PTO GRANT PROGRAMS
Introduction
The Marshall Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization aims to increase awareness of school policy, direction, goals, and procedures in order to improve teacher, parent, and student communication. We sponsor positive programs that include teachers, parents, and students for the purpose of establishing closer relationships between home and school. Overall, we promote the authenticity of the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Elementary by adhering to the integrity of the gifted program’s philosophies.
The Marshall Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization is a non-profit organization registered in the State of Illinois. As such, money raised by the Marshall Elementary PTO is used to further its charitable mission to provide materials and services for the academic enrichment of the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Elementary and to build community for its families. The PTO Grant Programs provide an opportunity for members of the Marshall Elementary community to guide spending in these fundamental areas.
The Marshall Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization is 100% volunteer run and is tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3).
The Marshall Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization aims to increase awareness of school policy, direction, goals, and procedures in order to improve teacher, parent, and student communication. We sponsor positive programs that include teachers, parents, and students for the purpose of establishing closer relationships between home and school. Overall, we promote the authenticity of the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Elementary by adhering to the integrity of the gifted program’s philosophies.
The Marshall Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization is a non-profit organization registered in the State of Illinois. As such, money raised by the Marshall Elementary PTO is used to further its charitable mission to provide materials and services for the academic enrichment of the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Elementary and to build community for its families. The PTO Grant Programs provide an opportunity for members of the Marshall Elementary community to guide spending in these fundamental areas.
The Marshall Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization is 100% volunteer run and is tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3).
Grant Award Types
To encourage participation in the PTO Grant Programs and to support the development of creative, collaborative and intentional spending on behalf of the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Elementary, the following grant award types are available:
To encourage participation in the PTO Grant Programs and to support the development of creative, collaborative and intentional spending on behalf of the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Elementary, the following grant award types are available:
Purple Horseshoe Fund
This award (up to $1000) will be granted to projects or programs that promote the overall mission of the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Elementary, especially as symbolized in the school motto, “We are the Marshall Elementary family, who accept and respect each other while striving for success with integrity.” |
Christa McAuliffe Innovation Award
This award (up to $1000) will be granted to projects or programs that promote the implementation of new ideas or feature new methods, especially in the incorporation of STEM educational objectives. This award honors the legacy of Sharon Christa McAuliffe who, in 1985, was selected from more than 11,000 applicants to participate in the NASA Teacher in Space Project and was scheduled to become the first teacher in space. Unfortunately, she was among the seven-member crew lost when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded after launch on January 28, 1986. (Photo: from NASA Human Space Flight Gallery) |
Emergency Fund
This small award (up to $250) will be granted to projects or programs designed to meet significant emergent or immediate needs of members of the Marshall Elementary community. Funding requests for this award will be considered off-cycle and as needed. To maintain the charitable mission of the Marshall Elementary PTO, this small award is most likely to be funded when it benefits a considerable portion of the Marshall Elementary community instead of a single individual or family. |
Eligibility for Funding
All teachers and staff at the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Elementary are eligible to apply for PTO Grant Programs. Teachers and staff may apply individually or collaboratively.
Parents or guardians of currently enrolled students are eligible to apply for PTO Grant Programs only if collaborating with a teacher or staff member at the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Elementary.
All proposed grant projects or programs must directly impact the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Elementary and must receive approval by the building principal before being considered for funding.
All teachers and staff at the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Elementary are eligible to apply for PTO Grant Programs. Teachers and staff may apply individually or collaboratively.
Parents or guardians of currently enrolled students are eligible to apply for PTO Grant Programs only if collaborating with a teacher or staff member at the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Elementary.
All proposed grant projects or programs must directly impact the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Elementary and must receive approval by the building principal before being considered for funding.
Funding Strategies
The PTO Grant Programs are designed to allow for members of the Marshall Elementary community to guide spending that ultimately serves the Marshall Elementary community. In an ideal situation, the PTO Grant Programs committee will have the ability to fund all applications submitted each cycle. All ideas are welcome and will be respectfully considered.
The PTO Grant Programs are designed to allow for members of the Marshall Elementary community to guide spending that ultimately serves the Marshall Elementary community. In an ideal situation, the PTO Grant Programs committee will have the ability to fund all applications submitted each cycle. All ideas are welcome and will be respectfully considered.
- Strong funding requests will benefit a considerable portion of the Marshall Elementary community.
- Funding requests submitted each cycle will be considered in tandem to allow decisions to be based on the breadth of impact and/or the fit of the funding request to the specific award indicated on the application.
- Applicants are not restricted from applying in future grant cycles even when following an inability to fund a previous funding request.
- Funding decisions and determination of award amounts will consider funds, materials and services made available through and provided by the Rockford Public School District.
Grant Terms and Conditions
- Durable goods purchased with PTO Grant Programs funds are considered property of the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Elementary.
- Grant awards will be disbursed directly to vendors (as invoiced or purchased directly) or as a reimbursement to grant recipients (as indicated by submitted receipts for purchases made after grant notification unless otherwise coordinated).
- The Marshall Elementary PTO is not required to pay sales tax in the State of Illinois for purchases that further its charitable purpose. Grant recipients are expected to coordinate with the Marshall Elementary PTO in making reasonable accommodations to follow vendors’ processes for sales tax exemption.
Grant Award Expectations
All grant applicants will be notified of funding decisions by email at the contact address indicated on the application. Applicants chosen to receive a grant will be asked to enter a general agreement upon acceptance of the grant related to impact measurement and reporting, responsible variations in grant spending, and procedures for unspent monies. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Marshall Elementary PTO if a project or timeline has significantly changed while waiting for a funding decision.
All grant applicants will be notified of funding decisions by email at the contact address indicated on the application. Applicants chosen to receive a grant will be asked to enter a general agreement upon acceptance of the grant related to impact measurement and reporting, responsible variations in grant spending, and procedures for unspent monies. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Marshall Elementary PTO if a project or timeline has significantly changed while waiting for a funding decision.
Questions? Contact the Marshall Elementary PTO Grant Programs Committee at [email protected]