Mini Grants Program

Recurrence: Rolling basis, reviewed at Foundation board meetings throughout the year (September-June)

Geographic Scope: Pelham, NY

Eligibility: Teachers and administrative staff in Pelham schools

Purpose: To foster and reward faculty initiative by funding creative and innovative projects that enrich the standard curriculum and directly enhance educational opportunities for a significant number of students. Projects must be outside the annual school budget.

Focus Areas: Educational enrichment, curriculum enhancement, innovative teaching projects, 21st century learning tools

Application Process:

• Applications reviewed at Foundation board meetings through the year
• Project Development Committee makes recommendations to Board of Directors
• All grants must first be reviewed by the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning, Claire Comerford
• Each grant must be accepted by the Board of Education after approval by PEF

Background: The Pelham Education Foundation has awarded over $3 million in grants since inception in 1995

Application Process

1. Submit application in Microsoft Word format by email
2. Send to: Heena Jain and Pilar Bartlett with copies to Claire Comerford
3. Application will be reviewed by Project Development Committee
4. Recommendations made to Board of Directors
5. Review occurs at monthly board meetings (September-June)
6. Grant must be accepted by Board of Education after PEF approval

Required Materials

• Microsoft Word document
• Application following PEF Mini Grant Criteria
• Project description and educational impact statement

Evaluation Criteria

• Alignment with PEF Mini Grant Criteria (see website for details)
• Educational value and innovation
• Number of students benefited
• Enrichment of curriculum

Note: Examples of successful grants and evaluation criteria are available on the foundation website.