Mini-Grant Deadlines

Knowing that teachers are incredibly busy and cannot always fit into “our deadlines,” we do accept mini-grant applications throughout the year.  However, in order to budget our finances and manage our Foundation, we do need to have our deadlines for funding.

So . . . .

All applications received by September 15th will be considered for first semester funding on or about October 1st of each school year.  Those received by February 15th will be considered for our second semester, March 1st funding.

If you should miss our “deadline,” please indicate if you wish to be considered for a mini-grant for the following semester.

Just as you encourage your students to carefully follow directions, we at the Foundation expect no less.  Please review the application process thoroughly and submit the form electronically.  Failure to follow precise directions will result in an automatic rejection of your project.

Thank you for your efforts in helping to spread the Pay It Forward concept.  Wishing you the best of luck.

MINI-GRANT APPLICATIONS
Pay It Forward Mini-Grants are designed to fund one-time-only service-oriented projects identified by youth as activities they would like to perform to benefit their school, neighborhood, or greater community. Projects must contain a "pay it forward" focus - that is, they must be based on the concept of one person doing a favor for others, who in turn do favors for others, with the results growing exponentially - to be considered in the grant making process. WE DO NOT GIVE GENERAL EDUCATIONAL GRANTS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF YOUR SCHOOL, THE PURCHASE OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, ETC. Grant applications are reviewed and considered by a Selection Committee

throughout the year.
When completing an application, you should:

• explain the project thoroughly
  
• include specific details about its educational value
  
• attach a clear and concise budget

SELECTION CRITERIA
Selection Committee members will score the applications based on:

• Adherence to the Pay It Forward concept (explaining how the project's benefits will multiply exponentially); Your application will not be considered if there is not a clear demonstration of how the benefits will multiply exponentially. We receive many projects that simply state a positive impact. We do not denigrate them, but they are not Pay It Forward projects. Pay It Forward is: I do a favor with the understanding that those recipients will then "pay it forward" to 3 people each and that the 3 people will then "pay it forward" to 9 people, etc. If you are not familiar with the Pay It Forward concept, please read the book Pay It Forward or read one of the excerpts posted on this site before submitting a grant application.
  
• Educational benefit to students/teachers
  
• Integration of proposed project with school curriculum
  
• Number of people impacted

FUNDING
Mini-Grants of up to $500 are available for projects on a one-time-only basis. Because funding is limited, projects requesting smaller amounts will be given priority . Applicants should avoid asking for funds that could be found through other sources or that require a continuing commitment of funds beyond the original proposal. Please document any other current pending source(s) approached for funding of the project.

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
Download the application from the website and complete it following all guidelines. Include a copy of the proposed budget. Proposals, including application and budget, must not exceed three pages . Limit one application per project. Applicants will be notified of a decision approximately 15-20 days after the application deadline. If approved, applicants should receive funds within 30 days after notification of approval.

We regret that we are unable to accept mini grant applications at this time.  Check back on our site for updates on funding, and thank you for your effforts to pay it forward!