Shelter Island Educational Foundation SPRING 2024
Grant Application Guidelines

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The Shelter Island Educational Foundation, the “Foundation,” accepts individual and institutional grant applications twice a year, in the fall and the spring. Before you apply, please read this three-page guidance document.

General Policies

The Foundation awards grants to students & individuals representing not-for-profit institutions directly benefiting students (PreK 3-12 grades) in the areas of technology, environmental studies, the arts and humanities, professional development, sports, scholarship, citizenship, and career and personal development. The funding will be made directly to the institution providing the service.

Projects must provide, or make possible, educational experiences beyond those available in the normal school curriculum and funded by the school budget, which will inspire the participants and enrich their futures. Education is defined here as academic enrichment and improvement. It includes the development of the ability to express oneself, to develop social awareness, and to problem solve.

  •  Students who benefit from Foundation grants need to be full time residents of Shelter Island.

  •  The Foundation will not approve applications that are incomplete or late.

  •  The Foundation does not fund ongoing school tuition.

  •  The Foundation will not allocate funds for faculty.

  •  The Foundation will not consider funding for salaries for those delivering a program.

  • The Foundation will not consider funding for transportation for institutional or individual grants.

  •  Designated gifts may be allocated outside of the guidelines according to the wishes of the donor.

  •  All grants are subject to approval by the Board.

  • Grants will not be funded retroactively

Categories of Grant Applications:

  • Institutional Projects – Limited to not-for-profit organizations.

  • Individual Projects – In fellowship, scholarship and independent study.

 The Foundation will consider grant applications for amounts up to $3,500 for Institutional Projects and up to $2,500 for Individual Projects.

HOW IT WORKS IN SHORT VERSION:

1.COMPLETE APPLICATION: Please make sure all fields are completed and the release forms have been acknowledged. Make sure you have a recommendation letter also submitted as part of your application.

2. DECISION DATE: Expect to receive a decision on your application in early May.

3. SUBMIT PAYMENT FORM: Within TWO weeks of receiving a decision, grant payment forms must be submitted. Failure to do so will result in non-payment of the grant award.

4. EVALUATION: Within THREE weeks of program completion, ALL GRANT RECIPIENTS, individual and institutional, must submit an evaluation, as noted at the end of the application. Failure to submit evaluation of the program may result in denial of any future grants.


2024 spring grant cycle: march 1st -17th, 2024

Applications Available Below
• Individual Grant Application
• Aplicación para otorgar fondos de ayuda económica par estudiantes {Espagnol}
• Institutional Grant Application

Please note: We no longer accept handwritten applications.

Applications Due at SIEF: march 17th, 2024

  • Applications include fillable fields and will not need to be downloaded. Please complete each field and submit.

  • Letters of recommendation include fillable fields and will not need to be downloaded. Please direct those writing recommendations to the website where they can complete each field and submit.

  • Applications should be as concise as possible and supporting documentation limited. A member of the Grants Committee may contact the applicant if additional information is required.

  • In judging applications, preference will be given to those who apply for off-Island experiences that, in the opinion of the Grants Committee, offer the most challenging and creative possibilities and also to the first-time applicants

  • Applications are due: March 17th, 2024. Required letters of recommendation are due: March 17th, 2024

  • If you need more information, please contact us at shelterislandedfoundation@gmail.com.

Applicants Notified of Decisions: May 7th, 2024

Applicants will be informed of decisions by May 7th, 2024 and grant awards will be made available 2 weeks after the approvals.

Note: If you have been approved for a grant, you are required to submit a GRANT PAYMENT FORM WITHIN 2 WEEKS of approval.

Grant Application Principles

Grants will be considered for projects that meet the Shelter Island Educational Foundation’s goals as stated in the following mission statement:

The mission of the Foundation is to pursue, create, and provide excellent educational opportunities that enhance, inspire, and broaden the horizons of our children and the community. The Foundation seeks to go beyond the boundaries of local school district budgetary obligations and geographic isolation, augmenting the resources of individual teachers, family and community and nourishing our unique island heritage.

Institutional Projects

Grants will be limited to a maximum of $3,500 each. Payments will be made directly to the provider. If the project cost exceeds the amount for which the application is made, the applicant must assure the Grants Committee that the additional funds required for the project have been encumbered.

  • The application must be made by, or on behalf of, a tax-exempt institution for the benefit of a specific group of children

  • The described project must provide the children in the defined group with the opportunity for growth in terms of our mission statement and the general principles stated above.

  • The project should benefit a group, as a whole, rather than any particular member of a group. 

Grants may be made for institutional equipment that has been approved by the institution. Grants may be contingent on the requesting institution providing matching funds.

Individual Projects

Grants will be limited to a maximum of $2,500 each.

  • The Foundation does not support individual applications for the same program more than twice. Payments will be made directly to the program provider.

  • Applications must be made by, or on behalf of Shelter Island full-time resident children from pre-school to 12th grade.

  • Applications will be judged, to a substantial extent, on the applicant’s personal characteristics (e.g., enthusiasm and sincerity), as well as the suitability of the project to the applicant and seriousness of its purpose. Therefore, the applicant’s response to how he/she will benefit from the project will be a significant factor in the selection process.

  • Successful applicants must return an evaluation of their experience to the Shelter Island Educational Foundation within 2 weeks of completion of the project. Failure to comply may result in denial of future grants.

  • No payments will be made for travel expenses to and from the project or for out-of-pocket expenses.

  • Grants will not be awarded for college scholarships