Grants Application Information

REF accepts applications from teachers, principals, and members of the community, working in partnership with Reading schools.

We are happy to help with anyone who has a grant idea.  Email us!

Annual Grant Program — 2024 Cycle 

Approvals/Submission

• Grants must have the support of participating departments/teachers and be approved by the school principal and superintendent’s office. Please check with your principal for internal deadlines!
• For grants requesting the purchase of technology, the school’s Technology Integration Specialist must ensure the most cost-efficient configuration has been proposed, and specify how the equipment will be supported, maintained, and integrated into the existing school technology infrastructure.
• Applications must be submitted via the superintendent’s office. Applications received directly from applicants will not be accepted for consideration.

Writing the Proposal
Successful applications will reflect thoughtful planning, clearly-stated content and context of the project, and assure appropriate use of Foundation funds.

Examples of well-written grants for reference:
ELA Grant
Technology Grant
Large Scale Grant

Grant Applicant Responsibilities:

• Review What is Funded, the REF Mission, and all Application Information before submitting an application
• Meet with REF grant committee to clarify grant request, if necessary
• Inform REF of any changes in the implementation of the project
• Include all descriptive information, quotes, and vendor information
• Notify REF if the grant recipient leaves the school system or changes positions before completion of the project
• Meet, if requested, with REF member(s) for a brief evaluation of the project. This will help REF better understand and support future requests

Community financial support and awareness is crucial as REF strives to enhance and increase educational opportunities for all Reading students. We ask that grant recipients, administrators, and teachers support REF’s mission with active and vigorous promotion of all grants.

Grant Recipient Responsibilities:

• Inform parents of the students involved in the project that it is REF-funded
• Present the project to other faculty members at teacher conferences and professional development sharing days
• Publicize the grant in PTO newsletters, Edline, the Reading Advocate, Reading Chronicle, and Reading Patch
• Forward a copy of any promotional print material or website link to REF Grant Committee
• Provide status reports and promotional materials in a timely manner when requested
• Verify student images shown in promotional material have signed release forms on file in school office
• Use the tag line “This project is supported by a grant from the Reading Education Foundation” both in writing and orally
• Attach REF stickers to all hardware

Download REF Grant App (Word) | Download REF Grant App (PDF)

Feel free to contact us with any questions: grantcommittee@readingef.org

 

AND our NEW Revolving Fund Grant Application – Click here to apply.

The REF Revolving Fund – The Intention of the fund is to enhance and increase education opportunities for all Reading Public School students by providing funds for teachers and administrators that will address immediate needs in the school or classroom.  This revolving fund is designed to be flexible in terms of its accessibility throughout the year and is considered separate from REF’s cyclical, larger scale grants that are intended to provide funding for initiatives and innovations that go beyond the scope of traditional classroom learning. Typical revolving fund grant awards will be in the range of $100-$500 and can serve as funding that fills an immediate education gap that exists in the classroom or school building and can involve equipment necessary to enhance teaching and learning.

Successful applications will reflect thoughtful planning, clearly-stated goas and/or outcomes of the request and assure appropriate use of Foundation funds.  Applicants are encouraged to partner with local PTOs to leverage both REF and PTO funds to increase the potential educational impact by combining funds.

Click HERE to apply online.  Once your request has been received, the Grants Committee of the Reading Education Foundation will review it and respond within 5 business days with any further questions and/or with notice of approval.  If the revolving fund grant request is approved, your building principal will be asked for final approval and then the funds will become available through the RPS Central Office.

What REF will fund as apart of this grant

• Supplies and equipment for which there is an immediate need
• Initiatives that enhance collaborative and creative participation in the classroom, across the grade(s), within a school building, or in partnership across several schools
• Community-building educational activities within the classroom or school-wide involving a specific project, program, or special speaker
• Grants that will lead to interdisciplinary projects or initiatives

What REF will not Fund as part of this grant

• Professional development (separate REF Funding through the RPS Central Office has been set aside for PD)
• Basic services that are part of the regular school budget (paper, toner, supplies, copiers, furniture, construction)
• Building and equipment maintenance, repairs and renovations