Educational Concept Grant

The first type of grant is to enable existing degreed educators to improve the quality of their instruction. Grants will be made to allow a specific educational concept to be implemented (i.e. field trip, additional teaching materials related to a specific lesson or topic, etc.) The grants will be limited to individuals teaching in the top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle and the Illinois counties of Fulton, Peoria, Knox and Tazewell. There are no qualifications or limitations as to the academic subject matter for which a grant may be used. The size of the grant will vary but is not limited to a specific dollar amount. The grant will be in the form of a gift rather than a loan.

Grantee Class: The grants will be limited to degreed educators teaching at an accredited educational institution in grade levels kindergarten through twelfth grade. The recipient must teach in the geographic region described above.

Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for the grant will include, but not be limited to, the worthiness of the idea or concept for which the grant is requested, the past performance of the teacher, reference from the principal of the school where the individual teaches and references from peers and former students. An individual interview may be required. Formal applications must be made stating the nature of the grant and its usefulness in furthering the recipient's ability to teach as well as other information that would be pertinent to the qualifications of the individual. The applicant must be approved by the principal of their school. The principal must state, in writing, the reason why the school district has chosen not to fund the activity for which the grant is requested.

Selection Committee: The selection committee shall be composed of the Trustees of the Foundation.

Progress Reports: Within one year of the awarding of the grant or, if earlier, upon completion/implementation of the project for which the grant was made, a written report will be submitted to the Trustees (in duplicate) describing how the funds were actually used and the progress made by the Grantee toward achieving the purposes for which the grant was made. If the project is not completed within one year of the date of the grant, an additional "final" report must be submitted providing the above information.

Report Follow-up: If the grantee does not file a report, or if the report indicates that the funds are not being used in furtherance of the purposes for which the grant was made, a Trustee will investigate the grant. While conducting this investigation, the Foundation will withhold further payments from the grantee and will take responsible steps to recover grant funds until it has determined that the funds are being used for their intended purpose.

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Continuing Education Grant

A second area of benefit in which the Foundation anticipates making grants is scholarships for continuing education of degreed teachers.

The scholarship will further the Foundation's educational purposes by enabling deserving men and women to enhance their teaching abilities by taking courses at an accredited post-secondary education entity of their choice. The grant may be used for education that does not necessarily lead to an advanced degree.

The grant will be awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis. The grant will be excluded from gross income under IRC Section 117(a), to the extent it is used for tuition, books, fees and equipment for educational courses. The purpose of the grant is to promote the teaching profession, and the recipient of the grant will be selected from individuals teaching in the geographic area of the top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle or the Illinois counties of Fulton, Knox, Peoria and Tazewell. The grant will not be limited to a specific size.

Grantee Class: Any degreed teacher presently teaching in the above-described geographic area who is taking a course that will enhance their teaching abilities.

Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for the scholarship will include, but not be limited to, the recommendation of the principal of the school at which they teach, desire, character, good citizenship, and economic necessity. An individual interview may be required. A recipient cannot be related to a member of the committee or to any disqualified persons of the Foundation.

Selection Committee: The selection committee shall be composed of the Trustees of the Foundation.

Progress Reports: The scholarships will vary in amount and will be for a year in length. They can be renewed annually for a maximum of three years, provided that the student maintains at least a "B" overall academic average. At the end of each semester, a report, verified by the educational institution, of courses taken and grades received by the recipient must be received by the Foundation. In the case of grantees whose study at an educational institution does not involve the taking of courses but only the preparation of research papers or projects, such as the writing of a Masters dissertation, the Foundation must receive a brief report on the progress of the project at least once a year. The faculty member supervising the grantee must approve such a report. Upon completion of a grantees study at an educational institution, a final report must be obtained.

Report Follow-up: If the student files no report, or if reports indicate that the funds are not being used in furtherance of the scholarship purpose, a Trustee will investigate the grant. While conducting this investigation, the Foundation will withhold further payments from the grantee and will take reasonable steps to recover grant funds until it has determined that the funds are being used for their intended exempt purpose.

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Scholarship Grant

A third area of benefit in which the Foundation anticipates making grants is scholarships for individuals pursuing a post-secondary degree in education.

The scholarships will further the Foundation's educational purposes by enabling deserving men and women to obtain an education-related degree at a university of their choice.

The grant will be awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis. The grant will be excluded from gross income under IRC Section 117(a), to the extent it is used for tuition, books, fees and equipment for educational courses. The purpose of the grant is to promote the teaching profession, and the recipient of the grant will be selected from individuals residing in the geographic area of the top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle or the Illinois counties of Fulton, Knox, Peoria and Tazewell. The grant will not be limited to a specific size.

The grant-making procedures will be as follows:

Grantee Class: Any student at an accredited higher education institution seeking an undergraduate degree in education, who is within two years of completion of their degree program and residing in the geographic area described above.

Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for the scholarship will include, but not be limited to, the Student's demonstrated academic ability, recommendations from instructors, desire, character, good citizenship, and economic necessity. A recipient cannot be related to a member of the committee or to any disqualified persons of the Foundation.

Selection Committee: The selection committee shall be composed of the Trustees of the Foundation.

Progress Reports: The scholarships will vary in amount and will be for a year in length. They can be renewed annually for a maximum of three years, provided that the student maintains at least a "B" overall academic average. At the end of each semester, a report, verified by the educational institution, of courses taken and grades received by the recipient must be received by the Foundation. In the case of grantees whose study at an educational institution does not involve the taking of courses but only the preparation of research papers or projects, such as the writing of a Masters dissertation, the Foundation must receive a brief report on the progress of the project at least once a year. The faculty member supervising the grantee must approve such a report. Upon completion of a grantees study at an educational institution, a final report must be obtained.

Report Follow-up: If the student files no report, or if reports indicate that the funds are not being used in furtherance of the scholarship purpose, a Trustee will investigate the grant. While conducting this investigation, the Foundation will withhold further payments from the grantee and will take reasonable steps to recover grant funds until it has determined that the funds are being used for their intended exempt purpose.

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