Watertown Community Foundation announces School Program Grants

The Watertown Community Foundation offers School Program Grants to support educational enrichment programs in collaboration with Watertown Public Schools. These grants are open for applications from October 1 to November 15, 2024, with awards announced by the end of December. The grants aim to enhance classroom learning, grade-level initiatives, after-school programs, and district-wide efforts, with a preference for projects that foster collaboration and extend beyond individual classrooms. Eligible projects include supplemental materials, equipment for educational programs, special events, and experimental school-wide initiatives. However, funding is not available for field trip transportation, snacks, furniture, teacher travel, individual professional development, or stipends for current school employees. To apply, programs must be run by a public entity or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Applications require approval from school principals and should be submitted in collaboration with the school leadership team or a fiscal agent. If the program involves external personnel, the application must be submitted by a principal or district leader to ensure proper security measures. Grants are typically awarded between $500 and $1,000, with a maximum of $2,500 for most applicants. Projects involving multiple schools or organizations may be considered for awards of $5,000 or more. Past grant recipients must complete a grant report for the previous year to be eligible for new funding. Applications are submitted online, and applicants will receive a confirmation email upon submission. For more information, applicants can attend information sessions or contact the foundation directly.