Annual Grant Information

Spring 2010 Classroom and Professional Development Grant Instructions

What Kinds of Grants are Awarded?

GEF intends to award grants in amounts ranging from $250 to $1,200 for the Spring 2010 grant period.  Grants will be considered for any worthwhile project that supports and furthers GEF’s main goals of enriching education for children, supporting ethics and leadership among students and staff, and enhancing teacher excellence within the Gorham Public Schools.  Grants are in the sole discretion of the Gorham Educational Foundation.  Grants are awarded as one-time, one-year grants.

Potential applicants whose ideas and project proposals are larger than the scope of this year’s grants or are multi-year programs are strongly encouraged to contact GEF directly via email to discuss other funding opportunities.

Who May Apply?

Any individual seeking to benefit the Gorham Public Schools or support the goals of GEF may apply.  Any organization directly associated with the Gorham Public Schools may also apply.

How Do I Apply?

Complete the Gorham Educational Foundation, Inc. Spring 2010 Grant Application found on the website or available by emailing GEF at gorhamef@maine.rr.com.  Follow these instructions for additional information, deadline and submission requirements.

Download the Application.

What Other Information is Required?

1. Obtain the signature endorsement of applicant’s building administrator, or if appropriate, the applicant’s supervisor, on the application itself.  If applicant is not an employee of the Gorham Public Schools, applicant must obtain the signature endorsement of an administrator of Gorham Public Schools.

2. Make sure to include a detailed budget for the project or program and be specific as to how much financial support is needed, and how grant money will be spent or distributed.  Guidance and further assistance in formulating a budget is available by emailing or calling GEF.

3. The Gorham Educational Foundation depends upon public awareness and support for much of its funding. Therefore, it is important that you address the manner in which you intend to promote public awareness of GEF’s support for your project with the school and the greater Gorham community.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Questions are encouraged via email at gorhamef@maine.rr.com.  General responses will be posted on the GEF website and specific responses sent to the inquirer.  GEF reserves the right to request additional information from applicants if, in its discretion, it deems such information necessary to the consideration of the application.

Where Do I Send the Application?

Applications are accepted in electronic format only, through email submissions to:
gorhamef@maine.rr.com.

Additional supporting materials necessary to the application, if any, may be mailed to:

Gorham Educational Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 295
Gorham, ME 04038

Acknowledgement of receipt of all applications will be made only by email to the email address included in the application.  Please allow 7 days for email acknowledgement.

What Are My Ongoing Responsibilities if I am a grant recipient?

Grant recipients are required to:

  • Provide an accounting of how the funds were spent;
  • Provide GEF with a detailed written evaluation of the results and outcomes of the project or program within 2 months of the conclusion of the project or program, or at the end of the school year in which the funds were spent, if the program is on-going;
  • Collect and provide to GEF photographs or other documentation of your project or program in action;
  • Give appropriate public attribution to GEF for project support;
  • Other requirements or limitations may be imposed upon the recipient at the discretion of GEF.

What is the application deadline and when will awards be announced?

The grant application period opens March 15, 2010.  The deadline for receipt of applications is 5:00 pm April 16, 2010.  Applications received after that date and time will not be considered, acknowledged or returned.

Awards will be announced in early May 2010.

How are the grant funds dispersed?

Unless other arrangements are appropriate, all grant funds are dispersed directly to the Finance Officer, Gorham School Department, where they can be accessed by the grantee when needed.

Fine Print:

All GEF grants and awards are subject to availability of sufficient funds.

Any equipment or supplies purchased with GEF grant money will become and remain the property of Gorham Public Schools.

GEF reserves the right to monitor expenditures of grant money awarded, without limitation.

GEF reserves the right to suspend the award of grants in any year in which, in its sole discretion, no application merits an award.

GEF reserves rights to all photographs and in all publicity surrounding support of the program, and will advise the grant recipient in appropriate use of its name and logo.

GEF will assign a GEF staff representative to serve as your personal contact with GEF, and to assist you with questions and issues surrounding administration of the grant award.