2016-2017 FCAE

Improving Your Agricultural Education ProgramMini-Grant

Purpose

FCAE may provide “Improving Your Agricultural Education Program”Mini-Grants up to a maximum of $10,000 per local educational agency to fund a major program improvement project for the agricultural department.

Implementation of this mini-grant is contingent upon the availability offunds.

Eligibility

School districts with an approved agricultural education program are eligible to apply.

Requirements

  • Proposed plan for the project including detailed description, photos, sketch and/or blueprint.
  • Proposed budget.
  • Verification of a minimum of 50% local match. Matching funds may include values of donated contributions, except for the value of labor. Use of state or federal CTE grant dollars, as matching funds, are non-allowable. Preference will be given to proposals with higher levels of local match.
  • Contact with your FCAE program advisor in completing your proposal.
  • Proposal must be postmarked by January 6, 2017 and sent to FCAE, 200 S. Fredrick, Rantoul, IL 61866. Faxed proposals will be acceptable, but an original signed application will be required prior to judging.
  • Proposals received after the January 6, 2017postmarked date will be considered for funding, if all funds have not yet been contracted.
  • All projects must be completed and afinal report received by June 9, 2017.
  • Grants will be evaluated by a committee of ICAE & ILCAE members based on the criteria listed in the application.
  • Selected grant recipients will be notified as soon as possible after the selection committee meets.
  • Priority will be given to recipients who have not received the mini-grant within the past five years. Applicants who have been awarded the mini-grant within the past five years will be give consideration if funds are available.
  • All schools awarded funding will be required to facilitate a monitoring visit by an FCAE staff member to tag new equipment, facilities, etc, to view expenditures according to the budget, and to take photos of improvements.

Funding

The mini-grant projects are funded through the Agricultural Education line item in the Illinois State Board of Education budget. FCAE will award mini-grants up to a maximum of $10,000.00 per school district. If selected as a mini-grant recipient, payment of 50% of the funds awarded will be at the beginning of the project in a check from Parkland College, the fiscal agent. The balance of the funds will be awarded at the completion of the project once the final report has been submitted to the FCAE office in Rantoul.

Improving Your Agricultural Education Program Grant Application

Mail to the FCAE Office, 200 South Fredrick, Rantoul, IL61866. Due:Postmarked by January 6, 2017.

Project Name

Agricultural Department

High School School Phone

Mailing Address

Total Project Cost (Budget) ______

Total Dollars Requested: $ (Maximum - $10,000.00)

Source of Matching Funds

Sponsor Name:______

Sponsor Address:______

Sponsor Phone;______Amount of Matching Funds $______

******************************************

Sponsor Name:______

Sponsor Address:______

Sponsor Phone;______Amount of Matching Funds $______

******************************************

Sponsor Name:______

Sponsor Address:______

Sponsor Phone;______Amount of Matching Funds $______

***Return with the proposal to the Rantoul FCAE office postmarked by January 6, 2017***

(1 – Title & Source of Matching Funds Page )

Verification of Local Matching Funds

I do herby affirm the above named sponsor(s) provided $______in matching funds to be used in the Improving Agricultural Education Programs Grant.

(All Signers – Please Print Name and Sign)

Agricultural Instructor______Signature______

High School Principal______Signature______

School Board Member______Signature______

Advisory Committee Member______Signature______

***Return with the proposal to the Rantoul FCAE office postmarked by January 6, 2017***

(2 – Verification of Matching Funds Page)

Proposal Components

Provide the following information on a separate page(s) in order as listed:

Page 1 – Title & Source of Matching Funds

Page 2 – Verification of Matching Funds

Page 3 - Goals/Objectives – (What do you want to accomplish)?

Page 4 - Plan of action – (Who, what, where, why, how, & timeline for project including proposed startingand completion date? Include a sketch or diagram if applies.)

Page 5 - Impact – (How will this project make an impact on your students and/or program?)

Page 6 - Budget – (Indicate expenses, resources, materials and cash needed to complete the project. An itemized budget indicating the total amount for the project is required using the format in the table below. )

Item #

/

Description of Item

/

Unit Cost

/

Quantity

/

Total Cost

1. / $ / $
2. / $ / $
3. / $ / $
4. / $ / $
5. / $ / $
6. / $ / $

TOTAL COST OF PROJECT (includes requested dollar amount & local match)

** Must match “Total Project Cost” amount listed on page one of the application. / ** $

Total Dollars Requested: $ (Maximum - $10,000.00)

Verification of a minimum of 50% local match. $______(amount of match)

Matching funds may include values of donated contributions, except for the value of labor. Use of state or federal CTE grant dollars, as matching funds, are non-allowable.

Page 7 - Other – List any other information you feel is vital to your request or which the committee should consider.

Criteria for Grant Application Evaluation

  • Objectives – 25%
  • Plan of Action – 15%
  • Impact – 30%
  • Budget – 20%
  • Other – 10%

Final Report

A Final Report is required at the end of the project prior to June 9, 2017 reflecting project accomplishments. Include both before and after photos. Copies of receipts/vouchers must accompany the Final Report verifying total budget expenditures to qualify for final grant payment. The format for the Final Report is outlined below.

Improving Your Agricultural Education Program Grant

Final Report Information Sheet

Final Report Parameters:

YOUR FINAL REPORT IS DUE IN THE FCAE OFFICE, 200 S. FREDRICK, RANTOUL, IL 61866, ON OR BEFORE June 9, 2017.

  • Grants with final reports received on or before June9, 2017 will receive full funding.
  • Final reports received June10 – 30, 2017 will have their final grant payment reduced by $500.00 for every 7 day period (or portion thereof).
  • If a school does not have its approved Final Report into the FCAE office, 200 S. Fredrick, Rantoul, IL 61866 by June 30, 2017, the remaining 50% of their grant will be forfeited.
  • IF THERE IS AN UNFORESEEN COMPLICATION MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO MAKE THE June 9, 2017 DEADLINE, YOU NEED TO NOTIFY THE FCAE OFFICE IN RANTOUL BY MAY 15, 2017AND WE WILL WORK WITH YOU FOR AN EXTENDED COMPLETION DATE.

Final Report Contents:

(Please compose your Final Report in the order listed below.)

  1. Up to a one page narrative (Include the project title, school name, and instructor’s name.)
  1. Itemized Final Budget (There should be a total for each section and a grand total at the end.) USE THE EXCEL FILE YOU WERE PROVIDED WHEN YOU RECEIVED YOUR APPROVAL LETTER. You may add as many rows to any section as you need to include all items.
  2. Income & Cash Donations
  3. Expenses
  4. In-kind Donations (i.e. labor, materials, supplies, discounts, equipment and/or its usage)
  5. Legible copies of receipts
  6. Legible copies of expenses/bills
  7. Before and after pictures