1. OceanFirst Foundation
MODEL CLASSROOM GRANT

2. OCEANFIRST FOUNDATION
The first of its kind in the nation
Established by an endowment of $13.4 million in OceanFirst stock in conjunction with OceanFirst Bank’s IPO
Approved by the shareholders of OCFC

3. OUR GIVING More than 6,500 grants
600+ nonprofit organizations and schools throughout central and southern NJ supported
$35 million+ awarded in impact areas

4. OUR FOOTPRINT
Atlantic
Cape May
Cumberland
Gloucester
Monmouth
Ocean

5. OUR FUNDING PRIORTIES

6. THE OCEANFIRST FOUNDATION 2018-2019 Model Classroom School Grant Program

7. THE MODEL CLASSROOM GRANT PROGRAM
Open to public and private K-12 schools in the OceanFirst Bank footprint
$250,000 to be awarded for the school year
A total of twenty five $10,000 grants
Grants will be awarded at each level - Elementary School, Middle School and High School

8. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Most important to us is to support efforts that create and promote a culture of academic excellence, to improve and enhance classroom instruction and to support schools that want to embrace NEW TECHNOLOGY, TOOLS, and TRAINING that will add value to the learning experience and help improve student achievement.

9. THE MODEL CLASSROOM GRANT PROGRAM
What is the greatest unfunded or underfunded area of need within your school/district?

10. GRANT PERIOD COVERED Project Start Date – October 1, 2018
Project End Date – June 30, 2019

11. APPLICATION DEADLINE
May 1, 2018

12. School
Classroom
Application

14. THE APPLICATION

15. INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL
Mailing & general school information
Total enrollment (use # as of application date)
A brief description of your school and the students you serve

16. SCHOOL CONTACTS
Principal contact information
Project contact – only one person please
Include addresses
All follow-up is done by
The Foundation does not share contact information

17. THE PROPOSAL
(1) Which classroom/subject area will be the focus of your school’s grant request and which grade(s) will utilize the space?
It is acceptable for more than one grade/subject area to use the classroom. For K-8 schools, please be sure to apply in the right category based on the grade that will utilize the classroom the majority of the time.

18. THE PROPOSAL
(2) How did your school determine which classroom would become the focus of this grant request and who played a role in the decision-making process?

19. THE PROPOSAL
(3) Who will be responsible for carrying out the Model Classroom Grant project? List their names, titles and summarize their experience relevant to this project.
Please do not include full resumes. A simple summary will do.

20. THE PROPOSAL
(4) Describe your vision for your Model Classroom and your plans to enhance and/or transform your classroom. How will a grant be used to support your project?

21. THE PROPOSAL
(5) We want to ensure that the efforts initiated by this grant live well beyond the conclusion of the grant cycle. Describe your school’s plan for sustainability of the Model Classroom. Where the funding of new technology and other tools is being proposed, be specific and outline your plan to maintain and/or build upon these tools in the future.

22. THE PROPOSAL
(6) Do you plan to incorporate professional development and training into your project? If so, how?

23. THE PROPOSAL
(7) Please describe any formal partnerships your school has with other schools and/or community groups that would have a positive impact on the development of your Model Classroom including any funding that would be leveraged. You must attach a letter of support from each partner described in your response that defines the expectations and benefits of the partnership.

24. THE PROPOSAL
(8) Describe the commitment of your district in supporting the development of your Model Classroom and provide specific evidence of their support. In addition, if your request is consistent with your district’s strategic plan or an internal improvement plan please provide evidence of this plan.

25. THE PROPOSAL
(9) Describe how your school will assess the impact of the grant and the Model Classroom. The best proposals will have a clear plan for documenting and sharing the successes and challenges experienced during the development and operation of your Model Classroom with OceanFirst Foundation, teachers, school leaders, parents, and the broader community.

26. THE PROPOSAL
(10) What do you think will distinguish your school’s Model Classroom from others that may be seeking this grant and is there anything else you would like us to know about your school that is NOT included in your responses to the questions above?

27. UPLOAD REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
A “before” photo of the classroom
Project budget
Letters of Support from collaborating organizations/partners describing who they are and their specific role in the project if you want to be credited points in this area
Please no internal letters from teachers, students or administrators

28. Be memorable for the right reasons.
Provide only what is asked for and answer all parts of each question.
Be a storyteller.

29. One sentence answers generally don’t work.
Use the evaluation tool provided.
Think like an evaluator – how would you score your response?

30. Limit buzzwords and industry jargon.
Please do not mail us binders, folders, videos or photo albums with extra stuff.

31. Use fresh facts and data and put them in context.
Ask a friend to read and evaluate your proposal….pick someone who will be completely honest with you and is who not in the field of education.

32. ONLINE APPLICATION LINK ADDRESS
Also available from the OceanFirst Foundation webpage (click on the article about Model Classroom Grants)

33. QUESTIONS