FISH Grant

Geographic Scope: Spearfish, South Dakota schools

Eligible Schools:

• High School
• Middle School
• Creekside Elementary
• West Elementary
• Mt. View Elementary

Focus Areas:

• Student education programs and initiatives
• Teacher support programs
• Program development addressing student, teacher, or program needs
• Projects demonstrating innovation
• District-wide initiatives with replication potential

Grant Cycles:

• Fall cycle: Application deadline October 30; program takes place November-April
• Spring cycle: Application deadline April 30; program takes place May-October

Key Requirements:

• Principal approval required before application submission
• Applicants must commit to submitting a post-grant report following project completion or by end of school year
• Post-grant reports due within 4 weeks of project completion
• Required to submit at least one student testimonial
• Required to submit project photos

Contact Information:

• Spearfish Foundation for Public Education
• PO Box 1351
• Spearfish, SD 57783
• Phone: 605-717-1201
• Email: info@spearfishschools.org
• Website: spearfishschools.org

Application Overview

Draft application details offline in Microsoft Word or another program and save a copy for your records. Then copy and paste the information into the online form.

Required Information (* = required fields)

Project Basics:

1. Project Title
2. Project Leader Name (First Last)
3. Project Leader Email
4. Project Leader Phone
5. Other key members of the project team
6. School selection (High School, Middle School, Creekside Elementary, West Elementary, Mt. View Elementary)

Project Details:

1. Project Summary (100 words max)
2. Approximate number of students impacted
   • If students are selected, indicate selection criteria
   • Describe how students will be actively involved
3. Grade level(s) of students impacted
4. Total project cost
5. Amount requested from SFPE
6. Other potential funding sources (list other grants, fundraising, business donations, etc., and indicate if secured)
7. Project start date (MM/DD/YYYY)
8. Project completion date (MM/DD/YYYY)

Project Narrative Sections

Opportunity:

• Describe the student, teacher, or program need being addressed
• Provide background to the problem
• Explain how the program benefits students' education

Innovation:

• Explain how the project displays innovation

Objectives:

• List specific objectives of the project (numbered or bulleted list)
• List curriculum standards met (if applicable)

Work Plan (if applicable):

• Describe in detail the work to be done during the project
• List steps taken to complete the project
• Explain if and how equipment will be utilized
• Describe the format and content of any training
• Detail any off-site field trips

Impact and Replication:

• Indicate if this is a district-wide project
• Describe how the project can be replicated in other schools for greater impact

Evaluation:

• List evaluation criteria defining project success after completion
• Use quantitative (measurable) criteria where applicable
• Define rating system for each criteria

Project Budget

Line Items:

• List all costs associated with the project using itemized budget
• Be as accurate with costs as possible
• May attach supply links and descriptions for materials and supplies needed
• Budget table includes: Item Description, Qty Needed, Estimated Cost ($)

Administrative Requirements

1. Principal Approval: Must have discussed application/project with school principal and received approval indication (required before Grants Committee consideration)
2. Post-Grant Report Commitment: If approved, applicant agrees to submit post-grant report at www.spearfishschools.org following project completion or by end of school year
3. Expedited Consideration: Option to check box if emergency consideration requested due to start date

Post-Grant Report Requirements

Due: Within 4 weeks of project completion

Required Information:

1. Project title
2. Project leader name and contact info
3. Other key project team members
4. School selection
5. Grant cycle (Fall or Spring)
6. Grant amount approved
7. Number of students involved
8. Project accomplishments (describe extent to which original key steps were realized)
9. Project adjustments (describe any changes made to original plan)
10. Project evaluation (using original success indicators, summarize results)
11. Project continuation (will you continue? Will you apply for another grant?)
12. Budget report with changes and detailed expenditures (estimated vs. actual)
13. Story about funding impact on organization/project
14. At least one student testimonial
15. Project photos (email to info@spearfishschools.org)