WHO CAN APPLY FOR AN EDUCATOR GRANT OR EMPLOYEE PD SCHOLARSHIP THROUGH THE FOUNDATION?

Any full-time Keller ISD employee can apply for the Foundation’s Educator Grant or Employee PD Scholarship. All you need to apply is a plan and your Keller ISD email address.

  

ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THE APPLICATION THIS YEAR?

There have been quite a few changes to the application this year. The biggest change is that we’ve increased the limit on grant projects from $2,500 for individual grant submissions to $5,000 for applications submitted on behalf of a group or team. We’ve created an easy-to-access training course that can help you through the application process! Click here to register or search for Keller ISD Foundation under the self-paced course catalog on KickUp.

 

HOW MANY EDUCATOR GRANT AND EMPLOYEE PD SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS CAN I SUBMIT?

You can submit up to 10 applications for both programs. However, you may only receive two Educator Grants and one Employee PD Scholarship.

  

HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I REQUEST?

We want to make sure that we can spread the love and award as many grants and scholarships as possible. This year, you can apply for up to $2,500 for an Educator Grant. If you are applying for an Educator Grant on behalf of a group or team, you can apply for up to $5,000. The Employee PD Scholarships limit your ask to $1,000.

WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS WILL THE FOUNDATION FUND THROUGH THE EDUCATOR GRANT PROGRAM?

The purpose of the Educator Grant program is to fund innovative and creative teaching approaches that enhance the learning experience.  We are especially interested in funding grants that allow teachers and staff to incorporate instructional tools and methods that benefit learning in new ways. Educator Grant proposals must align with the Keller ISD curriculum and strategic plan.

  

WHAT TYPES OF LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES CAN I APPLY FOR THROUGH THE EMPLOYEE PD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM?

Through the Employee PD Scholarship Program, the Foundation funds continuing education opportunities that support your professional learning goals, including certifications, conferences, or graduate and undergraduate courses. Professional Development proposals must align with the Keller ISD curriculum and strategic plan.

 

CAN I APPLY FOR BOTH AN EDUCATOR GRANT AND AN EMPLOYEE PD SCHOLARSHIP?

 Absolutely! You are welcome to apply for both an Educator Grant and an Employee PD Scholarship.

 

 I RECEIVED AN EDUCATOR GRANT OR EMPLOYEE PD SCHOLARSHIP BEFORE. CAN I APPLY AGAIN? 

Yes! You are still eligible to apply if you’ve won a grant or scholarship in a prior year.

 

I APPLIED FOR A GRANT OR SCHOLARSHIP LAST YEAR BUT WASN’T SUCCESSFUL. HOW CAN I BOOSE MY CHANCES OF SUCCESS THIS TIME AROUND?

Don’t give up! Many applicants don’t receive a grant or scholarship on their first try and often receive them the next time they apply. If you have questions about your application, we encourage you to contact the Foundation office or reach out to a previous grant or scholarship recipient on your campus or in your department.

  

WILL THE PEOPLE WHO REVIEW MY APPLICATION KNOW WHERE I WORK?

All applications are evaluated through a blind review process. We ask that the Foundation’s grant and scholarship committees review every application on its own merit. To this end, please refrain from putting any identifying information in your response unless you are specifically asked for that information. The committee will automatically deny any applications containing identifying information past section 3 of the application.

  

I WANT TO SUBMIT AN EDUCATOR GRANT APPLICATION WITH SEVERAL COLLEAGUES. IS THAT ALLOWED? 

Most definitely! We encourage collaboration. Just remember to include your team members’ names on your grant application.

 

 OOPS, I FORGOT TO INCLUDE SHIPPING AND HANDLING IN MY EDUCATOR GRANT BUDGET, AND NOW I NEED ANOTHER $200 TO COMPLETE MY ORDER! MAY I ASK THE FOUNDATION FOR MORE MONEY AFTER THE FACT?

Each year, the Foundation awards all of the money it raises for the Educator Grant program.  Typically, we do not have extra funds to cover budget amendments. Please include shipping and handling and all costs related to your grant proposal in your initial budget.

  

WHAT IF I WANT TO PREVIEW THE APPLICATION BEFORE I GET STARTED?

 Great idea! Here’s the list of questions that will appear on the Educator Grant and Employee PD Scholarship applications.

 

I’M WORKING ON MY GRANT BUDGET. HOW DO I KNOW IF THE VENDOR THAT I WANT TO USE IS A KELLER ISD APPROVED VENDOR?

The Keller ISD purchasing department has put together a list of approved vendors with their vendor IDs. You can either look up the list on KCloud or talk with your campus secretary or accountant. 

  

How will I know if I receive a grant or scholarship?

We are currently making plans so that our grant and scholarship announcements are special and celebrate you! Grant winners will be notified sometime in December or January. 

 

HOW CAN I RECOGNIZE THE KISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION IF I RECEIVE AN EDUCATOR GRANT OR EMPLOYEE PD SCHOLARSHIP?

What a great question! Thank you for asking! You can do several things to announce your award and help us build awareness about the Foundation’s role within our community. (1) Send a letter or email to parents announcing your award and how it will benefit their children. (2) Submit an article to your campus newsletter and host a training on your grant or scholarship. (3) Tell your friends and neighbors – and direct them to the Foundation’s website to learn more about what we do.  (4) Place stickers on supplies purchased with Foundation funds that say, “Purchased by the KISD Education Foundation, kisdfoundation.net.” Feel free to contact us at (817) 744-1050 or info@kisdfoundation.net if you have other ideas.

  

I’M READY TO SUBMIT MY APPLICATION. NOW WHAT?

That’s great news! You are more than welcome to download the application questions to prepare. Here’s the list of questions that will appear on the Educator Grant and Employee PD Scholarship applications. Then, on August 1st, simply log onto KCloud, look for the KISD Education Foundation icon and start writing. You can do it.