THE FOUNDATION of the ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of BUFFALO UTR STREAM GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES

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1 THE FOUNDATION of the ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of BUFFALO UTR STREAM GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo (hereinafter FRCDB ) aims for accessibility, objectivity, fairness and professionalism in all its dealings with its constituents. Under the terms of its articles of incorporation, the FRCDB can distribute grants only to organizations or ministries affiliated with those organizations listed in the Catholic Directory of the Diocese of Buffalo. The FRCDB neither lends nor grants money to individuals nor political organizations. The Grants Committee of the FRCDB Board of Trustees will be the body responsible for considering each grant proposal under Upon This Rock (hereinafter UTR ) STREAM case element and making recommendations to the full Board of the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo for approval. STREAM represents Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics in elementary school curriculum. SCHOOL CATEGORIES: STREAM School. A Catholic elementary school in the Diocese of Buffalo that has participated as a Pilot, or in Cohort II or III to become a STREAM school. STREAM Academy. A Catholic elementary school in the Diocese of Buffalo whose Home School Association has funded the after-school STREAM academy program. NON-STREAM School. A Catholic elementary school in the Diocese of Buffalo that as of the school year is neither a STREAM school nor a STREAM academy school. WHO CAN APPLY: Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Buffalo that are either regional schools or parish schools that have completed their affiliated parish s UTR campaign, and that satisfy one of the following requirements: o The school is a STREAM school; o STREAM academy schools may only apply for funding to become a STREAM school in Cohort IV o in 2017 and complete the STREAM process by 2018; or Non-STREAM schools may only apply for funding to become a STREAM school in Cohort IV in 2017 and complete the STREAM process by UTR STREAM funds will only be available for STREAM elementary schools in the Diocese of Buffalo. Applicants can only submit one grant per year for the same element of STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Education, Arts and Mathematics) but may submit one application for each cycle (4/15 and 9/15) if they are an eligible STREAM school and submit for a different element of STREAM in the second application. UTR STREAM grant applications will be reviewed and weighted based upon the extent to which the school and the grant request incorporate and further the following factors and conditions: A. Baseline: Eight Principles of STREAM The request furthers at least one of the STREAM education eight principles, which have been the focus of all action items of the STREAM initiative of the Diocese of Buffalo. B. Tier One Considerations: Board of Limited Jurisdiction Diocesan training of the Board of Limited Jurisdiction 1

2 Board of Limited Jurisdiction in the process of being formed Participation in the Diocesan accreditation Involvement in the Diocesan STREAM education initiative C. Tier Two Considerations: Technology plan on file with the Diocese Thoughtful Classroom participation Professional development plan on file with the Diocese Smart Bond initiative and report Advancement roundtable membership and sustained participation Diocesan Math PLC membership and participation ERate Current list of school-generated community partners in education D. UTR STREAM grant requests should support and address one or more of the following conditions: The Pastor, principal and Board of Limited Jurisdiction supports the initiative; The project supports and enhances multiple aspects of the eight principles of STREAM; A collaborative network exists that multiplies the impact of the grant; The proposed project is likely to continue and expand after the grant period, becoming self-sustaining; The proposal is innovative and efficient in its use of funds; Expenses are reduced by sharing resources with other schools; The project is ready to be implemented; and/or Measurable outcomes are identified and realistically can be achieved. UTR STREAM grants are generally not provided for: Busing; STREAM coordinator funding; Capital improvements (including WiFi upgrades or installs); or Funding more than one year of a program s/unit s costs. By accepting a grant from the UTR STREAM case element, your parish and school agrees to: Be open to a visit/inspection by FRCDB representatives relative to your grant proposal; Create a line-item in your school budget to properly account for UTR STREAM grants; Adhere to any other restrictions and/or requirements as set by the FRCDB when the grant is awarded; Be available to attend a question and answer session with FRCDB grants committee if requested; Submit a final report to the FRCDB following the expenditure of FRCDB grant monies no later than 12 months after the date of check or within three months of the funded project s completion, whichever is sooner. GRANT PROCESS: Applicants can submit only ONE grant proposal per school per year per STREAM element (i.e. the same school cannot submit a grant request for a science element twice in a 12-month period). Final reports narrative and financial are required of all grantees within 12 months of the date of the check or within three months of the funded project s completion, whichever is sooner. In some instances, grantees may be required to submit an interim report to the FRCDB. Applications are considered twice a year and are due online by April 15 and September 15 by 5 pm. 2

3 Complete proposals will be considered by the Grants Committee of the FRCDB Board of Trustees, with results known by June and November of each year. Any questions can be addressed to the FRCDB by at A complete proposal includes all required materials requested in the UTR STREAM application online. Please note that once you start the application online, you cannot exit the application and save your progress. We strongly recommend you compile necessary information using the provided worksheet prior to starting the online application. OFFICIAL APPLICATION As found on the frcdb.org website under UTR STREAM application. Please download the UTR STREAM GRANT WORKSHEET on the website for specifics about information required for grant consideration. Applicants will be notified that their funding proposal was received. Applicants will be notified of a decision/ status as soon as practical after approval by the Board of Trustees, but generally within 90 days of the application deadline. Applications received after the due date will be considered in the next cycle. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Grant Proposal Timeline Spring Cycle Fall Cycle Full Proposals Due: April 15 September 15 Final Notification: June 15 November 15 Check Issued: July 15 January 15 The Final Report Unless otherwise specified, schools are required to complete a final report 12 months from receipt of grant monies, or within three months of the project s completion; whichever is sooner. The report should be submitted to the FRCDB at grants@buffalodiocese.org or by mail to FRCDB, 795 Main Street, Buffalo, NY The FRCDB final report shall include the following information, at a minimum: 1. UTR STREAM identification 2. Grant proposal name 3. Name of authorized party submitting the report 4. Accounting of grant funds 5. Project objectives and accomplishments (description of major accomplishments on project objectives; please use specific metrics when possible) 6. Project barriers and resolutions (description of barriers/problems that impeded project s success) 7. Summary information (description of overall impact of the project) Version:

4 UTR STREAM GRANT DEADLINES: 5 pm APRIL 15 and SEPTEMBER 15 each year SCHOOL NAME * (Pull down from 35 school listings) Catholic Academy of Niagara Falls Niagara Falls Catholic Academy of West Buffalo Buffalo Christ the King School Snyder DeSales Catholic School Lockport Immaculate Conception School East Aurora Immaculate Conception School of Allegany County Wellsville Mary Queen of Angels Cheektowaga Nativity of Our Lord School Orchard Park Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary School Williamsville Northern Chautauqua Catholic School Dunkirk Our Lady of Black Rock School Buffalo Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament School Depew Our Lady of Victory School Lackawanna Queen of Heaven School West Seneca South Buffalo Catholic School Notre Dame Academy Buffalo Southern Tier Catholic School Olean Southtowns Catholic School Lake View SS Peter & Paul School Hamburg SS Peter & Paul School Williamsville St. Aloysius Regional School Springville St. Amelia School Tonawanda St. Andrew s Country Day School Kenmore St. Benedict School Eggertsville St. Christopher School Tonawanda St. Gregory the Great School Williamsville St. John the Baptist School Alden St. John the Baptist School Kenmore St. John Vianney School Orchard Park St. Joseph School Batavia St. Joseph University School Buffalo St. Mark School Buffalo St. Mary s Elementary School Lancaster St. Mary School Swormville St. Peter School Lewiston St. Stephen School Grand Island School Address * Parish or Regional School? * (one answer only) Parish School > If a parish school, parish affiliation * Regional School Status of Upon This Rock in your parish: * (one answer only) Completed In progress Regional school not affiliated with a parish Have not begun Upon This Rock REQUIRED GRANT INFORMATION: 1. STREAM Status: * (Only one choice allowed) Pilot (Go to # 2) Non-STREAM School - STREAM Academy Only Cohort II (Go to # 2) (SKIP to #4) Cohort III (Go to #2) Non-STREAM School (SKIP to #4) FRCDB UTR STREAM Online Grant Submission Page 1 of 6

5 2. Please upload your STREAM Excel Menu here. * Upload file button. (Then to #3) 3. STREAM participation intentions: * As a Pilot, Cohort II or III, we plan to continue to maintain and grow the STREAM Education Initiative through collaboration with the Diocese of Buffalo. Yes No, please explain (SKIP to # 5) 4. NON-STREAM SCHOOLS: As a non-stream school, you are eligible to apply for a grant from UTR STREAM to become a STREAM school. This one-time grant would share the expense of becoming a STREAM school for year 1. Non-STREAM schools who wish to become a STREAM school will be required to apply to join Cohort IV of the Diocese in Spring All elementary schools will be required to complete their STREAM training by 2018 to be eligible for UTR STREAM grants in 2018 and beyond. Please indicate your preference: * (one answer only) We wish to join Cohort IV in spring (Then to #5) We do not wish to become a STREAM school. (Then END and pop-up message: Thank you for your interest. Only STREAM schools are eligible to apply for UTR STREAM funding.) (All grant applicants answer #5 ) 5. BOARD of LIMITED JURISDICTION: Does your school have an operating Board of Limited Jurisdiction in place today? * (one answer only) YES, operational and trained Board in place as of today (Go to # 6) NO/WE ARE IN FORMATION -> 1. Please upload a document with an explanation of the status of Board formation. Upload file here. 2. Please upload a letter from your pastor indicating the reasons for not having an operating Board of Limited Jurisdiction. 6. BOARD TRAINING: Please check all that apply * (check boxes with multiple answers allowed) Board trained by Sr. Carol or Carol Kostyniak in Spring 2014 Spring Board trained by Sr. Carol since Spring 2016 Attended handbook Board training at Diocese Attended other Board training at Diocese We are confirmed on Sr. Carol s calendar for Board Training in 2017 FRCDB UTR STREAM Online Grant Submission Page 2 of 6

6 7. ACCREDITATION: Our school plans to participate in the AdvancEd Accreditation Process: * (one answer only) Yes No, please explain: 8. Our school is part of the Thoughtful Classroom Initiative: Yes No, please explain: 9. Our school participates in the Diocesan Math Professional Learning Community: * (one answer only) Yes No, please explain: 10. Please check all that apply: * (check boxes with multiple answers allowed) Tech Plan on file with Education Department PD Plan on file with Education Department PD is with STREAM for Cohort II and III Principal evaluation on file with Education Department We apply for ERate. 11. Please indicate the date and results of your last Smart Bond plan results after conferring with your public school district; including any funding received to date. (*Required answer / one paragraph space*) 12. Please list the Community Partners in Educational Programming you have cultivated for your current school year (e.g. programming, donors, outreach, etc.) (* Required answer / one paragraph space*) 13. Does your school have a person dedicated to the role of Advancement? * (one answer only) Yes (*pop up for name and of Advancement person) No, please explain: FRCDB UTR STREAM Online Grant Submission Page 3 of 6

7 14. Does your assigned advancement personnel attend most Advancement Roundtable meetings? * (one answer only) Yes No, please explain: 15. PROJECT Description (executive summary): Briefly explain (one paragraph) why your school is requesting this grant, what outcomes you hope to achieve, and how you will spend the funds if a grant is made. Also, explain how this grant will further the educational and/or religious purposes of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Buffalo. * 16. Contact Person for Grant Site Visit * 17. Total Cost of Project * 18. Amount Requested * First Name Last Name 19. When do you anticipate starting the project? * - Month - Day Year 20. When do you anticipate the completion date? * - Month - Day Year 21. Has the UTR Capital Campaign funded this project or any other program with your school/parish before? * Yes No If yes, Amount Project Name 22. STREAM PRINCIPLES: Please check the principles below that aligns directly with your submitted grant request/project: * (check boxes, multiple answers allowed) Technology training is made a priority for increased use in teaching and learning Marked increase in hands-on/experiential science Curriculum is enhanced through community connections Real-life application is emphasized across subject areas Interdisciplinary unit planning / Project based learning is evident K-8 Engineering design process is introduced and integrated K-8 The professional development around STREAM principles grows to meet classroom needs and principle goals Enhance awareness, fundraising and marketing around STREAM FRCDB UTR STREAM Online Grant Submission Page 4 of 6

8 23. GRANT REQUEST SUPPORTING DOCUMENT (two pages maximum). * Description of the project (project goals, problem or need your project addresses, etc.) School info (enrollment, communities served) Sources of any other income for the project. Identify money received versus pledged, including matching grants. Specific use for the requested grant (materials, etc.). Please also identify specific uses for any materials purchased, grade levels to be benefitted, and any needed professional development to implement the technology/materials. Evaluation: Please explain how you will measure the effectiveness of your activities. Describe your criteria for a successful program, how your project benefits your school and/or community, and the results you expect to have achieved by the end of the funding period. Sustainability strategy how will the project be continued after grant funding is expended? Professional Development strategy how will your staff be trained to utilize the grant materials or program? Please upload Grant Request Supporting document here. * Please upload the Grant Request/Project Budget here. * 24. FINANCIAL Reporting: Please provide: * Most recent financial statements, which should include both balance sheet and income statement for school and/or parish, Current year operating budget with revenue & expenses, List of Board of Limited Jurisdiction or Parish Finance Council members, Two (2) competitive bids or proposals for purchases of computer equipment (* if single source supplier please provide letter), technology, electronics, or other equipment. Computer equipment/technology requests must also include a copy of the technology plan and a training component or explanation why none is needed. If needed, a bid can be secured from Central Purchasing by contacting Shelley Pacillo at spacillo@buffalodiocese.org or Please upload financial statements here (PDF) Please upload operating budget here (PDF) Please upload Board document here (PDF) Please upload bid documents here (PDF) By clicking below, I verify that the organization applying for this grant currently has a tax exemption under the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) and is not classified as 'a private foundation' as defined under Code section 509(a). This digital signature is made as one who is authorized to do so on behalf of the applied organization. * FRCDB UTR STREAM Online Grant Submission Page 5 of 6

9 I verify my organization's tax exemption status and I acknowledge that the school is required to complete a final report 12 months from receipt of grant monies or within three months of the project s completion, whichever is sooner. Name of person completing form: Contact phone of person completing form: of person completing form: Title of person completing form: Completed Date (autofill) Grants requesting funding in July that are received after 5 pm on 4/15 will be considered at the next UTR STREAM Grants meeting in October. Grants requesting funding in January that are received after 5 pm on the prior 9/15 will be considered at the next UTR STREAM Grants meeting in May. Updated: FRCDB UTR STREAM Online Grant Submission Page 6 of 6