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Welcome > What We Fund > Education > School-Based Request for Proposals (RFP) > Technology and Remediation

Technology and Remediation

*** The 2008 School-Based RFP - Technology and Remediation grant cycle is now closed.  ***

  Download the PDF Version

 
The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation seeks to facilitate improvement in the academic outcomes of disadvantaged youth from birth through grade 8 in ways that will lead to academic success and enhanced opportunities later in life.
 
The Tower Foundation aims to accomplish this objective by providing financial support for implementation of programs and services that have proven to be successful. This initiative is targeted toward the implementation of technology-based remediation programs in grades K-8.
 
Technology-based remediation involves integrating computer-based and/or multimedia applications into a course of study designed to improve the academic achievement of students performing below grade level. These technologies are employed to facilitate a course of remedial instruction designed to assist students in improving their performance to grade level standards. 
  

Timeline

February 25, 2008 (MA) 
February 27, 2008 (MA)
April 3, 2008 (NY)

 Application workshops

May 1, 2008

Deadline for letter of inquiry

June 4, 2008

Organizations notified if a proposal is desired

July 30, 2008

Deadline for proposals (if requested)

August - October

Proposal review

December 12, 2008

Successful applicants notified
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   











Description 

Technology-based remediation involves integrating computer-based and/or multimedia applications into a course of study designed to improve the academic achievement of students performing below grade level. These technologies are employed to facilitate a course of remedial instruction designed to assist students in improving their performance to grade level standards.
 
Integrating technology into a course of academic remediation requires a commitment to selecting and procuring tools appropriate to addressing clearly identified needs; providing classroom personnel with adequate training to use these tools effectively; providing a reliable and robust technical infrastructure; and assessing the tools’ effectiveness on an on-going basis.
 
Through this request for proposals, the Tower Foundation seeks to assist schools and school districts in implementing technology-based academic remediation programs for students in grades K-8. Specifically, the Tower Foundation seeks to provide schools and school districts with the technology resources and training required to provide enhanced remedial education services to students who are performing below grade level in core academic subjects (including, but not limited to, English language arts and mathematics). 


Eligibility Requirements 


Eligible organizations:
  • Public and diocesan school districts
  • Private and charter schools with 501(c)(3) classifications
  • Tax-exempt organizations operating schools with 501(c)(3) classifi-cations from the Internal Revenue Service that are neither private foundations nor described as 509(a)(3) organizations
Geographic Restrictions – Eligible organizations must be located within the following geographic areas:  
Massachusetts:
  • Barnstable County
  • Dukes County
  • Essex County
  • Nantucket County
New York: 
  • Erie County
  • Niagara County


Grant Awards 


Grants of up to $100,000 are available. Each grant will be for a two-year time period, with grant payments made on an annual basis. Multiple awards may be made in each of the geographic areas served by the Foundation.
 
Grant awards will differ considerably. Factors used to determine the amount of a grant award include, but are not limited to: the scope of the project, the number of individuals trained, and the number of students affected.   
 
Successful applicants are required to provide a cash match equal to 10 percent of the award amount.           


Use of Grant Funds 


In general, the Foundation will provide funds for the incremental costs that are associated with the implementation of technology-based remediation programs at the classroom or building level. Incremental costs are defined as costs that are new to the organization as a result of this project. For the most part, grant funds are intended to be used for:
 
  • Computer hardware essential to implementing the program
  • Computer software essential to implementing the program
  • Multimedia equipment essential to implementing the program
  • Assessment materials
  • External trainers and/or consultants
  • Training materials
  • Staff release time and substitutes
  • Teacher stipends for out-of-school time training 
Please note that grants through this RFP do not provide funds for existing personnel expense or the hiring of new staff.
 
Grant money may not be used: 
  • for the private benefit of any grant recipient or affiliated person
  • for individual scholarships
  • for research
  • to attempt to influence legislation
  • to attempt to influence or intervene in any political campaign
  • for endowment or capital campaigns

Application Procedure 


This RFP has a two-step application process: 
  1. Submission of a brief letter of inquiry.
  2. Submission of a full proposal, if requested.
The Foundation accepts one letter of inquiry from each organization per RFP cycle. The maximum length for letters of inquiry is five pages. The letter of inquiry must be signed by the applicant’s executive director, superintendent, or headmaster.
 
To be considered for a grant through this RFP, the letter of inquiry must be received by 5:00 p.m. on May 1, 2008.
 
E-mailed or faxed copies are not accepted.
 
Letters of inquiry should include the following: 
  • a brief description of the organization, school, or school district
  • the geographic area and population served
  • student demographics
  • the dollar amount requested
  • a brief description of the project for which you are requesting grant funds
  • the reasons why you wish to implement the project at this time
  • how the proposed project will improve student achievement
Send letters of inquiry to: 
Glenda M. Cadwallader
Executive Director
The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation
2351 North Forest Road
Getzville, NY  14068-1225

All letters of inquiry are reviewed to determine if the Foundation wishes to pursue a full proposal.  Applicants will be notified by June 4, 2008 of the result of this review. A request for a full proposal should not be interpreted as an indication of likely support. The deadline for a full proposal, if requested, is July 30, 2008.

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. 


Proposal Evaluation Criteria 


The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals: 
  • clarity of project goals and anticipated impact
  • strength of project design
  • organizational capacity and readiness to implement and oversee the project
  • evidence of commitment by the organization’s leadership
  • likelihood that the project will be sustained after grant funding terminates 
Final decisions on grant awards are made at the sole discretion of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. 


Project Monitoring 


Grantees are expected to meet the Foundation’s requirements for the submission of narrative and financial reports and will be required to submit periodic information regarding overall project performance, monitoring and management.  


Application Workshops 


The Foundation will host three workshops that will focus on the RFP application process. These workshops are highly recommended for organizations that anticipate requesting a grant. Suggested attendees include senior district/school staff, program coordinators, district or school-employed grant writers. Space is limited to two persons per organization. Prior registration is required.
 
Monday, February 25, 2008 
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (registration begins at 12:30 p.m.)
Cape Codder Resort & Spa
1225 Iyanough Road
Hyannis, MA 02601
RSVP by February 13, 2008
(716) 689-0370 Ext. 207
 Wednesday, February 27, 2008 
            1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (registration begins at 12:30 p.m.)
Marriott Boston Peabody
8A Centennial Drive
Peabody, MA 01960
RSVP by February 15, 2008
(716) 689-0370 Ext. 207 
Thursday, April 3, 2008 
            1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (registration begins at 12:30 p.m.)
Ramada Hotel & Conference Center
2402 North Forest Road
Getzville, NY 14068
RSVP by March 20, 2008
(716) 689-0370 Ext. 207 


RFP Contact Information 


For more information about this RFP, please contact:
 
Glenda M. Cadwallader
Executive Director
(716) 689-0370 Ext. 204
 
Donald Matteson
Program Officer
(716) 689-0370 Ext. 207