ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS (Can I apply...)

• Can you apply for and/or win more than one grant in the same year?

For the most part. The only grant that has a restriction is the Study Group Grant. If you win a Study Group Coach grant, you are ineligible for a Team Member grant. Other than that, you can win any or all of our grants during the year, but only one of each type of grant. Also remember that teachers can only win the Fund for Teachers grant once every five years.

• Can you submit more than one application per grant?

You can submit more than one application for both Small Grants and Study Group Coach Grants. However, you can only win one of each type of grant. If more than one of your applications are selected as winners, we will contact you and find out which grant you would most like to be awarded. It is not necessary to submit more than one Study Group Team Member Grant application because you have the opportunity to indicate a first and second choice on the application.

• Can I apply for a Study Group Coach Grant based on a Small Grant I won?

Yes. Keep in mind that Study Group Coach Grants require you to outline an Instructional Strategy, so a Small Grant project may be one component of a larger Instructional Strategy outlined in your application.

• Can I apply for a Small Grant or Study Group Coach Grant based on a project or Instructional Strategy that I implemented several years ago, or does it have to be more recent?

Yes. There is no specific guideline for how recent the idea must be.

• I'm a resource teacher/librarian/counselor/school nurse/assistant principal. Can I apply for a grant even though I don't have a regular classroom?

You must be "highly qualified" as defined by NCLB and/or ISBE certified. Due to limited funds, we don't have the resources to fund grants for classroom aides and teaching assistants.

• Can teachers at charter schools apply for a grant?

Yes, as long as you are a PreK-8 teacher and meet the guidelines outlined in the above question. In general, any school that is considered a Chicago Public School and has students in grades PreK-8 is eligible. If your school is in a special situation, call the CFE office to check on eligibility.

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GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES AND PROCESS

• Why must every project be an original idea? I do some things every year because they work.

Although it's true that the same teaching tools are used over and over, CFE looks at how a teacher puts together those methods and materials to meet the unique needs of his/her students. (Obviously, a project must be more than simply a purchased "off-the-shelf" program.)  For grant ideas and inspiration, see examples of previous grants we've  awarded at our Lesson Plan Database.

• All I really need are books (or art supplies, sports equipment, a digital camera, etc.) Can't I just ask for money to buy books for my classroom library, without having to think of a "creative project?"

CFE values quality, innovation, and continuous improvement in Chicago's public schools. Although we recognize the necessity of adequate classroom supplies and equipment, we try to fund and publicize projects that will expand teachers' instructional repertoire for reaching all children.

• What things won't a CFE grant pay for?

CFE grant money cannot be used to pay for a CPS employee, and grant money may not be used to purchase materials or experiences that are obviously inappropriate for the ages or abilities of a teacher's students. But anything else is possible, as long as it is part of a stimulating activity in which students are actively involved and is an integral component of the curricular project or instructional strategy.

• Although CFE says that the teacher gets the grant, my principal says that all grant money coming into our school must be "signed over to him/her," that it's "policy." Is that true?

Every CFE grant check is made payable to the teacher(s) who submitted the winning application. We have used this protocol successfully for many years, distributing thousands of grants to Chicago public school teachers. If you encounter such a problem in your school, call the CFE office (312-670-2323) and we'll talk to your principal.

• Why is a Study Group Coach grant worth twice as much as a Small Grant? I've seen Small Grant presentations at the Workshop that were just as creative as some of the Study Group Coach strategies.

In addition to implementing a strategy in their classrooms, Study Group Coaches' responsibilities include attending an all-day training session, assembling a Study Group packet for team members, preparing for 12 hours of Study Group meetings, facilitating meetings and submitting documentation from each of the Study Group meetings.

• What about an after-school project? Will CFE give a grant for something that involves only about a dozen kids meeting after or before school?

Yes. We fund many grants like this every year.

• I want to work with my kids' parents. Could I get a grant that focuses on parental involvement?

Absolutely! Some of the most effective projects CFE has funded are designed to get parents involved with what's going on in their children's classroom.

• I am an individual grant winner. If I change schools, can I take my grant materials to my new school?

Yes, if you stay within the CPS system. CFE intends for all project materials to stay within Chicago's public schools, where they will continue to enhance the educational experience of Chicago's children. If you are moving to a school outside of CPS, materials should be left behind in your last Chicago Public School. Either way, please contact CFE's office so we can update our records.

• I won a grant as a part of a team and I'm changing schools. Do the materials come with me or stay at the school.

If you are part of a team, all materials and equipment will stay with the remaining team members at the school listed on the application. If the team leader leaves the school, somebody from the team should notify CFE immediately, with the name of a new team leader who will assume the implementation of the project.

• What about budget discrepancies? I'm afraid I may have over OR underestimated the cost of some of the materials. What should I do in either case? Will this affect my eligibility for CFE grants in the future?

If you didn't spend the entire grant amount, please send the difference back to CFE if it is more than $5.00. This money will go towards a future CFE grant. If you spent more than the total amount of the budget and grant, you will need to pay for the additional materials with other funds. When you complete your Final Report form, you will have the chance to explain any discrepancies. Unless the discrepancy is a major one, this will not affect any future grants with CFE.

• What should I do if I lose a receipt?

If you lose a receipt, call CFE's office in order to arrange an alternative method of verification of your purchase. CFE asks for receipts for two reasons:

- We need to be sure CFE grant money is spent for items on your approved budget.

- Tax purposes: we are required to prove to the IRS that the money was not income.

• I want to write a Small Grant for a project that is more than the grant award. If I can find another funding source for the remaining costs, could I apply for a Small Grant, even though the budget would exceed the grant amount?

We do not recommend writing a grant for a project that exceeds our grant maximums. However, your application will be considered, as long as you make clear in your application how you plan to make up for the difference in cost.

• I have trouble fitting everything into the blanks on CFE's applications. (I no longer have a typewriter and my printing is terrible!) Are the grant applications on-line?

Yes! Applications are available on our website at www.cfeteachergrants.org. You have the option of just printing out a blank application, or of actually filling out the application form on the computer and then printing it. However, you cannot submit the application on-line. You must still print it, have your principal sign it, and mail it to CFE.

• What percentage of applicants get awarded grants?

On average over 60% of applicants are awarded grants.

• When will we hear if we won, and when will the money be awarded?

Small Grants: you will be notified if you won in December, and the check will be sent in early January.

Study Group Coach Grants: you will be notified in early February, and $300 will be distributed at the first training sessions in late spring. The $500 stipend will be awarded upon receipt of your Final Report after you have completed your Study Group meetings.

Study Group Team Grants: you will be notified in early May, and checks will be mailed in the fall.

Fund for Teachers Grants: you will be notified in early April.

Teachers Network Leadership Institute: About one month after applications are due, you will be notified about moving to the second round of the application process. Those proceeding will move on to the interview phase of the application process.

• Is the grant taxable to me?

No. It is not considered income if you provide CFE with your receipts. If you fail to provide CFE with receipts and the total dollar amount you receive during the calendar year exceeds $600, you will be issued a 1099 tax form.

• Will I get a grant if my school already gets a lot of CFE grants?

Absolutely, although grants are awarded partially based on need.

• Will my chances improve if I get my application in early?

No, all grants are reviewed just following the deadline. When your grant is being read we have no idea when it was submitted. However, keep in mind that your application will not be considered if it arrives postmarked after the deadline.

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GRANT FEEDBACK AND GRANT WRITING HELP

• I applied last year and didn't win, but I know my idea was a good one! Can I find out why I didn't win?

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, we are not able to give feedback on each one, but some of the most common reasons are:

• Budget discrepancies. Make sure your budget adds up correctly, and that the items you include make sense for your project.
• The project isn't clear. For example, let's say you want books to help teach Character Education. Instead of just saying that, make sure you describe a creative project that will incorporate them. Think of writing your grant as creating a curricular unit.

We also recommend that teachers take advantage of opportunities CFE offers for grant writing help (see next question).

• Is there any way to get feedback on a grant that did not win?

Since we have a very small staff, it is simply not feasible to give feedback on each grant application. However, you could bring a copy of your application to the one-on-one grant-writing help sessions at the Creative Classrooms Workshop or to any grant writing workshop. Your school can also request a Teacher-to-Teacher Grant-writing Workshop for your staff.

• How can I get help in writing grants? I have applied several years but have never won.

There are many possible ways. The best way is to attend a one-on-one grant-writing help session at the Creative Classrooms Workshop, where you'll receive individual attention and answers. We also offer grant writing workshop throughout the year. Click here for a list of any upcoming workshop. Or you may consider applying for a Study Group Team Member Grant, our easiest grant application, to try something new with your children and break through the "grant barrier" you've encountered. Your school can also request a Teacher-to-Teacher Grant-writing Workshop for your staff.

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CPDU CREDITS

• How do we get our CPDU credits for attending the workshop?

At the end of the day of the workshop, you will return to the registration tables to pick up your certificate and the paperwork that you need to get your CPDU credits. Details will be in the Workshop Catalog on the exact time and location to pick up the materials. It is up to you to file the paperwork to actually get the credits. We just give you the proof that you need to apply for them. If you are unsure of the process, check with your principal.

• Are CPDU credits available for Teacher-to-Teacher Grant-writing Workshops requested by schools?