Guidelines for Mini-Grant Proposals – Bi-County Cooperative Foundation

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Mini–grant proposals may only be submitted by early intervention, regular education, special education personnel, or parents or community members who are providing direct services to children (ages 0 through 21) with special needs, and personnel from early childhood, primary, middle school or high school programs serving children with special needs (ages 0 through 21) who work in Whiteside or Carroll counties. Related service personnel (therapists, program assistants, etc.) are eligible to apply as long as the focus of the mini-grant is for children (early childhood through age 21) with special needs.

*Mini grant funds may be used to purchase materials, services or personnel necessary to the implementation of ideas which are creative and unique and will have a positive educational impact on children and families. Such expenditures should be developmentally appropriate and strongly justified in the grant body. No mini-grant awarded shall exceed $500.00.

*Any materials purchased through mini-grant funds become the property of the Bi-County Foundation and thus remain with the program and not with the teaching staff.

*Grants will not be awarded to help perform established responsibilities or purchase supplies that are normally provided by the district, staff or program/agency.

*Proposed projects may include, but are not limited to, inclusion, family involvement, assessment, curriculum, transition, or multicultural understanding.

*Mini-grant funds may be used to build and expand on a mini-grant project that was funded through the Bi-County Foundation last year. This year’s proposal MUST incorporate new ideas/activities.

*Additional funding from other community sources is encouraged and should be documented in the grant proposal.

*Priority will be given to innovative, creative projects in which funds are used for the direct benefit of children and families rather than for compensation for teacher time spent in “extra-curricular” activities, such as planning time or evening meetings.

Who Reviews?

The Bi-County Foundation Executive Board will evaluate proposals. Funded applicants will be notified of the results by mail. Mini-grants are typically awarded in the fall and spring of each calendar year. Special requests will be reviewed as needed.

Show Me the Money!

Funds will be disbursed in the form of a Bi-County Foundation check given directly to the applicant. Submission of receipts for purchase is due six months after grant approval. Payouts will be at the discretion of the Bi-County Foundation Board.

Follow Through:

All persons receiving mini-grant funding will be required to submit a final report to the Bi-County Foundation. This report should include both visual (photographic, video) and written results. The Bi-County Foundation Directors will be available to provide technical assistance during the implementation of these grants.

*Grant expenditures must be documented with original receipts and itemized and submitted with your final report within 6 months. Grant recipients who fail to submit receipts verifying the expenditure of grant monies will no longer be eligible to apply. Extensions for this grant will be granted only by a majority vote of the Bi-County Foundation Board of Directors.

Submission of Grant:

Grants must be typewritten and submitted to: Bi-County Cooperative Foundation, 506 West 4^th Street, Suite B, Sterling, Illinois 61081. An electronic version is available at www.bi-county.org.

Limitations:

Participants are limited to a maximum of two stipends per year per individual or organization.

Questions: If you have any questions, please contact Drew Hoffman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 815-622-0858 ext.16.