Mini-Grants

Mini-Grant-Application_Spring_2012

Minigrant-Guidelines_Spring_2012

Membership Application 2011-2012

Awarded Spring 2011 Mini-Grants

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Mini-Grant Program is to support and enhance the learning experience and improve the school climate at Oakland Technical High School. The Program provides financial assistance to ensure the success of those educational experiences that build a sense of community and support the mission of the school (School Vision and Mission: In a peaceful and respectful environment, all Tech students will acquire the skills needed to be productive citizens and lifelong learners.) All qualified applicants are considered.

CRITERIA TO APPLY

Please review the following to ensure that your project or activity meets at least one of the following criteria:

• Classroom academic support (does not include professional development funding for teachers)
• Performing or Visual Arts
• Extracurricular activities that build or enhance school climate
• Individual student sponsorships (student must demonstrate that the experience brings value to the Oakland Tech learning community)
• Educational field trips (trips must be approved by the School Site Administration & OUSD)

The PTSA will not fund requests for individual items of clothing that become the property of students. The exception is for uniform socks for sports teams.

APPLICATION PROCESS

There are two funding cycles: Fall and Spring. Applications must be in the PTSA mailbox in the main office or submitted electronically by 4:00 p.m. Postmarks are not accepted.

The Mini-Grant screening committee reviews applications to ensure that they meet the criteria. Applicants may be contacted during the review period for follow-up and clarification.

The screening committee forwards recommendations to the Executive Board for review. The PTSA membership must vote on the mini-grant recommendations for final approval.

MINI-GRANT PROGRAM POLICIES

The Executive Board of the Oakland Technical High School PTSA allocates funds for Mini-Grants during the budget process each school year. The amount allotted is determined by the funds available.

Requests for Mini-Grants can be up to $350. The screening committee recommends the final award amounts.

Mini-Grant applicants may apply for more than one grant, as long as they are for different courses, teams, clubs, or other activities. Please note, however, that funds are limited and we may be able to grant only one of your proposals. Therefore, if you apply for more than one Mini-Grant, please prioritize your proposals.

Mini-Grant award decisions approved by the membership are final. However, applicants are welcome to resubmit their requests during the next application cycle.

If your application is approved, the PTSA reimburses you after you have submitted your receipts. Alternatively, you may request that the PTSA provide a check directly to the vendor.

To be able to allocate funds for other projects throughout the year, Mini-Grants be used within the semester that they are approved. If your Mini-Grant is approved for the Fall semester and you are granted an extension, you must submit your payment request by June 16, 2012. Failure to do so will result in forfeiting the Mini-Grant. There are no extensions on Spring Mini-Grants.

Alternate Funding Sources: Before submitting your Mini-Grant request, sports applicants must contact the Athletic Director, James Coplan, to determine whether other funds are available, and staff must contact Sheilagh Andujar or Richard Fairly regarding the availability of categorical funds for classroom supplies. Please verify on your Mini-Grant application that you have checked on these funding sources first.

YOU MUST BE A PTSA MEMBER TO APPLY FOR THIS GRANT. If you are not currently a member, your grant application must be accompanied by a Membership Application and membership fee. This year membership fees for staff and students have been reduced to $5.

SELECTION COMMITTEE

The selection committee is an ad hoc committee appointed by the President of the PTSA. The selection committee shall comprise no less than three and no more than nine members. To avoid conflicts of interest, a screening committee member must not be a Mini-Grant applicant or a principal participant of an application for funding.

SELECTION COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review all applications received by the application deadline
• Solicit additional information if necessary to ensure the viability of the proposed event or project
• Prepare funding recommendations for the Executive Board
• Prepare a summary report of Mini-Grant awards & present it to PTSA membership for approval