Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2010

The purpose of these federal Learn and Serve America (LSA) funds is to:

1. increase the practice of service-learning as a methodology for implementing the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, K-12;

2. support the institutionalization and sustainability of service-learning district-wide;

3. improve the quality of service-learning initiatives;

4. provide more opportunities for low-income students to engage in service-learning; and

5. identify and address significant barriers to student achievement and, through service-learning and other activities, implement solutions to those barriers.

Continuation funds should be directed to activities that address the following priorities:

1. developing a plan to institutionalize service-learning practice through ongoing professional development, connecting to the district's mission, policies, and practices, as well as connecting to other educational initiatives;

2. identifying and working with other district/school programs and community partners to support young people (particularly those who are at-risk) in their education;

3. providing teachers and administrators with professional development opportunities needed to implement effective community service-learning;

4. implementing classroom-based service-learning activities aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks; and

5. demonstrating a commitment to networking with other districts to share best practices in service-learning implementation and institutionalization.

Sustainability A: (Planning/Implementation Grantees in FY2009) Eligible to apply for up to $7,000

• Boston Day and Evening Academy
• Fall River Public Schools
• Holyoke Public Schools
• Lowell Public Schools
• Medway Public Schools
• Milton Public Schools
• Norfolk County Agricultural High School
• Pittsfield Public Schools
• Spencer-East Brookfield Regional Schools

Sustainability B: (Sustainability A grantees in FY2009) Eligible to apply for up to $4,000

• Auburn Public Schools
• Cape Cod Regional Technical High School
• North Central Charter Essential School
• Plymouth Public Schools

Sustainability C: (Sustainability B Grantees in FY2009) Eligible to apply for up to $4,000

• Academy of Strategic Learning
• Brockton Public Schools
• Chicopee Public Schools
• Douglas Public Schools
• Dudley-Charlton Regional School District
• Greenfield Public Schools
• Maynard Public Schools
• New Bedford Public Schools
• Salem Academy Charter School
• Salem Public Schools
• South Shore Charter Public School
• Sturbridge Public Schools (Union 61)
• Sutton Public Schools
• Tantasqua Regional School District
• Walpole Public Schools
• Winchester Public Schools

Sustainability D: (Sustainability C Grantees in FY2009) Eligible to apply for up to $4,000

• Community Day Charter School
• Danvers Public Schools
• East Bridgewater Public Schools
• Hampshire Educational Collaborative
• Hilltown Cooperative Charter School
• Hudson Public Schools
• Newton Public Schools
• North Adams Public Schools
• Quincy Public Schools
• Scituate Public Schools
• Sharon Public Schools
• Whitman-Hanson Regional School District
• Worcester Public Schools

Applicants may apply for up to the following amounts, provided they can demonstrate the respective cost share (documented on Schedule B).

Sustainability A grantees are eligible to apply for up to $7,000 this year (with a 125% match) and then for $4,000 (with a 150% match) for up to three additional years, dependant on successful completion of the grant and demonstrated progress towards sustaining CSL.

Sustainability B and C grantees are eligible to apply for up to $4,000 (with a 150% match) this year and up to two additional years (if at the B level) or up to one additional year (if at the C level), dependant on successful completion of the grant and demonstrated progress towards sustaining CSL.

Sustainability D grantees are eligible to apply for up to $4,000 this year (with a 150% match).

Funds may be used for stipends or salaries for staff to coordinate the CSL initiative, curriculum development, teacher stipends, consultants, substitutes, transportation of student participants, travel, conferences, purchase of materials and supplies, printing, and reproduction of materials. Funds should be budgeted to cover travel, substitutes, and other costs for required trainings provided by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department).

Funds may not be used for the purchase of computers, copiers, or vehicles. Payments to individuals for consultant services under this grant may not exceed $540 per day (exclusive of any travel, supplies, and so on). Indirect/overhead costs may not be paid using these funds. Funds must be used in accordance with all Learn and Serve provisions. (See Additional Information.)

Note: In-kind and cash match must be tracked and documented as a requirement of the grant and cannot include a match from other Corporation for National and Community Service funding.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.

1.      Part I - Program Unit Signature Page -
   (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)

2.      Part II Workbook - Budget (II-A) and Budget Narrative (II-B)*
   (see important opening instructions below.)

3.     Part III - Required Program Information - Community Service-Learning Grantee End-of-Year Report and Application for Continuation Funds

4.     Part IV - Student Support Collaboration and Coordination

5.     FY2010 Activities and Timeline

6.     Grant Assurances

7.     Schedule B - Cost Sharing or Matching Schedule

8.     Cost Sharing or Matching Funds Narrative Form

9.     Schedule C - Statement of Participation and Support (if appropriate)

*NOTE: The Budget and Budget Narrative Workbook is a Microsoft Excel file which includes macros that enable the workbook to compute totals and summary tables.

1. For Microsoft Office 2000/2003, you may need to change the security setting in Excel before opening the file. In Excel, click 'Tools', 'Macro', and then 'Security'. When the dialog box appears, change the security setting to 'Medium' and then click 'OK'. You can now open the budget file.

2. For Microsoft Office 2007, you must save the workbook as an earlier version of Excel (.xls not .xlsx).

1. Budget Detail - Description of Line Item Information

2.   Learn and Serve America Provisions