New York State Mentor Teacher Internship Program

Education Department

Competitive funds in the amount of $10 million are available for the development and implementation of mentor teacher internship programs in local school districts and for instructional programs at boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES). Funding for this program is subject to yearly approval by the New York State Legislature. These programs enable experienced teachers (mentors) in a district or BOCES to provide guidance and support to beginning teachers in their first or second year of teaching. Essential components of these programs include: joint program development by school administration and local teachers' bargaining agents; release time for mentor and interns to participate; program focus on the mentor/intern relationship; defined mentor selection process; mentor training; described activities for mentors and interns; described role of principals; and program evaluation. Allowable program expenditures include: costs related to release from instructional time for participating teachers, training for participating teachers, program coordination costs, supplies and materials, travel costs, and program evaluation. Equipment purchases are not allowable program expenditures.
ELIGIBILITY:  BOCES schools and public school districts in New York State.
FUNDING:  A total of $10 million.
DEADLINE:  July 1, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Nancy Brennan, Office of Teaching Initiatives, Room 5N EB, Albany, NY 12234; Phone: 518-474-4661; e-mail: nbrennan@mail.nysed.gov.

Career Pathways Grants

Education Department

The Office of Curriculum and Instructional Support has announced the availability of approximately $5 million to fund Career Pathways Grants for the 2007-08 school year. Programs must be designed to lead students to a two-year associate or four-year bachelor's degree or a two-year certificate. They must develop and maintain comprehensive linkages between secondary schools and postsecondary educational institutions. Programs must provide technical preparation in at least one of the following fields: engineering technology, applied science, mechanical, industrial, practical art or trade, agriculture, health or business.
ELIGIBILITY:  School districts, BOCES, postsecondary institutions and educational opportunity centers.
FUNDING:  Approximately $5 million.
DEADLINE:   June 11, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Bernard McInerney at 518-474-4157.

Homeless Children and Youth Grants

Education Department

The Office of School Improvement and Community Services has announced the availability of approximately $4.9 million for the 2007-08 school year for grants to provide services to homeless children and youth. Programs developed under this grant are intended to ensure that children who are homeless will receive equal access to educational programs. Funds may be used for educational support services, parent education, staff development and other support services to homeless children, youth and their families.
ELIGIBILITY:  Public school districts, charter schools and BOCES.
FUNDING:  Approximately $4.9 million.
DEADLINE:  June 11, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Patricia McGuirk at 518-474-5283.

. . . On the Federal Level

Small, Rural School Achievement Program

U.S. Department of Education

Under the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) Program, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) awards grants on a formula basis to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) to address the unique needs of rural school districts. If an eligible LEA submitted an application for SRSA grant funds in a prior year, it is considered to have met the application requirement based on its previously submitted application and does not have to submit a new application to the Department to receive its fiscal year 2007 SRSA grant award. An eligible LEA that is required to submit an application (in other words, an LEA that did not submit an application in a prior year) must do so by the deadline in this notice in order to receive its grant award by September 30, 2007. An eligible LEA that is required to submit an application and does not do so by the deadline in this notice might not receive its grant award until after September 30, 2007.
ELIGIBILITY:  The total number of students in average daily attendance at all of the schools served by the LEA (Local Education Agency) is fewer than 600, or each county in which a school served by the LEA is located has a total population density of fewer than 10 persons per square mile; and all of the schools served by the LEA are designated with a school locale code of 7 or 8 by the Department’s National Center for Education Statistics, or the Secretary has determined, based on a demonstration by the LEA and concurrence of the SEA, that the LEA is located in an area defined as rural by a governmental agency of the state.
FUNDING:  Varies depending on need.
DEADLINE:  June 1, 2007, 4:30 PM (EST).
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Robert Hitchcock, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3E243, Washington, DC 20202; Phone: 202-401-0039; E-mail: reap@ed.gov.

. . . Foundations and Organizations

Save Our History Grant Program

History Channel

The Save Our History Grants Program inspires youth to become the preservationists of tomorrow. Museums, historic sites, historical societies, preservation organizations, libraries, and archives are invited to partner with a local school or youth group and apply for funding to help preserve the history of their communities. Important history exists in community neighborhoods, buildings, schools, monuments, cemeteries, documents, and cultural traditions and can be used to enliven the study of history and instill pride in our youth. Save Our History grants fund projects that put these valuable resources to work.
The key to a Save Our History grant project is a partnership between a history organization, museum, historical society, preservation organization, archive, library, or a government agency and a school district, a coalition of schools, one school, or an organization that provides educational programming for children. The collaboration between these partners provides a unique basis for students to experience the history of their community through hands-on preservation based projects.
ELIGIBILITY:  Eligible applicants are required to be nonprofit 501(c)(3) history organizations such as a museum, historical society, preservation organization, historic site, library, archive, or other history organization; applicant organizations must be located in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia; other eligible applicants include local government agencies such as a parks and recreation commission, historic commission, department of local history, or other local government agency that owns and/or operates a historic site or property; eligible applicants must partner with a local elementary, middle, or high school, or an organization that provides educational programming for children of similar ages. Applicants may partner with multiple schools or educational organizations; eligible applicants must submit the application on behalf of their partner school(s) or educational organization(s) as the school(s) or educational organization(s) are not eligible to be the applicant. Organizations that have received a Save Our History grant in the last three years are not eligible to apply.
FUNDING:  The History Channel will again award $250,000 in grants of up to $10,000.
DEADLINE:  June 1, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  http://www.history.com/minisites/saveourhistory/

. . . Grant Writing

Grantsmanship Center

The Grantsmanship Training Program is coming to New York: East Farmingdale, June 4-8, 2007, hosted by Molloy College.

The classes will be conducted by The Grantsmanship Center and are kept at a maximum of 30 participants. The cost is $825, which includes one-year enrollment in the TGCI Membership Program. A limited number of half-tuition scholarships are available to agencies with annual budgets of less than $300,000.

To register, or to apply for a scholarship, contact TGCI at (800) 421-9512 or visit www.tgci.com.

For local information for the East Farmingdale Event, contact: Dr. Sherry Radowitz at (516) 678-5000 or by e-mail: sradowitz@molloy.edu.

Foundation Center

The Foundation Center has scheduled the following free training opportunities during May 2007:

Grantseeking Basics: Attendees will learn how the Center’s resources can help make them more effective grantseekers. For beginners, this introduction to the library provides instruction in foundation research and identification of potential funders. A tour of the library will follow. May 9, May 18, May 24 and May 29

Proposal Writing Basics: Attendees will learn about the basics of writing a proposal for their nonprofit organizations. May 7, May 15, and May 22

Introduction to the Foundation Directory Online: This session provides a hands-on introduction to the Center’s comprehensive Web subscription database. May 24 and May 29

How to Approach a Foundation: Attendees will learn how to initiate contact with potential funders; plan calls and meetings; and build partnerships with donors. This class is intended for fundraisers with some experience, though not necessarily with foundations. May 17 and June 19

Classes are held at The Foundation Center, New York Library, 79 Fifth Avenue, 2nd Floor in New York City. Space is limited and you can register online at www.fdncenter.org, in person, or by calling (212) 620-4230. You may also visit the Web site for information on other training opportunities available through the Center.