BEF grants make a difference. Together with community support, we are able to encourage excellence and innovation that, in the words of one teacher, “are what set BPS apart from other districts.” There are several different grants available to teachers. These grants are meant to support ideas, projects, exceptional programs and approaches which fall outside of the regular school or district budgeting parameters.
General Policies & Guidelines
These apply to all BEF grants.
We have created two documents to help you as you apply for grants. We recommend viewing both before beginning your application.
- Grant requests must fall outside of regular school building or district budgeting.
- Grant initiatives must connect to one of the six areas the BEF supports: arts, academics, athletics, technology, character education or mental health.
- Applications must be approved by an administrator to be considered.
- Grant funds cannot be used to pay BPS staff salaries, or to pay for substitutes to fill in for BPS staff while participating in a grant activity. Grant funds may be used to pay consultants or outside speakers as part of a program. Funds will not be granted for transportation, consumables (i.e. food), professional development of any kind, or events/programs that have already taken place. (For a complete list of what BEF grants do not fund, please see the grant application or the grant process document linked below.)
- BEF grants aim to support teacher initiatives, promote innovation, and enhance experiences, which align with the BPS strategic plan and curriculum, and which are outside of the regular school and district budgets.
- Core curriculum needs (i.e. textbooks, staffing) and equipment or repairs will not be funded.
- Grant funds may only be used for the purposes stated in the grant application, and must be used in the time frame indicated, unless an extension or amendment is requested and approved. Funds must be spent within one calendar year or returned to the BEF.
- All materials and equipment funded by BEF grants become property of BPS.
- Grant applications are considered monthly from September - January, and March & April. Grants submitted on or before the first of each month will be considered during the second full week of the month. Grants submitted after the first of the month will be considered the following month.
- Grants for technology are due by March 1, 2025 and will be considered in March.
- Grants involving technology are subject to BPS technology policies.
We have created two documents to help you as you apply for grants. We recommend viewing both before beginning your application.
Guidelines that apply to specific types of grants
FOUNDATION GRANTS - LONG TERM SUPPORT, GRANTS BY INVITATION
The BEF Foundation Grants are by invitation only. These generally include:
The grant requirements are the same as those of the Great Idea Grant. Examples of BEF Foundation Grants include funding for every fourth grader to attend a live performance of the DSO, sending every fifth grader to Cranbrook for science programming, supporting musicians from the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings to come in to work with high school musicians, and support for the Groves and Seaholm Robotics Team.
If you are eligible for a Foundation Grant, you will be contacted by the BEF and sent the application.
- Initiatives that impact a large number of students in a number of different schools.
- Initiatives that align closely with our mission and which the BEF Board of Trustees has chosen to commit to funding on a long term basis.
- Times when a donor makes a directed gift to be used for a restricted purpose.
The grant requirements are the same as those of the Great Idea Grant. Examples of BEF Foundation Grants include funding for every fourth grader to attend a live performance of the DSO, sending every fifth grader to Cranbrook for science programming, supporting musicians from the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings to come in to work with high school musicians, and support for the Groves and Seaholm Robotics Team.
If you are eligible for a Foundation Grant, you will be contacted by the BEF and sent the application.
Great Idea Grants - General Purpose Grants
Great Idea Grants are the bread and butter of what the BEF funds. There is no restrictions placed on the amount of the application. During the 2021-22 school year, Great Idea Grants ranged from $300 - $3,000 and the average amount awarded was $1,570. These grants are intended to fund innovation and opportunities for students. Below is a snapshot of the restrictions on these grants. If you need additional information please download the hints sheets on this page. If would like to discuss your idea, please call Executive Director Kathy Zanolli at extension 33030 or email her at [email protected].
To see what was funded in the past, please visit our grants funded pages. You can find these in the "Teacher Grants" drop down menu.
To see what was funded in the past, please visit our grants funded pages. You can find these in the "Teacher Grants" drop down menu.
Great Idea Grants...
...can be for any amount.
...do not fund transportation, salaries, consumables or professional development.
...should be for things that are not covered by the school and district budgets.
...are eligible for full funding for two years, and 50% funding for a third year.
Grant seekers are required to have, at a minimum, asked their Principal, PTA and Department Chair for funding before approaching the BEF. You do not have to have received funding from these sources - you just have to have asked.
...can be for any amount.
...do not fund transportation, salaries, consumables or professional development.
...should be for things that are not covered by the school and district budgets.
...are eligible for full funding for two years, and 50% funding for a third year.
Grant seekers are required to have, at a minimum, asked their Principal, PTA and Department Chair for funding before approaching the BEF. You do not have to have received funding from these sources - you just have to have asked.
How does the BEF decide what to fund?
The BEF Grant Committee, made up of educators and community members, carefully considers each grant submitted to the foundation. For a look in to the questions that are asked about each grant, as well as hints to help as you write you application, please download our Grant Evaluation Questions & Hints sheet.
Looking for grant ideas?Looking for ideas for grants, or examples of grants we've given in the past? Check out our Grants Catalog, created to showcase some of our favorite grants from years past! Click the picture below to download!
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Still Confused? Have Question? Call us!if you're not sure if your grant is a good fit for the BEF, call or email our Executive Director, Kathy Zanolli. She'll talk through the idea with you, and let you know if it fits with the BEF's mission, and help with the grant application process. You can reach Kathy at x33030. |