Grant Application Information and Instructions
for 2023-2024 school year.

There will be two grant cycles for the 2023-2024 school year.  Teachers may apply for ONE grant per each grant cycle as a lead OR additional applicant!

Grant Cycle 1 - Will open on Friday, February 24, 2023.  Application deadline is May 2, 2023 at 11:59pm.  If awarded, funds will be available beginning September 1, 2023 through the end of the 2023-2024 school year.


Grant Cycle 2 - Timing TBD. Funds will be available beginning January 1, 2024 through the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

Cycle 1 Deadline - May 2, 2023 at 11:59pm

Please read these instructions carefully as changes have been made.  The on-line grant application for cycle 1 will open on Friday, February 24, 2023 at 8am and close at 11:59pm on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

 

Introduction

The mission of the Foundation for West Hartford Public Schools (The Foundation) is to provide support for educational projects and initiatives that directly benefit students and enhance the excellence of the West Hartford Public Schools community. Applications will be judged on their creativity and innovation as well as degree of support of the curriculum and impact on student learning.  This is an opportunity for teachers to try out a new idea or enhance a portion of the curriculum that would not otherwise be funded. 

Eligibility  

  • Applicants must be employed by the West Hartford Board of Education, hold a Connecticut Department of Education certification, and have direct contact with students in the West Hartford Public School System.

Using the Application Portal

  • If you applied in the past, your log in is your WHPS email address.  If you do not remember your password, click forgot password and you will receive an email to reset it.  If you don't see the email, please check your junk folder.
  • Grant applicants that have not applied in the past will create a password associated with their email address to log into the Foundation website and create/ submit an application. 
  • Once an application is started, the application is saved by clicking "save".  IMPORTANT, please remember to click "save" to save your work frequently, and especially at the end of each section of the application.  
  • Click here for detailed instructions on the application portal.
  • Click here to begin the application process. 
  • The application will include a place for a 5-7 sentence summary of your grant proposal for publicity purposes. Please click here for suggestions on writing the grant summary.
  • If you have any questions. Please email us at fwhps@westhartfordct.gov.

Grant Guidelines and Requirements

  • Maximum grant award is $3,000. 
  • Applicants may only apply for ONE grant during each grant cycle as either lead applicant OR additional applicant.
  • Your grant, if awarded, may receive full or partial funding.
  • If you indicate on the Budget Tab that you would be able to implement your grant with partial funding from the Foundation, then you must describe your alternative plan or identify your alternative source of funding for your grant. If identifying an alternative source of funding, this source MUST be confirmed before submitting your application
  • If your grant requires funding above and beyond the amount you are requesting from the Foundation in the application, you must identify the source of additional funding and provide amounts in the budget section of the application in the column “Amount Confirmed from other sources.” This additional funding MUST be confirmed before submitting your application
  • Grants must be implemented during the 2023-2024 school year. 
  • Prior to completing your application on-line, you must have your principal or department supervisor read and approve your grant proposal.
  • All grants will be read on a blind basis.   DO NOT USE A SCHOOL, TEACHER, OR ANY NAME THAT IDENTIFIES YOUR SCHOOL OR PROGRAM (ie: IB, STEM, STRIVE, SEP or REACH).
  • Please provide actual terms before using acronyms in the application.
  • For grants involving out-of-the-building field trips please include dates (if available) and price per ticket admission.
  • All book requests must include approximate number, type of books, as well as at least 3 book titles. Please be certain that your diverse textbook orders are for independent or read-aloud school or classroom collections (Does not include guided level texts or Fontas & Pinnell collections)
  • Grants with living things must include plans for year-round maintenance.
  • Be specific as possible for items listed in your grant proposal by including a description, quantity, vendor and model number (if available).

Important Information for Professional In-Residence Grant Requests

  • Professional In-Residence grants for both virtual or in-person programs will be allowed for work with students only. We do NOT fund professional development or teacher in service programs.
  • For Professional In-Residence grants,(held in school or virtually), the request must include the following:
    • Name of the professional.
    • Contact information:  email, phone number & website (if available)
    • a complete description of the programs and activities.
    • # of visits and length per visit.
  • Before submitting your application, you must contact the professional in-residence to confirm general availability and professional fees.  

To view a sample list of In-Residence or field trip programs please click the link below.

Other General Information:

  • Collaboration among teachers, departments, grade level, and schools is encouraged. 
  • If educationally beneficial, we consider re-granting.
  • We will fund grants for transportation for field trip and in-residence programs.

The Foundation will NOT fund the following:

  • Furniture
  • Food (snacks/ refreshments).  However, food that is an integral part of the grant will be considered.
  • Professional development, substitutes, or teacher in-service programs (including teacher stipends).
  • Guided level texts or Fontus & Pinnell collections.

Important Information for Outdoor Installations:

Prior to applying for an outdoor item, you must receive written permission from Robert Palmer in Plant Services.  Please email Robert at Robert.Palmer@westhartfordct.gov with a description of your grant proposal and allow 2 weeks for a response.

Important Information for Technology:

Prior to applying for any type of electronic device(including a computer), hardware or software, apps or on-line subscriptions, you must receive written permission from IT.

Please click here to complete a form which will reviewed by Sean Nagel.  

Please allow 2 weeks for a response.  Within 2 weeks, Sean will either approve your request or provide appropriate specifications and pricing for you to include in your grant.

Deadline, Notification and Funding Dates:   

  • For Cycle 1 - Applications must be received online no later than Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 11:59pm.  You will be notified no later than Friday, June 9, 2023 and funds will be available by September 1, 2023.
  • For Cycle 2 - Timing TBD

Questions

Please click here with specific questions regarding applying for a grant.

Revised: 2/13/2023