Service-Learning Mini Grant
Call for Proposals
Oakridge 2015 Good Neighbor Innovation School
OVERVIEW: The goal of the Mini-Grant program is to enable Oakridge
students to obtain the funds needed to support service-learning projects that
encourage community partnerships with stakeholders such as local
businesses, community members, non-profit organizations, Township leaders,
etc . The process of writing and submitting a competitive grant application is
in itself a valuable learning experience.
DEADLINE: There is no deadline for the application. Grants will be available
until the funds are used up.
GRANT AMOUNT AVAILABLE: Up to $500 per project, depending on the
quality of the proposal and/or the number of applicants.
WHAT IS SERVICE LEARNING? Service-Learning is a method of teaching
and learning that combines a young person's academic curriculum and their
passions and interests with real-life experiences. Service-learning provides
an avenue for all types of communication before, during and after any
project. Service-learning is not a formal program but an educational process
that involves students in learning experiences that relate service directly to
academic subject matter, while at the same time involving students making
a contribution to their communities.
There are four components of a service-learning project: preparation, action,
reflection and recognition.
1. Preparation is the most important aspect of a service-learning
program. In this stage, the students must develop a sense of
ownership of the project, or it will not be as successful. Their
involvement in all aspects of the planning is essential. Students also
need to be provided the opportunity to analyze the needs of the
community and seek out information. This may be done as simply as
reading the newspaper, making telephone calls or visiting sites.
2. Service/Action involves actually performing the service planned.
Direct Service examples:
Working with youth through education / recreation programs
Working with senior citizens
Working with disabled individuals or veteran organizations
Working with immigrant populations
Preparing / serving food for others
Indirect Service examples
Collecting / distributing food items or clothing
Organizing fundraisers for special causes or events
Engaging in neighborhood beautification projects
Engaging in local conservation efforts
Advocacy (informing the public) examples:
Informing the public about a variety of issues through social media,
video-streaming sites, or protected Internet sites
Working with local advocacy organizations
Speaking on behalf of underrepresented segments of the community
Education Fairs
3. Reflection is the third step to a service-learning program that can
determine what kind of learning took place and can also help
determine the success of the project. At this time there should be
documentable discussion and follow-up about how the service makes
the students feel and how they think the recipients are feeling about
the service provided. This can include group discussions, journals, or
surveys that help express their reactions to the program and reflect on
what learning took place. Make certain that the children are aware of
what they have done and the difference that they have made.
4. Recognition/Celebration is the fourth and final step to a servicelearning program. In this step, recognition is the component of servicelearning that recognizes students for their contributions, and also
brings closure to an ongoing activity. There are many ways that this
final component of service-learning can be implemented, such as,
school assembles, certificates of achievement, special media coverage,
pizza parties, and joint celebration with service recipients.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: In order to be considered for a Mini-Grant, the
applicant(s) must do the following:
(1.)
Establish a team of students (with a minimum of 4 students)
(2.)
Complete the Application (attached)
(3.)
Submit all applications to _________________________ electronically
(4.)
Include a detailed budget with researched costs per item
requested (exact cost of items, not estimates or general costs when
possible).
Mini Grant Application
Applicant Information
Name:
Team Name or Homeroom:
Teacher Contact Phone:
Teacher Contact Email:
Project Information
Project name:
Community Partner(s):
Project Goals Describe the goals of your service-learning project and what
you intend to accomplish (desired outcomes). Please include connections to
the curriculum and your plan for reflection before, during, and after the
project.
Use of Funds to Support Service-Learning Project Include a description
of how funds will be used to help meet the goals of your service-learning
project. Be descriptive in what the funds will be used for.
Amount Requested Please provide a detailed budget, giving a price for
each item requested for the project.
Criteria used in evaluating grant proposals include the following:
1. Integration of community service experience into the curriculum, meeting
one or more course objectives.
2. The connection between the community service experience and the
course content and student learning outcomes is clearly defined.
3. The anticipated impact of the project in terms of the number of students
and the level of involvement in the community.
4. Strong collaboration with an appropriate agency is established and
maintained.
5. The community service experience addresses a community need.
6. Structured student reflection is integrated into the service-learning
component of the project.
7. Evaluation research is conducted to determine the impact of the course on
student development and community impact. Examples of assessment
components include the following: a. Tools such as printed and electronic
materials, websites, and blogs c. Documentation of publicity and other
materials documenting community impact of student projects.
8. Budget justification is compelling and clearly outlined.
