Education Enrichment Fund

The Education Enrichment Fund (EEF) Advisory Committee invites applications for mini-grants of up to $1,000 to support initiatives that enrich student learning, instructional programs and learning tools, encourage innovative professional development, and promote the standard of excellence in the Niskayuna Central School District.

The committee will review and award enrichment grants for programming outside of the annual school budget, based on requests by administrators, teachers, and during the annual grant cycle. 

Education Enrichment Fund Grant Criteria

Proposals for Education Enrichment Fund (EEF) grants will be evaluated based on the strength of project goals and objectives, the feasibility of implementation and the compatibility with the EEF objectives outlined below. Successful grant applications will achieve many of the following criteria:

  • Serve as an opportunity for enrichment that would not be funded through the normal school budget process
  • Enrich student learning or instructional programs, and/or learning tools
  • Promote the standard of excellence in the Niskayuna Central School District
  • Are consistent with or complementary to Niskayuna Central School District curriculum and New York State Education Department standards
  • Serve as an effective pilot for possible future programs
  • Anticipate, encourage, or reflect expanded use of technology
  • Positively impact leadership, self-esteem, teamwork and self-reliance among students
  • Encourage partnership with other funding resources
  • Leverage expertise and resources from the community
  • Effectively share resources and expense with neighboring school districts
  • Impact as large a number of students as possible
  • Encourage innovative professional development
  • Include a method of assessing the project’s effectiveness
  • Demonstrate budget justification

Grants will generally not be awarded for:

  • Faculty/staff salaries and benefits (but will fund stipends for a significant time commitment outside of normal school hours)
  • General capital improvements
  • Building and grounds operations and maintenance
  • Ongoing transportation expenses
  • Routine purchases of equipment and supplies
  • Administrative and clerical support