MEF Teacher Grant Guidelines

Click here to download Grant Application → doc

Philosophy for Grants

Grants are cash awards that are designed to encourage creativity in the classroom, develop more effective methods of instruction, and provide for imaginative teaching. Grant award projects are to benefit students educationally by enabling staff members to put new and innovative ideas into action that might not be implemented otherwise. Projects must be new and not continuations of current projects.

Grant Applications and Amounts

Grants are open to all GMCS teachers, librarians, and counselors for classroom oriented projects. Grants may be applied for individually or jointly. The maximum amount of each grant is $200.00. The 2009 applications MUST be completed on the current year application form, using 12-point font. The Application Form can be downloaded from: www.mckinleykids.org. Save the form to your computer and complete the application in Microsoft Word. Handwritten applications will not be accepted.

Grant Guidelines

The following activities will NOT be considered:

  • Field trips or bus transportation
  • Uniforms / costumes / t-shirts
  • Teacher pay / stipends or substitute pay
  • Staff development, conference fees or travel costs
  • Televisions, VCRs or CD players, computers or printers
  • Continuations of existing projects

Please check the above list for compliance before submitting your application.

Requests for food, films, video tapes, software, monetary awards and prizes will not be considered unless they are an integral part of the whole proposal. The Foundation will not cover expenses that are included in the school operating budget.

All equipment purchases made with Grant funds will become the property of Gallup-McKinley County schools.

Projects that include the following must have written approval from the appropriate District Administrator. Grant applications that are submitted without such approval will be rejected.

  • Facilities: Changes or improvements to any school facility or property
  • Curriculum: Supplements or changes to the current GMCS approved curriculum

Review Committee Members

Proposals will be reviewed by a committee that includes, but is not limited to, the McKinley Education Foundation Board, a Gallup-McKinley County administrator, and one teacher from each school level (elementary, middle, and high school).

Application, Selection, and Reporting Procedure

  • All applicants must complete the 2009 Grant Proposal Form. Proposals not on that form will NOT BE CONSIDERED.
  • All questions must be answered.
  • Refer to these Guidelines when completing the application form.
  • Proper school/district approvals must be on all applications.
  • When grants are awarded, the funds are given directly to the awardees.
  • Teachers and projects will be recognized publicly at a GMCS School Board meeting and through media releases.
  • At the conclusion of the project, but not later than July 1, 2010, each grant recipient must send a short project report addressing the success(es) of the project.
  • Failure to send a report will disqualify the applicant from future participation in the grant program and will require repayment of grant funds. Reports can be emailed to .
  • The Foundation Board may request visits to the project site to meet with the applicant.
  • If the project cannot be implemented for any reason, grant money must be returned to the Foundation Board. Likewise, any unused monies must be returned.

Due Date

The deadline for submitting Grant proposals is November 2, 2009.

Mail to:

McKinley Education Foundation

1127 Boggio

Gallup, NM 87301


Contact Information

Comments and questions can be directed to:

Larry Linford

(505) 721-1023

The MEF Board of Directors will continually review the Grant program, its policies, methods of operation and criteria for funding proposals. Grant awards are at the discretion of the Board and are final.

© 2010 McKinley Education Foundation