How to Apply for a Mini-Grant

Who can apply?

• Who: Public schools, public libraries, preschools, Head Start programs
• Where: The United States and U.S. commonwealths and territories, including Puerto Rico and Guam
• Limit: Only one application per library or school
• Not eligible: Private schools, parochial schools, charter schools, not-for-profit organizations

Criteria for school eligibility

Do’s:

• Instructions: These will give you a great advantage.
• Final Report: If you receive a grant, a Final Report is required. Read the Final Report Instructions so you will be prepared to document your work.
• Sample application form : Use as a guide to plan your program and budget.
• Program Elements: Make sure your program:
  • has these three clear steps; 1) preparation and introduction, 2) activity & engagement, 3) final culmination/outcome.
  • provides an enriched learning experience.
  • is supported solely by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.
  • costs $500 or less.
  • is offered free of charge.
  • is implemented during the summer or school year following receipt of the Mini-Grant.
• Application Form: After you submit, you will receive an email confirmation with a link to your application. Print and save the application when you receive the confirmation link. If you receive a grant you will need a copy of your application to implement your program.
• Materials: Include only items that will be used in your program. Read more Our Policy on Materials

Don’ts:

• Program Elements:
  • Do not charge admission or make sales.
• Materials:Do NOT include the following. Your application will be disqualified.
  • books, materials and equipment unrelated or incidental to the program
  • books, materials and equipment intended for reuse outside the program
  • Read more Our Policy on Materials
  • general operating and administrative costs
  • production or purchase of merchandise intended for sale
  • transportation
  • salaries

• Deadline: Submit by March 31, 11:59 p.m.
Due to the COVID-19 crisis we will be accepting applications for the 2020-2021 academic year until April 7, 2020.
• Email: Your application must include a functional email address to which you have free access. You can expect to receive emails from us.
• Confirmation: After you submit, you will receive an email confirmation with a link to your application. If you don’t receive the confirmation, notify us by email at foundation@ezra-jack-keats.org with the subject line “Mini-Grants.”
• Mailing list: Applicants are added to the email list for the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation’s quarterly newsletter.
• Notification: You will be notified by email about the status of your application on or around May 1—whether or not your proposal has been accepted.
• Checks: Mini-Grant checks will be mailed on or around May 15. Contact us if you have not heard from us by June 1.
• Lost checks: Replacements for lost or expired award checks will be issued with a $25 deduction.
• Final Reports: Due by June 1 of next year—approximately one year after receipt of the award check.

A Final Report with all the five following elements is required as documentation of your program.

Elements:

• Report/Essay: a letter describing the program in detail, activities and attendance
  • Did you reach your program goal?
  • How did the actual program differ from your proposal?
    • What worked? What didn’t work? What would you do differently? What surprised you?
• Educator Statement: Provide a statement that answers these three questions.
  • What was the most rewarding aspect of creating and implementing your mini-program?
  • What part of your mini-grant program was most valuable to your students/participants?
  • What was most gratifying to you about being awarded a mini-grant?
• Student/Participant Statement: Ask students/participants for a candid statement conveying the impact of the program.
  • What was something new you learned?
  • What surprised you?
  • What was your favorite part of the program?
• Photographs of Program:A minimum of 8 and maximum 20 photos that show these three stages of your program.
  • Preparation
  • Student engagement in program activities
  • Final outcome, students with their finished work.
• Please include any of these other formats that apply:
  • announcements, flyers and articles
  • audio, video or powerpoint presentations
  • web, facebook, or social media (posts or links)

* We accept (jpg, jpeg or png)—the photos must be sent separately even if they are also included with, or embedded in a presentation (powerpoint, pdf, or video).

Print the Final Report Requirements to keep on hand as you implement your program.