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CLASS Grants: Sample Application

 Download a PDF (324K) version of a completed sample application.

1. Description

The State Department of Transportation sponsors an "Adopt-a-Highway" program. There are several roads leading in and out of our community that still have no one cleaning them. These dirty roadsides bring down the value of our community—in our own eyes and to the eyes of visitors. There is also a local shelter for homeless children and families. They do not have community activities. Many children do not have significant adult role models to learn from or spend time with.

2. Expected Results

Our student local by adopting a highway will increase the pride of our community—including our own pride in knowing that we took actions to make our community a clean place where we can be proud to live. We will also be making a difference in the lives of the families and children at the shelter by including them in our activity. They will gain a sense of belonging, importance, and community ownership. Finally, through a social activity following each clean-up day, volunteers will spend time with the children and parents and form friendships.

We will evaluate the project by interviewing the children and adults from the shelter after the project. Questions will include:

• How did you feel about this community?
• Do you like living in this community?
• How do you feel now after meeting other people and cleaning up the community?
• How did it feel to join in and help?
• Will you do this again?
• Would you like to get together for other activities?

3. Activities/timeline

March:

• Contact the State Department of Transportation for details
• Meet Student Program members to discuss the project and assign responsibilities
• Contact the homeless shelter to see if there is interest · Contact Active and NEA-Retired members and/or Education Support Professionals to discuss the project and gauge interest. · Apply for a CLASS grant

April:

• Attend local meetings of interested groups and present the idea.
• Recruit volunteers and gather their phone numbers.
• Post flyers with a contact number.
• Leave a sign-up sheet at the shelter.
• Contact local businesses for discounts/ donations on materials for project.
• Contact the media; send out Press Releases .
• Coordinate volunteers - drivers, walkers, full bag collectors, snack organizers, etc.

May:

• Buy materials, snacks and beverages for the day first Saturday
• Meet for the official "Adopt-a-Highway" Ceremony at City Park Clean-up (1:00 - 4:00), then dinner at the park (4:00 - 6:00)

4. Roles and Responsibilities

• Program Coordinator: Serves as contact person and oversees project coordination - Mark Robinson

• Volunteer Coordinator: Attends meetings, explains the time commitment and activities, and organizes teams and drivers for clean-up day - Terry Jones

• Fiscal Manager: Purchases materials and contacts local businesses for discounts - Barb Boling

• Public Relations Coordinator: Contacts all media, writes press releases, organizes volunteers to create and hang posters, removes posters, takes pictures, follows up to thank volunteers and community supporters. Contacts the mayor to possibly 'cut the ribbon.' - Melvin Plott

• Ceremony Coordinator: Sets-up the ribbon-cutting ceremony - Edith McCray

• Shelter Contact: Coordinates our shelter efforts - Carlos Padilla

5. Budget

Estimated number of participants:

• 15 Student members
• 8 Retired members
• 30 participants from the shelter

Total: 53

Expenses:

• Garbage bags - Donated by Jerry's Hardware 2 boxes @ $4.60 /box $ 9.20
• *Soda and Juice - 2/persons $1.25/person x 53 = $66.25
• *Snacks - Pretzels, chips, etc. 10 bags @$3.00/bag $30.00
• Napkins ($2), Plates ($6), for dinner $ 8.00
• Lemonade (and cups) for dinner Donated by McDonald's $50.00 value
• PIZZA Xpress - 25% discount 8 pizzas@$9.00 $72.00
• 10 vehicles reimbursed $5.00 each for gas $50.00

Total expenses: $285.45

Contributions:

• Garbage bags donation $ 9.20
• *10% discount from Juan's Grocery $ 9.62
• Discount from PIZZA Xpress $18.00
• McDonald's drink donation $ 50.00

Total contributions: $86.82

Amount requested from NEA-SP CLASS: $198.63
Total budget for our project: $285.45

6. Publicity

See attached Press Release and PR Contact Sheet

7. Ongoing Projects

We will repeat this project 4 times each year. We hope to collect/solicit contributions from local department stores to advertise and subsidize the project in the future.

Sample Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local College Student Group Administers New Community Service Program

CITY - ______________ (project description) is ______________ (date, place) to address ___________ (problem/issue) with the help of a grant of $ ______from the National Education Association (NEA) Student Program's CLASS Grant program.

CLASS stands for Community Learning through America's Schools and is simply NEA Student members volunteering time and energy to help improve their community, and at the same time, gaining practical experience and growing as professionals. NEA CLASS programs address key educational issues in the community. Since 1989, college students on more than 100 campuses across the country have become involved in giving thousands of children hope and the promise of a better tomorrow.

The NEA Student Program (NEA-SP) is a grassroots organization that serves 50,000 members nationwide—and includes students preparing for jobs in the education profession. NEA-SP goals include providing opportunities for professional development and leadership training and advocating for student members and their concerns.

According to ________________ (name, local president or coordinator or volunteer) "____________(what the project means to the school, the kids, the community, etc.)

CONTACT_________________________