***The application timeframe for the 2010 ABC Grants is now CLOSED. Thank you to all who have applied. All 2010 grant winners will be notified in September.
NOTE: The ABC Grant Program is excited to celebrate 20 years of support for innovative teaching in 2010-2011. To celebrate this remarkable achievement, the ABC Grant Program will be revising the application schedule and will be awarding a limited number of $1,000 grants for the 2011-2012 year.
PLEASE make note of the NEW dates outlined below.
December 1, 2010: 2011-2012 ABC Grants program opens for online applications for projects to be implemented during 2011-2012 school year.
March 21, 2011: Deadline to submit your ABC Grant application.
May 2011: ABC Grant Winners announced.
About our Program:
Back in 1991, The Junior League of Austin’s ABC (Aid for Better Classrooms) Grants program began thanks to community funds. For the past 20 years, this program has provided supplemental funding for classroom teachers in recognition of innovative instruction.
Each year, the ABC Grant program has awarded grants in amounts of up to $500 to approximately twenty two area teachers enabling them to implement their well planed project into their classroom.
From 1994 to 2009, the ABC Grants Program has awarded more than $150,000 in grants to local area teachers. Each winning project is innovative, has real world application, enhances current school curriculum, and has a direct impact on students in participating school districts.
With the generous support of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and 3M, The Junior League of Austin has been able to continue this program and is pleased to be celebrating it’s past TWENTY years!
Please review the information below for application details and guidelines.
The application for the 2011 ABC Grants Program will be available on the JLA website at www.jlaustin.org starting December 1, 2010. The deadline to apply for the 2011 – 2012 program will be March 21, 2011.
Applications with a later postmark or that are faxed or emailed will not be accepted. All applications require your principal’s signature at the time of submission.
Grant recipients will be notified in late April or early May 2011 and will be honored at an awards reception and 20th Anniversary celebration in May 2011.
Applicant Details: Please note the strict adherence to all guidelines is required.
- Any classroom teacher in a Travis or
- An applicant may submit more than one application, and applicants may work together on a single project.
- You must have the approval of your principal and have your principal’s signature on your application.
- No member of The Junior League of Austin is eligible for a grant.
- Previous grant recipients are not necessarily assured of future funding.
Restrictions of Fund Use: Please note the following restrictions on the use of ABC Grants funds.
- The maximum grant amount for each project is $500.
- Each school district submitting a proposal will receive a minimum of one grant.
- A teacher may receive a maximum of two grants per year.
- Funds are available for new projects or for the expansion of existing innovative projects, not for the continuation or maintenance of existing projects.
- Grant checks will be payable directly to the school for the express use of the teacher.
- Funds are not intended to serve as an alternate funding source for existing programs or for programs currently funded or scheduled to be funded from alternate sources.
- Projects based solely on the acquisition of a particular kit, computers, games, or books will not be funded. If included in the project, these items may only be a component of the overall project’s ability to meet the project objectives and criteria.
- Expenditures for food must be justified and are not allowed unless they are an integral part of students' instructional program.
- Funds are not to be used for compensatory time, substitutes for teachers, conferences, travel, hotels, buses, or salaries.
Application Review:
ABC Grants are awarded for the recognition of innovative instruction programs on behalf of the classroom teacher. The evaluation of all grant applications is made in a blind review process by a panel of at least six Junior league members, and is based on the following criteria:
- Number of students participating
- Clear, workable plan, including expenditures
- Real world application
- Enhancement of curriculum
- Interdisciplinary project
- Creativity and originality
- Active or cooperative participation
- Material become permanent (an on-going project)
Congratulations to the following 2009 – 2010 ABC Grant Winners:
- Sherry Glidewell,
- Sue Borel,
- Sam De Santo,
- Patrick Lantzy,
- Cherie Daniel, Del Valle Opportunity Center
- Melissa Pepper,
- Emily Farnsworth,
- Amber Gaudet-Marlin, Wiley Middle School
- Hema Raja,
- Pat Pugh,
- Denise Berry & Ellen Strong,
- Barbara Murdock & Cara Shipp,
- Renata Geurtz,
- Jayne Crawford,
- Sandy Crump,
- Kevin Owens,
- Jennifer Atkinson,
- Jennifer Atkinson,
- Jennifer Moody,
- Cate Fox-Lent,
- Tim Mercer,
- Pamela Calabrese,
- Sally Duncan,
