TG s Public Benefit Competitive Grant Program

Transcription

1 TG s Public Benefit Competitive Grant Program

2 About TG A 501(c)(3) public, nonprofit organization established in 1979 TG is a pure guaranty agency in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) No ownership interests or affiliation with lenders Neither a federal nor state agency (board is appointed by Governor of Texas)

3 TG s history of service Since 1995, we have supported pre-collegiate outreach ( TG Ambassadors, publications, materials, etc.) Since 1995, we have produced an annual FAFSA-Made-Easy video program (English & Spanish) Since 1999, served as the Texas Financial Aid Information Center, toll-free (888) , and operated a toll-free call center for those outside Texas at (800) Since 1999, TG has waived or subsidized the federal default fee for more than 2.3 million student loan borrowers. Since 2000, TG has provided need-based grant funding for students through the Charley Wootan Grant Program. Since 2007, TG has published the Strategic Enrollment Management Journal

4 Funding for public benefit efforts TG earns its revenue primarily from the U.S. Department of Education for our role in administering the federal student and parent loan programs. Funds awarded for Public Benefit Grants are NOT federal dollars. Corporate priorities focus on preventing student loan delinquencies and defaults and increasing financial literacy conditions directly tied to the goal of student success.

5 Public Benefit purpose TG s Public Benefit Grant Program contributes to those engaged in complementary efforts to assist students in their pursuit of higher education. As a nonprofit, TG does not have shareholders or investors. Our stakeholders are the students and families and the institutions, communities and organizations that serve them. We know that the needs of students and parents are best known by their communities.

6 Public Benefit expectations Effective stewardship of grant dollars Improvement in educational outcomes for students and knowledge that contributes to improved practices in the field No expectations or quid pro quo tied to TG business.

7 Competitive Grant Program History

8 What TG has funded More than $21 million for nearly 200 projects Most of the awards have gone to projects at postsecondary institutions; just over 35% to associations, state agencies, and community organizations Average grant amount - $107,000 Largest grant amount - $300,000 Smallest grant amount - $8,000

9 What TG has funded Average grant amount - $107,000 Largest grant amount - $300,000 Smallest grant amount - $8,000

10 Examples of prior recipients Educational research: COE-Pell Institute, University of Nebraska, Texas A&M University, Ray Marshall Center, Partnership for Learning (MI), Excelencia in Education, Institute for Higher Education Policy Need-based aid: Mountain View College, Texas Tech, TAMU-CC, University of Central Florida, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Huston-Tillotson, Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission Services to students: UT-Pan American, University of Houston-Downtown, Georgia Foundation for Independent Colleges, Thomas Cooley Law School, South Plains College, College Forward, Kalamazoo College, NCAN, Claymont City Schools, Cleveland Scholarship Programs

11 Competitive Grant Program: Overview

12 Grant categories 1. Services to students and families a. Success/Persistence b. Access 2. Education research 3. Organizational capacity building Underlying priority: Programs will assist students from low- to moderate-income families.

13 Priority areas - direct services o Success Services to increase retention and graduation for (i) low- to moderate-income students, (ii) firstgeneration college students; (iii) students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education (may include adult/nontraditional learners). o Access Pre-collegiate outreach services for (i) low- to moderate-income students, (ii) first-generation college students; (iii) students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education (may include adult/ nontraditional learners).

14 Priority areas - research TG seeks to fund research to inform policies and practices affecting: o Postsecondary retention and degree completion among low- to moderate-income students, first-generation and/or students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education (may include nontraditional/adult learners); or o Student financial aid, to include self-help aid, such as student or parent loans; or o Transfers, persistence and degree attainment for community college students.

15 Priority areas organizational capacity building Within this category, priority will be given to proposals from organizations that are interested in taking existing programs to scale, but that need to strengthen an aspect of the organization or its infrastructure in order to grow successfully. Examples of possible activities in this category: o Strategic or fund-development planning o Program feasibility studies o Staff development o Data management/tracking o Program evaluation o Other

16 Application and Guidelines

17 New for step process Stage 1: LOI Templates available online Should include basic overview of proposed project and the need(s) it will meet. Emphasize goals and measures of success. Include basic overall budget and amount you intend to request from TG. Also checking for ability to accept potential award Suggested word counts

18 New for step process Stage 2: application More specific information requested on Methodology/program design Anticipated outcomes/deliverables Data collection/analysis Budget Sustainability/dissemination Required copies of audit, 990, determination letter (for nonprofits only) Required letters of support Instructions and application materials will be sent only to those who are invited to continue in the process.

19 Guidelines Impact primary beneficiaries are students from low- to moderate-income families Collaboration, partnership Sustainability, support exists for future funding Potential for contribution to the knowledge or replication/portability to other communities Measurements of progress/success

20 Guidelines what TG doesn t fund Annual fund-raising events or drives Performances or competition expenses Building infrastructure, physical plant, brick/mortar Motor vehicles Endowments Debt retirements Indirect costs Lobbying efforts, including attempts to influence specific legislation

21 Of note Organizations are limited to two LOIs. Prior/current grantees submitting an application for continuing support from TG for the same or similar project must demonstrate that 75% of the project budget for will come from sources other than TG.

22 Key Dates and Processes

23 Key dates January 8, 2010 LOI template posted on TG Web site, February 4, 2010 Completed LOI templates due ( attachments preferred) February 18, 2010 Notifications sent to applicants, selected applicants invited to continue in stage 2 March 11, 2010 Full applications due June 15, 2010 TG expects to announce grant award decisions August 2010 Grant projects may begin; funds begin to be disbursed September 2011 Projects should conclude

24 Submitting the LOI o For LOI templates: o Download appropriate Word form, complete and attach to message o Additional details: o 11-point font or larger o TG anticipates completed LOIs will be 4-5 pages. o Deadline is midnight, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010

25 After submission o Within 24 hours, applicants will be notified by e- mail that LOI has been received o TG may ask for additional information and conduct a site visit o Prospective grantees will be notified of the status of the LOI by Feb. 18; a selected group will be invited to continue to stage 2. o At least 2 reviewers will evaluate each full proposal. o Senior management submits grant recommendations to TG s Board of Directors

26 After approval TG will notify you by TG will require that you sign a Grant Agreement (see Web site for sample) Department of Labor mandates that TG requires grantees to have an Affirmative Action plan in place (unless exempt) Applicants must certify that they will be able to comply with these requirements Upon execution of grant agreement, funds will be disbursed to grantee

27 After approval TG may ask for a site visit Midpoint and final reports will be due TG may ask you to write/speak about your project (state and national conferences, Enrollment Management Journal and other publications)

28 Frequently asked questions Is there a maximum/minimum grant amount? No Can the grant cover indirect costs? No When and how many reports will be required? Two (midpoint and final), in general With partnerships, who should apply? The organization best equipped to manage the project; flexibility is also helpful. Can existing programs be funded? Yes Are letters of support/recommendation required? Yes for any proposed project partners.

29 For more information (512) TG Staff: Jacob Fraire, assistant vice president for educational alliances Kristin Boyer, director of public benefit grants Robert Westrick, grants administrator