Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2010

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

1. increase the practice of service-learning as a methodology for implementing the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, K-12 (See the definition of effective service-learning in the Additional Information section.);

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

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.

Funding priority (for Green Team and Planning and Implementation Grants) will be given to districts (or schools):

1. engaging relatively high percentages of low-income students, as indicated by the number of students eligible for free/reduced price meals;

2. with graduation rates at or below the state average; and

3. that propose programs targeted for low-income and at-risk students.

And additionally for Planning and Implementation Grants:

4. that demonstrate plans for integration of Community Service Learning (CSL) activities with other educational initiatives (e.g., academic support, alternative education, etc.).

All grant proposals are expected to incorporate the following:

1. implementing classroom-based service-learning activities aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and the National Youth Leadership Council's K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice.

   And additionally for Planning and Implementation Grants:

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

   3. identifying and working with community partners to meet community needs identified in partnership with young people (particularly those who are at-risk);

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

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

GREEN TEAM GRANTS*

Approximately 12 Green Team Project Grants will be awarded.

All public school districts are eligible to apply for up to $1,050 to implement a school or district Green Team.

*The Green Team is an interactive educational program that provides resources and suggested activities to students and teachers so they can help the environment through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting. For more details, see http://www.thegreenteam.org/index.html.

This grant is intended to connect service-learning practice to Green Team efforts.

PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION A, B, C

Approximately 5-10 Planning and Implementation A - C grants will be awarded.

Planning and Implementation - A

Eligible to apply for up to $10,500

Public school districts that did not receive a CSL grant from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) in FY2009 and have received no CSL funding from the Department in the last five (5) years are eligible to apply. A list of these eligible districts is linked to the Additional Information section of this RFP.

Planning and Implementation - B

Eligible to apply for up to $7,000

Public school districts that did not receive a CSL grant from the Department in FY2009 but had one year of CSL funding in the last five (5) years from the Department are eligible to apply. A list of these eligible districts is linked to the Additional Information section of this RFP.

Planning and Implementation - C

Eligible to apply for up to $4,000

Public school districts that did not receive a CSL grant from the Department in FY2009 but had more than two years of CSL funding in the last five (5) years from the Department are eligible to apply. A list of these eligible districts is linked to the Additional Information section of this RFP.

Applicants may apply for up to the following amounts, provided they can demonstrate the respective cost share.

Green Team Grants - Districts are eligible to apply for one Green Team Grant per district that may be used in one or more schools. These are one-time grants; districts receiving a Green Team Grant are eligible to apply in future years to support Green Team projects in additional schools.

Planning and Implementation - A grantees are eligible to apply for funding of up to $10,500 for FY2010 (with a 100 percent match). These grantees are expected to be eligible to apply for up to two subsequent years of continuation grants (through Fund Code: 354-A Sustainability A at $7,000 in FY2011 and Sustainability B at $4,000 in FY2012).*

Planning and Implementation - B grantees are eligible to apply for funding of up to $7,000 for FY2010 (with a 125 percent match). These grantees are expected to be eligible to apply for up to two subsequent years of continuation grants (through Fund Code: 354-A Sustainability B and C at $4,000 each year in FY2011 and FY2012).*

Planning and Implementation - C grantees are eligible to apply for funding of up to $4,000 for FY2010 (with a 150 percent match). These grantees are expected to be eligible to apply for up to two subsequent years of continuation grants (through Fund Code: 354-A Sustainability C and D at $4,000 each year in FY2011 and FY2012).*

FOR ALL CATEGORIES

Complete Schedule B to document the in-kind and cash match.

*All continuation grants are pending funding availability and for each applicant are dependant upon successful completion of the previous year's grant and demonstrated progress towards institutionalization of CSL.

Funds may be used for:

1. stipends or salaries for staff to coordinate the CSL initiative;

2. curriculum development;

3. teacher stipends;

4. consultants; (consultant/contractual services may not exceed $540/day or $67.50/hour)

5. substitutes;

6. transportation of student participants;

7. travel;

8. conferences;

9. purchase of materials and supplies;

10. printing; and

11. reproduction of materials.

Funds should be budgeted to cover travel, substitutes, and other costs for required trainings provided by the Department. Green Team applicants: Required equipment should be budgeted using grant funds to the extent possible.

Funds may not be used for the purchase of computers, copiers, vehicles, or other equipment valued at over $5,000 per item. Indirect/overhead costs may not be paid using these funds.

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. Grant funds may not be used for international travel or projects where the primary beneficiaries of an activity are outside the United States. See the Learn and Serve provisions in Additional Information for grant spending requirements.

1. Monday, July 20, 2009 or

2. Monday, September 21, 2009*

Competitive proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the dates due.

*Proposals submitted by July 20, 2009 will be reviewed over the summer for approval before September 1. July 20^th applicants not recommended for funding in September may revise and resubmit proposals for consideration in September. It is estimated that at least one-half of the funds available will be reserved for proposals submitted in September.

Note: If applying for both a Green Team and a Planning and Implementation Grant, submit two separate application packages with each of the required forms listed below. See Part III for more details.

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

2.      Part II Workbook - Budget (II-A) and Budget Narrative (II-B)
   (Print and mail with the application all four budget and budget narrative pages. See important opening instructions.**)

3.     Part III - Required Program Information

4.     Schedule B - Cost Sharing or Matching Schedule

5.     Cost Sharing or Matching Funds Narrative (form provided)

6.     Grant Assurances: Green Team (page 1) / Planning and Implementation (page 2)

7.     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.      Districts Eligible to Apply for FY2009 CSL Planning and Implementation - A Grants

3.      Districts Eligible to Apply for FY2009 CSL Planning and Implementation - B Grants

4.      Districts Eligible to Apply for FY2009 CSL Planning and Implementation - C Grants

5. Definition of CSL

   According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, CSL:

   1. promotes learning through active participation in service experiences;

   2. provides structured time for students to reflect by thinking, discussing, and/or writing about their service experience;

   3. provides an opportunity for students to use skills and knowledge in real-life situations;

   4. extends learning beyond the classroom and into the community; and

   5. fosters a sense of caring for others (as adapted from the National and Community Service Act of 1990).

   The National Commission on Service-Learning defined service-learning in 2001 as follows: "Service-learning is a teaching and learning approach that integrates community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities."

6. Key Elements to Effective CSL Practice:

   1. service that meets a community need;

   2. explicit, authentic, and guided learning;

   3. youth decision-making; and

   4. analytic reflection.

   Additional information about the National Youth Leadership Council's K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice.

7.    Learn and Serve America Grant Provisions

8. A Scoring Rubric is available upon request. (See Contact information.)

Submit one (1) unbound complete application with the original signature of the Superintendent, in addition to three (3) separately stapled copies (sets).

Mail to: