GRANTS Available for Greenville County, SC Schools

Mini-Grant Program
The Alliance will no longer be funding grants through DonorsChoose as we are transitioning from our teacher grants program to a new teacher/school support program that will be announced in May.  However, we will continue to encourage teachers to post their grant applications on-line with DonorsChoose and to urge our donors who support teacher grants to go to DonorsChoose.

Parent Involvement Grant Program
The Parent Involvement Grant Program enhances the Alliance's First Day back-to school celebrations, funded in 2004, 2005 and 2006, in which many of the schools participated.

The Alliance now offers  three types of Parent Involvement Grants:  award grant, incentive grant, or First Day grant.   We are especially interested in receiving proposals that include ways to involve the non-English speaking and other hard-to-reach parent populations, including families where both parents work.  The goal of your school's proposal should be to increase parents' connections at your school as well as increase their support for the children at home. 

PROGRAMS

Support for New Teachers  
The Alliance is working with Greenville County Schools to develop special mentoring and training programs for new teachers in hopes of increasing teacher retention rates throughout the district.  Additionally, with the assistance of local teachers, a toolkit was developed and delivered to 450 new teachers entering our schools in August.  In addition, intense school support will be given to one prototype school this year in order to focus on teacher mentoring and professional development training.

Advocacy Campaign
The Alliance Board has increased its advocacy efforts, working to get full funding of base student cost and to increase public understanding of pending voucher/tax credit legislation.  Fact-sharing meetings have been held throughout the community to inform interested persons of pending legislation, etc.  

GRADUATE GREENVILLE
The Alliance is working closely with United Way of Greenville County and Greenville County Schools on a community-wide effort called GRADUATE GREENVILLE to increase graduation rates and high school success for our students.  For more information visit the GRADUATE GREENVILLE website.    Additional information is also available on the GRADUATE GREENVILLE Community Action Plan and Knowledge Base.

Sustained School Support
One school that does not receive title I funding and that has a significant gap in student achievement will be selected to receive intense support for a period of three years, by providing teacher mentors, intense volunteer support in the classroom, corporate involvement and financial support.