Sample Grant - Super Reader
Super Readers Grant
PROJECT SUMMARY: State the overall description of your project.
At School Name, encouraging students to read has long been a priority. Our Super Reader program rewards students who choose to read for enjoyment beyond classroom requirements. Reading for pleasure strengthens comprehension, builds background knowledge, and expands vocabulary, all of which support academic success. However, students have many competing interests, so the Super Reader committee works to build a strong culture of reading and motivate students to choose reading on their own. To keep the program engaging, we must continue to refresh it each year. For the 20XX-20XX school year, we believe a Book Nook vending machine would strengthen and expand the program. Placed in a central location, it would provide a visible reminder of the value of literacy and participation in Super Reader. Earning a book from the machine would be both fun and motivating and taking books home would encourage reading habits beyond the school day. Other schools in our community have successfully enhanced their reading culture by adding book vending machines.
Using the space provided, please answer each of the following questions as they relate to your proposed project.
1. ORGANIZATION: What is the mission of your organization and whom does it serve? How will this project enhance your organization’s effectiveness?
The Super Reader committee’s mission is to inspire students at School Name to read. While rewards help encourage participation, the true value lies in fostering a genuine interest in reading. Because all K–6 students take part in the program, the committee must continue introducing new incentives to keep them engaged. We believe adding a book vending machine will motivate students and strengthen our school’s culture of reading.
2. RATIONALE: What issues or opportunities within SCHOOL NAME will the project address?
One of our school improvement goals is to increase student reading achievement and growth, as measured by STATE and NWEA standardized assessments. Because we did not meet that goal this past school year, we are continuing to strengthen our efforts to improve reading achievement. One of those efforts is revising the Super Reader incentive program to encourage students to read more and build stamina, comprehension, and vocabulary. Strengthening students’ literacy skills will help increase reading achievement and move us closer to meeting our goals.
3. OBJECTIVES: Identify the most significant enhancements to SCHOOL NAME. Describe how results will be measured.
The impact of adding a book vending machine to the Super Reader program will be measured through our school improvement plan. The Super Reader program is an important part of our school’s efforts to strengthen students’ literacy skills. We will use student achievement data from STATE standardized assessments and NWEA reading measures to evaluate the effectiveness of revisions to the Super Reader program, including the addition of a book vending machine.
4. COMMUNITY CONSIDERATIONS: How will this request help your organization, those you serve, or the community at large in light of current community conditions? Why have you decided to pursue this project at this time?
Because we did not meet our school improvement goal of increasing reading achievement on STATE standardized assessments and NWEA, the Super Reader committee recognizes the need to pursue additional strategies to strengthen students’ literacy skills. Adding a Book Nook vending machine as an incentive will encourage students to choose reading for pleasure. We are pursuing this project now because we have consistently seen the need to refresh our reading incentive program in order to keep students engaged and excited to participate.
5. PROJECT TIMELINE: When will funds be utilized? How will this project be funded after this grant has concluded?
Funds will be used as soon as the grant is awarded so the Book Nook vending machine can be implemented during the 20XX–20XX school year. After the grant concludes, the project will be supported through other sources, such as school fundraisers or contributions from our Parent/Teacher Organization. We have identified several sources for book fills for the machine including, title funds (Title 1, Title 3 and Title 4 (any or all that apply), book fairs, and targeted fundraisers.
6. PROJECT BUDGET NARRATIVE: How will Foundation funds be utilized? Where else are you seeking funds? If the grant is unable to fund your project in entirety, how will the remainder be secured? Describe any in-kind donations you expect to receive for this project. Describe how this project fits within your organization’s overall budget.
Foundation funds will be used to purchase a customized book vending machine and books for students to earn. In addition, the grant would cover a maintenance plan in case the machine malfunctions. We are not currently seeking funds from other sources. If the grant does not fully fund the project, we will need to seek additional funding or consider an alternative incentive in place of the book vending machine. The Super Reader committee does not have a designated budget, so we rely on grants, community donations, and other school funds to purchase incentive items for students.
