lUNCH wITH lYNCH noticed that we have some great teachers who have creative ideas for things they would like to do for their classrooms and students, if only they could find the money. And so “Pay it Forward Mini-Grants for Teachers” (MG4T) was born.

What is the MG4T Program?

Ruiz 4 Kids understands that limited school budgets restrict teachers from purchasing materials for projects, activities, and even basic classroom needs. This program is designed to help teachers purchase the materials they need to reinforce their curriculum and ease the financial burden many teachers carry.

Who can apply?

This program is available to educators teaching in a public K-5th schools in Cape May County.

How much are the grants worth?

Grants range up to $500 to $1,000.

How is the program funded?

Donations for supporters, fundsraiser at Freeza Polloza and a grart form the Lunch With Lynch Foundation.

Funding Priorities:

Basic Needs – Essential materials required to carry out curriculum work and meet the basic needs of all students in the classroom.
Impact – potential to improve student achievement, potential for continuation/replication, potential to enhance instructional skills.
Innovation – Creativity of the project, innovative approach, academic objective with curriculum context.
Planning – Clear plan for project implementation, teacher capability, cost effectiveness and a realistic budget.

Exclusions:

Grants will not be considered for the renovation of facilities, religious activities or teachings, non-academic projects, field trips or tuition for special classes.

How to apply:

Submission deadline is May 13th, 2024.

Apply now!

YCF Educator Mini-Grants for 2024-25

The application period for YCF Educator Mini-Grants for the current school year (2024-25) has closed. Congratulations to the recipients! Please check back in late summer 2025 for information on the availability of funding for the 2025-26 school year.

This mini-grant program provides funding to enhance the learning experience for students. Mini-grants of up to $750 will be awarded to educators who need financial assistance with special projects, materials, or classroom resources that are not covered by school/central office sources or other means.

Eligibility

Open to any PK-12 educator in traditional public schools within YCF’s service area: Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, and Taylor Counties.
Educators include all teachers (regardless of subject area), counselors, librarians, and nurses. School administrators and board/central office staff are not eligible.
School principals will be asked to sign off on grant requests as part of the application process.
Each educator may submit one application.
There is no limit to the number of requests that may be submitted from an individual school.

Exclusions

Grants cannot be used for projects already completed or materials already purchased.
Grant requests that are part of a larger project without confirmed funding will not be considered.
Grants cannot be used for projects outside of the regular school day (e.g., after-school programs, sports, and band activities).
Funds may not be used for food items, transportation, speaker fees, or gift cards. If you need assistance with food/snacks, please contact us so we may help connect you to a food pantry. Email: info@ycfwv.org.

Reporting

Funded applicants will be asked to submit a simple follow-up report on the expenditure of grant funds and results of the supported project. Due by May 31.

Application Review and Award Notification

Grant requests are reviewed by our Grants Committee. Recipients will notified in early November. Funds will be issued in mid-November through a check payable to the school. Recipients will need to follow their school system’s procedures for purchases. Unfunded applicants will be notified by the end of November.

How to Apply

The application for the 2024-25 school year has closed. Please check back in late summer 2025 regarding the availability of funding for the 2025-26 school year.

IMPORTANT: If you do not already have an account in YCF’s grants management portal, please email Laurie Abildso at laurie@ycfwv.org and provide your name, school name, and county. Please do not create a new account. Once you have been set up with an account, log into our grant portal linked here and select the YCF Educator Mini-Grant Program.

Please note there may be multiple grant programs accepting applications. Please read the descriptions to ensure you have selected the appropriate program.

Teacher Mini-Grants

Want up to $1,000 for your classroom?

The Biddeford Education Foundation has allocated $5,000 for teacher mini-grant applications (up to $1,000 each) thanks to successful fundraisers like Pillars of Pride and private donations. Teacher mini-grants are awarded to augment teaching, encourage academic excellence, and maximize opportunities for students K-12. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Grants awarded are intended to benefit students and must be spent within the current school year.

The application is simple and will take as little as 20 minutes to apply:
Grant Application

Guidelines for successful applications:

State clearly what is being done and how it benefits the students and learning process.
Think outside the box! Involve a hands-on project with student participation.
Involve creative problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership.
Grants are open to all subject areas, including the arts.
A clear budget should be included.
Funds can be used for materials, visiting experts, or other resources that directly impact students. Any reusable materials purchased with BEF funding becomes the property of the Biddeford School Department.
Applicants must be actively engaged in the proposed project and collaboration is encouraged.
One application per teacher, per cycle, and must be approved by their building principal.

What does not qualify for funding?

Food or parties
Stand-alone transportation costs (i.e., if not an integral part of a broader project)
Professional training or development for teachers
Projects already funded–or able to be funded–by the school’s operating budget
Projects that take an extended period to complete
Any past awardee who has not submitted an end-of-grant report (required).

Grant recipients are required to submit a grant report out upon completion of the project; therefore, be sure to review the report out questions prior to submitting an application. The Foundation also requests grant recipients be willing to present their results to the Foundation Board and School Committee.

Grant report Out link

Take note: It is a requirement to notify parents about the foundation and how the BEF supported this project, as well as seek other avenues to share with the community, if feasible. Grant recipients are asked to include the following information in their notifications, “This project is made possible through a grant from the Biddeford Education Foundation. To learn more about the Foundation or provide support, visit biddefordschools.me and click on the Alumni and Giving tab.”

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Foundation President Shelley Kane at 207-391-6885 or via email at skane@biddefordschools.me

Thank You Golfers - Our 2023 Golf Outing is Sold Out

Like most princesses, Amanda loved shopping and Disney. But, unlike those traditional princesses who stand around singing about how one day their princes will come, Amanda enjoyed singing along to her favorite artists Taylor Swift, Jonas Brothers, and Shot of Southern. She did not waste away in a dark castle; she frequented the Rambler Road Country Club, served as a Camp Counselor at Pier Playmates Day Camp and choreographed epic dance routines during the competitions, chaperoned dances, and cooked in the kitchen during basketball tournaments.

Amanda was a capable, well-rounded, independent princess. As with most fairy tales, such beauty and spiritedness does not come without cost. On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, Princess Amanda fell into a deep, forever-sleep. She will be greatly missed, but for those who knew and loved her, she will always hold court in their hearts.

Amanda is preceded in death by William and Dorothy Betz (maternal grandparents), John and Kathryn Holland (paternal grandparents), Mickey and Ryan (cousins), Uncle Frank, Aunt Marilyn, and Uncle Jack.

Amanda is survived by her parents, Jack and Karen Holland; brothers Jack III (Ashley), Kevin, and Nicholas; Aunt Peggy, Aunt Pat (Uncle Tom), Aunt Kathi (Uncle Mike), and Uncle Tom (Aunt Jackie); Aunt Dona, Uncle Jerry and Aunt Dottie, many, many, many cousins, and her boyfriend Jonathan Edwards.

Services to celebrate Amanda's life will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Viewing is from 9 until 10:45 a.m. Mass will be held at 11 a.m. at Assumption Church on Rambler & Seaview, 7110 Seaview Avenue In lieu of flowers, please bring a new toy or book to be donated in her memory or donate in Amanda's name to The Lunch with Lynch Foundation: P.O. Box 1322 Wildwood, NJ 08260.

Within seven (7) days of receiving our very first donation Nick Holland & John Lynch donated to Crest Memorial School as we presented the 7th & 8th grades with a donation from Amanda's Wish!

Thank you to those who donated - we are paying to forward.

Friday, May 19, 2023