Purpose

The Rockbridge County Public Schools Foundation grants provide financial resources for innovative, new opportunities for educational excellence.  Grants will be available for projects that: directly benefit students of Rockbridge County Schools; enhance student learning above what is required and which otherwise would not be funded; encourage collaboration among teachers, schools, parents, and community with the focus on the child; and impact a diversity of students in RCPS, in a variety of learning environments.  Grants will provide financial support above and beyond customary operational funding, not supplanting existing resources.

Grant Applications

Persons eligible to apply for Grants include: RCPS teachers, staff members or parent/community groups directly working with students, teams of teachers, departments, or RCPS student groups advised by a teacher.

Members of the Allocations Committee will conduct information sessions as needed and advise applicants.  Application for a grant may be made at any time during the year and should not be made for projects already underway.  Applications will be reviewed when received and funds will be awarded based on availability. 

The Foundation Board encourages projects be developed based on demonstrated need and creativity, rather than developed around a specific dollar amount.  While it is anticipated that many grants will be for small amounts, it is also understood that significant impact may require larger amounts of funding.  If funding is not immediately available for larger projects, the foundation commits to seeking additional resources for worthy projects.  The number of Grants funded will be contingent on funds raised to date and, thus, available for use.

Verification of need for each proposed project will be obtained from the appropriate Principal.  Through approval of the application, the Principal will specifically indicate that the project budget does not include items that could be obtained through currently available funding or the school’s operational budget.

Criteria for Grant Selection

Applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis.  Each application will be impartially evaluated according to the following criteria.

1.  Demonstration of direct benefit to students of Rockbridge County Public Schools:

• Innovation – new learning strategy using state of the art approaches; and/or
• New Opportunity – creating the chance for students to engage in learning that would not normally be available to them; and/or
• Excellence – setting high standards of expectations for students, and quality products.

2.  Demonstrated results orientation:

• Project objectives are clearly stated;
• Activities proposed are reasonable, feasible, and cost effective;
• A plan has been formulated to evaluate project objectives.

3.  Priority will be given to projects which:

• Show cooperation in planning and implementation among school staff, parents, and students.
• Collaboration in project design with appropriate agencies in the community.

4.  Representation of a diversity of students in Rockbridge County.

• Geography/schools;
• Program emphasis (academic, vocational, extracurricular, service)

Grant Awards

Grant funds may be used to purchase a variety of material in order to facilitate innovative activities, to develop new opportunities for students, or provide program excellence.  Financial support will be for items above and beyond customary operational funding.  Areas of consideration for Grants could be but are not limited to:

• Fine Arts
• Scholastic or Vocational
• Technology and Learning
• Health and Wellness
• Professional Development tied to a project that benefits students
• Cultural Enrichment

Funds can be used for but are not limited to:

• Books
• Computer software, peripherals, and related equipment
• Equipment to complete project
• Local field trips
• Honorariums for speakers, artists, authors, and other special programs
• Workshop or training to complete project outside of planned operating expenses

Grant funds may NOT be used for items outside Foundation purpose and scope, including:

• Individual post-secondary scholarships or other monetary awards for students, including fees for competitions;
• Honorariums or salary supplements for school system personnel;

• Facilities upgrades
• Projects which conflict with the goals of public education.