Grants in Saint Paul Public Schools

The Innovation Office supports all district staff who apply for and manage grant-funded projects. Our team works with potential grant applicants to determine eligibility, requirements, and capacity for the project. Because grants commit SPPS to a financial contract with an outside partner, we also guide staff through the required policies and procedures to receive permission to apply.

All staff considering a grant application must notify the Innovation Office as soon as possible. To do so, please make a copy of the Intent for Grant Application form and send the completed document to grants@spps.org.

Grant projects range from $1,000 field trips for one classroom to multimillion enterpriseprojects that affect every school. Regardless of the project’s size and scope, grant applicants work with the Innovation Office to submit an application and then, if awarded, manage the grant project.

Does grant writing sound overwhelming? We can help. While applicants provide the narrative content, we can help brainstorm ideas, edit writing, and develop budgets. We then submit applications and field communications with external funders as well.

There are multiple avenues for the district to receive outside funding, with a grant being just one of them. For the purposes of categorizing funding, we define grants as any amount of money received by the district through an application process with the expectation that it funds a clearly articulated project and budget. Some opportunities may be labeled as a grant, but actually function as a donation. Grants should also be supplemental, meaning they don’t supplant an expense currently funded elsewhere.

Saint Paul Public Schools Grant Process

This image shows an arrow pointed to the right that outlines the steps of the SPPS grant process: Find Funding, Prepare Proposal, Proposal Review and Submission, Award Acceptance, Account Set Up, Award Management, and Close Out.

Identifying Funding Needs and Opportunities

What’s A Good Fit?
Before starting a grant application, the Innovation Office team works with applicants to determine if it is appropriate. This begins by thoroughly reviewing all funder requirements to ensure SPPS and the project qualify. If it seems we are eligible and your supervisor approves, then complete a copy of the Intent for Grant Application Form and send to grants@spps.org.

Established Teacher Grants
If you are a teacher looking to fund a project, our district has long-standing relationships with a few private organizations that run recurring teacher grant programs: Ecolab, Uplift North, and Blaze Credit Union.

Ecolab Teacher Grants

The Ecolab Teacher Grant Program is a collaboration between Ecolab and Saint Paul Public Schools, only open to educators within the district. Started in 2018, these grants fund one-year projects that inspire and engage students through direct experiences.

Funds are distributed twice a year. At the end of each school year, applications are open for up to $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for teams. During the school year, applications are due for microgrants of up to $1,500. For more information, read the Ecolab Teacher Grant Program website.

Uplift North Links to Learning Grants

Blaze Credit Union Teacher Grants

Other classroom funding sources

Other Grants
SPPS has received grant funding from many other sources, ranging from private corporations, nonprofits, state departments, and federal agencies. This is a non-exhaustive list of websites of organizations that have previously funded SPPS.

To research your own grant opportunities, start local. The more specific the grant program to our organization and your project, the more competitive your application will be. Remember to complete the Intent for Grant Application form if you choose to pursue a grant.

Private funding

In general, grants from private sources usually have less restrictions and requirements than public sources. Look for priority areas in education, youth, and other specific goals related to your project. Some corporate funders have longstanding strategic relationships with the organizations they fund, so don’t consider new unsolicited application. Other private funders like foundations may be more open to unsolicited applications.

3M
Allina Health
Cargill
Ecolab
Greater Twin Cities United Way
Minneapolis Foundation
Minnesota Historical Society
Sauer Family Foundation
St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Travelers

State funding

The majority of SPPS grant projects come from state funding sources. These Requests for Proposal (RFPs) usually have a very specific purpose that may align with a new initiative. Reporting is frequent and may be accompanied by site visits, cohort convenings, and other check-ins with state staff.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Minnesota Department for Children, Youth, and Families
Minnesota Department of Education
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Department of Transportation
Minnesota Indian Affairs Council
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
Minnesota State Arts Board

Federal funding

Federal grants are the most competitive to receive and come with the most requirements and restrictions. Grant management is a significant responsibility and time commitment, often over the course of several years. Federal awards also tend to be larger, often multimillion enterprise projects.

United States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Education
United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Transportation

Applying for Grants

As soon as you are considering a grant application and have approval from your supervisor to apply, make a copy of the Intent for Grant Application form and send the completed version to grants@spps.org. Ideally, this step should be completed at least a month in advance of the deadline.

Once our team has reviewed your submission, we will contact you to discuss your project’s fit, timeline, and next steps in the process if we proceed. We assist you in developing a budget, submitting a Board Agenda Item for board approval, and completing the grant narrative. The extent of this support will vary depending on project scope and current capacity. Our team also typically submits all applications.

Managing Grants

Upon being awarded a grant, the first step is often to complete a grant agreement. All signed grant agreements require review and approval by supervisors, legal counsel, and the superintendent. This process may take up to several weeks. Other paperwork may also be required before the district receives approval to proceed with a grant project.

Once the grant agreement is executed, our office works with accountants in Financial Services to set up a budget. All grants must be accounted for separately to ensure fidelity in spending and reporting. Then, we have a kickoff meeting with the grant owner, grant sponsor (owner’s supervisor), accountant, and Innovation Office contact. At this meeting, we will go over the contract, grants management workbook, and discuss the project timeline.

After the kickoff meeting, grant owners begin work on their projects using the provided budget codes. The activities of the grant project itself are the responsibility of the grant owner and their team. The Innovation Office and accountant provide support and accountability for the administrative responsibilities attached to grant management.

During the term of the grant, the Innovation Office checks in with grant owners every six weeks to discuss the progress of the project, ensure financial accuracy, and prepare reports. These meetings may also include the accountant and grant sponsor, depending on project scope.

After a grant project has finished, grant owners meet with the Innovation Office and Financial Services to complete final reporting and ensure all requirements have been completed.

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