The Shannon Foundation wants to help teachers and schools implement their best ideas. We invite two levels of proposals for the 2001-2002 school year.

Level 1 grants, not to exceed $500, will be awarded to classroom teachers, individually or in teams, for projects that support original and innovative student activities.

Level 2 grants, not to exceed $5,000, may be awarded to schools for creative projects that enhance student learning across age and grade levels. Applications for Level 2 grants must be submitted by lead teachers or administrators who will assume responsibility for overseeing implementation of the funded project.

Criteria for Funding

Creativity: Proposal is imaginative and demonstrates innovative goals, methods, or outcomes.

Meets a Need: Proposal demonstrates plans to meet particular student or school needs.

Student Involvement: Proposal identifies how students will be directly involved and how students will benefit from the funded activities.

Evaluation: Proposal clearly explains how the project results will be attained and measured.

Outreach: Proposal outlines plans to share the project with other teachers and to recognize the support of the Foundation.

Impact: Proposals for projects that affect a large number of students are preferred over those affecting a small number of students, other factors being equal.

On-time Submission: Proposals must arrive on or before the deadline of April 27, 2001, or they will not be considered.

The Foundation is interested in funding projects that involve and affect students. We encourage proposals for projects that would not ordinarily be funded as part of regular school budgets. Grants for materials and programs that can be used over a number of years will be given preference. The Foundation expects grant recipients to donate their own time to the project and to publicize the Foundation's support whenever possible. At the project's completion, grant recipients are required to summarize the project and its results in a short written report to the Foundation.