Plano ISD Education Foundation board members, program sponsors, district staff, and parent leaders will personally deliver nearly $100,000 in monetary awards on Thursday, November 3, to fund 81 innovative instructional programs. The Park Place Lexus Grant Patrol will travel throughout the 100 square mile district in nine cars courtesy of Park Place Lexus.
 The Plano ISD Education Foundation Grants to Educators program is intended to help Plano ISD educators enhance instruction in schools and classrooms across the district. Earlier in the school year, teachers had the opportunity to complete applications for grants for programs for their classes, schools or joint programs at multiple schools.
Grant Committee Chairman Mark Johnson adds, "This year was an exceptionally difficult year for the school district with major budget cuts and resources becoming more and more limited, teachers frequently dip into their own pockets to enhance instruction in their schools and classrooms. The Plano ISD Education Foundation helps to bridge this funding gap. We are proud to offer this competitive grant program to Plano ISD educators each year and excited to offer more funding than ever before. Plano ISD educators make our classrooms innovative and conducive for students to learn."
The Foundation is awarding a record $100,000 in grants this year. Funding for the grants program comes from the following generous sponsors: Huawei, Park Place Lexus, Plano ISD Council of PTAs, the Andrea-Mennen Foundation, The Flextronics Foundation, Alliance Data, InTouch Credit Union and the Murphy Chamber of Commerce. In addition, the Education Foundation received the Lexus Pursuit of Excellence grant to support this year's program. Since the Foundation’s inception more than $695,000 has been awarded to Plano ISD teachers through the Grants to Educators program. View video
 Plano ISD Education Foundation Board President Lisa Raskin said, "The Education Foundation is honored to assist our teachers by providing resources for innovative programs that enhance student learning in their classrooms. The Grants to Educators program is one of the best ways that private donors can assist outstanding classroom programs by supporting educators across Plano ISD."
The Plano ISD Education Foundation celebrates its seventeenth year of operation, having raised almost $7 million to benefit Plano schools. The Plano ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that funds priority programs identified by the school district for which tax dollars are not available. Programs funded by the Foundation enhance student learning; recruit, retain and recognize the very best teachers; or address critical needs of students and families so that all students can be successful. View a complete list of grants awarded.
About the Grant Program
The Plano ISD Education Foundation was organized in 1993 to help the Plano Independent School District maintain its high standards of excellence. The Plano ISD Education Foundation Grants to Educators are intended to help PISD educators enhance instruction in schools and classrooms across the Plano Independent School District.
Grants fund projects, programs and initiatives that directly or indirectly support the district’s major goal: to enhance student learning, with emphasis on closing the achievement gap and ensuring all students are college-ready.
This year thanks to the community's generous support in the $60 Million Reasons to Give campaign the Education Foundation will offer up to $100,000 in grants to teachers.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
 
 
 
Grants Eligibility
The maximum grant amount for a single grant to individual teachers, grade levels or school is $1,500. The maximum grant amount for a single grant to a group of schools is $3,000. Individuals making application may only submit one grant per school year, although the lead applicant may serve on a second grant as a team member.
Applicants may only request funding for projects which school or district resources are not available. Applicants may apply for renewal for up to two additional years to the original grant, but funding approval is not guaranteed.
Applications are accepted from an individual PISD teacher, a group of PISD teachers at a campus, a group of teachers or administrators from different PISD campuses, a group of PISD campuses, a PISD Parent Teacher Association, or a PISD central administrator. NOTE: Multi-campus grants from a team of educators are to be submitted to the lead applicant's principal for approval. They will NOT be forwarded to other principals for electronic approval; therefore, all grant team members must have informed their campus principals prior to participation in the grant application, with explanation of the concept and use of funds if awarded.
Grant Awards
Grants to Teachers - maximum $1,500; School Site Grants - maximum $1,500; or Multiple Campus Grants - maximum $1,000 per campus or $3,000 total. Minimum award $200. The size and number of awards each year is determined by the amount of funds available from the Plano ISD Education Foundation. Each application is reviewed by a group of judges representing the Foundation, donors, teachers, parents, and administrators from Plano ISD. After reviewing the applications, the grant review committee may recommend to the Foundation Board of Directors that all or part of the funds be awarded for a grant. It is intended that all awarded funds be used by the close of the school year.
Request for Renewal of Previously-Funded Grants
Previously funded grants are eligible for renewal up to a maximum of three years. Applicants must indicate on the grant application if they are requesting a renewal and how many years have already been funded. Grant renewals are judged with all other grant applications, and renewal funding is not guaranteed.
Evaluation
Year-end evaluations from all award-winning applicants are required. Completed evaluation forms are due electronically to foundation@pisd.edu by June 4, 2012.
Grant Types
Grants are offered in three categories. A single application form is available with a place to select the grant type. Applicants are asked to read the descriptions below to ensure that the correct type of grant is selected on the application form. Once an application is submitted, it cannot be changed.
Grants to Teachers
This application is designed for a project that is being implemented to serve a classroom, club, or small subset of students by a single teacher. In some instances, this application may be appropriate if two or three teachers are working together and will be serving less than a grade level or project team. Funding amounts will range from $200 to $1,500, and applications require the approval of the campus principal.
School Site Grants
This application is designed for projects benefiting whole campus or a significant cross-section of students, such as a grade level or an integrated team. Given the magnitude of this type of project, it is expected that a team of teachers and/or administrators will be leading a project funded through this application. Funding amounts will range from $200 to $1,500, and applications require the approval of the campus principal.
Multiple Campus Grants
This application is designed to encourage collaboration throughout the district. It is appropriate for use by two or more campuses that choose to work together to benefit students on each participating campus. Funding is available up to a maximum of $3,000 per grant. NOTE: Multi-campus grants from a team of educators are to be submitted to the lead applicant's principal for approval. They will NOT be forwarded to other principals for electronic approval; therefore, all grant team members must have informed their campus principals prior to participation in the grant application, with explanation of the concept and use of funds if awarded.
Detailed Instructions for Applicants
For detailed instructions to applicants for 2011-2012 Grants to Educators, click here:
Guide for Applicants
To assist you further, a summary of previous award-winning projects 2010 Award-winning Recipients and how grants are scored.
Grant Applications are no longer being accepted.
Grantworks Application and Approval System
Grant Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check by June 2012.
Contact
For technical assistance with the electronic Grantworks application or approval process, please contact Grantworks by email at: grantworks@pisd.edu You will receive support from the PISD Technology Dept within 48 hours.
For general questions, grant criteria, judging process, and other grant-related process questions, please email Foundation office foundation@pisd.edu or call at 469-752-8272. |
