Good Classrooms for Grand Rapids Minigrant Program

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Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund

New Name, Same Great Minigrant Program

The Community Foundation is pleased to announce that the Excellence in Education Minigrant Program has a new name!

Starting this school year, the program will be called Good Classrooms for Grand Rapids. This change will better align the program with the Community Foundation's strategies for ensuring a quality education for all children. Questions or comments regarding this change may be directed to Cris Kooyer, youth program officer at .

Good Classrooms Guidelines and How to Apply

Minigrants will be awarded for:

Single Classroom Minigrants of up to $1,500 for single classroom projects which address at least one of the Benchmarks for Student Success.
Multiple Classroom Minigrants of up to $3,000 for multi-classroom projects that show evidence of cooperative planning and teaching, and address one of the Benchmarks for Student Success.

All teachers in Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grand Rapids Diocesan Catholic Schools, Grand Rapids Christian Schools, and Public School Academies located within the City of Grand Rapids may apply.

Minigrant proposals must address one or more of the following Benchmarks for Student Success:
1. Student achievement
2. Student attendance
3. Leadership and educational vitality
4. Data-driven decision making
5. Rigorous curriculum and instruction
6. Student focus and supports
7. School culture
8. Professional community
9. School, family and community partnerships

Grant funds are for new projects or programs, program enhancement within the curriculum framework, expansion of an existing unit, student awards, special events, professional development opportunities, experts-in-residence and parent involvement programs. Funds may be used only for the project for which funds are awarded. Applications seeking funds for student field trips will not be considered unless the field trips are part of a planned educational unit, are essential to the successful completion of that unit and represent 25 percent or less of the total grant request.

Applications will be reviewed and screened by a selection committee representing public and private schools in the City of Grand Rapids. Awards will be announced in November and funds will be available after that time.

Student Innovative Minigrants

Student Innovative Minigrants are designed to introduce the concept of a community foundation and its work by supplying educational and funding opportunities for innovative ideas generated by students in the 6th to 12th grade. To learn more about Student Innovative Minigrants click here.

About Good Classrooms for Grand Rapids

Good Classrooms for Grand Rapids minigrants are supported by funding from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Since 1987 over $1 million has been awarded through this program, formerly known as Excellence in Education. Good Classrooms for Grand Rapids Minigrants are designed to:

demonstrate the Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s commitment to assure a quality education for every child in the City of Grand Rapids
assist educators to become more proficient in their ability to teach and engage their students
encourage collaboration among educators, parents and community groups

To download information about the Good Classrooms for Grand Rapids Program click here.

If you have questions regarding the Good Classrooms for Grand Rapids Program or application process, please contact Cris Kooyer, youth program officer at 616.454.1751 x118 or .