Grant Guidelines

Option 1: Any full-time, certified teacher or administrator is eligible to submit an application for an INDIVIDUAL teacher grant requesting funding up to $1000 per proposal. One grant proposal per teacher may be submitted. INDIVIDUAL teacher grants may request partial or full project funding.

Option 2: A team of full-time, certified teachers may request up to $5000 per grant proposal within a single grant season. A TEAM of teachers (full-time, certified) is defined by the individual school. It may consist of a grade-level team, a cross-curricular team, a subject-specific team, a school-wide team, etc. Teachers submitting a TEAM proposal are NOT eligible to submit an INDIVIDUAL proposal.

It is highly recommended that all teachers (first-time submitters and those who have submitted past grants) attend the Teacher Grant Workshop on Saturday, August 26^th, 2023 at 9:30 at the PIE Center (2337 Parker Street, Cleveland, TN 37311) for the latest information on changes to the process and tips for writing successful grant proposals.

• All teacher grant (INDIVIDUAL or TEAM) applications submitted by the deadline will be evaluated by a team of independent evaluators. The Educational Family Committee members form the nucleus of the evaluation team and the Grants Committee will make final award determinations. All applicants will be notified by e-mail when their application is received by the Foundation office.
• All submissions must use the online process. Hard copies will not be accepted.
• Complete the online Cover Sheet. When completed, the Cover sheet will contain all necessary identifying information. It is critical that you use the same title on your cover sheet and application. Evaluation and scoring will be performed with the Coversheet removed to ensure a non-prejudicial process.

• All applicants will be notified of award or non-award. Upon official notification of award, recipients may purchase only materials specified in the grant. The BCPEF Executive Director must approve any changes in use of grant funds. Grant funds may not be over-spent. Funds not spent will revert to BCPEF. Grant projects must be completed, and final expenditures made by April 15.
• When making purchases, use school purchase orders. After materials have been received, complete the Reimbursement Request by May 1 (use the online form or download and print ) and attach all invoice copies. Submit to school bookkeeper who will submit to BCPEF in order for the school to receive reimbursement.

• Grant recipients will be notified identifying the specific donor who has funded the grant. The recipient must write a letter thanking the donor(s) for supporting the project through BCPEF, enclosing photos or class art work or other materials as appropriate. Send a copy to BCPEF.
• At the conclusion of the project or by May 15, the recipient must submit a Project Evaluation Report to the Foundation office by e-mail/pdf attachment. The report must include at a minimum:
  • Results including Student Impact (incl. # of students)
  • Itemized financial report
  • Photos as appropriate which can be used for Foundation publicity
  • Copies of communication with donor(s)
• Project evaluation reports are due no later than May 15.

• Teacher Grant Workshop Saturday, August 26th, 2023 at 9:30am at the Pie Center, (2337 Parker St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311) – Please Register for this event.
• Grant application deadline: September 22nd, 2023 at 5:00pm
• Award notification: October 23, 2023
• Required Meeting for awardees on ZOOM. (Awardees must be present LIVE): Thursday, October 25th 2023 at 3:45pm
• Thank you letters to donor(s) asap upon assignment (usually January)
• Projects completed and purchases made: April 15, 2024
• Reimbursement requests: May 1, 2024
• Flip Grid Report Due: April 17, 2024
• Project evaluation report (metrics) due: May 13, 2024