Programs

Classroom Grants                Reading is Fundamental

Classroom Grants
The purpose of the District 279 Foundation Classroom Grants Program is to make funds available to all schools in the Independent School District 279 for innovative and creative projects which enhance the curriculum or provide performance or social development opportunities.  Any district employee, school organization or school volunteer may submit a grant proposal.

Grants awarded in Three Categories

Curriculum Enhancement
Enhancements to the regular curriculum can be submitted for consideration to the grant judging committee after an ISD 279 Curriculum Specialist signs off on the idea.  We require that you check with the appropriate ISD 279 Curriculum Specialist before writing your proposal to make certain the concept is acceptable.  (The requirement is for all curricular enhancement grant request including art, music and physical education.)

Performance
A grant request that will allow your school or group to take "its show on the road" and share its performance with others.  This grant would pay for transportation costs and possible costs incurred as part of the performance

Social Development
A grant request that will allow your school or group to provide opportunities for students to increase social competence by participating in
activities in areas such as community service, leadership development, mentorship, intergenerational learning, diversity awareness, or 
character education.

Grants are Judged by the Following Criteria

The grant selection process is competitive.  Grants are judged on uniqueness, quality, need and cost effectiveness.  Grant funding has ranged from 24 cents to $125 per student served.  The largest grants we typically fund are $2,500.  
    
The grant application for the 2011-2012 school year is available. 





Reading is Fundamental
Reading is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF) prepares and motivates children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to children and families.  All RIF programs combine three essential elements to foster children's literacy: reading motivation, family and community involvement, and the excitement of choosing free books to keep.  RIF's accomplishments are due in part to the generous support of the U.S. Department of Education, corporations, foundations, community organizations and thousands of individuals.  The District 279 Foundation's Reading is Fundamental program is in 20 educational sites.  The RIF program is a federally funded program that provides 75% of the funding and the local RIF sites are responsible for 25% of the funding, which is currently provided by the fund raising activities conducted by the District 279 Foundation.