Walmart 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: Lori Webster at (505) 880-3708 or lori.webster@aps.edu.
Proposals of up to $18,000 will be accepted. In recognition of the timing of this grant, the project should be implemented primarily during the 2018-2019 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:
Friday, April 20, 2018, at 5:00pm Mountain Time.
Contact:
Lori Webster, Grant Writer & Manager
Email: lori.webster@aps.edu
Tel: (505) 880-3708
Shannon Barnhill, Executive Director
Email: shannon.barnhill@aps.edu
Tel: (505) 878-6165