of health and wellness programs within 31 counties of Upstate New York.

What type of activities might be supported? Award are intended to focus on:

  • Activities to improve improve the health status of the community or to reduce the incidence of specific diseases
  • Community wide health education
  • Group-specific health education
  • Wellness

Programs must promote a safe and healthy lifestyle. They must fund direct services, not staff salaries or benefits.

Who can apply? To be eligible, the organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in the 31 counties of upstate New York and primarily serve a population within one or more of the listed counties. The 31 counties include: Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Otsego, Oswego, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, St. Lawrence, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne and Yates. Public Schools are eligible to apply.

How much is available? Not specified.

When is the application due? Applications must be received by February 9th, 2015.

How much can I request? Through a competitive application process, the awards provide financial support of up to $4,000 each to 501(c)(3) nonprofit groups that have set clear goals to improve the health or health care of a specific population in the community

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

How long is the project period? Programs must begin within 12 months of the date the award is delivered

When will the awards be made? Awards will be distributed in March 2015

Is there anything else I should know? Application should be submitted to the appropriate regional contact:
•    Central New York region (Cayuga, Cortland, Jefferson, Lewis, Onondaga, Oswego, St. Lawrence and Tompkins counties): Email application to Community.Health.Awards.CNY@Excellus.com
•    Rochester region (Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates counties): Email application to Community.Health.Awards.ROC@Excellus.com
•    Southern Tier region (Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Schuyler, Steuben and Tioga counties): Email application to Melissa.Klinko@Excellus.com
•    Utica region (Clinton, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida and Otsego counties): Email application to Community.Health.Awards.Utica@Excellus.com

How can I find out more? Visit the BCBS website.

For additional information, contact:
Central New York region: Community.Health.Awards.CNY@Excellus.com
Rochester region: Community.Health.Awards.ROC@Excellus.com
Southern Tier region: Melissa.Klinko@Excellus.com
Utica region: Community.Health.Awards.Utica@Excellus.com

If you are looking for assistance with your application, Insight would be pleased to help you! For information on pricing for grant writing or editing for this program, please contact us.

Featured Grant Opportunity: National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant NY

Many of the grant opportunities we feature on the blog have a national or regional presence. This opportunity is specifically for schools located in New York State.

The New York State Education Department is offering New York schools an opportunity for food service equipment through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant for School Food Authorities. The equipment being funded through the grant will allow schools to supplement existing equipment with additional resources to serve healthier meals that meet the updated meal patterns, improve the overall quality of meals, improve efficiency of production and service, and expand participation in the program.

Grant applications are due December 1st, 2014. Awards are a minimum of $2,000 and a maximum of $20,000 per school. Priority will be given to schools with 50 percent or more students eligible for free/reduced price lunch. Each piece  of requested equipment requires its own application.

Often times schools are struggling to replace or enhance their current food service equipment and are prohibited from giving students the healthiest and best possible service. With almost $2,000,000 available in total funding, this is an opportunity that most New York State schools are eligible for and consider.  Please note the following eligibility allowances and restrictions, “All schools under a School Food Authority (SFA) in the NSLP are eligible – public school districts, non-profit nonpublic schools, charter schools and residential child care institutions in the NSLP in New York State except schools that received the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Food Service Equipment Grant in 2009-2010 or the FY 2010 Equipment Assistance Grant in 2010-2011.” To see full information on the program, including the list of ineligible schools and the grant application, visit the NYSED website.

NYSED Teacher and School Leader Effectiveness Grant Awards Announced

The New York State Education Department recently announced grant awards for the Strengthening Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Program (STLE 3), and we were pleased to learn that Insight client Alexander Central School District was awarded funding! We worked with Alexander’s administration to write a very strong grant proposal that is now scheduled to receive $96,050 in STLE 3 funding. Alexander’s project is focused on creating career ladders for both teachers and principals that include opportunities for each to be rewarded for high-quality job performance and acceptance of additional duties. The ladders will allow opportunities for teachers and principals to be educators and leaders for their peers in order to create an stronger learning environment for students that facilitates increased achievement of Common Core Learning Standards.

The STLE grants and activities are supported, in whole or in part, by New York State’s Race to to the Top federal funds. STLE 3 grants are targeted to support school districts and charter schools utilizing a comprehensive approach to recruitment, development, support, retention and equitable distribution of effective teachers and school leaders as part of their implementation of an Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) plan.

To see more about the program, including some of the STLE 3 initiatives included in awardees’ plans, access the press release regarding STLE 3. To date, Insight has worked with four school districts on STLE grant proposals, and we are pleased to report that all of the districts have received STLE funding. To see a list of grants won by the Insight Team, visit our awarded grants page.

Insight Grants