Announcement:
2024-25 SEF Grant applications open early this year! Applications will be available here starting December 1, 2023, and will close at midnight on April 1, 2024.
Click below to see winners from the 2023-24 school year.
Frank Sherman Grant
Purpose
The purpose of these grants are to promote and support health, physical fitness, and outdoor education activities and curriculum offered at the Springfield Public Schools. Special consideration is given to those applications whose projects utilize Sky Camp. Grants up to $1,000 will be awarded. Funds can be used for development of curriculum, educator training, equipment, supplies, transportation, and/or other resources. Grant applications will be reviewed and selected in May of 2024 for projects to occur in the 2024-25 academic year.
Frank Sherman
From 1961 to 1985, Frank Sherman was an administrator of health, physical education, and athletics for Springfield Public Schools. He passed away in 2010. Frank, also a long-time member of Springfield Kiwanis, was instrumental in building the Springfield Kiwanis Youth Camp, better known as Sky Camp, located near Fall Creek. He felt strongly that the complete education of students needed to include healthy lifestyles with plenty of exercise and recreation opportunities and exposure to joys and beauties of the great outdoors.
This grant is possible due to a generous donation by Frank’s widow, Katy Sherman. Katy’s gift of $25,000 in honor of Frank created the Springfield Education Foundation’s first endowment. The disbursements from this initial investment are providing the funding for the Frank Sherman grant.
Who can apply
- Must be employed by Springfield Public Schools in Springfield, Oregon, and be responsible for the administration of the project or directly involved with its implementation.
- Individuals or collaborative staff teams can apply, with one primary applicant. Primary applicant will be listed on social media and press releases unless specifically requested.
- Must be involved in the instruction of students or related support services.
- Projects benefiting any and all age groups from kindergarten to twelfth grade are eligible for consideration.
Sky Camp
If interested in utilizing Sky Camp with a grant from SEF, please contact Lennie.Mabus@springfield.k12.or.us or 541-726-2222 for information and price quotes regarding Sky Camp facilities rental for schools using grant funds for day use or overnight outdoor school.
Timeline:
December 1 – Applications available
April 1 – Applications due by midnight
May – Recipients notified and grant funds available
May 31 – Project evaluations due for grants awarded in the previous spring
Selection Process
- Only online applications will be accepted at this time. Visit this website to access the online application portal between December 1 – April 1.
- Applications will be reviewed and awarded by the Frank Sherman Grant Review Committee comprised of the following members: Members of the Frank Sherman family; Board and district representatives selected by SEF’s Executive Director and the Sherman family; and others as determined by the SEF Board of Directors.
- In an effort to reduce bias, please do not include the names of any SPS staff, SPS schools, or any other school identifier in Project Details, Narrative, or Budget sections. Identifying information should ONLY be shared when requested. Your proposal will receive an identifying number referenced throughout the review.
- Recipients will be announced in May 2024 and grant funds will be available shortly thereafter.
Requirements of Grant Proposals
- The proposal must include the evidence base for the proposed program.
- The implementation must be broad in scope; it may not be limited to one classroom or a single group of students.
- Prior to submission, you must receive approval of your project and grant application from your building principal or administrator. Include their name and email on the application in the space indicated. If selected, applicants will receive a principal/supervisor approval form that must be completed before funds are released.
- Shortly after the application period ends, you will receive a “Level 1: Site-Based Grant Internal Application” Form. You must fill out this form and return it to the SPSGrant Accountant within 10 days of receipt.
Responsibilities of Grant Recipients
- Use of the grant for the purposes stated in the application materials.
- Funds must be spent within the 2024-25 academic year. Any remaining funds are to be returned to the Springfield Education Foundation for reallocation. If the program continues, it should be sustainable beyond the initial grant funding period.
- Agree to share successful projects in staff meetings and present to the SEF Board if requested.
- Submit a written evaluation at the completion of the project, no later than May 31, 2025. Evaluation form can be found at SEFLane.org/grants/grant-evaluation.
- Projects and evaluations must be completed before applicants can receive funding for a future grant.
When applying for this grant, please remember the following:
- Grants are to be used to fund projects that are not provided for in school and District budgets.
- Objectives and outcomes need to be consistent with school and district mission, goals, or initiatives.
- When creating your budget, research carefully and be realistic. Example budget available at SEFLane.org/example-budgets.
- Please do not include additional documents or audio-visual materials.
- Equipment purchased with SEF funds is considered the property of Springfield Public Schools. Please notify SEF if you plan to move and take your equipment to another building.
- Only one Frank Sherman Grant proposal per applicant is allowed.
- Repeat funding requests are allowed and will be considered annually on a case-by-case basis.
Please note:
Please do not include the names of any SPS staff, SPS schools, or any other school identifier in Project Details, Narrative, or Budget sections. Identifying information should ONLY be shared when requested. Applications with identifying information may not be considered.
Questions?
For more information, contact Christina San Filippo at 541-726-3243 or info@SpringfieldEducationFoundation.org.
Click above to apply online between December 1 and April 1.
