Grants

Calendar

The Concord Trust provides grants based on the following guidelines:

1. Teachers, administrators, and staff employed by the Concord School District are eligible to apply.
2. All grant applications must be submitted electronically by February 1 at 5:00 p.m. The application is a Google form and can be found in Application Forms.
3. The maximum grant for a single staff member or group of staff members is $3,000; the Trust may, in its discretion, fund the entire amount requested (up to $3,000) or only a portion of the amount requested. The Trust occasionally funds Special Extended Grants. There is no monetary limit set for this type of grant. Special Extended Grants must be exceptional and impact a wide range of students. The total number of all grants awarded each year varies depending upon the number of applications received and funding availability.
4. Preference is given to innovative projects that enhance the educational experience in Concord’s public schools, which would not ordinarily be funded through the traditional school budget process. Generally we favor innovative ideas over standard practices, and things that benefit multiple students rather than a single child.
5. Our goal is to offer pilot funding for innovative projects that the district may choose to adopt and fund at a large scale in the future. For example, in 2007, the Trust provided the funding for SMART Boards at Walker School. The project was a success, and SMART Boards are now utilized district-wide.

Questions to consider when crafting your grant project include:

• • Is it innovative?
  • Will it enhance the learning of Concord School District students?
  • Is it sustainable?

Previously funded requests include:

• • Boogie Boards, 2024, Broken Ground School
  • CMS Sensory Path, 2024, Christa McAuliffe School
  • Assistive Technology for Students with Reading Difficulties, 2023, Abbot-Downing School
  • Fight the Fire, 2023, Rundlett Middle School
  • Power of Drumming, 2023 Mill Brook School

Examples of generally disallowed requests are:

• • Textbooks or textbook replacements
  • Normal classroom supplies
  • Payments for staff training, staff development, or registration fees
  • Postage
  • Replacement of equipment
  • Replacement of items normally funded by the school district
  • One-time use or one-student use items such as tee shirts, transportation, and food
  • Anything covered in the district budget

6. We encourage applicants to reach out via email at info@concordtrust.org or to a Board member if you have questions or need assistance working through your idea.
7. All requests for electronics or technological hardware, software, and supplies (including computers, printers, still and video cameras, other communications equipment) must be reviewed by the district’s Director of Technology before a grant request is submitted. In addition, all electronic hardware and software should be priced through the Concord School District, as the district may have access to discounts, and district support for maintenance and upgrades is crucial. If your grant includes electronics or technology, please ask the Director of Technology to submit an approval form for your grant which can be found in Application Forms.
8. All applications must be approved by the building principal. An application will not be considered complete until this form is submitted.  Form can be found in Application Forms.
9. All applications will be assigned to a Grant Project Manager who is a member of the Board of Directors for The Concord Trust for the Enhancement of Public Education. The project manager will be your contact person during the grant process.
10. A brief written evaluation. which can be found in Application Forms, is required at the conclusion of the project to inform The Concord Trust of the project’s degree of success.
11. Applicants must immediately notify the Trust any time circumstances surrounding the applicant/grantee or the program or project being funded change. The Trust reserves the right to cancel any grant due to changed circumstances surrounding the applicant/grantee or the program or project funded.
12. If you receive publicity for your project, please mention that The Concord Trust supported your project!