Who’s eligible to apply?
These grants may be awarded to qualified K-12 teacher applicants across our four-county footprint (Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Washington, and Waukesha Counties), regardless of grade, subject, student demographics or school sector. Fighting bias is everyone’s job, and we hope to support those efforts widely.
Are afterschool clubs or other youth programs eligible?
The lessons should be taught during the school day, even if done virtually. These awards are not intended for afterschool clubs or optional out-of-school-time programming. We believe it is important these lessons occur during school time to meet the majority of students and normalize these concepts.
Can I co-teach these lessons with another adult, even if that person isn’t a teacher?
That’s perfectly acceptable if it follows school guidelines and the applicant is a K-12 schoolteacher.
I’m a teacher, but I’ve never written a grant before. What answers is United Way looking for?
The rubric that reviewers will use when evaluating is simple, and scores are not the final determinant in funding decisions. Applications that satisfy these criteria are more likely to be approved. Reviewers will be looking for educators who show evidence of engaging lessons that help students envision and create a world where everyone can feel they belong. Be concise, joyful, and centered on students’ perspectives.
This is such an unpredictable school year, what if my plans are forced to change?
No worries. Submit the plan you would like to teach under the conditions you believe are most likely, but feel free to make changes as needed, just as you would for any other lesson plans. Just be prepared to share some examples of student learning before the end of the school year.
Who will be reading my application?
A multi-racial committee of United Way supporters will review and select which applications will receive funding. Not all reviewers will have backgrounds in education, so try to avoid jargon.
When is it due? When will decisions be announced? And how will the funding get to awardees?
Applications must be submitted by February 18, 2022. The review timeline depends on how many applications are received, but we plan to announce decisions to all applicants via email in February 2022. We will work with winning teachers’ schools to transfer funds or discuss other arrangements.