Grant Guidelines

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. If you have been asked to submit a proposal, access to our application material will be provided.

In making its annual grants, the Board of Trustees is guided by established criteria described in the following guidelines.

Eligibility

Grants are made to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations only. To be eligible, an organization must have received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service indicating that it is an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is not a private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code. Grants are usually not made to individuals. NO GRANTS ARE AWARDED FOR BASIC OPERATING EXPENSES, ENDOWMENTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, OR CAPITAL EQUIPMENT AND PROJECTS.

Grant Content Guidelines

The Foundation considers grants that further and/or enhance the Inquiry-Based Learning methodologies inspired by R. L. Moore, at all educational levels, particularly in the fields of mathematics and science.

The Foundation favors seed or pilot projects with significant potential impact, particularly when they might lead to larger projects supported by funding from other foundations and sources. Grants are generally awarded in the $5,000 to $50,000 range.

To be accepted, a proposed program or project should possess the following characteristics:

  • Mission Congruence: Does the purpose of the project and its objectives match the mission of the Foundation?
  • Clearly Stated Objectives: Does the project have clearly stated objectives? Does the project solve an existing problem or open the way to a solution?
  • Potential: Does the project have the potential to have a meaningful impact, and might it be expanded through additional funding by other foundations or organizations?
  • Broader Application: Can the results of the project be broadly applied and with good effect? How will others benefit and who are the beneficiaries? How will project results be shared with others?
  • Innovation and creativity: Does the project represent a new approach or apply existing methods or approaches in a novel way?
  • Collaboration: Could the results of the project lead to collaboration with other organizations, foundations, or researchers in order to multiply its positive effect?
  • Interim and Final Reports to the Foundation: Is there provision for interim and final reports on the progress and results of the project?
  • Evaluation: Does the project have measurable outcomes? Is there a clear methodology that is objective and, if possible, scientific for evaluating the results of the project?

 

Grants awarded in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.