For the 2024-2025 school year, the Gripp Grant application deadlines are October 28, 2024 and February 24, 2025.
Step 1: Please reach out to the Gripp Grant Chair
Please contact the Gripp Grant Chair at grippgrant@d39foundation.org to discuss your grant before submitting the application.
Step 2: Download and complete the appropriate application
Seedling Grants – Awarded to applicants in amounts up to $500.
Master Grants – Awarded to applicants in amounts over $500.
Encore Grants – Awarded to enhance or replicate Foundation-funded projects that have been successful elsewhere in District 39.
The Foundation will consider Professional Development opportunities that occur “in house” or within D39. Please reach out to the Gripp Grant Chair at grippgrant@d39foundation.org to discuss these opportunities further.
NOTE: The Foundation does not retroactively fund programs or events which occur before or on the day of the Board of Trustees meeting where Gripp Grant funding recommendations are considered.
Step 3: Submit your completed application by 5pm on the stated deadlines
For the 2024-25 school year, the grant application deadlines are October 28, 2024 and February 24, 2025.
Send electronic copy (PDF or Word.doc) to: grippgrant@d39foundation.org. Application must include your Principal’s signature which you can include in your electronic copy (or send via a hard copy to the Foundation mailbox at the MEC). This school year we will only be accepting applications sent in electronically via email.
Step 4: Grant applications reviewed
Following the submission deadline for each of the two grant cycles per school year and typically within a week of the deadline, the Recommendations Gripp Grant Committee (RGGC) meets to review each application and make its funding recommendations to the Foundation Board of Trustees at the following regularly scheduled board meeting.
RGGC meeting dates are typically scheduled one week after the deadline date.
Step 5: RGGC funding recommendations voted on at the Board of Trustees meeting
RGGC’s funding recommendations are made at the Foundation’s Board of Trustees meeting and the vote occurs. For the 2024-2025 school-year, the votes will take place at the board meetings on November 6, 2024 and March 13, 2025.
Step 6: Applicants notified of the funding decision
Applicants will be notified of the funding decision with regard to their application the day following the Board of Trustees meeting, unless that day falls when school is not in session, in which case the date will shift to the next day school is in session.
Step 7: If you are a Gripp Grant awardee
Congratulations! Once a grant has been awarded, many items, especially technology or equipment, should be purchased through the District 39 Business Office in the MEC to obtain educator pricing.
Please put your name and “D39 Foundation Gripp Grant” on any district purchase orders related to your grant.
Other purchases will need a tax-exempt letter (the Foundation cannot reimburse for state sales tax) and should be submitted to the Foundation office at the MEC with a reimbursement form for reimbursement, according to the terms and amount of the specific Gripp Grant.
All grant funds must be spent within one year of the award date.
Step 8: Provide feedback and photos/video of the grant in use six months after the date funding was granted.
All Gripp Grant recipients are also required to provide feedback and photos/video of the grant in use to the Gripp Grant Chair. We welcome photos, testimonials and all feedback to keep the foundation posted as the project unfolds! Feedback helps the Gripp Grant Committee evaluate future grants.