MEF Teacher Grant Guidelines (2011)

Click here to download Grant Application → doc

Philosophy for Grants

MEF Grants are cash awards that are designed to encourage creativity in the classroom, develop more effective methods of instruction, and provide for imaginative teaching. Grant projects must benefit students educationally by enabling staff members to put new and innovative ideas into action that might not be implemented otherwise. Projects must be new and not continuations of ongoing projects. Innovation and student-based activities are key.

Grant Applications and Amounts

Grants are open to all GMCS teachers, librarians, and counselors for classroom oriented projects. Grants may be applied for individually or jointly. The maximum amount of each grant is $200.00. The 2010 applications MUST be completed on the current year application form, using 12-point font. The Application Form can be downloaded from: www.mckinleykids.org. Save the form to your computer and complete the application in Microsoft Word. Handwritten applications will not be accepted. More than one application may be submitted, but an individual will not receive more than one grant.

Grant Guidelines

Grant funds can be used to purchase manipulatives, science materials, craft materials, and other hands on items that students will use in carrying out activities of your project.

The following activities will NOT be funded:

  • Field trips or bus transportation
  • Uniforms / costumes / t-shirts
  • Teacher pay / stipends or substitute pay
  • Staff development, conference fees or travel costs
  • Televisions, VCRs, tape recorders, CD players, “boom boxes”, computers or printers
  • Continuations of existing projects

Requests for food, films, video tapes, software, monetary awards and prizes will not be considered unless they are a small but integral part of the whole proposal. The Foundation also will not cover expenses that are included in a school’s operating budget.

All equipment purchases made with Grant funds will become the property of Gallup-McKinley County Schools.

Projects that include the following must have written approval from the appropriate District Administrator. Grant applications that are submitted without such approval will be rejected.

  • Facilities: Changes or improvements to any school facility or property
  • Curriculum: Supplements or changes to the current GMCS approved curriculum

Review Committee Members

Proposals will be reviewed by a committee that includes, but is not limited to, the McKinley Education Foundation Board, a Gallup-McKinley County administrator, and teachers.

Application, Selection, and Reporting Procedure

  • All applicants must complete the 2011 Grant Proposal Form. Proposals not on that form will NOT BE CONSIDERED.
  • All questions must be answered.
  • Refer to these Guidelines when completing the application form.
  • Proper school/district approvals must be on all applications.
  • When grants are awarded, the funds are given directly to the awardees, not to the school.
  • Teachers and projects will be recognized publicly at a GMCS School Board meeting and through media releases.
  • Important: Each grant recipient must send a short project report addressing the success of the project no later than June 1, 2012.
  • Failure to send a report will disqualify the applicant from future participation in the grant program and will require repayment of grant funds. Reports can be emailed to or .
  • The Foundation Board may request permission to visit a project site to meet with the applicant.
  • Any unused grant monies must be returned to the Foundation.

Due Date

The deadline for submitting Grant proposals is November 15, 2011.

Mail to:

McKinley Education Foundation

1127 Boggio

Gallup, NM 87301


Contact Information

Comments and questions can be directed to:

Bruce Tempest

(505) 863-9951

Remember: Grant recipients must file a project report by June 1, 2012.

The MEF Board of Directors will continually review the Grant program, its policies, methods of operation and criteria for funding proposals. Grant awards are at the discretion of the Board and are final.

© 2012 McKinley Education Foundation