The Pleasantville Fund for Learning Grants Process

Every academic year, the Pleasantville Fund for Learning offers grant applications to all teachers and high school students. Each applicant must provide details of the proposed grant including its purpose, scope (which students will benefit and how), sustainability and, of course, the amount. Applicants must also determine if there are any other potential funding sources (particularly the School District budget) and how the success of the grant will be measured.

In January, the Grants Committee of the PFFL receives these applications and begins the evaluation process. The Committee will often meet with the applicant and with school administrators to refine the request, find out if there are any alternative ways to fund the grant, and determine its importance to the students of our District.

The PFFL Grants Committee spends long hours deliberating which grants will be funded. The criteria include: available grant funds; how much “bang-for-the-buck” the grant has; benefits to the students; number of students affected by grant; sustainability of grant; fit to curriculum; does it offer an hands-on experience; and is it something new. The Committee tries to balance grants among schools, across disciplines, and throughout the student body.

In the spring, the Committee makes the awards to the students and teachers who have been chosen. The grant money can only be spent on what was proposed. The PFFL continues to monitor how the money was spent, and follows up to see the success of each grant.

If you have any questions regarding the Grants Process, please get in touch with one of the PFFL Grant Co-Chairs, Veronica Costanza (769-4665, jcvcsc@aol.com) and Lisa Ultan (741-0882, melbu@verizon.net).

PLEASANTVILLE FUND FOR LEARNING GRANTS TOTALED $32,723 IN 2011