Grant Application Guidelines
The Shelter Island Educational Foundation (SIEF) accepts grant applications twice annually — once in the fall and once in the spring. Before submitting your application, please review the guidelines below to ensure eligibility and understand the process.
General Grant Policies
The Shelter Island Educational Foundation awards grants to students and individuals representing not-for-profit institutions directly benefiting Shelter Island students from Pre-K3 through 12th grade.
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.
The funding will be made directly to the institution providing the service.
Focus Areas We Support
Foundation grants support projects in the following areas that represent our commitment to educational enrichment, exploration, and student growth.
Eligibility & Funding Criteria
Eligible Applicants
- Full-time residents of Shelter Island
- Students from Pre-K3 through 12th grade
- Not-for-profit institutions serving Shelter Island students
What the Foundation Does Not Fund
- Ongoing school tuition
- Incomplete or late applications
- Requests for funding allocated to faculty
- Salaries or stipends for individuals delivering a program
- Travel expenses or transportation costs (for both individual and institutional grants)
- Equipment purchases (for both individual and institutional grants)
- Retroactive funding requests
Donor Exception: Designated gifts may be allocated outside of these guidelines according to the wishes of the donor.
Board Approval: All grant awards are subject to approval by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Categories of Grant Applications
Important Notes for Individual Applicants
- 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. Graduates do not qualify.
- Applications will be judged based on enthusiasm, sincerity, and suitability of the project.
- Evaluations must be returned within 2 weeks of completion. Failure may result in denial of future grants.
- No payments are made for travel expenses or out-of-pocket costs.
- Grants will not be awarded for college scholarships.
Important Notes for Institutional Applicants
- Payments will be made directly to the provider.
- If the project cost exceeds the requested amount, 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 project must align with our mission and provide group-wide benefits.
- Grants may be contingent on the requesting institution providing matching funds.
Application Process Overview
Additional Application Information
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 first-time applicants.
If you need more information, please contact us at shelterislandedfoundation@gmail.com.