Flint Community Schools :: Flint Classroom Support Fund

The Flint Classroom Support Fund exists to enrich and strengthen the learning experiences of Flint Community Schools' students. The Great Idea Grant program does this by providing funds to support classroom and school-wide projects, which enable creative teaching ideas to become realities.

Flint Classroom Support Fund Grant Review Process

Who reviews grants?

Teacher grants are reviewed by teams of community volunteers,
retired teachers and college professors. Each application is read
by three reviewers before the teams meet and prioritize their
grants. The team categories are:

Cradle School and Kindergarten
Grades 1 - 3
Grades 4 - 6
Middle School
Secondary plus Adult High School

The program committee of the Flint Classroom Support Fund
selects the Principal/School grants and reviews the
recommendations for the Teacher/Support Staff Grants.

All grants are submitted to the Flint Classroom Support Fund's
Board of Trustees for approval at their December meeting.

What criteria are considered in the review of grants?

1. First and foremost, does the proposal contain a "great idea"?
This is the critical issue! Good ideas are noted for their merit; however, great ideas are funded.

2. Does the "idea" have a clear purpose? Does it implement a creative project?
Does it enrich or motivate students and/or teachers?

3. Does the proposal create learning interaction between the…
        …students and the project
        …students and teachers
        …students and students
        …students and community

4. Are purchases integral to the project and not simply add-ons?

5. Is purchasing equipment the only way or the best way to allow this
program to happen? To determine if it is, choose the idea first, and
then ask if it can happen without the purchase.

6. How many students benefit from this proposal?

7. Will the project be on-going or a one-time activity? If the proposal
has only a limited life, does it have a strong impact on the students
and teacher(s)?

8. Is the grant integrated into more than one area of the curriculum?

9. Are the proposal's goals clear and realistic?

10. Will this proposal support one or more of the district's long range
plans, or goals.

11. Does the proposal promote continuous improvement in education?

The primary beneficiaries of the grant must be the students.

Although community involvement is viewed favorably, it is not
a requirement for a teacher or school grant project. Community
involvement is defined in terms of human services.

The grant process is competitive.

Limited funds and high standards of reviewers mean some requests
may be denied. Grant requests may be redeveloped and submitted
again for a later round.

All teachers and school grant applications are reviewed anonymously.

The reviewers read photocopies of the original applications with the
personal sections deleted.

At times, partial funding for grants may be awarded. A teacher, support
staff member or principal may refuse a grant if their guidelines cannot be met or it is felt that partial funding would change the intent of the designed project.

Applicants are reminded that the proposals are read by community volunteers, retired educators and trustees of the Flint Classroom Support Fund. They should not use acronyms, "buzz words," or educational language that might raise questions or cause confusion.

The grant review process is anonymous . There should not be any reference to the applicant, buildings, communities, etc. in the grant narrative or in answers to other application questions that would jeopardize the anonymous review process.

Applicants must notify the building principal of the proposed project .