Grant Applications are due on
Friday, November 16, 2009 and Friday, January 29, 2010

Criteria
Clarkston Foundation grants are intended to start-up new and innovative programs that could not be funded within a school’s operating budget. Traditionally, the emphasis has been placed on programs that serve the sciences or arts. This year, two new opportunities have high priority. The first opportunity is the Rising Starts Grant Program. This program awards financial support to individual teachers, or groups of teachers, who are new to the teaching profession (within four years) and are creating a promising new activity or program for their students. The second opportunity is the Bright Ideas Grant Program. This program provides financial and community support to individuals or groups who have created an innovative activity or program that will enhance a student’s educational experience. Grant requests in either of these programs will receive priority review and consideration. As in the past, all new grants are funded as “seeds”. Once the value of such programming is established, it is assumed that the school district will determine the source of further funding. Therefore, the Clarkston Foundation operates under a general guideline of supporting such programs for a period of up to three years.

Background
The Clarkston Foundation is a non-profit charitable trust organization (501(c)(3) dedicated to support, enhance and encourage both exposure to excellence and personal participation in the arts and sciences for all students in the Clarkston area. Innovative ideas and unique programs are encouraged.

Types of Programs Previously Funded
Elementary: Festivals of Arts & Science, Space Technology, Author Day, Butterfly Study, Assemblies, Start-up funds for Fine Arts programs.
Secondary: Science Assemblies, Outdoor Clay Sculpture, After-School Art & Choir Club Start-up funds, Music Commissioning, Yearbook Workshops, production “rights”.
Community: Laser and Music Assemblies, Symphony Concerts.

Types of Requests NOT Funded
Capital Outlay Purchases: Microscopes, Telephones, Computer Hardware, and Lighting.
Staff Training and Development
Single-Student and/or Transportation Requests
Request for funds after an event has taken place

Instructions
Complete all sections accurately and legibly. Incomplete or old applications will be returned to the applicant, which may delay (and thereby force denial of) a grant request. Deadline exceptions may be made only for new program requests, which must be received at least 30 days prior to any event. No requests for funding will be considered after that time. The Grant Committee meets shortly after the application deadlines and sends its recommendation to the Board of Directors. Requests for either semester may be submitted in November, although second semester grants are awarded in February unless applicant attaches notice stating that doing so will provide an undue hardship in his/her situation.

Questions? Please contact our Foundation/School District Liaison, Mr. David Reschke at 248-623-5413, or call the Clarkston Foundation directly at 248-623-5475.

Send completed application plus one copy to:
Clarkston Foundation Grant Committee
PO Box 711
Clarkston MI 48347