{"id":7652,"date":"2025-10-07T15:52:27","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T15:52:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/?p=7652"},"modified":"2025-10-07T15:52:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T15:52:27","slug":"2025-safe-schools-rfp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/2025-safe-schools-rfp\/","title":{"rendered":"Safe Schools Endeavor Seeks Grant Proposals from Jefferson, Lewis Schools for 2025-2026 Funding"},"content":{"rendered":"

Deadline to Submit Proposals for Funding Consideration is Friday, Nov. 7<\/i><\/i><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/span> \u00a0 <\/span>WATERTOWN \u2014 <\/b>The Safe Schools Endeavor<\/b>, in partnership with the Northern New York Community Foundation, encourages all schools in Jefferson and Lewis counties to apply for 2025-2026 grant funding. Projects, programs, and initiatives that seek to strengthen school safety and improve student and campus culture are eligible for funding consideration.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>School officials and representatives should complete applications no later than Friday, Nov. 7<\/b>. All applications <\/span>must be completed through the Community Foundation\u2019s online grant portal, which may be accessed at bit.ly\/grant-portal<\/b>.<\/a> Grant awards will be determined in December, and applicants will be notified with a <\/span>funding decision no later than early January.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Since 2018, $129,116 in grant funding has been awarded to 16 school districts and Jeff-Lewis BOCES to support 71 projects across the two counties. Public and private schools are welcome to apply.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Grants are made possible thanks to the generous gifts of many individuals, businesses, and organizations in Jefferson and Lewis counties who support the Safe Schools Endeavor and its mission to help keep all children safe while they are at school.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>\u201cKeeping our schools safe is something we can all help promote, and this partnership has been valuable in providing additional resources toward that goal,\u201d said Rande S. Richardson<\/b>, Community Foundation executive director. \u201cWe are grateful that many continue to lead this effort with generous gifts from the heart that have an immediate impact on our children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>The Safe Schools Endeavor will consider applications submitted by students, teachers, faculty, staff, and parents. Any individual or group with an idea to improve safety within their Jefferson or Lewis County school should discuss the concept with their respective school administrator to gather their support. Proposals that are student-led or involve close collaboration with students may receive additional weight as funding is considered.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe work we do together with support from donors is needed now as much as ever. When we started this effort in 2018, we never envisioned that school tragedies would continue at such a frequency. Our goal was to make a difference in our community in the short-term while long-term solutions were developed at a national level,\u201d Safe Schools Endeavor Steering Committee Chair Erika Flint <\/b>said. \u201cWe sincerely appreciate the many local businesses, organizations, and individuals who have consistently give so generously to ensure these grants are possible. None of this would be possible without the exceptional school personnel in Jefferson and Lewis County schools who not only support SSE fundraising but continue to implement meaningful and life-saving projects to ensure the safety of our children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Proposals can include student or parent programming, equipment, faculty and staff training, or anything else that an individual or group within the school community believes would enhance the overall safety of the school and its members.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>The Safe Schools Endeavor stresses awareness, empowerment, and action within school communities, and grant proposals will be evaluated based upon th<\/span>e degree to which they embody these desired outcomes. A scoring rubric is also available for review at bit.ly\/sserubric. Email Mrs. Flint at eflint@fdrhpo.org<\/b><\/a>, with any questions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Individuals and groups may request any amount, but typical grants will fall in the range of $1,000 to $2,500. All projects or programs must begin or occur in the 2025-2026 school year with support from the respective school district. Funding for programs or projects that have already occurred are not eligible as the Safe Schools Endeavor is not a source for reimbursement of expenses.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>To stay informed about the Safe Schools Endeavor and its progress in our schools, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com\/SafeSchoolsEndeavor and follow it in Instagram at Instagram.com\/safeschoolsendeavor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>For the 2024-2025 school year, 16 projects were awarded grant funding in 14 school districts totaling $28,290. Schools and projects receiving support were:<\/p>\n