GRANT APPLICATION FOR

INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

 

2027-2028

 

General Information about the Grant Program:


The Oley Valley Community Education Foundation (OVCEF) is pleased to provide the Grant Application for the 2026-2027 school year. The grants will be available in two different buckets, and we anticipate the total to be around $130,000.

  • OVCEF will provide approximately $30,000 in general grants.
  • OVCEF, through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, anticipates being able to provide about $100,000 in grants.


OVCEF invites teachers, staff, departments, and grade levels to apply for funding for programs and projects that enhance educational opportunities for Oley Valley students.

We especially encourage creative and innovative ideas that:

  • Enhance or enrich the existing curriculum
  • Introduce a new approach, experience, or learning opportunity
  • Use specialized materials, outside experts, or hands-on learning
  • Support career exploration, internships, or college-level learning
  • Create a specialized learning environment for students


Technology requests: Grants may include technology, but technology cannot be the sole focus of the proposal. Applications should clearly explain how the overall program will improve the student learning experience.


Timeline for Grant Preparation and Submission:

 

  • Education Grant Application opens - Sunday, November 15, 2026
  • Education Grant Application submission due date - Sunday, January 31, 2027
  • OVCEF to review applications received with building principals and superintendent - February 2027.
  • OVCEF initial application review and submission of potentially EITC qualifying submissions to the DCED for approval - March 2027.
  • OVCEF Board meeting at which a final decision on awarding of the grants is made - Thursday, May 20, 2027 (pending notification of approval by the DCED).
  • Awarding of grants - Friday, May 21, 2027 (pending notification of approval by the DCED)
  • Purchasing of items for grants - By December 31, 2027.
  • Be sure to complete the Purchase Order, as required by the school district. If you have any questions about purchasing the items for your Education Grant, please reach out to your building secretary.
  • Implementation in classrooms - During the 2027-2028 School Year.


 

All grant applicants should follow the Specific Guidelines for Preparing Your Application that follow; completed Google Form applications will automatically be submitted to the OVCEF Executive Director. Please direct any questions to oleyvalleycef@gmail.com.

 

Note: It is our preference that we receive all grant proposals during this timeframe so we can consider them all at the same time and fund the grant so it is available for the entire school year. However, we realize that opportunities to request funding for grants may occur throughout the school year. As a result, we encourage the submission of grant proposals at any time. Grant proposals will be considered for funding at the time of submission, subject to approval of the DCED, if required.

 

 

Specific Guidelines for Preparing Your Application:


1.     Complete the Grant Application Form.

2.     In the narrative itself, do not focus on the technology or other items required to implement the program; rather, focus on the benefits these items will provide to the students.

3.     Complete the separate Budget Request Form provided and include it with your narrative. If your proposal involves any technology requests, include them on the Budget Request Form. Consult with District Technology Director, Jim Rothenberger, about pricing for any technology requests.


Note:

This format is intended to comply with the Innovative Educational Program guidelines provided to us by the DCED.



Follow-up:

Once each grant is implemented, the Foundation requests that each grant recipient contact our Executive Director, Jennifer Schorr, to schedule a time for her to visit your classroom to see each "Education Grant in Action". While we appreciate photos you take and send yourself, we are able to provide a more in-depth narrative to accompany the photos if Jen is able to see the grants in action & see for herself how the students are benefiting and what they are learning. Feedback in the form of teacher and student testimonials, including how the grant has impacted them in the classroom, is extremely helpful and can be emailed to Jennifer Schorr at OVCEF@ovsdpa.org.


Education Grant Google Form