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Glossary of Terms

Definitions are provided to help applicants understand what we mean when we use certain words or terms.

Abstract

A summary which highlights the essential elements of a proposed project.

Academic Outcomes

Measurable results of an academic program, specifically the improvements in academic performance that take place as a consequence of a particular curriculum, pedagogical approach, intervention, etc. Performance indicators may include such things as standardized tests scores, grades, portfolio assessments, attendance, graduation rates, attitudes towards school, and school involvement.

Annual Operating Budget

Financial document that projects an organization's income and expenditures for the fiscal year.

Annual Report

A voluntary report issued by an organization that provides financial data and descriptions of agency activities. Annual reports vary in format from simple typewritten documents to detailed publications that provide substantial information about the programs and services offered.

At-Risk Youth

Individuals or groups of individuals who have an above-average chance of developing psychological disorders or substance abuse due to the effects of biological, environmental, situational, familial, and/or social factors which have been linked to higher incidence of the disorders.

Benchmarks

Standards by which outcomes are measured, such as against best practices in a field, by past performance levels of a particular program, or even against the mission of an organization itself. Benchmarks provide comparative information.

Beneficiaries

The recipients of services.

Capacity-Building

Refers to activities that strengthen an organization and help it fulfill its mission. 

Data-Driven Instruction

Data-Driven instruction refers to the practice of using student outcomes on various measures to plan curriculum and instruction.  Educators can use data to plan diverse instructional strategies in reponse to the differences in how students think and learn.

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Developmental Disability

A disability that is manifested before the person reaches 22 years of age, which constitutes a substantial disability to the affected individual, and is attributable to mental retardation or related conditions which include cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism or other neurological conditions when such conditions result in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of a person with mental retardation.

Early Intervention

An approach or set of activities designed to address and ameliorate academic deficits, psychological disorders, developmental disabilities, and/or substance abuse as soon as possible after a problem has been identified within a specified target population.

Evaluation Questions

Questions that help determine whether a project's goals, objectives and anticipated outcomes have been achieved.

Evaluation Strategies

The methodology that will be used to answer evaluation questions.

Evidence-Based Practice

Treatment, intervention, or program that has a strong research base supporting its effectiveness. The research usually involves controlled studies and multiple trials. To be deemed an evidence-based practice, a program must undergo a rigorous, systematic evaluation process by authorized, expert review panels and receive the highest of ratings.

Financial Statements

A document prepared annually that summarizes an organization's financial status.

Form 990

The annual information return that all public charities must submit to the IRS each year and which is also filed with appropriate state officials. The form requires information on the charity's assets, income, operating expenses, paid staff and salaries, program areas, etc.

General Operating Support

Funds that cover an organization's day-to-day ongoing expenses, such as salaries, utilities, office supplies, existing program costs, etc.

Guidelines

A document describing the Foundation's goals, priorities, and procedures for applying for a grant.

In-Kind Contribution

A donation of goods and services rather than cash or appreciated property.

Incremental Costs

The costs associated with the proposed project that are new to the organization.

Indicated Prevention Programs

Indicated interventions are aimed at individuals who may already display signs of psychological disorders or substance abuse.

Introduction of Effective Treatment Modalities

The addition of a recognized, proven treatment intervention to an existing service delivery system or to a new population.

IRS 501(c)(3)

Section of the Internal Revenue Code that designates an organization as charitable and tax-exempt. Organizations qualifying under this section include religious, educational, charitable, amateur athletic, scientific, or literary groups, organizations testing for public safety, or organizations involved in prevention of cruelty to children or animals. Most organizations seeking foundation or corporate contributions secure a Section 501(c)(3) classification from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

IRS 509(a)(3)

One of the IRS designations assigned to supporting organizations. A supporting organization is a legitimate public charity with a 501(c)(3) designation whose legal structure is formed with a certain relationship with one or more other public charities.

Learning Disabilities

Disorders that affect an individual's ability to either interpret what is seen or heard, or to link information from different parts of the brain. These limitations can show up in many ways, as specific difficulties with spoken and/or written language, coordination, self-control or attention deficits.

Letter of Inquiry

A brief letter outlining an organization's activities, project idea and funding request.

Matching Grant

A grant or gift made with the specification that the amount donated must be matched on a one-for-one basis or according to some other prescribed formula.

Needs Assessment

A critical component of a proposal that answers the question, "Why is this project needed?"

Outcomes Measurement

Systematic data gathering and monitoring of prestated, intended consequences of a program or service. Outcomes measurement assesses the outcomes themselves to determine if the desired results have been achieved, and is often considered part of performance measurement and overall program evaluation.

Post-Grant Evaluation

A review of the results of a grant, with the emphasis upon whether or not the grant achieved its desired goal.

Prevention

Taking advance measures against the occurrence of negative academic outcomes or the onset of psychological disorders and substance abuse, particularly for those at risk for developing such conditions.

Private Foundation

A nongovernmental, nonprofit organization with funds (usually from a single source, such as an individual, family or corporation) and program managed by its own trustees or directors, established to maintain or aid social, educational, religious or other charitable activities serving the common welfare, primarily through grantmaking.

Program Evaluation

Systematic process that gathers and assesses information about a program, including performance measures, program implementation, quality, and/or client satisfaction. Program evaluation is inclusive of performance measurement (and outcomes measurement) and answers the "why," "how," and "what" questions regarding an organization's programs and services.

Project Goals

The ultimate results that a project is aimed at achieving (e.g., decreased drug use, improved academic achievement).

Project Impacts

Longer-term behavioral results of programs. Impacts can be considered more global or community based than outcomes because impacts demonstrate changed behavior over the long term for a larger group of people. Consider the following example of a hypothetical impact statement: "Because more Americans regularly wear seatbelts, the number of highway deaths has decreased by 35 percent over the last 20 years." Outcomes can become a contributor to overall, larger impacts.

Project Inputs

Resources (fiscal, staffing, organizational) that are required to enable activities to take place.

Project Objective

Specific results or effects of a program's activities that must be achieved in pursuing the program's ultimate goals. For example, a treatment program may expect to change offender attitudes (objective) in order to ultimately reduce recidivism (goal).

Project Outcomes

The specific changes in skills, attitudes, behaviors, knowledge, or level of functioning expected to result from outputs. Outcomes are generally expressed in terms of the number or percentage of individuals expected to demonstrate such changes. Outcomes do not refer to the number of individuals receiving a training or treatment, nor to the number of classes/workshops/treatments completed (these are outputs).

Project Outputs

Remediation

Processes or activities geared toward raising students' competence by addressing specific academic deficits or difficulties.

RFP

Request for Proposals. The RFP lists project specifications and application procedures.

School Readiness

The degree of preparedness for learning upon entering school for the first time. School readiness is the capacity for successful early school experiences, based on the following five domains of early childhood development: 1) physical; 2) social and emotional; 3) approaches toward learning; 4) language and communication; and 5) cognition and general knowledge.

School Reform

A strategic approach to effective school or district functioning that focuses on entire systems, rather than isolated problems and short-term solutions, with reform components and activities aligned toward the single goal of improved student achievement. The Foundation gives priority to local reform efforts that are based on a thorough and objective analysis of operations and a comprehensive plan for systemic change.

Selective Prevention Programs

Selective interventions target those who are at greater-than-average risk for psychological disorders or substance abuse.

Site Visit

A visit to an organization at its office location or area of operation and/or meeting with its staff or directors or with recipients of its services. Site visits are used to evaluate proposals, monitor awarded grants, and to determine the efficiency of the project in meeting its stated objectives.

State-of-the-Art Treatment

A model or method of treatment for psychological disorders or substance abuse that is considered to be one of the current best practices in the field.

Target Population

A specific group of individuals at whom a particular program or intervention is aimed.

Terms of Grant

A legal document that outlines the terms and conditions of the grant and that specifies the program and fiscal reporting requirements.

Total Amount Requested

The total amount of money being requested from the Foundation for the entire grant period. For example, the total amount for a request of $30,000 per year for three years is $90,000.

Total Project Cost

The total amount of money required to complete a project, including in-kind contributions and all other expenditures.

Universal Prevention Programs

Universal prevention programs are applied to general population groups without reference to those at particular risk.

Unsolicited Proposal

A proposal sent to the Foundation without invitation and/or adherence to Foundation guidelines and application procedures.