Small Grants

Chicago Foundation for Education awards $500 Small Grants to CPS elementary school teachers with innovative, creative classroom ideas that will enhance student learning. Grants provide teachers the resources needed to develop an effective curricular project that engages students, improves learning and aligns with Chicago Academic Standards. Individuals or teams of teachers may apply for a Small Grant to develop and implement new project ideas in their classrooms. All Chicago public elementary school educators (grades Pre-K through 8) are eligible to apply -- bring your creative classroom concepts to life with a CFE Small Grant!

CFE awards Character Education Bonuses ($100) to those teachers whose projects focus on effectively integrating Character Education into other subject areas. Character Education Bonus winners will receive an extra $100 (for a total of $600 granted) to pay for resources and materials for their project.

What is the $500 Small Grant?

The $500 Small Grant enables CPS elementary teachers to design and implement their own innovative curricular project. Individuals or teams of teachers may apply. A $100 bonus is also offered for projects designed to meet the character education needs of students. The application deadline for the 2008-09 Small Grant is Tuesday, October 14, 2008.

How do I apply?

The online application for the 2008-09 $500 Small Grant will be available soon! 

However…you don’t need to wait to get started! The 2008-09 application questions are listed below. Please keep in mind the following as you are crafting your application:

·          There is a 1000 character limit (including spaces) for each question.

·          We recommend you create and save your proposal using a word processor. Do not format your text (i.e. bold, italic, underline). Once you paste your response in a text box, it will be converted to "plain text" and strip any formatting from your text.

·          For tips on writing successful grants, click here.

·          For Frequently Asked Questions about CFE grants, click here.

2008-09 SMALL GRANT APPLICATION QUESTIONS

1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION/RATIONALE:  Briefly summarize your project and the need for materials and resources outlined in your budget.

2. STUDENT IMPACT/ASSESSMENT:  Describe how students will benefit from this project and list the evaluation tools you will use to assess the impact on student learning.

3. ACTIVITIES/STANDARDS:  List the key activities in which your students will be involved and how the activities address Illinois State Standards.

4. BUDGET:  Items purchased must be integral to this project.  Itemize your budget requests by including all materials, equipment, and sources of supplies along with the cost of each item. Your budget should not exceed $500;* the $100 Character Education Bonus budget will be listed in a later section.**  

*Do NOT include sales tax in budget. Money cannot be used to pay district personnel.

**If you wish to apply for an additional $100 to integrate Character Education goals, please see the following section.

$100 CHARACTER EDUCATION BONUS (additional application questions):

CFE will award Character Education bonuses to those teachers whose projects focus on effectively integrating Character Education into the major Subject Area of their grant. Those teachers who are awarded Character Education Bonuses will receive an extra $100 to pay for materials and resources for their project.

1. CHARACTER EDUCATION INTEGRATION:  Briefly summarize how Character Education principles and concepts are integrated into the major subject area of your grant.

2.STUDENT IMPACT:  Explain how your students would benefit from the Character Education component(s) of this project.

3.BUDGET:  Itemize the additional materials you would purchase if you are awarded a $100 Character Education Bonus.

4.BUDGET EXPLANATION:  Explain how budget items (including those listed on the main part of the application) would support the integration of Character Education into your project.