ARLINGTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANTS

The Arlington Education Foundation works to support and advance public education in Arlington.  We fund system-wide initiatives and creative new projects to enhance the educational experiences of Arlington's teachers and students.  We have three categories of grants: School Improvement, Development and Expansion, and Innovation in Education

AEF looks for projects that:

• Augment and enrich the education provided by the Arlington Public Schools.
• Encourage leadership, creativity, and skills development in teachers and administrators.
• Benefit many students, often in multiple classes, grades, subjects and/or schools.
• Provide a lasting benefit to Arlington's school system.
• Utilize other sources of funding in addition to AEF.

AEF will NOT support projects that:

• Serve a limited number of students without a long term effect.
• Do not provide a clear curriculum and/or community benefit for students or teachers.
• Should be funded through existing curriculum or professional development funds.

1.       School Improvement Grants

Purpose:

School Improvement Grants will be awarded over a multi-year time period to support systemic   long term change in the Arlington Public Schools. These grants will focus on multi-pronged initiatives that have significant potential to improve learning and develop a strong, supportive community for students at the elementary, middle, or high school level, and cannot currently be supported by the tax-funded school budget. 

Amount:

$25,000-$100,000 (over multiple years)

Who can apply/ Application procedure and deadlines:

These grants are by invitation only, and will be developed through discussions with Arlington Public Schools principals and the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.

For further information on School Improvement Grants, see the proposals and reports for the High School Improvement Grant and Enriching Elementary Education on the AEF website.

2.      Development and Expansion Grants

Purpose:

Development and Expansion Grants will be awarded to support the development of new educational strategies that target demonstrated need and have the potential to serve as models  for the rest of the district.  Development and Expansion Grants may be school-based or district-wide.

Projects may:

• Support the expansion and sharing of successful pilot projects funded through the Innovations in Education grant program.
• Provide professional development and resources that enhance curriculum and/or community in the Arlington Public Schools.
• Support administrative leadership initiatives that enhance curriculum and/or community in the Arlington Public Schools.

Amount:

$5,000-$10,000 (over one year or multiple years)

Who can apply:

Arlington Public Schools teachers and administrators.  We also  encourage the involvement of local strategic partners.  To position the grant for best success, all funded proposals will require the support and approval of the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.

Application procedure and deadlines:

Letters of Interest including project need, project description, estimated timeline, target population, qualifications of key personnel and collaborators, how the project will be sustained after the grant period, and proposed budget are due January 15.  Finalists will meet with AEF and the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, and may be asked to submit a full proposal.  To receive a Letter of Interest, please contact AEF Board Member Rebecca Steinitz at rsteinitz@gmail.com.

3.      Innovation in Education Grants

Purpose:

Innovation in Education Grants will be awarded to support innovative teaching and learning projects in the Arlington Public Schools.  We are particularly interested in supporting "pilot" efforts that can be adopted later by a wider audience, as well as "enrichment" projects that enhance curriculum and/or community at the classroom, school, grade, department, or district level.  These grants may include professional development and teacher training, but will not support funds for standard classroom supplies, books, equipment, or videos.

Amount:

$250-$3,000 (project must be completed within 18 months from the date of grant approval)

Who can apply:

Arlington teachers, administrators, parents, or community members (non-school-based applicants must be partnered with the Arlington Public Schools)

Application procedure and deadlines:

Applications are due November and April.  Check web site for exact dates.  Application form is available here.

We strongly encourage you to discuss your ideas with your school representative before submitting your application.

For examples of successful Innovation in Education Grants, see the grants list on the AEF website.