ALL applications for the three categories must be received by TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014. Please note there are new grant guidelines, rubrics and applications. Read each document carefully to ensure your grant application follows guidelines. Also new, mini grants are now awarded up to $400.

Coming soon – Examples of successful grant applications!

• “BEYOND THE BOX” ~ One grant will be awarded in this category for an exceptional grant. The maximum amount available is $10,000 (funded by a private foundation). Learn more.
• “STANDARD” ~ Grants awarded in this category are limited to requests for more than $400 and less than $5,001. Learn more.
• “MINI” ~ Grants awarded in this category are limited to $400 or less. Learn more.

Follow the links above to find the grant timeline, guidelines, rubric and application.

Get writing tips for Beyond the Books Grants

Karen Riccio, Bent Elementary Media Specialist and Grant Winner

Grant-Winner and Bent media specialist Karen Riccio requested monies for new books and a very special event for children AND their families.

According to Riccio, the goal of the project was to create a welcoming and inviting environment and literacy celebration for Bent’s Spanish-speaking families.

Over 150 new books were purchased. School staff and many volunteers worked to help families discover new books and emphasize the importance of reading together at home. Creating that home/school connection was an important goal of the “book tasting”. Also important was the sense of community that was fostered at the event. Children and their parents browsed the brand new books, each of which displayed a book plate acknowledging Beyond the Books.

The cafeteria was filled with laughter and smiling faces as guests enjoyed a long table of homemade tamales, casseroles and treats. Kids really enjoyed the chance to decorate their very own book bag. Families browsed the beautiful new books and also visited with Donna Leary from the Bloomington Public Library to sign up for library cards.

Last spring, Beyond the Books awarded Cedar Ridge Elementary a grant for a large cross-curricular program revolving around The Nutcracker. The money will be used for busing all students in grades 1 through 5 to attend the Twin Cities Ballet Company production of the Nutcracker on December 6th. In P.E., Amanda Zehr and Jeff Wolter are teaching a unit on dance, with the assistance of the LBS1 teacher, Marielena Gozur. In music, Michelle Hardwick will teach a unit on the Nutcracker Suite. In the library, IMC Specialist Patricia Ziebart will be reading and helping students to compare two versions of the Nutcracker story. Read the rest of this entry »

Educators in Unit 5 and District 87 submitted 102 applications requesting a total of $145,021.  The Foundation awarded $32,000 toward 48 projects.  Since 1992, $428,484 has been awarded to support 628 projects. Read the rest of this entry »