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The 2011 BEF Grant Application is now closed.
2011 BEF Grants were awarded on December 13, 2011.
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Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN IS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE? Applications will be taken from October 1st to November 18th, 2011.
WHEN WILL WE GET OUR FUNDS IF WE ARE AWARDED A GRANT? Grants will be awarded December 13, 2011.
DO WE HAVE TO SPEND OUR GRANT AWARD THIS SCHOOL YEAR? Yes, monies awarded must be used by the end of the 2011-2012 school year.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A GRANT? You must apply electronically through the BEF website under the Grant tab. Click the link at the top of the page which will take you to the Grant Application Form.
CAN I APPLY FOR MORE THAN ONE GRANT OPPORTUNITY? Yes, it is possible for an educator to be awarded more than one grant.
CAN TWO OR MORE PEOPLE APPLY FOR ONE GRANT? Yes, if two or more people want to work together on one grant and share the results that is fine. For BEF communication purposes, one of the participants needs to be considered the principal or lead applicant.
IF MORE THAN ONE PERSON APPLIES, CAN WE GET MORE MONEY THAN THE INDIVIDUAL LIMIT? Officially there is nothing that says that you can’t, BUT in reality, the grant reviewers have consistently wanted to “spread the money around.” The prevailing thought among grant reviewers is that one large grant limits the opportunities for other applicants to be served as well. At this point in time, grant reviewers will only consider applications that fall with in the monetary limits set for the funding year.
DOES MY PRINCIPAL HAVE TO APPROVE MY GRANT BEFORE I SUBMIT IT? No, but your principal does have veto power. It’s always a good idea to let them know what you would like to do so that the surprise factor is limited.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE GRANT PROCESS THIS YEAR? There are several differences this year. First, we have moved up the date for application. It is the intention of BEF to eventually award grants near the beginning of the school year instead of the middle. Second, BEF has upgraded our Survey Monkey account to make the application process flow smoother. Applicants will be given notification that their application has been received. Third, applications will have slightly different questions from last year. Fourth, grant limits have been increased and can be written for up to $1,000 (last year the limit was $500). And, last but not least, we have a new grant this year that will be given in memory of retired teachers in the Bethel School District.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN YOU SAY THAT THE APPLICATIONS WILL BE "BLIND?" Blind reviews mean that the evaluators will not know who has written the grant or what school they come from. Reviewers will be voting on the merit of the application alone. This is why well-written applications are important.
HOW DOES THE GRANT PROCESS WORK? HOW ARE THE DECISIONS MADE? Once applications are received, they are reviewed for school specific information. This information is removed or changed so that reviewers cannot identify specific schools. Packets are created from the grant information and distributed to reviewers. Reviewers rate each grant according to the grant criteria. Ratings are tabulated and grants are then ranked. At this point, the reviewers are invited to a working dinner meeting where the top grants are discussed and evaluated. Reviewers can argue for their favorites or pose questions and concerns to the group in 3 minute appeals. Grants are then awarded based upon the monies available for use. Grant recipients will be notified by the "BEF Prize Patrol" on Tuesday, December 13th, 2011.
WHAT KIND OF TIPS CAN YOU GIVE ME FOR WRITING A "WINNING" APPLICATION? Because the grant reviewers are not professional educators, it is best that acronyms and specialized language or procedures be explained in laymans terms. A simple, but well thought out appeal is best. Our parent reviewers love things that enrich the educational experience of Bethel students, but are possible within the existing framework that exists within the various building and personnel limitations. Let them know that you have done your homework and that what you are proposing is really possible with the technological and personnel limitations that you have. Presentation is important. Let them feel your passion for your proposed project and the impact that it will have on your classroom and in your school.
WILL EACH SCHOOL RECEIVE A GRANT? Maybe yes. Maybe no. Because the process is blind, the best written grants will be the ones that get funded. There is no requirement that each school receives some kind of funding.
WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? Further information can be obtained by contacting the BEF Grant Chair, Karen Krumrey-Fulks at 541-343-5857 or KrumreyK@lanecc.edu.
These grants were awarded in January of 2011 for the 2010-2011 school year... WHEN WILL WE GET OUR FUNDS IF WE ARE AWARDED A GRANT? Grants will be awarded December 13, 2011.
DO WE HAVE TO SPEND OUR GRANT AWARD THIS SCHOOL YEAR? Yes, monies awarded must be used by the end of the 2011-2012 school year.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A GRANT? You must apply electronically through the BEF website under the Grant tab. Click the link at the top of the page which will take you to the Grant Application Form.
CAN I APPLY FOR MORE THAN ONE GRANT OPPORTUNITY? Yes, it is possible for an educator to be awarded more than one grant.
CAN TWO OR MORE PEOPLE APPLY FOR ONE GRANT? Yes, if two or more people want to work together on one grant and share the results that is fine. For BEF communication purposes, one of the participants needs to be considered the principal or lead applicant.
IF MORE THAN ONE PERSON APPLIES, CAN WE GET MORE MONEY THAN THE INDIVIDUAL LIMIT? Officially there is nothing that says that you can’t, BUT in reality, the grant reviewers have consistently wanted to “spread the money around.” The prevailing thought among grant reviewers is that one large grant limits the opportunities for other applicants to be served as well. At this point in time, grant reviewers will only consider applications that fall with in the monetary limits set for the funding year.
DOES MY PRINCIPAL HAVE TO APPROVE MY GRANT BEFORE I SUBMIT IT? No, but your principal does have veto power. It’s always a good idea to let them know what you would like to do so that the surprise factor is limited.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE GRANT PROCESS THIS YEAR? There are several differences this year. First, we have moved up the date for application. It is the intention of BEF to eventually award grants near the beginning of the school year instead of the middle. Second, BEF has upgraded our Survey Monkey account to make the application process flow smoother. Applicants will be given notification that their application has been received. Third, applications will have slightly different questions from last year. Fourth, grant limits have been increased and can be written for up to $1,000 (last year the limit was $500). And, last but not least, we have a new grant this year that will be given in memory of retired teachers in the Bethel School District.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN YOU SAY THAT THE APPLICATIONS WILL BE "BLIND?" Blind reviews mean that the evaluators will not know who has written the grant or what school they come from. Reviewers will be voting on the merit of the application alone. This is why well-written applications are important.
HOW DOES THE GRANT PROCESS WORK? HOW ARE THE DECISIONS MADE? Once applications are received, they are reviewed for school specific information. This information is removed or changed so that reviewers cannot identify specific schools. Packets are created from the grant information and distributed to reviewers. Reviewers rate each grant according to the grant criteria. Ratings are tabulated and grants are then ranked. At this point, the reviewers are invited to a working dinner meeting where the top grants are discussed and evaluated. Reviewers can argue for their favorites or pose questions and concerns to the group in 3 minute appeals. Grants are then awarded based upon the monies available for use. Grant recipients will be notified by the "BEF Prize Patrol" on Tuesday, December 13th, 2011.
WHAT KIND OF TIPS CAN YOU GIVE ME FOR WRITING A "WINNING" APPLICATION? Because the grant reviewers are not professional educators, it is best that acronyms and specialized language or procedures be explained in laymans terms. A simple, but well thought out appeal is best. Our parent reviewers love things that enrich the educational experience of Bethel students, but are possible within the existing framework that exists within the various building and personnel limitations. Let them know that you have done your homework and that what you are proposing is really possible with the technological and personnel limitations that you have. Presentation is important. Let them feel your passion for your proposed project and the impact that it will have on your classroom and in your school.
WILL EACH SCHOOL RECEIVE A GRANT? Maybe yes. Maybe no. Because the process is blind, the best written grants will be the ones that get funded. There is no requirement that each school receives some kind of funding.
WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? Further information can be obtained by contacting the BEF Grant Chair, Karen Krumrey-Fulks at 541-343-5857 or KrumreyK@lanecc.edu.
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