1.What type of reporting must I provide throughout the course of my Master Grant?
CUSF requires a final report for all Master Grants due the first of June of your grant year. A form will be provided and is downloadable from this website. We appreciate any pictures, printed material, etc. from your project for our files. We frequently use your information to help other teachers apply, to share with our donors who support your projects and to learn about how to improve our granting process.
2 What if I can’t complete my grant?
Money unspent from your grant will be returned to the foundation.
3 What if I can no longer find the items I detailed in my Master Grant budget when I go to implement it?
Within reason, CUSF allows you to use your grant money within the intent of the grant. If for some reason a major component of your purpose changes or can’t be provided, you will need to contact the CUSF office to ask for a variance. Funding of new components is decided on a case-by-case basis. Remember, funding does not carry over to a 2nd year.
4 How do I get the money if I am approved for a grant?
Master Grant money goes through your district administration office and is available after June 1 of any given year. When CUSF approves your grant, your information is sent to your administration office. They will have the information about your proposal and will keep track of your funds.
Splash grants are reimbursements and as such, come from the CUSF office. See the SPLASH Grant Guidelines for more information.
5 What is a Community Partner as referenced in the Master Grant Application?
You may choose to cooperate with an individual (s) or an organization in the community to accomplish the goals of your grant idea. Many teachers work with other partners either from their school or the community. Possible partners might be museums, artists, college/university employees, literary specialist, professionals, etc. The important thing to remember is that your partner must consent and sign-off on your application in the appropriate space.
6 How do I know if I am on the “right track” when writing my grant proposal for a Master Grant?
The application has a set of criteria that we recommend you follow very closely. We also have provided a page-by-page diagram of what we expect to be included. If you still have questions, you may call the CUSF office for additional help. However, the office cannot help you write your proposal. We do recommend that you attend our grant open house in the fall, come by the office to look at previously funded proposal final reports, read about previously funded projects on our website and talk with other teaching professionals about their experience. A well-written grant with detail and a reliable budget is very important.
7 What’s the request limit on a Master Grant?
It is currently $4,000.00
8 How many proposals can I submit in a year?
Any Unit 4 or Unit 116 teacher can submit as many proposals as they want to the Master Grant program.
A teacher may only accept one grant a year from the Splash Grant Program.
9 What is your granting schedule?
For the CUSF Master Grant program, applications become available on July 1 of any year. Proposals are due in February of the following year. Check the deadline link or CUSF Calendar to learn what the date is for this year. Master Grants are awarded in April of any year and the money becomes available in the following June for use for the following academic year. Money not used in the academic year of the award will be returned to CUSF.
For the SPLASH Grant program, applications are taken on an on-going basis through the internet only. Splash Grants are given out twice a year, once in the Fall semester and once in the Spring semester. This micro grant program is first come first served and the program closes for the semester once all of the funds have been allocated. Since July 2008 the Splash Grant Program has given out 745 grants adding up to over $338,000.00 in classroom investment.
From time to time, CUSF has specialty grants available made possible by restricted gifts to the Foundation. These may be specific to subject areas, districts, or schools.
10 How do we choose the award winning grants?
Grant proposals are submitted by Illinois District Unit 4 and Unit 116 public school teachers. Projects are selected for funding based on the grant program chosen and on the following criteria:
- Proposals are considered for all grade levels and subject areas in the Champaign and Urbana public schools. Any ideas that have the potential to enrich learning opportunities for children in Champaign-Urbana are welcome. A committee of citizens and board members carefully reviews each application against a comprehensive rubric.
- Proposals for staff development and services to students and teachers are eligible.
- In most cases, funds will not be appropriated for salary for existing staff or substitute teachers, the purchase of textbooks for regular curricula, or the purchase of supplies to support existing curricula.
- Funds will be granted one year at a time. If funding is sought for an additional year(s), the applicant will be expected to reapply with a full grant proposal. A final report is required of each recipient.
11 Do you have an application for your grants available?
Check out our website: www.CUSchoolsFoundation.org! It will have much information about who we are, how you can help and valuable information for teachers who are interested in applying for our funding!
