GRANT FAQS

Who can apply for a grant?

Faculty, staff, and students of the Westerville City School District may apply. 

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When can I apply?

We have 2 grant cycles annually -- fall and spring. Grant applications for fall 2024 are not yet open.

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How do I apply?

Applications must be submitted via the Google form found here:

Grant Application Site. We are no longer accepting paper applications.

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How much money can I request?

Grants are intended for innovative and creative projects,

so ask for what you need for your program or idea.

Grants typically range from a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars.

However, we do not cap the application request amounts.

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What needs to be included in my application?

• A proposal, discussing the grant criteria

• A detailed budget

• A timeline for implementation

• A photo of the applicants

• A plan for the assessment of the educational outcomes

• You may include a short video about your idea if you would like
   

What are the funding criteria?

• All technology and software-related requests must be reviewed by the District to ensure District-level support is possible. If there is a pedagogically important reason to request software or hardware that is not supported by the District, you need to plan for how you can obtain technical assistance in the event of any problems. We encourage you to have that conversation with IT representatives in advance of your submission.

• Any requests impacting the buildings or grounds must be reviewed by the District. We encourage you to have that conversation in advance of submission;

• All goods and services purchased through the grant must use the District Purchase Order process;

• Funding requests for grants should not include:

  • Supplies normally provided by the School (e.g., scissors, paper, etc.). If all funds for classroom supplies have been expended, these may be more appropriately paid for by encouraging donors to donate to your classroom directly (enter your name on our donation form). 

  • Requests for diverse book collections. Those requests should be made through our Many Voices project;

  • Travel for students (consider sending donors to our donation page and having them enter your project's name to dedicate funds for field trip support); or

  • Travel or professional development for faculty/staff unless training is explicitly tied to the project (e.g. how to use a piece of software).

• Materials purchased using WEF grant funding become the property of Westerville City Schools.

• We encourage you to seek funding from other sources, as necessary.

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What are the additional requirements?

• Grantees are required to email WEF a progress update within 3 months of the project start date. 

• Grantees are required to email WEF within 30 days of the project end date with a summary of project outcomes.

• Grantees are expected to share the results of their innovation project with the Westerville education community (e.g., staff meetings, and WE Day presentation).

• Grantees are required to submit three photos of their grant-funded project, without student faces by May 1, 2024. These photos will be used in our social media posts and website to highlight the projects funded by the WEF. Additional details are included in the application. 

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If you have general questions or comments regarding our grant process, please contact us. 

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