Mini-Grant Applications are now OPEN. The DEADLINE to apply is TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2024.
Questions? Email Jennifer Trehar
What is a Mini-Grant?
Mini-Grants are modest cash awards that help educators make a positive difference in the learning experience of their students. More importantly, Mini-Grants support, encourage, and facilitate great teaching ideas. Since 2002, the Woodland Hills Foundation has funded 200 Mini-Grants totaling over $124,546!
The focus of the Mini-Grants is to encourage innovative teaching ideas. As such, the focus of these grants should not be to purchase equipment (e.g. iPads), but rather the idea aimed at improving the learning environment for the student. The Foundation understands that grant requests may include equipment or software, but these requests will only be considered within the context of the original, innovative teaching idea.
Who can apply for a Mini-Grant?
Any member of Woodland Hills School District’s instructional or professional staff, e.g. teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses, is eligible to apply for a Mini-Grant.
Previous Mini-Grant winners are not eligible to apply until they have:
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Submitted their final report
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Submitted any photos of their grant-in-action
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Submitted all receipts
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Returned any/all unused funds
Frequently Asked Questions:
How are grants selected and approved for funding?
The Woodland Hills Foundation puts together a Selection Committee comprised of community representatives and WHF board members. Awards are based on those grants judged as having the best overall quality, innovation of the idea, and the projected impact of the grant as presented in the proposal. The number of grants made is also influenced by the funds the WHF raises for the Mini-Grant Program.
What happens after a Mini-Grant is awarded?
The awardee signs a Mini-Grant Agreement form, and then WHF issues a grant check directly to him or her. Awardees must complete their projects by the end of the current school year and then submit an Expense Report (including receipts for all expenditures) and a simple Project Report (typically with a few photos and/or samples of student work). Any undocumented funds or any unspent balance of the grant must be returned to the WHF to be used towards future Mini-Grants.
Who can answer questions about Mini-Grants?
Email Kathleen Good or Jennifer Trehar
How to apply for a Mini-Grant?
The application process is short and straightforward. Once Mini-Grant applications are open, you will simply download the application, fill it out and submit via email to our Mini-Grant Chair, Kathleen Good.
Clear articulation of a good original teaching idea, along with its expected impact, are the basis of a successful application. Also be sure to complete the Mini-Grant Checklist (below).
Pre-approval by applicant’s principal is required for all proposed projects.
The deadline to apply is early October. Winners will be announced by DECEMBER (date TBA)
Examples of Winning Grant Proposals:
While EVERY project chosen for funding has been truly innovative and original, the examples below are two of our favorites (and have proven to be favorites for our students and community, too!)
Project Title: Coffee Cart Business Start-Up
Excerpt from Application:
One of the main focuses this year for our students will be improving their executive functioning skills. The students will be working in Group Speech and Social Skills Class sessions to improve their organization and planning skills including money management, budgeting, and organizational skills. The implementation of a coffee cart will allow the students to practice and improve their executive functioning skills as well as independent living and social skills.
The students will be responsible for starting their Coffee Cart business from the beginning. The students will start with creating the business name, learn about ordering supplies, social interaction skills, appropriate hygiene, following job requirements, independent living skills, money handling, social interactions and other skills necessary for successful employment.
The students will take orders from staff before delivery. They will make and fill each order by following the instructions of each customer. After delivery, the students will be responsible for cleaning up their workstations, counting the money, and identifying costs and profits.
This project will include all of the students in the Autistic Support classroom in the Middle School. This includes 12 students in grades 6th – 8th. The students will service any staff members in the building who choose to take part in the program. The goal will be for the students to continue to expand their business into breakfast and snack items, and other programs. It will also improve school morale and build community relationships in the building.
Project Title: The Very Merry Month of Mo!
Excerpt from Application:
For the past four years, the kindergarten team has presented the “Elephant and Piggie Extravaganza” toward the end of the school year. That day is so special that we have decided to stretch the fun to an entire month. Mo Willems is the most beloved author we read in kindergarten and we want to appreciate all of his works.
All six of the kindergarten classes will be involved in the activities. Families and friends are invited to the extravaganza to see performances by the students and to attend a celebration afterward.
In the days and weeks following the extravaganza, guest readers (family members of the students and members of the community) will be invited to share their readings of Mo Willems books.
We plan to create activities to go along with all of Mo Willems’ books (Model Magic pigeon bobble head pencil toppers, Knuffle Bunny scenes on foam boards, yearbooks based on A Busy Creature’s Day Eating, etc.).
The Kindergarten team would complete an author’s study of Mo Willems during the month of May. Throughout the month long study, students will be exposed to various books by Mo Willems and the students will complete projects that correspond with different stories by Mo Willems. Throughout this month students will learn to draw Mo Willems characters, use clay to sculpt Pigeons, create story boards similar to Knuffle Bunny, write their own Elephant and Piggie books, and create a yearbook based on A Busy Creature’s Day Eating. Also throughout the month of May, families of students will be invited to come to school to be guest readers.
Click here to download a copy of the FULL Merry Month of Mo! Application
Mini-Grant Checklist:
How are grants selected and approved for funding?
The Woodland Hills Foundation puts together a Selection Committee comprised of community representatives and WHF board members. Awards are based on those grants judged as having the best overall quality, innovation of the idea, and the projected impact of the grant as presented in the proposal. The number of grants made is also influenced by the funds the WHF raises for the Mini-Grant Program.
What happens after a Mini-Grant is awarded?
The awardee signs a Mini-Grant Agreement form, and then WHF issues a grant check directly to him or her. Awardees must complete their projects by the end of the current school year and then submit an Expense Report (including receipts for all expenditures) and a simple Project Report (typically with a few photos and/or samples of student work). Any undocumented funds or any unspent balance of the grant must be returned to the WHF to be used towards future Mini-Grants.
Who can answer questions about Mini-Grants?
Email Kathleen Good or Jennifer Trehar