GUIDELINES

STUDENT OPPORTUNITY FUND

The Student Opportunity Fund supports small campus-based projects that provide educational opportunities and experiences for economically disadvantaged students in AISD.

2019-2020 APPLICATION CYCLE TIMELINE

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Please continue to check back in throughout the school year for more opportunities from Austin Ed Fund.

GUIDELINES

This grant opportunity is specifically earmarked for AISD campuses, with the goal of responding to time-sensitive needs for educational enhancement for economically disadvantaged students.  Please read the following criteria carefully to ensure your project is eligible before you apply:

  • Alignment: Project is aligned with Austin Ed Fund’s mission to serve as a catalyst for generating and distributing external resources for the support of excellence in AISD.
  • Project Focus: Priority is given to programs emphasizing educational enhancement opportunities for economically disadvantaged students.
  • Population Focus: Priority given to campuses where 60% or more students qualify for free or reduced meals (this includes 69 of 130 AISD campuses in SY 17-18) and/or projects specifically earmarked for economically disadvantaged students on a given campus.
  • Demonstrated Need: Funds will meet needs identified in district and/or campus strategy and support expenses not typically covered by public funds.
  • Impact: Ability to measure success and report results.

CRITERIA FOR FUNDING

In-Scope:

  • Experiences (including exposure to colleges & careers)
  • Transportation, meals and entry fees related to field trips focused on educational enhancement
  • Academic materials/ equipment
  • Clothing aligned with academic success (e.g. school uniforms)
  • Cross-cultural opportunities

Out of Scope:

  • Salaries
  • Maintenance/ facility improvements
  • Technology/ equipment typically covered by public funds
  • Costumes
  • Event/ food sponsorships
  • Professional Development (project needs to directly focus on student opportunities)

The Student Opportunity Fund awards grants up to $10,000.
The average grant award through this opportunity is around $2,000 – $4,000.