Grants

2023-2024 Mini Grants of up to $1,000 and one FOCUS Grant of up to $5,000 are available 

The Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation has generously provided the 2023-2024 Mini Grant Program with $20,000 for awards of up to $1,000 for projects that align with district approved curriculum.  In addition, the Binda Foundation will award up to $5,000 for one FOCUS Grant project must align with one or more of the significant areas from Mike Schmoker's book FOCUS.
                                                

Mini Grant and FOCUS Grant Proposals

Mini Grant and FOCUS Grant proposals may be submitted by K12 teachers and support personnel in public and private schools in Barry, Branch, and Calhoun Intermediate School Districts. Employees of the three Intermediate School Districts may also apply.

Important Notices

Mini Grant and FOCUS Grant applications must be submitted electronically on the Mini/FOCUS Grant Website by the 3:00 pm deadline on November 3 , 2023.  You may email any questions to andrewss@calhounisd.org.  Applications sent via fax will be disqualified!

Mini Grant Guidelines

• Projects must align with district approved curriculum.
• Must be implemented as soon as possible during the 2023-2024 school year and completed in time to submit financial and evaluative reporting by May 17, 2024.
• Mini Grants may not be used to purchase basic instructional materials or textbooks, pay substitute teacher salaries, teacher stipends, or college and university course work.
• The application must be reviewed by the district superintendent or the designee named by the superintendent.
• There is a limit of one Mini Grant proposal per person.
• Grant recipients must notify their local newspaper/school paper of their award.

FOCUS Grant Guidelines

• Projects must align with one or more of the significant "FOCUS" areas from Mike Schmoker's book FOCUS.
• Must be implemented as soon as possible during the 2023-2024 school year and completed in time to submit financial and evaluative reporting and a video presentation showcasing the grant action by May 17, 2024.
• The FOCUS Grant may not be used to purchase basic instructional materials or textbooks, pay substitute teacher salaries, teacher stipends, or college and university course work.
• The application page must be signed by the district superintendent or the designee named by the superintendent.
• There is a limit of one FOCUS Grant proposal per person.
• Grant recipients must notify their local newspaper/school paper of their award. 

Mini Grant Funding Priorities

• Impact on student learning.
• Enhances district approved curriculum.
• Be creative and innovative.

FOCUS Grant Funding Priorities

• Impact on student learning.
• Enhances district approved curriculum, instruction and/or assessment.
• Is tightly aligned with one or more concepts presented in Schmoker's book, FOCUS.

The Mini Grant program, coordinated by the Calhoun Intermediate School District, is made possible through the generous support of the Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation.  The program receives additional funding from the Barry, Branch, and Calhoun Intermediate School Districts.