The Foundation

The Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation is a community-based non-profit organization established to provide support for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. The Foundation raises funds from private sources to enhance the quality of public education in Santa Monica and Malibu.

The Academic Enrichment Grant Program

The goal of the AEG is to encourage and support innovation in instruction and creative approaches to curriculum. The SMMEF Board evaluates the grants for their creativity, the number of students impacted and the possibility of expanding the program to other classrooms. The Board attempts to give each school at least one grant. The grants must be completed during the 2002-2003 school year. Academic Enrichment Grant funds may not be used to pay District employees, but may be spent to hire consultants. Grant funds are not to be used for items that require continuing expenses unless a source for the continuing funds is already in place. Grants are not to be used to subsidize on-going projects; they are specifically intended for stand-alone units. SMMEF will not fund grants for furniture, window treatments or other items not related to curriculum; in addition will not fund teacher training or substitute teachers. SMMEF does not fund field trips.

Who may apply and what are the budget limits

All Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Certificated Classroom Teachers as well as Elementary Library Coordinators, Adult Education for G.E.D., ESL, Instructional Assistants in Physical Education, Physical Activity Specialists and Child Development Teachers are eligible to apply for up to $750.00. SMMEF will accept, at most, one individual and one partnered grant application from qualified applicants. This program is meant to encourage innovation, therefore we will only fund continuation grants to the same teacher for up to 3 years.

Application Procedures

The application deadline is noon Friday, April 19, 2002, by e-mail via the District web site application only. No late applications will be accepted. Applications will be evaluated and grant recipients selected by the Board of Directors of the Foundation. Please make your application clear, focused and self-explanatory. A detailed budget must be submitted. Recipients of grants will be notified mid-May. Before submitting the grant you must have your principal's approval. An online principal approval form will be sent to each Principal. It is the grant applicant's responsibility to see that the Principal submits the approval form.

Evaluation Procedures

Each grant recipient must complete the SMMEF evaluation form by the end of the school year. No new funds will be released to successful grantees the following year unless the evaluation is received.

Additional Information

For inquires or if you do not have access to a district computer send an e-mail to smmef@smmusd.org (smmef@smmusd.org)

Dalia M. Spektor & Nadya Scott, Co-Chairs of the Academic Enrichment Grant Program, SMMEF