Request for Proposal (RFP)
LEARN WELL (SUMMER READING) INITIATIVE
Funds available to support Summer Reading/Literacy Programs
Date issued: October 26, 2016
Proposal Deadline: November 18, 2016
Grant Period: May 2017 – August 2017
Questions related to this RFP should be directed to:
LaToya Stewart
Vice President, Community Development
United Way of Tarrant County
817-258-8115
www.unitedwaytarrant.org
UNITED WAY OF TARRANT COUNTY
REQUEST FOR APPLICATION (rfP)
summer reading initiative
Reading proficiency by third grade is the most important predictor of high school graduation and career success. Yet, in Tarrant County, 60% do not meet third grade reading standards according to the Center for Public Policy Priorities.
United Way of Tarrant County (UWTC) is seeking collaborative proposals for effective evidence-based, data driven literacy programs for pre-K through 3rd grade students who are new readers, below grade level readers or readers with learning disabilities. The objective is to provide intense interventions to students who have been identified as needing help to improve reading proficiency. Proposed programs must track and report progress in reading achievement for program participants.
A. BACKGROUND
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (CGLR) was started five years ago with funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. It’s a national cross-sector collaborative effort that is focused on improving outcomes in 3rd grade reading proficiency in three areas: school readiness, school attendance and summer learning.
B. DESIRED READING OUTCOME
The overall goal of the GLR Campaign is to double the number of low-income children reading proficiently by the end of third grade by 2020.
C. FUNDS AVAILABLE
UWTC expects to have approximately $50,000 to fund collaborative proposals that provide evidence-based summer reading/literacy programming for new readers, below grade level readers or readers with learning disabilities. Grantees must fully expend all funding between May 2017 and August 2017.
Grant funding will be provided to assist in the following areas:
• Implementing new or expanding existing literacy programs
• Purchasing new technology or equipment to support literacy initiatives
• Purchasing books, materials or software for literacy programs
D. GRANT AWARDS
Applicants may request a minimum of $2,500 but no more than $10,000 from UWTC.
E. MATCHING FUNDS
Applicants must provide a 1:1 cash match and indicate the source of all matching funds.
F. ELIGIBILITY
Eligible applicants include but are not limited to:
· Community-based organizations
· Libraries
· School districts (individual campuses may not apply)
· Literacy or other related coalitions
G. Evaluation
All funded programs must report data that includes baseline and follow-up data for students who participate in the program. All data must be submitted to UWTC no later than September 15, 2017. Please do not submit an application if your organization will not be able to provide a final report with all required data by September 15, 2017. Exceptions to reporting deadlines will not be made after funding has been awarded.
H. Application Requirements
1. The application must be collaborative and reach pre-K through 3rd grade students who are new readers, below grade level readers or readers with learning disabilities.
2. The core strategy should be to provide quality, accessible reading enrichment programming during the summer that includes strong, research-based components.
3. Applicants must demonstrate strong collaborative partnerships. Funding will not be given to proposals that lack evidence of strong partnerships.
4. Applicants must use evaluation measures that demonstrate students maintained or improved reading skills during the summer.
5. Each funded program must serve a minimum of 25 students.
I. SELECTION CRITERIA
· Use of evidence-based intervention and well-defined balanced approach to literacy such as reading aloud, independent reading, writing, vocabulary development, interactive literacy activities, etc.
· Engagement of families to help them understand the importance of reading at home and provide tools to help their children become proficient readers
· Demonstration that program staff possess strong literacy experience
· Demonstration of strong partnerships with schools, non-profits, libraries, faith-based organizations and parents
· Ability to track and report progress in reading achievement for program participants using validated tools
· Priority will be given to applicants that utilize the Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention System
J. THE PROPOSAL
One electronic copy of this proposal is due to UWTC on or before November 18, 2016 by 5 p.m. CST. Proposals should be emailed to AND . Hard copies or faxed copies will not be accepted.
STep 1: 2017 SUMMER LITERACY PROPOSAL
[Organization Name Here] application to UNITED WAY OF TARRANT COUNTY
I. CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact Name:Contact Position or Title:
Contact Email and Phone: / Executive Director or President:
Title if other than “ED” or “President”:
Email address:
Mailing address: / City: / State: / ZIP Code:
Website: / Phone: () / Fax: ( )
II. GRANT REQUEST INFORMATION
1. Date of Request:2. Title of Grant Request:
3. Amount of Request: $ / 4: Annual Operating Budget:
5. Tax ID Number:
6. Legal Name:
6. Grant purpose:
Support for a new program Support for an existing program
7. Are you a UWTC partner agency or impact partner?
8. If you are not a UWTC partner agency or impact partner, have you received funding from UWTC in the past for summer programming?
9. If so, when and how much?
10. Timeframe in which funds will be used? FROM: TO:
11. A short description for the program for which you are requesting funding and how those funds would be used:
(This should be a paragraph or two – Step 2 provides an opportunity to elaborate.)
12. How do the goals of the program relate to the funding priority?
III. Organization background
1. Date founded: / 2. # Full-time staff: / 3. # Part-time staff: / 4. # Volunteers:5. Organization Mission:
6. Brief overview of the organization’s history and programs:
7. Organizations with whom you collaborate:
sTEP 2 : 2017 SUMMER LITERACY grant PROPOSAL
[Your Organization Name Here][Date of Request]
*A general rule of thumb for length of the application is approximately 7-9 pages of complete text.
I. Grant request information
1. Title of Grant Request: / 2. Total amount requested in this application:$
3. Total program budget:
$ / 4. Annual budget of your organization:
$
5. How many individuals are served by your organization each year:
Adults: Youth:
6. How many individuals will be served by the program:
Adults: Youth:
7. Geographic area that will be served:
8. Describe the target population and how they will be identified and recruited?
9. Narrative
Please provide information on the main issues or problems this grant request addresses and details on why and how the program will address these issues. (This is your opportunity to make a persuasive case for support!)
· Brief Problem Statement
· Evidenced-based strategies, best practices, and/or national model that will be used
· Instructional materials that will be used
· Program Activities
10. Implementation Timeline (specifically related to this request)
Please include major events, activities and when they will take place. (bullet point and chronological order)
11. Provide a description of formal and informal partnerships and collaborations specific to this program. Identify the role of each partner.
12. Evaluation – Describe assessment tools that will be used. Tell the frequency with which assessments will be administered. Note: All funded programs must report data that includes baseline and follow-up data for students who participate in the program.
13. Do you have an agreement to receive student data from a partnering ISD? If so, please include data points and dates they will be collected.
II. GRANT REQUEST GOALS, ACTIVITIES AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Goals should be related to specific grant request
STRATEGY / NUMBER SERVED / OUTCOME: The benefits, impact or changes in behavior, knowledge, skills, attitudes, and/ or standing for participants after project activities are completed. Sometimes strategies share one common outcome. / PERFORMANCE MEASURE: A quantifiable indicator used to assess how well the program is achieving its desired objectives. / EVALUATION METHOD: How performance measure will be tracked (surveys, test scores, logs, etc.).
EXAMPLES
Support students by providing fun, research-based language and literacy activities during summer months. / 100 / Maintain and/or increase early grade reading proficiency / 80% of 100 students in the summer reading initiative will maintain and/or increase reading proficiency / Level Literacy Assessment Tool provided at the beginning of the program and end of the program
Give parents/caregivers the skills and resources to help boost their child’s literacy / 50 / Engage parents/caregivers in their child’s learning / 75% parents/caregivers will participate in at least one parent event / Attendance forms
Strategy/Approach
Projected Number Served
Outcome
Indicator/Performance Measure
Evaluation Method
Strategy/Approach
Projected Number Served
Outcome
Indicator/Performance Measure
Evaluation Method
Strategy/Approach
Projected Number Served
Outcome
Indicator/Performance Measure
Evaluation Method
IV. SOURCES OF ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT, CURRENT FISCAL YEAR
*The purpose of this section is to provide a top line overview of your funding for the requested program.
This grant requires a 1:1 cash match.
Sources / Name(s) of Funder(s) / Amount / Pending, Expected,
Or In-hand?
Foundation / $
Corporate / $
Government / $
United Way / $
In-Kind Support / $
Other / $
Total / $
13. How will the funds requested from this specific funder be used? Please include an itemized list of dollar amounts. The total of itemized amounts should add up to the total amount requested in this application.
14. Authorized Signature
Name:
Title:
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
1. Governing structure (ex. Board of Directors)
2. Key Staff list and titles
3. Letters of support from community partners and collaborators
4. Program Budget that reflects the objectives and proposed costs of the full program (budget should not span more than a 4-month timeframe)
5. Organizational budget for current fiscal year
6. A copy of your IRS determination letter
7. Most recent 990 Form
8. Most recent audited financial statement
Applicant organizations that are current UWTC partner agencies and received an allocation for 2016-2017 do not need to provide items #1, #5-#8. All other applicants are required to provide those items.
United Way of Tarrant County, RFP: LEARN WELL (SUMMER READING) INITIATIVE Page 1 of 7