What is the Education Foundation?
The Education Foundation for Orange County Schools was developed jointly by the Orange County Department of Education and SchoolsFirst FCU in 2003 to support core educational programs in Orange County schools. The Foundation provides grants to teachers in Orange County public and private schools, grades K-14, to purchase or produce materials for programs and projects that are creative, innovative and responsive to students' fundamental needs.

Who may apply?
This program is open to all teachers in Orange County public and private schools, grades K-14. Grant applications may be submitted by individual teachers, or by school teams of up to three teachers. Applications are accepted online only.

How are grant recipients determined?
The Board of Directors of the Education Foundation, comprised of seven individuals, will appoint a review committee from the educational and business communities to evaluate, critique, and score each application, without knowledge of the applicant or the school.

Decisions are based on the following criteria:

Well-defined, realistic, measurable objectives
Clearly stated implementation plan
Instruction methods that are both essential and innovative
Expanded and/or interdisciplinary experiences in any subject area
Number of students who will be impacted
Long-term applicability of program/project
Ability of program/project to be repeated in subsequent years
Clearly stated evaluation plan that is directly related to objectives, and that visibly measures improved student performance
Complete, detailed, and correctly totaled budgetary items
Adherence to all grant application requirements

How many grants may be funded per teacher?
A maximum of two grants may be funded per teacher, including the combination of a teacher who authors an individual grant and also participates in a team grant.

What categories are available?
The Education Foundation offers four categories:

Language Arts (Reading/Writing/Phonics)
Science/Mathematics
Foreign Language
Social Studies (Geography/History/Economics)

Please note that the Education Foundation provides grants for programs that support the core subjects listed above. Visual arts, performing arts, and sports programs are not eligible at this time.

Each grant application must target only one category. Additional applications by the same teacher(s) may be written for and in a different category (maximum two applications per teacher).

Are there specific guidelines for how grant funds may be used?
Grant funds must be used for materials/equipment that are directly related and essential to the program/project. Technology, such as computers, digital cameras, software programs, etc. may be purchased with grant funds as long as this technology is vital to and used in conjunction with a specific program/project. Grants for technology that will be used to simply supplement other classroom equipment are not eligible. Grant funds may not be used for substitute pay, stipends, teacher salaries, or professional development courses. However, expenses associated with training courses to learn how to implement a program or use a piece of equipment may be eligible. Admittance fees and transportation to/from field trips may be eligible if the field trip is related to classroom instruction. Before a grant is awarded for technology, the teacher must ensure it is compatible with the district network.

What are the funding levels?
The Education Foundation offers two funding levels:

$1,000 One teacher per application - no school teams
$5,000 One teacher or school team (maximum of three teachers) per application

How are grant funds distributed?
Funds will be distributed to the primary applicant in February, 2010. These checks will be made payable to the district, specifying the teacher to whom the funds are to be distributed. All grants are presented tax-free and are paid in full, regardless of the amount.

Are there specific requirements upon receiving my grant?

Implementation of the programs/projects during the 2009-10 school year.
Grant funds must be used for the purpose stated in the grant application.
Grant recipients are not required to submit purchase receipts.

What are the regulations concerning ownership of grant materials?
Materials/equipment for both individual and team grants will remain with the specific program/project for which the grant application was submitted. If a teacher receives a grant for a specific program and leaves the school, the program remains at the school. If a teacher receives a grant for a specific program for a specific grade and the teacher transfers to a different grade, the program stays with the grade.

What are the procedures for submitting a grant application?

Make certain your principal or site administrator is aware of your grant application. Please note that prior to the disbursement of funds, principals and/or site administrators will be contacted, to ensure compliance with your district's regulations regarding grant monies.
Submit your application for the 2009-10 school year by November 30, 2009.
Be sure to complete each section. (use N/A where not applicable)
Make sure your district superintendent is aware of your grant application and approves the program/technology you are applying for.

What is the deadline for submitting a grant application?
November 30, 2009

Who can I contact for additional information?
If you have questions about the Education Foundation grant program or the application process, please call 714.258.4000 ext. 8400 or email us at: educationfoundation@SchoolsFirstfcu.org.

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