Grants

The Education Foundation of Bridgewater-Raritan Mini-Grant Program is designed to spark innovation and to provide teachers and administrators the opportunity to implement their creative ideas in the classroom.The Mini-Grant Program is a competitive grants program, in which grants are placed into two separate categories: Mini-Grants or Collaborative Mini-Grants.

• Mini-Grants of up to $750 are considered to support projects lasting one school/educational year and impacting a single classroom.
• Collaborative Mini-Grants of up to $1,500 are considered to support projects impacting multiple classes, departments or an entire school.

Grant monies may be used to purchase supplies and pay for other direct project expenses, including a limited amount of equipment, but only if the equipment serves to promote an innovative educational objective clearly stated in the Mini-Grant application.
Major capital equipment acquisition is generally not supported through the Mini-Grant program.
Student transportation costs (for example: buses to and from an activity) are not supported through the Mini-Grant funding. Professional Development Grant funding may be limited to per diem expense amounts.

Grant funds may be used for consultant fees, outside experts, artists, performers, etc. but are not available for salary and stipends to school personnel.
Grantees are expected to meet the Foundation’s requirements for the submission of narrative and financial reports, and to submit periodic information as needed for overall project performance. Project directors may be asked to give progress reports on their grants. At the close of each grant, the project’s director is expected to provide a written report on the project and its finding that is suitable for wide distribution and dissemination.
Photographs of the project (along with photographic releases) are appreciated by the Foundation to be utilized for press releases and promotional materials.

In addition to the criteria listed below, the Foundation will try to achieve a diversity of grantees based on geography within the district and age group of children that will benefit from the project or educational enhancement.
Criteria used to assess proposals will include:

• Clarity of project goals and objectives.
• Relevance to at least one of the Foundation’s primary fund goals.
• Innovation and strength of the project design.
• If this project or a similar project has been provided in the past, an explanation of how this project is unique.
• Applicant’s capacity to implement and oversee the proposed project.
• Evidence of commitment by the school’s leadership.
• Potential for the project to affect other educational providers in the district, region or statewide, including a plan to communicate progress and results.
• Extent to which the project may have an impact on how services are organized and delivered within the district, regionally or statewide.
• Financial and in-kind support from other organizations, if relevant to the proposed project.
• Likelihood that the project will become self-sufficient or be repeated in future academic years without additional funding requests.
• Nature and strength of collaboration with other educational providers, if collaboration is an objective of the project.

Grantees are expected to meet the Foundation’s requirements for the submission of narrative and financial reports, and to submit periodic information as needed for overall project performance. Project directors may be asked to give progress reports on their grants. At the close of each grant, the project’s director is expected to provide a written report on the project and its finding that is suitable for wide distribution and dissemination.
Recipients will be required to provide photographs of the project (along with photographic releases) and a summary of the grant after completing. To be utilized for press releases, promotional materials, and the foundation website.

Direction and technical assistance for this program is provided by representatives of the Board of Trustees of The Educational Foundation of Bridgewater-Raritan.
An advisory committee, whose members are representatives of the Board of the Foundation and school district representatives, provide assistance with the review of applications.