1. How do I apply for a SPLASH Grant?
All applications must be submitted online. Please go to the application page.
2. When do I apply for a SPLASH Grant?
The Fall 2010 application period is closed, all funds have been allocated.
The Spring 2011 Splash Application will be available in early January 2011. Keep checking the website and your school emails for the exact date.
3. How will I know if you have received my application?
All applicants will receive a return email letting them know that we received the application.
4. What if I am having trouble submitting my application online?
Check to see what internet browser program you are using on your computer. Our website works best using the following browsers (or newer): Internet Explorer 8, Firefox 3.6, and Safari 5. Internet Explorer 6 and 7 have known issues and should be substituted with one of the previously listed options. Also, please try to limit the use of special characters (i.e. !@#%^&*(){[}]\|) used in the large text areas.
5. How will I know if my application has been approved?
You will receive an email that will inform you that your application has been approved. The email will contain your application #, the date that your money will be available for you to use and the deadline date for turning your receipts in for reimbursement.
6. Can I have a partner with a SPLASH grant?
Yes, see the below SPLASH grant FAQ for a detailed answer.
7. What do I do if I want to partner with another teacher?
If you are planning to partner with another teacher in your school/department for funding you will need to have one single title for your proposal. You and your partner teachers will need to list all of the teachers names that you are partnering with for the proposal on their applications. You will also need to submit your applications at the same time. If you are partnering with other teachers we cannot process the grant applications until we have received all of the partners applications.
8. What if one of the teachers you are partnering with leaves the district or moves to another school in the district?
1. If your application has already been approved and the other partners have begun to purchase items associated with the proposal the grant money will remain with that proposal.
2. If you have already been reimbursed for your proposal all materials that were purchased will remain with the original school that is listed on the application.
9. What if my project will cost more than $500.00?
You might want to consider partnering with another teacher in your department to increase the amount of funding. They must submit their own application with the same project name and identify you as their partner.
10. How do I get my grant money?
We will reimburse you by check within 1 week of receiving your receipts providing all receipts fit the originally stated grant request and do not exceed $500.00. If you are partnering with another teacher they must also submit their receipts.
11. What happens to any items that I purchase that are not used up?
All materials/items that are not consumed remain the property of your district.
12. What is considered acceptable use for SPLASH grant money?
Your proposal for SPLASH Grant money should be geared toward classroom/student improvement and/or instructional enhancement. It may not be used for salary or work-time compensation. It should be used for projects that will have a direct benefit to students.
13. How long do I have between the time I submit my application and the time I submit my receipts?
You will have 60 days from the date your money becomes available. Please be sure to include your home address. The reimbursement check will be mailed to your home.
14. Where do I submit my receipts?
You may mail your receipts to the Foundation at:
CU Schools Foundation
P.O. Box 1166
Champaign, IL. 61824-1166
or
Drop them off in person at our office located at:
3358 Big Pine Trail Suite C
Champaign, IL. 61822
15. What receipts will I need in order to be reimbursed?
Your receipts must show what you purchased, the method of payment and who made the payment. If you are paying by credit card, you can make a copy of your credit card statement (black out any information that does not pertain to your grant purchase) or submit a credit card receipt that shows your name on it. If you are paying by check you can make a copy of the canceled check.
Packing lists, contracts, tracking #s, and confirmation emails are not actually receipts, they simply help us to verify what you purchased. Email confirmations of an online order are only valid if they contain information showing you as the billable person and how the purchase was paid for.
16. Is there a report due for a SPLASH Grant?
Not as such. We do require your receipts from your expenses in order to refund you your money up to the budgeted amount (<$500). Your receipts will tell us how you spent your funding. We do ask that you let us know of any programs, press, or highlights from your project be shared with us so that we can share your success with our community!
17. Whom do I thank for this grant?
There are 36 donors to this special grant program - all from Champaign and Urbana, Illinois. They are using the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation to provide you with this opportunity. If you would like to send a thank you note to the Foundation, we will make sure the donors hear about your thanks! Also, you are invited to send a note to the newspaper, your administrators, etc.!
See our SPLASH GRANT DONOR LIST
18. I have thank-yous from my kids for this money and/or pictures and videos of my project. How can I share these?
If you have pictures of your class and students and/or video that your parents have given permission to print, send those to the CUSF and we will try to print them or air them our website and newsletter! We need to let our community know about your good work so we can raise more money! If possible send them electronically to Pat Dessen, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
