Insight Grants

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 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

Featured Grant Opportunity: Grants to help schools serve healthier meals to students!

The USDA and NFL’s Fuel Up to Play 60 are partnering to award $35 Million in grants that support healthier meals and better nutrition in US schools. Based on the fact that 88% of schools who utilize the USDA’s National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs lack the equipment to serve healthy meals, this partnership aims to help schools upgrade their kitchen equipment and infrastructure in order to offer students better access to nutritious foods. Grants will help schools meet updated national nutrition standards, serving meals with more grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein and low-fat dairy, and less sodium and fat. All US schools who participate in the National School Lunch Program are eligible to apply. Schools can apply individually, or districts may apply for multiple schools within their district. Each school involved in the application, whether applying as part of a district or as an individual school, can apply for up to $5,000 in school nutrition equipment. The online application will open in early March 2016. You can sign up to be notified when the application is open by entering your email address here. The deadline for all applications is Thursday, June 30, 2016. Interested in more information about these grants? Find out more and download the application materials here: https://www.fueluptoplay60.com/funding/nutrition-equipment-grant.

 

By Jen Adams

Featured Grant Opportunity: Be Healthy Schools Grant Program/BCBS of Alabama

This funding competition is available to school across the state of Alabama, serving grades K-6, who plan to implement school-based health and wellness programs. Public and private schools are eligible. Programs should emphasize increased levels of physical activity, nutrition education, and parental involvement during the school year. A total of $250,000 is available in 2016, and schools may apply for grants up to $10,000 each. Applications are currently being accepted online and the application period will close March 18, 2016. For more information, visit the BCBS Alabama website at https://www.bcbsal.org/web/be-healthy-school-grants.html or contact them at CommunityRelations@bcbsal.org.

 

By Jen Adams

Featured Grant Opportunity: The Highmark Foundation’s Creating a Healthy School Environment Grants

The Highmark Foundation is building lasting change in schools through their Creating a Healthy School Environment grant program.  The grants are available to schools in central and western Pennsylvania and in West Virginia who present programs within three categories in order to improve health and wellness in their schools: Building Sustainable and Lasting Changes in Schools; Advancing Excellence in School Nursing Awards; and Meeting Health Needs Through Supportive Services. Creating a Healthy School Environment grants fall under the Building Sustainable and Lasting Changes in Schools focus area. Priority Areas for the grant program are Bullying Prevention, Child Injury Prevention, Healthy Eating and Physical Activity, and Environmental Health. Applicants must select one and only one priority area on which to focus their funding requests.

In Pennsylvania, grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to 20 districts implementing programs that improve access to quality school-based health and wellness programs. Mini-grants up to $5,000 will also be awarded to 20 non-public (private, parochial and charter) schools in Pennsylvania. Schools in West Virginia are only eligible to apply for $5,000 mini-grants; awards will be granted to 15 schools.

Applications due Friday, March 18, 2016.  You can find more information at the Highmark website www.Highmarkfoundation.org or follow this link for complete program guidelines:  http://www.highmarkfoundation.org/pdf/2016 CreatingHealthySchoolEnvironmentGrant.pdf.

By Jen Adams

Featured Grants: Two Opportunities for Schools in the State of Vermont

There are two grant opportunities for schools and non-profit community-based organizations in the State of Vermont with deadlines coming up in February 2016.

21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant

VT 21CCLC grants support programs that provide rich, diverse high-quality afterschool and summer extended learning opportunities for students with a focus on improving achievement and graduation rates and high-need schools. For complete information and to access the application visit the 21st CCLC Grant Information page at education.vermont.gov  Applications are due February 5th.

2016 Dairy in the Classroom Grant

Dairy in the Classroom grants increase students’ appreciation and knowledge of dairy farming, dairy products, and healthy eating through Dairy in the Classroom education and Fuel Up to Play 60. K-3 teachers are invited to apply. Schools must participate and enroll in Fuel Up to Play 60 and participate int he National School Lunch Program. Grants are available for up to 40 classrooms. Awarded schools will be provided with in class programs, hands on activities, and $200 toward field trips to cow-based dairy farms. Applications are due February 8th. For complete information visit the 2016 Dairy in the Classroom Grant page here.

 

Grant Opportunity: Healthy Kids-Healthy Schools Grants (State of Washington)

In Washington (state), the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction recently released the Healthy Kids-Healthy Schools grants. These grants are specifically equipment and/or facilities upgrades for existing schools. Grants are available for Nutrition (kitchen, cafeteria, gardens, greenhouses), Physical Activity and Physical Education (indoor and outdoor equipment, covered play structures, playground equipment), and/or Access to and Appeal of Water (water bottle filling stations).

Applicants can apply for funding for one or more topic areas. Free/reduced lunch rate is one of the factors considered, so highest-need schools as defined by free/reduce lunch rate are likely to have some competitive advantage.

Award Amounts: Grants are available for up to $200,000 per district.

Application Deadline: Applications are due 2/19/2016.

For complete information visit the Healthy Kids-Healthy School grants page.

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.

Insight Client New London Public Schools of CT Awarded US ED Full Service Community School (FSCS) Grant

We are thrilled that New London Public Schools of New London, Connecticut was recently awarded a Full Service Community Schools (FSCS) Grant through the U.S. Department of Education! New London originally applied to the FY 2014 program and was awarded funds in FY 2015 when awards were made “down the slate.” The Insight Team worked with key New London staff and administrative members to develop and write the comprehensive proposal. Funding for Year 1 is expected to be $497,307 and the 5-Year projected amount is anticipated to be $2,434,535.

The New London project, titled “Project Connect,” is a five-year service provision and coordination FSCS initiative designed in partnership with multiple community organizations, including: Connecticut College; United States Coast Guard Academy; New England Science and Sailing; Connecticut Science Center; Child and Family Agency of New London; Child Nutrition Program of New London; Appalachian Mountain Club Youth Opportunities Program; and New London Youth Affairs.

Project Connect is strategically designed to address four primary gaps faced by a highly vulnerable, at-risk youth with a primary overarching goal: To provide and ensure access to comprehensive services that improve the academic, health, and social outcomes of students.

Gap 1: The current academic program is insufficiently intense to facilitate academic standards

Gap 2: Lack of student engagement

Gap 3: Lack of parental/family engagement, involvement and parent services

Gap 4: Inadequate awareness/utilization of comprehensive services that support student achievement

The FSCS grant program has a 20% matching requirement and Ed Sweeney, Alison Burdick, and the staff at New London did a great job working to get commitments from community partners. The value of partner donations is $159,000 per year and $795,000 over 5 years! This is an outstanding example of a school engaging community partners to put together a competitive application and ultimately a strong, effective, community-changing project!

 

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