Blue Sky Awards

The Walmart Blue Sky Award is aimed at helping middle school leaders fund a key need that will improve school culture, increase student engagement or improve academic achievement. The grant is not designed to address a single-classroom issue and is envisioned as an avenue that helps large groups of students.

For more information, contact: APS Grant Writer at (505) 880-3708 or APSGrantWriter@aps.edu

Proposals of up to $10,000 will be accepted. In recognition of the timing of this grant, the project should be implemented primarily during the 2019-2020 school year.

Key Components:

• Submissions are limited to comprehensive APS middle schools and schools of choice serving students in grades 6-8.
• Only one application per school will be accepted.
• The Foundation anticipates awarding one grant of $18,000 or less, although the Foundation reserves the right to adjust its granting levels.
• Partnerships with 501(c)(3) organizations that allow the school community to be innovative in student engagement and retention efforts are allowed, but the applicant must be an APS school administrator.
• Grant budgets can include stipends, but must also include benefits and taxes in accordance with APS standards.
• Funding is for one year. A funded grant is no guarantee of future funding.
• The APS Education Foundation requires a final report once the project has been completed.

Criteria for Funding:

• Student Impact: Please make the case that funding this proposal can show results in keeping students in school, give them a heightened chance for success in their academic futures, or improve the learning environment for a large number of students at the school.
• Widespread Impact: Reaching the most students for the dollar is critical, so a key consideration will include the number of students who will directly benefit from the effort.
• Solid Planning: A realistic budget, including all costs, is essential to a good application. Extra consideration will be given to schools that can formulate a funding plan, minus Foundation assistance, for the long term.
• If an outside entity or 501(c)(3) implements the school project, funding must go through the school as APSEF policy precludes any funding directly to another non-profit.

Deadline:

April 21, 2019, at 5:00pm MST.

Contact:

Grant Writer & Manager
Email: APSGrantWriter@aps.edu
Tel: (505) 880-3708

Shannon Barnhill, Executive Director
Email: shannon.barnhill@aps.edu
Tel: (505) 878-6165