As approved by the MCFEE Trustee Council on September 10, 2015, there will be three types of MCFEE grants in the future. Current Venture Grants (classroom grants) and Business Tax Credit Grants ( EITC funding) have been combined for application purposes and have been revised and renamed.
MCFEE supports the public schools of the Manheim Central School District by providing grants to individual teachers, groups of teachers, departments and other professional employees that support creative and innovative programs that would not normally be funded through the school budget. Grants will be awarded annually to enable unique programs, teaching strategies and learning experiences to become a reality in the classroom or through support services where they can influence the learning climate and directly benefit students. MCFEE is dedicated to enhancing the education of MC students.
* Funds are provided through MCFEE endowment and fundraising, as well as the EITC program- Educational Improvement Tax Credit.
- Educational Innovation Grant
EIG Grants will only support new and uniquely innovative projects with projected positive outcomes that can be quantified, and that respond to a defined need and interest. The Grants Committee fully intends to consult with School District leadership on proposing support for worthy programs that complement planned educational objectives.
The amount for the EIG grants will be determined by the MCFEE funds available and the EITC (Business Tax Credit) donation pool. MCFEE will be responsible for getting the ideas approved by the state and is bound by their decision on using EITC funding.
Applicants are asked to provide budget justification for whatever amount they need to get the project completed satisfactorily. Grants above $10,000 should be applied for as Strategic Impact Grants.
- Proven in Practice Grants
PIP Grants are intended to support previously MCFEE-funded projects with positive outcomes due to continuing need and interest. While the Grants Committee fully intends to consult with School District leadership on having worthy, proven programs appended into their district budget, MCFEE will retain the right to fund continuing programs of productive value.
The Grants Committee, annually, will allocate no more than 50% of the non-EITC (Business Tax Credit) dollars of our annual total grants budget to fund PIP Grants.
Applicants are asked to provide budget justification for whatever amount they need to get the project completed satisfactorily. We are expecting to see presented some correlation on what was spent before.
- Strategic Impact Grant.
SIG Grants (formerly titled Special Grants) will only support new and strategically innovative projects that impact the District in terms of broad reach across buildings, grades, methodologies, pedagogics, and that respond to a defined need and interest. The Grants Committee fully intends to consult with School District leadership on proposing support for worthy programs that complement planned educational objectives and can provide reporting that is useful to funder and manager alike.
The Grants Committee, annually, will propose to Trustees an expenditure amount which will support the full implementation of any SIG Grant application favored.
Applicants are asked to provide budget justification for whatever amount they need to get the project completed satisfactorily, showing the part or total of project to be supported by MCFEE funds. At present, the Trustees will allocate up to $35,000 per year. We reserve the right to increase support in any year beyond $35,000 as well as the right to award no SIG Grant in any giving year. Applications for this type of grant are more involved and are due by the third Thursday in January of each year.
These guidelines, many already in force, will be required of all Educational Innovation and Proven in Practice Grants:
- All teachers, groups of teachers, departments and other professional employees within the public schools of the Manheim Central School District may submit grant proposals
- Grants may be used for the purchase of books, instructional supplies, software and equipment ONLY if it supports a new programming idea for the enhancement of the curriculum AND is requested by the teachers who will actually be using it. It is NOT for purchasing items for the delivery of the expected curriculum.
- Grants may be used for expenses associated with bringing in an outside resource person or facilitator. Transportation costs must not exceed 50% of the budget. The presentations should enrich the curriculum taught in the classroom, not replace the teacher in delivering it.
- They are not intended to be used for items or speakers that would normally be provided through the school budgetary process; are required by local, state or federal mandates; or for payments to district employees for time spent on project design or implementation.
- No general field trips. A trip that enhances the curriculum during the time of study will be considered. Transportation costs may not exceed 50% of the funds requested. Funds should not be requested for end of year reward trips or to just reduce student costs of general educational trips.
- No equipment that was originally purchased by the School District will be replaced with MCFEE funds.
- No refreshments costs for meetings or events: the only food costs allowable are for chef-taught courses or cultural purposes.
Application Procedures:
- Grant applications will be accepted through the close of the school day on the last Friday of March for Educational Innovation Grants and Proven in Practice Grants. Strategic Impact Grants are due by the third Thursday of January.
- Professional employees interested in submitting proposals should complete the grant application and return it to Cheryl Burke, Co-Executive Director of the Manheim Central Foundation For Educational Enrichment, 281 White Oak Road, Manheim, PA 17545, or email the application to cburke@mcfee4kids.org
- Grants are to be typed or computer generated. The use of the names of professional employees involved in the grant within the body of the grant application should be avoided to the greatest extent possible.
The Grants Committee, in a February consultation with the Finance Committee, will develop a projected grants budget for the following fiscal year. All grant applications are scanned to see which qualify for EITC funding eligibility and so marked. The Grants Committee reviews all the PIP grants and the EIG Grants separately. As required, we will work to ensure that at least 80% of all EITC funds are spent in the year that are to be spent. All grants that are not eligible for EITC funding will go to a grant review meeting in late April with Trustees, MC Administration, Teachers, Staff, and interested community members for a vote on which grants will be funded with the available MCFEE dollars the following year. The list of grants will be available at the May Trustee Council Meeting for approval. Grants will be awarded before the end of the school year with the annual Grant Patrol.
Reporting:
Upon completion of each EIG or PIP grant project, a 1-2 page summary, accompanied by photographs of students and activities involved in the project, must be submitted to a Co-Executive Director of MCFEE. The materials will be utilized to report to our contributors on how MCFEE funds are being used to benefit the students in the Manheim Central School district. Failure to submit a grant report will jeopardize consideration of future grant applications.
SIG grant reporting is explained on the Strategic Impact Grant application.
