Grants

The primary purpose of the Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation is to provide funds for educational activities and initiatives that enhance and enrich the educational experience for our students. Grants help teachers and staff purchase items, goods, and/or materials that are needed but typically are not covered in a school's budget. The Foundation's policy is to award grants for programs and activities that are related to the school's curriculum and class offerings, align with the district’s guiding principles, and/or support initiatives helping all learners achieve their individual potential. The Foundation looks favorably upon grant requests that would impact the greatest number of students and integrate disciplines or curricular areas.

The grants committee of the FHPS Foundation will evaluate each grant request based upon all of the data and information submitted in the grant application. The committee uses a rubric to discuss and evaluate grant applications. Please familiarize yourself with this rubric as it will assist you in writing your grant. All data and information submitted in the grant application will be reviewed, including the following guidelines:

1. Technology: Requests for technology hardware, such as iPads, laptops, and Chromebooks just to increase inventory will not be considered. Technology requests should show a direct correlation to learning outcomes, how it relates to the curriculum, and/or how it ties into initiatives such as improvement plans, positive behavior intervention supports, or other district programs.
   
   Requests of technology software and programs may be considered but must have prior approval by the technology department, the director of instructional technology (Susan Bordewyk: sbordewyck@fhps.net), AND the building principal or program director. If funds are needed to sustain the software or program, the grant request must include a schedule and identify sources for future funding.
   
   If the grant is for technology – PLEASE contact the technology department for preferred pricing/ accurate models needed and to determine if the technology will be compatible within the district. You will also need to include any additional fees you will need such as software, materials, training, hardware, etc.
2. Should the grant require changes to be made to the physical structure of the classroom, school building, or grounds, the Staff member submitting the grant will need to get prior approval and authorization from the director of maintenance and operations (Cory Anderson: coanderson@fhps.net).
3. The grant needs to provide a clear description/budget on how grant funds will be used or what will be purchased. You must include quotes from companies the items will be purchased from and figure shipping costs where applicable.
4. Collaboration with other funding sources is highly encouraged. Please consider alternative sources of funding for part of your items/programs such as PTOs or booster clubs, school committees, and/or building funds.
5. Grant requests for books MUST include a book list AND must be pre-approved by the building principal.
6. The Foundation recognizes that many items covered under grant purchases should be protected and we must preserve the investment made in materials, supplies, and equipment. While the Foundation may not have funded this in the past, the committee will take a look at these requests if they are part of a larger grant proposal. Should the grant request also include items such as dust covers for machinery, equipment, or larger musical instruments, storage units, shelves, book bags, bins, rolling carts, please note this as a separate line item in your description and budget.
7. Typically, grant funds will not be awarded for food, t-shirts, or other non-reusable items.
8. Typically, grant funds will not be awarded for transportation fees or for one-time speakers/performances.
9. Grants funds will not be awarded retroactively.
10. Should the original criteria change, the grant request must be returned to the Foundation for discussion and re-approval.

Please contact the foundation staff with any questions.
616.493.8969

Based on review, the Grant Committee will take one of three actions:

• Approve the application for full or partial funding.
• Return the application with suggestions for resubmitting.
• Deny the request.

* Please be advised if your grant is approved, and any change to the original grant occurs for any reason, the grant must be re-submitted to the Foundation for re-evaluation.

Post Grant Acceptance

Please submit the Final Expenditure Report to the business office (Admin) and the Final Grant Evaluation Form to the Foundation office (FAC) prior to deadline. Deadline for the Fall cycle is prior to December 15th and for the Spring cycle is prior to May 15th.

2024 Spring Grants Awarded

2023 Fall Grants Awarded

2023 Spring Grants Awarded

2022 Fall Grants Awarded

2022 Spring Grants Awarded

2021 Fall Grants Awarded

2021 Spring Grants Awarded

2020 Fall Grants Awarded

2020 Spring Grants Awarded

2019 Fall Grants Awarded

2019 Spring Grants Awarded

2018 Fall Grants Awarded

2018 Spring Grants Awarded

2017 Fall Grants Awarded

2017 Spring Grants Awarded

2016 Fall Grants Awarded

2016 Spring Grants Awarded

2015 Fall Grants Awarded

Should you have any questions, please call us in the Foundation office at 493-8500. Thank you for your dedication in providing Excellence in Education to all of our students in Forest Hills Public Schools.