Grant Criteria

Marlborough Education Foundation, Inc.
Grant Award Guidelines

The Marlborough Education Foundation, Inc. an independent, community-based, non-profit corporation is pleased to announce its annual grant cycle. Its mission is to obtain funding for new programs and educational resources which complement existing curriculum goals and enhance educational opportunities for students in the Marlborough Public Schools.

The current year's Grant Applications are available HERE.

Priority will be given to proposals which:

  • Indicate that they will significantly enhance the educational process
  • Have a direct and immediate impact on the largest number of students
  • Are not typically funded by the school budget
  • Employ innovative methods/techniques to inform and educate
  • Will yield material that can benefit future students
  • Are representative of various school sites, based on requests submitted

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING REGARDING CERTAIN TYPES OF REQUESTS:

  • Trade books:
    Requests for funding to purchase trade books to begin and/or supplement a classroom library will not be considered. MEF will, however, accept grant applications requesting funds to purchase trade books in other instances. Applicants should first confirm that requested books are not available in school library. Proposals that propose purchasing trade books to be used in an innovative program are always welcome. For example, a request for funds to purchase sets of books to be used to initiate a new reading program, book club, literacy group, etc. meets MEF’s grant criteria.
  • Teacher services:
    MEF grant monies will not be awarded to pay for staff member’s teaching time. For example, requests for funds to pay teachers to work with students in an enrichment course or to present and teach information or materials to co-workers will not be considered. Applications requesting funds to cover training classes and/or professional development courses that meet MEF grant criteria may be considered.
  • Consumable materials:
    Consumable materials will not be funded with MEF grant monies. Please do not request funding to purchase food items, office supplies or prizes and awards. Local merchants often donate items such as these and the applicant should pursue this avenue. Proposals that can sustain themselves beyond the current grant cycle by benefiting future students are always given priority.
  • Field Trips:
    Field trips will not be funded.


Scope:
Individual awards are expected to range from $300 to $2,000, but all requests will be considered.

Eligibility:
Any member of the Marlborough Public Schools educational or administrative staff is eligible. Individual and collaborative efforts will be considered.

Application Process:
Application link is at the top of the page . A completed budget estimate must be included with each application submitted. Prior to submission of applications, grant applicants are requested to contact the Directors of Instructional Services to check availability of staff and facilities if a proposal impacts these areas.

Disbursement of Funds:
All requests should be made at least two weeks in advance of the date required. Vendor quotes (including shipping costs) should be obtained and submitted as support for disbursement requests.

Deadline for Proposals:
For the grant application deadlines - see the Grant Applications. TWO (2) copies of the completed application should be mailed to:

Marlborough Education Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 924
Marlborough, MA 01752


Notification of Awards:
Grant recipients will be notified by after the MEF Grant Selection Night. A formal announcement of the grant awards will be made at the next School Committee Meeting. Recipients of grants are asked to attend the meeting to receive their grant and be introduced.

Funded projects must submit a final report within thirty days of completion, detailing the project's activities, achievement versus project objectives, and expenditures. Future funding could be impacted if final reports are not submitted.

If you have any questions regarding the application or guidelines, please feel free to contact any one of the following board members:

Valerie Cowan - 508 481-0008, vlcowan@comcast.net
Michelle Bodin-Hettinger - 508-481-5722 - blam2@comcast.net
Michael Brossi - 508 460-1755, michael@brossters.org

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Grant Process

Grant applications are distributed to Marlborough Public School staff in September.

Grant applications are due back to MEF around October/November. MEF holds a grant review meeting where each grant is reviewed. Our selection process is "blind" in that only one member knows who has authored each grant request. We do this to avoid favoritism- all of us have children in the Marlborough Public schools. Grants are chosen based on criteria that includes the fact that the programs funded would benefit the largest number of students and that they would be self-sustaining once the initial funding was in place.

In November/December, grants are awarded at the School Committee meeting.

The rest of the year is dedicated to fund-raising for the next cycle.

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© 2011 Marlborough Educaton Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 924 Marlborough, MA 01752
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