Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2008

The priority of this program is to provide support to charter school founding groups in developing their charter prospectuses, with specific emphasis on the educational program, academic goals, and business plans.

Please note that charters granted for schools that meet the priorities described in for Charter School Start-Up Assistance Program (Fund Code 535) may be eligible for significantly more funding in the future.

There are three eligibility requirements for this grant program.

1. In accordance with federal requirements, a fiscal agent must apply on behalf of a charter school founding group. Eligible fiscal agents include not-for-profit, tax-exempt organizations or governmental entities, including currently operating charter schools that have had their charter renewed or public school districts (for prospective Horace Mann Charter Schools). The fiscal agent must have at least $25,000 of annual operating revenue.

2. The charter school's proposed region must be (a) at or below the state MCAS average and (b) have space available under the current statutory caps. Information related to both of these criterion can be found in Appendix B of the 2007-2008 Application for a Massachusetts Public School Charter.

3. The proposed charter school must meet at least 2 of 3 priorities of the Charter School Start-Up Assistance Program: (a) Expanded Learning Time; (b) Targeted Area; and (c) Secondary School Focus. See the Priorities section in the RFP for the Charter School Start-Up Assistance Program (Fund Code 535) for full details.

Note: An application for grant funding under this program is considered the optional first step in the application process for a Massachusetts Public School Charter for the 2008 - 2009 application cycle.

Applicant entities must use grant funds solely for the development of a proposed charter school. Grant funds may be used for:

• stipends;

• consultants; and

• consumable office supplies/printing/postage related to the development of the proposed charter school.

Grant funds may not supplant the operating budget of the sponsoring entity and may not be used to purchase non-consumable goods/equipment (such as computers, furniture, or other equipment). All spending must be consistent with applicable federal regulations and guidelines.

March 1, 2007 (or upon approval) - August 1, 2008.

Note: There is a 3-year limitation on federal funding to charter schools for development, planning, and implementation. This five-month grant will count towards this 3-year limit if the founding group receives a charter.

Friday, February 1, 2008

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

• For reference: 2007-2008 Application for a Massachusetts Public School Charter

1. Hard Copy Submission

   Submit four (4) hard copies of the entire proposal. Be sure that there is an original signature of the Executive Director, Superintendent, or School Leader of the sponsoring entity on the Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants for each set.

   Mail to:

   Cliff Chuang
   Charter School Office
   Massachusetts Department of
   Elementary and Secondary Education
   350 Main Street
   Malden, MA 02148-5023

2. Electronic Copy Submission

   Please submit via email, one (1) set of electronic copies of the proposal package (Part I, Part II, and Part III), no signatures required.

   Email to: cchuang@doe.mass.edu