WILMINGTON — First State Educate, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering school boards, announces the launch of its mini grants program.

This initiative is designed to enhance the effectiveness of Delaware’s school boards by providing targeted financial support for projects that improve governance, foster community engagement, and address local educational challenges.

With a total funding pool of $10,000, First State Educate will award mini grants to school board members across Delaware. The grants will vary in amount, depending on the scope and impact of the proposed projects, ensuring that the most innovative and impactful initiatives receive the resources needed to succeed.

"School boards play a pivotal role in decision making that can directly impact student outcomes," said Julia Keleher, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at First State Educate.

"Through these mini grants, we aim to empower school board members to drive meaningful change in their districts, enhance governance practices, and strengthen the connections between schools and their communities in ways that directly improve student outcomes."

The mini grants program is designed to enhance the effectiveness of school boards by improving governance practices, supporting informed decision-making, and fostering strong leadership. It also aims to strengthen community engagement by promoting collaboration and transparency between school boards and the communities they serve.

Additionally, the program empowers school boards to address local challenges with innovative solutions that improve student outcomes, while also professionalizing the role of school board members by supporting their ongoing development and recognizing the importance of their service in achieving educational excellence.

Eligibility requirements for the mini grants program are as follows:

• Applicants must be current school board members who have participated in at least three First State Educate activities, events, initiatives, or meetings in 2024.
• Applicants must demonstrate a history of effective leadership in their school board roles, as well as a proven ability to collaborate, build consensus, and work constructively with others.

The criteria used to evaluate grant applications have been carefully crafted to ensure a fair and thorough review process that leads to the selection of the best qualified proposals. The application review criteria will be released on Aug. 26.

Applicants can expect that the review will focus on several key areas, including the clarity and relevance of the project’s objectives, the alignment with First State Educate’s mission and the goals of the mini grants program, and the feasibility of the proposed timeline and budget. Additionally, the evaluation will consider the potential impact of the project on school board effectiveness and student achievement, as well as the quality of the proposed management and evaluation plans.

These criteria will be formally published on the First State Educate website after the application window opens. First State Educate will hold an online session to provide applicants with further guidance to support their submissions.

The application window will open on Aug. 26 and close on Oct. 11.

Applicants who pass the initial screening will undergo further review via interviews Nov. 1-15. This structured review process is designed to allow for a thorough evaluation and validation of proposals, ensuring that projects with the greatest potential impact are selected.

Grant recipients will be announced by Nov. 29 with funds distributed in December 2024.

Beginning Aug. 26, First State Educate will post the grant application on its website. The application will be viewable by the public but only sitting school board members will be able to apply.

Questions about the mini grant program and application process can be submitted on the mini grant website. First State Educate will respond to questions by posting an FAQ document on the website. This document will be updated regularly until Sept. 6. All applications must be submitted electronically through the website by the Oct. 11 deadline. First State Educate seeks to provide a uniform, fair and efficient application process.

For more information about the Mini Grants Program and how to apply, visit firststateeducate.org.