Overview and Purpose:
The Bozeman Schools Foundation Spark Grant program provides opportunities for teachers and students to learn in new environments, experience creative teaching methods, and facilitate social and academic out-of-school experiences for students who need enrichment and support.
Annual Giving Amount: $25,000
If you’d like to support Spark Grants, click here: Donate
Process:
Teachers and staff can submit applications in the fall of each year for amounts up to $3,000. Applicants will provide information on their project, the amount needed, and how the Spark Grant would help their educational enhancement needs.
The BSF Spark Grant Committee, which is comprised of community members and BSF board members, will review each Spark Grant application. The applications will be evaluated individually and on their own merits, subject to meeting the grant application criteria. No quotas will be set by the specific school, grade or subject matter. The BSF Grant Committee will make all final decisions on grant funding.
Timeline:
Teachers and staff can submit applications in the fall (specific dates to be provided each year).
The selection process will begin immediately after the application deadline, and applicants will be notified of the Foundation’s selections no later than two weeks after the application deadline.
Grant recipients will have a 12-month period for program implementation beginning November through June of each year. We encourage applicants to use all funds by the end of the school year, if possible.
Types of Grants We Like to Fund:
- Pilot projects that “spark” district or school-wide implications once the grant period has ended
- Classroom projects aimed at improving student performance in a classroom setting, including collaboration with other teachers, parents, etc.
- School collaboration projects aimed at connecting various grade levels or an entire school in a program or project
- Projects that combine school curriculum with activities that partner with the community
- Programs specifically designed for at-risk students
- Programs that encourage differentiated instruction
- Programs that take students out of the normal classroom setting (i.e. outdoor activities, activities that allow students to apply learning to real world experiences, etc.)
- Projects led by students and or student-run clubs with the oversight of an adult district advisor (district advisor’s name and contact information must be included on application)
- Creative projects that work with many different learning styles
- Projects that pilot new technology in a well thought-out, student-centered way
- Projects that can be replicated year after year (sustainability)
Grants We Cannot Fund:
- Food for events
- District-required textbooks
- Projects that are intended to create a non-profit or for-profit venture
- Professional development
- Reimbursement for previously incurred expenses
- Substitute teachers
- Stipends to pay BSD teachers for summer/extra work
- Individual student scholarships for travel
- Projects that cannot be implemented within one year
- Projects written by anyone other than Bozeman School District teachers, staff and students
- Projects that have not been approved by a department head and or school principal