What are grants?
Awards of monetary assistance, usually tied to a very specific purpose or program plan. The funds can be spent only according to the approved plan.

Where does Fort Worth ISD get grants?
Publicly funded grant programs are primarily administered by governmental entities, mostly state or federal, and most are on a competitive basis with specific selection criteria. Privately funded grant programs are available through foundations or charitable trusts, as well as through corporations or individuals.

How can I find out about grants?
The Grants Department notifies leadership in departments and schools of publicly funded grant availability.  This information is also on the web sites of the Texas Education Agency  and the federal Department of Education.  The Funding Information Center of Fort Worth is also a good source of information on local privately funded resources. Individual schools and departments are also encouraged to do their own grant research.

How do I apply for grants? 
All Fort Worth ISD entities must submit the Intent to Apply for Grant Funding form through the Grants Department before applying for any grant.  The Fort Worth ISD Grants Department will assist you with the application process for competitive federal and state grants, and other grants as staff time is available.

Can I get a grant to finish my advanced degree?
The Fort Worth ISD Grants Department does not seek grants for individuals. Scholarship and tuition assistance are often available through the educational institution you would be attending. Specific grants for individuals can also be researched at the Funding Information Center of Fort Worth or the public library.

Do I have to notify you when I’m applying for grants, even if you’re not helping?
Yes, according to Fort Worth ISD board policy, the Grants and Development Department is to act as the clearinghouse for all grant applications and awards, and should be notified of all grants to ensure appropriate procedures are followed for requesting and accepting funds.

What is the process for notifying the grants office of grants that are received by a school or department?
The Grants Department should be notified immediately if a notice of grant award is received so that proper budgeting, accounting and reporting procedures can be initiated.  You can e-mail the Grants Director at tracy.marshall@fwisd.org with the appropriate information, and/or fax all relevant documentation of grant receipt to 817-871-2497.

What happens to the money from a grant when a school notifies the grants office?
The Grants Department will assist with ensuring that all funds are spent as designated by the donor.  Board policy requires acceptance approval as follows:

• Over $25,000:  Ratification by the Board is required.
• $2,500 - $25,000:  Approval of the Superintendent is required, and if monetary, should be established in a centralized District account assigned by the Budget Department.
• 2,500 or less: May be accepted by the principal on behalf of a school and placed in the school’s internal finance funds.

How are schools selected for grant applications?
Most publicly funded grants define eligibility, often based on economic levels and prior performance on state assessments.  Fort Worth ISD executive staff may further define eligibility for applicants based on district priorities.

Can you find me money for a specific project?
Due to staffing capacity, the activity is focused on competitive applications for publicly funded grants of $50,000 or more, aligned with the goals of Vision 2010.

Is Fort Worth ISD non-profit?
Fort Worth ISD is a political subdivision of the State of , and is tax exempt. It is not a 501(c)3 organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Service, but donors may claim a charitable contribution for gifts to Fort Worth ISD if such a gift is used for a public purpose.

Can I use e-grants?
Access to the e-grant system is limited to those approved by the Superintendent.  All e-grants for Fort Worth ISD are submitted through the Grants Department upon approval of the Superintendent.

What is a support letter?
A support letter generally indicates that a specified project is meeting a specific need for a campus or community.   It should be as specific as possible about any participation offered by the supporter, on the organization’s letterhead, signed by the CEO or managing director of the organization.

Do you write the grant for me?
As time permits, Grants Department staff will assist with preparation and submittal of applications, but grant applicants (campus or department) must participate fully in project planning and development.

Are there sample grants or templates I can use?
Some grant application forms are similar from one year to the next, but most projects require new and specific information.  You are welcome to come by the Grants Office to review prior grant submittals to get an idea of the type of information required.

How can I find out about grants my school already has?
Principals at each school have information on all grants operating on their campus.

Why do some schools get more grants than others?
Most grant criteria are needs-based, meaning priority is given to campuses with the greatest needs: for academic improvement, with the most families qualifying for free and reduced rate meals, or perhaps the greatest number of English Language Learners.  Also, even when eligible to apply, some principals choose not to apply because they may not be able to dedicate sufficient resources to apply and properly manage a grant.

Is there a set time when grants are due or available?
Time lines vary from grant to grant, and from year to year. There is no set time.

Where can I learn about grant writing?
The Grants Department has a library of materials on grant writing, and workshops are offered regularly through the Funding Information Center of Fort Worth.

What is the difference between grants, gifts and donations?
There is no set definition, but in general, gifts and donations have few or no performance requirements, and with values of less than $2,500 need only be reported to the Grants Office (they are maintained in a School account.) Grants more often have specific performance and reporting requirements. Regardless of the label, according to board policy all grants, gifts or donations should be reported to the Grants Office, and amounts over $2,500 must be reported to the Grants Office for acceptance and approval by the Superintendent’s office. Awards over $25,000 must be reported to the Grants Office for ratification by the Board.

What are my responsibilities once I get a grant?
Specific responsibilities vary by grant, but in general grant owners are responsible for grant implementation and reporting in accordance with requirements of the grant.

Who is responsible for reporting to funding agencies?
The Grant Owner is ultimately responsible for insuring that reports are completed.  Project Development Specialists with the Grants Department and Evaluators from the Accountability and Data Quality Department will assist with report preparation and submittal as time permits.

Why is there a grants department?
The Grants Department was established as an organizational tool to ensure that Fort Worth ISD receives maximum benefit from all available funding sources and takes advantage of those funds available.

Does Fort Worth ISD have an educational foundation?
Not at this time (But Fort Worth ISD works with the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation and is exploring the possibility of establishing an independent foundation for the district.) Fort Worth ISD has considered establishing a foundation but does not have resources to dedicate to properly establish and manage a foundation at this time. This issue will likely be revisited in the future if resources become available.