Grants – Overview and Guidelines

 

The goal of the Middletown Education Collaborative’ s Grants program is to fund unique and innovative learning opportunities in the Middletown Public Schools. In the past, those learning opportunities have resulted in the funding of programs such as artists-in-residence, enriching field trips, performances, and real-time experiences with a focus on art, culture, and scientific & mathematical inquiry.

Middletown Education Collaborative (MEC) was formed in 2004. Since its formation, MEC has awarded over $100,000 to a variety of innovative programs, student scholarships and educator excellence awards. You can view past Grants and Recipients on our website.

MEC awards grants through two grant cycles each school year; one grant cycle per semester. Grant applications must be received by November 4, 2011, and March 1, 2012 in order to be eligible for consideration for the 2011/2012 school year. Grants are awarded following the subsequent MEC Board of Directors meeting, usually held the first week of the month.

Grant applications are reviewed by a committee comprised of MEC board members and one representative from each school. The committee reviews the applications over the course of two meetings. All grant requests will be judged in relation to their alignment with Middletown Education Collaborative’s mission statement. Additional criteria used to review grant requests will include: school(s) served, grade(s) served, need, quality and innovation of the program/event, link to curriculum, etc.

Grant applicants will be notified of the MEC Grant Committee’s decision in writing after the Grant Review Committee submits its recommendations to the MEC Board of Directors for a vote.

All grant recipients must participate in the Annual MEC Grant Showcase which is a part of our Annual Meeting. Through this showcase Middletown Education Collaborative will display and celebrate the accomplishments of teachers and students made possible through grant monies awarded by MEC during either the current or sometimes previous school year. This event is open to the entire community. Families of recipients as well as the general public are both welcome and encouraged to attend to learn more about the innovative programs our students are experiencing. Stay tuned to our website for more details.

 

How To Apply For A Grant:

In the fall of 2011, our application process changed to be in compliance with the policies of the Middletown Public School Department (MPS). The MEC Grant Application must be submitted along with a Pre-approval Letter issued by the School Department. You will find both the MEC Grant Application   and the MPS Pre-approval Application for Grants at our “Grants – Forms” page and download both application forms.

The Grant Application must be signed by the Applicant, the school principal and have the Pre-approval Letter attached.

Grant Submission Criteria:

To achieve our goal we require that each Grant Application meet the following criteria:

  1. Applications for programs should detail as many of following criteria as are applicable: school(s) served by the program; grade(s) served by the program; need for the program; quality and innovative nature of program/event; program’s link to curriculum.
  2. Applications must have a detailed educational component associated with them that directly impacts students within the Middletown Public School system.
  3. Applications must be as detailed as possible i.e. book titles; specific software programs; specific supplies required; etc.
  4. Applications must state how the specific request will positively impact the curriculum for the applicant’s grade/subject matter.
  5. Applications must have a designated “Point of Contact”, usually the person applying for the grant.
  6. Applications must provide a detailed breakdown of all costs, i.e. cost of books, bus transportation, ticket price, # of students, software cost, hardware cost, etc.
  7. All applications must receive pre-approval from the Middletown School Department’s Central Office, pursuant to Middletown School Department policy.
  8. Applications must also be approved and signed by the applicant’s principal or supervising administrator.
  9. Applications may not include requests for general school supplies, Capstone Project Funding,  teacher education, teacher salary, or funding for coaches.
  10. Applications must be completed in full. Incomplete applications will not be accepted for review.
  11. Applicants must be 18 years of age. Middletown students wishing to submit an application must have a teacher sign and submit the application as a co-applicant/sponsor of the application.
  12. Applications must be submitted to MEC on or before the posted date to be considered for the current Grant Cycle.”