Sanford Jones Fund for the Arts

Purpose: Provides AMI/USA members with the opportunity to expand arts-related activities in their Montessori environments.

Geographic Scope: United States

Focus Areas:

• Art materials and supplies
• Art history materials
• Musical instruments and songbooks
• Costumes and set decorations
• Professional development workshops in arts education
• Projects integrating culturally relevant art education strategies
• Contemporary art and/or artists from diverse cultures
• Artistic endeavors that serve as a process for students to connect content through their own cultural and social identities

Eligibility:

• Applicant must hold current AMI/USA Membership
• AMI/USA membership required for all applicants (even if not AMI trained)
• Can be purchased along with grant application
• AMI/USA staff, board members, and their relatives are ineligible

What They Fund:

• Art materials
• Art history materials
• Musical instruments
• Songbooks
• Costumes
• Set decorations
• Professional development workshops

What They Don't Fund:

• Artist fees
• Fellowships and/or scholarships
• Project income exceeding project expense (income more than $400)
• Subsidizes entertainment costs (e.g., theater parties, gallery/museum openings, receptions)
• Supports fundraising activities

Program Criteria (Merit-Based Review):

• Artistic, Cultural and/or Programmatic Merit
• Learning Outcomes and Evaluation
• Student Benefit and Accessibility
• Managerial and Fiscal Competence

Period of Performance: Generally up to one year from earliest start date

Background: Fund established in 2021 in memory of Sanford Jones, a renowned Montessori educator, composer, and founder of four East Coast schools. Sanford was founding president of NAMTA and former Executive Director of AMI/USA.

Current Status: Application is currently closed for funding appeals. Expected to reopen when funding is secured.

Application Process

Applicant Requirements:
Applicants must submit:

1. CV or Resume
2. Letter of Support
3. Personal Essay
4. Project Description including realistic budget reflecting project costs

Grant Timeline:

• The 2025-26 application is currently closed for funding appeals
• Expected to reopen when funding is secured

Award Administration:

• Grant decisions announced within six weeks of application submission
• Official award notification is the only legal confirmation of award
• Receipt of official award can take several weeks

Project Changes:

• Applicants must notify AMI/USA immediately of significant changes after submission
• Grantees must submit request with justification for any project changes
• Approval of changes not guaranteed

Reporting and Evaluation:

• Applicants must define what they want to achieve
• Must explain how they will evaluate achievement
• Upon completion, submit final report detailing:
  • Accomplishments
  • Who benefited
  • Resulting impact of project
  • Involvement of key partners and funders
• Select grantees may be asked for additional information including:
  • Work samples
  • Community action plans
  • Cultural asset studies
  • Programs, reviews, news clippings, playbills

Award Information:

• Grants range from $100 to $400
• One-year period for planning, execution, and project closeout
• No pre-award costs allowable
• Grantees may not receive more than one grant for same activities during same period
• Grantees expected to carry out project consistent with approved proposal