Grant Application Guidelines

Grant Criteria

Wissahickon Educational Opportunities Foundation (WEOF) and the six H&SA for Wissahickon schools evaluate grant requests based on an established criteria and rubric although other factors unique to specific projects may also be considered. Successful proposals will meet all or most of the following criteria:

  • Fosters growth in the intellectual, physical, emotional, social and cultural spheres of the student
  • Includes a clear, identifiable, relevant purpose which enhances the WSD curriculum through unique and innovative instructional approaches that engage students
  • Promotes the socialization and self-esteem of students
  • Support co-curricular/extra-curricular activities
  • Promotes a positive school community culture
  • Benefits a great number of students (e.g. team, grade level, department or school) or a population with unique learning needs

 

Assembly Grants: Please note that each school is provided a $1,200 grant for assemblies each year. If you have an assembly idea, please discuss with the principal of your school and/or Home & School Association.

 

Technology Grants: Because of the cost associated with technology purchases, Learning Grants involving technology will only be considered by WEOF.

 

Wissahickon EducationAL OPPORTUNITIES Foundation (WEOF)

WEOF supports grants of any dollar amount. Grants that are not funded by the Home and School (H&SA) organization may be resubmitted to WEOF for possible support using the same application. Total annual funding for WEOF learning grants varies, but typically will not exceed $30,000 per year. WEOF does not fund items such as t-shirts and food/snacks.

Home & School Association (H&SA)

The Home and School Associations (H&SA) in the elementary schools support grants that are up to $300. The middle school and high school HSAs support grants up to $600. Each H&SA also has its own mini-grant budget for annual funding; the budget varies among the schools between $1,200 - $4,000 per school year.

Submission Requirements and Timelines

For grant-related questions, please contact Dr. Jennifer Schmidt, WSD Director of Teaching and Learning. 

 

WEOF and H&SA use a competitive grant process; not all grants submitted will be funded. Grant proposals should be cost-effective and not a recurring project/expense. Once the grant proposal budgets for each organization have been allocated, no other grants will be approved for the balance of the school year.

 

To be considered for a WEOF or H&SA grant, please complete the Common Learning Grant Application and submit electronically. The application will be routed to the building principal of the appropriate school and the Grants Coordinator of WEOF.

 

All grant proposals must be approved by the building principal prior to review by WEOF or H&SA. If funds for technology are requested, the proposal must also be reviewed by the WSD Technology Director to ensure the grant is in alignment with the district’s technology program and goals. Please note that you may be contacted for additional details or clarification. For grants submitted to WEOF requesting over $1,000, you may also be asked to present your proposal to the board of directors so that they may better understand the intention of the grant.

 

H&SA grants are considered at their regularly scheduled meetings. WEOF grants are first reviewed by the WEOF Executive Committee; if the grant is approved by the WEOF Executive Committee, then it will be presented at the full board meeting to be recommended for a vote. WEOF Executive Committee and the full board meet periodically September through May.

 

The intention is that the funding is used during the current school year. Any grant application submitted after April 1 should be implemented the following year – July 1 through June 30.

 

HELPFUL HINT: It is strongly encouraged that district staff have proactive conversations with their building principals or department leaders to ensure feasibility and alignment of the grant request with the school-based and district-based goals and priorities. 

Reporting Requirements

All grant recipients must provide a report that demonstrates the “grants in action” and the benefits to our students. The Grant Report Form should be submitted to WEOF or the H&SA by June 30 of the school year in which the grant monies are expended. Recipients may be asked to share their project and its results with other teachers in the district, the H&SA, or board members of the foundation.