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STEM Initiative

The Golden LEAF Foundation is seeking proposals for a special $4 million initiative geared toward preparing North Carolina’s youth for careers requiring skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Organizations receiving funding under the Golden LEAF STEM Initiative can receive up to $750,000 for projects spanning a three-year period.

The Initiative will focus on supporting successful models that increase STEM education for students in grades 4 through 9 in rural, economically distressed and/or tobacco-dependent counties of North Carolina.

Priorities

• Comprehensive programs that are evidence-based and represent systemic approaches to STEM education that include in-school, out-of-school or extended day and support programs that provide assistance to students transitioning from elementary to middle and middle to high school.
• Programs that represent collaboration among public schools, higher education, community and relevant industry partners.
• Initiatives that target improved academic performance in and preparation for advanced STEM curricula by minorities, females and students from limited resource families.
• Programs to serve students in 4th through 9th grades that place priority on curricular approaches that are integrated, utilize project and inquiry based learning concepts and prepare students for successful completion of Algebra I by 8th or 9th grade as a gateway to participation in advanced placement courses.
• Competitive proposals will target under-represented minorities, females and limited resource students. Proposals should include strategies that:
  • are comprehensive,
  • use integrated curricular approaches and inquiry and project based learning experiences,
  • prepare students for success in Algebra I and advanced math and science courses,
  • incorporate content specific professional development for teachers, and
  • provide relevant career and work connections for teachers and students.
• Applicants are encouraged to think regionally, draw connections to industry sectors, and align with outcome measures in college and career readiness, student achievement, participation and engagement, teacher effectiveness, and other economic impact measures important to the state.
• Applicants may seek funds to cover programmatic costs. Requests for capital and/or construction costs are considered low priority.
• Priority will be given to rural, Tier I & II counties that currently have low concentrations of STEM programs

Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a grant:

1. Be a governmental entity or 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization,
2. Serve the people of North Carolina,
3. Be a local education agency, university, community college or direct provider of training.

Application Deadlines/ Schedule:  Letter of Intent due September 7, 2010

• October 7, 2010 Board Review & Invitations for full application

• Full STEM Application due December 17, 2010

• February 3, 2011 Board Review and Award Announcements
  

How to Apply

• Review eligibility requirements
• Review STEM Initiative priorities
• Apply for funding:

Step 1: Submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

The Golden LEAF Foundation seeks to fund STEM programs and initiatives that most closely align with its mission and the stated priorities of this special initiative.  Applicants are invited to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) using the forms and process described below.  Submission of an LOI is the first step in pursuing Golden LEAF funding under the Golden LEAF STEM Initiative.  Applicants may submit supplemental information and letters of support; however, the LOI form must be complete and stand on its own.  The Golden LEAF Board of Directors will review LOIs and invite some organizations that submitted those LOIs to submit a full application for consideration.  Applicants that are not invited to submit a full application will not receive funding.  An invitation to submit a full application does not imply the proposal will be funded.

To submit the LOI online:

• At the Golden LEAF Web site, click the “on-line application form” link for the “Golden LEAF STEM Initiative” section. Respond to all questions, fill in all blanks on the form, and upload all required attachments (certification and signature form and the project budget form).  If you cannot upload the attachments, you may mail them to Golden LEAF.  If you cannot complete the online form at once, you may save the form at any time and complete it later. Before exiting the program, you must create an Applicant Account or your form will not be saved. When you have completed the form, click “Submit.” Once you have submitted the LOI, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with further instructions.  If you have not received a confirmation e-mail within two (2) business days of your submission, please contact a member of the Golden LEAF Programs staff.

To complete the LOI using the Microsoft Word interactive form on our Web site:

• Select the “Forms and Guidelines” interactive version of the LOI in the “Golden LEAF STEM Initiative” section of the Golden LEAF Web site. Save it to your own computer before beginning to fill it out. Once you have completed the form, save it.  You may then e-mail it to LOI@goldenleaf.org (If you choose to e-mail the application form, you must first print the signature page, sign it, scan it, and then upload it as an attachment to your e-mail before sending or mail your signature page separately and indicate that you have mailed the signature page in the body of your e-mail), or print it and mail it to the Foundation to the attention of “Golden LEAF STEM Initiative.” If you have not received a confirmation e-mail within two (2) business days of your e-mail submission or within five (5) business days if LOI was sent by post, please contact a member of the Golden LEAF Programs staff.  Though not required, we recommend that applicants submitting materials by mail use a service that allows the sender to track the receipt of materials.

If you would like to receive a hard copy of any forms, please contact Golden LEAF staff.

A letter of Inquiry that is incomplete, faxed, or e-mailed to an address other than LOI@goldenleaf.org will be not be eligible for review.  If you have not received confirmation of receipt in the time frames outlined above, please contact Golden LEAF staff to make certain your LOI was properly submitted and received.

Step 2:  LOI Review

Once an LOI is received by Golden LEAF, it will be reviewed by staff and by the Golden LEAF Board of Directors.  The Board, at its October 7th board meeting, will determine interest in receiving a full application for the project.  All organizations that submitted a Letter of Inquiry will be notified of the Board’s decision whether or not to invite a full proposal.  Notification will be made to the contact person listed on the LOI.

Step 3: Submit Full Grant Application (by invitation only)

Organizations invited to submit a full application will receive further instructions.  Grants will not be awarded to organizations that are not invited to submit a full application.  An invitation to submit a full application does not imply a proposal will be funded, but indicates an interest by the Golden LEAF Board to learn more about the project.

For more information about what will be required if asked to submit a full application, click here.

Step 4:  Grant Application Review and Notification

Completed full applications will be reviewed by Golden LEAF staff, by the Golden LEAF Board of Directors and possibly by other experts in education.  The Board will decide whether or not to fund the proposal, request more information about the proposal(s) submitted, or take some other action.  Notification of the Board’s determination will be sent to the contact person on the application form. 

Application Deadline:      Letter of Intent due September 7, 2010

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