The Safe Schools Endeavor, in partnership with the Northern New York Community Foundation, announces the availability of applications for funding for the 2018-19 school year. The grant application should be completed by interested individuals and groups and returned to the Northern New York Community Foundation at 131 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601 by Monday, November 5, 2018. Earlier this year, the Community Foundation offered a $20,000 matching grant for gifts contributed to support the initiative.
“Many generous individuals and businesses have contributed to the Safe Schools Endeavor over the past few months and we are incredibly grateful that their support has brought us to this moment,” said Erika Flint, Steering Committee Chair. “This funding opportunity is the voice of businesses and individuals telling our school districts that they do not have to carry this burden alone. The community views school safety as a shared responsibility that deserves our attention.”
“Our hope was that this matching grant would transform a meaningful idea into reality. The community response to this initiative has more than exceeded our expectations. We are encouraged to now see these resources put to work to help make our students and communities safer,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation director. The Safe Schools Endeavor will consider applications submitted by students, teachers, faculty, staff, and parents. Any individual or group of individuals with an idea to improve safety within their Jefferson or Lewis County school building should discuss the concept with their school administration to gather their support. Proposals can involve student programming, parent programming, equipment, faculty and staff training, travel, or anything else that an individual or group within the school community believes would enhance the overall safety of the school and its community members. The Safe Schools Endeavor is about awareness, empowerment, and action within school communities, and funding proposals will be evaluated based upon the degree to which they embody these desired outcomes.
Individuals and groups may request any amount, but typical grants will fall in the range of $1,000 – $2,500. All proposed projects/programs must occur in the 2018-19 school year and must be approved by the administration of the school district. Grant applications are available on the Community Foundation’s website, www.nnycf.org. Additional information is available on the Safe Schools Endeavor Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SafeSchoolsEndeavor/