Grant Updates - March 9, 2010

Dear Grant Applicants:

We have been busy in fund raising mode, seeking resources from across the private and public sectors. While we continue to accrue support, we have also lost some donors due to economic hardship. As we roll with the difficult terrain, we are awaiting news (as you are from us) from potential additional awards that will go to purchase equipment for grantees. As you can all imagine, these are difficult times to ask partners to be generous, but we are determined to bring you what you need!

Thus far, most resources we have acquired are specifically earmarked for Professional Development. We will begin making Grant Awards when the resources we have make it possible for both equipment and PD to roll out simultaneously (you all know this is the best formula for success…)

We know it’s frustrating to not have final news. Please continue to be patient, and we will make sure that as soon as we are able, we will be sending out news of the first round of Grant recipients, timeframes for equipment and PD delivery, and milestones for 10-11.

This will likely continue to be a slow, steady, evolving roll out, so please look on this opportunity as medium to long term (longer than we had hoped for the initial awards). We are currently awaiting word on $550,000 from three separate Funders and additional requests made to individuals. We are also moving forward with an application for the ARRA Innovation grants with the support of our business and education partners.

PD will be made available through regional training centers once districts have received equipment. We will post updated information on discounts immediately.

Please keep checking back to the web site for updates!