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What We Are Looking For: Charter Schools that build strong external and internal communities
Charter Schools who maximize the role of all of its stakeholders: parents, students, staff, and the local, external community partners to provide a stronger foundation for the school and increased opportunities for students should apply for this grant.
The ideal Community Engagement IMPACT school will demonstrate a measurable, positive and sustainable impact on their surrounding community.
Who We Are Looking For:
Leaders who “walk the walk” in building their internal and external communities. Leaders who leverage the business side of their charter school to benefit their students, and leaders who understand that building a strong culture of inclusion and excellence begins with them.
The ideal Community Engagement IMPACT leader is a model of integrity, is generous with nurturing and developing other leaders, and who understands that great education is truly measured in the success and happiness of each student.
General Criteria:
1. IMPACT: Are there measurable results? Is the IMPACT diverse and deep?
2. PROGRAM: Is the program inclusive, effective, and focused.
3. LEADERSHIP: Can the leader articulate the need and impact of the effort?
Is the leader a model of integrity and commitment?
4. GROWTH: Is the program/effort sustainable? Are the future plans inspirational?
5. SUPPORT: Is there third-party research, votes, and testimonial support for the effort from a variety of sources (including students)?
Read our blog: Community Engagement: Proactively Involving Families and Cities in Education
Questions? Sign up for our charter communications platform BH Connect for the latest information.
Email us at bhimpactawards@bhope.org
One $20,000 grant &
Two $10,000 grants
Charter schools that empower students to be creators of their own futures by providing effective support and programs for each individual student are candidates.
One $20,000 grant &
Two $10,000 grants
Charter schools that engage local communities in partnership and shared purpose to make their corner of the world a better place are ideal candidates.
One $20,000 grant &
Two $10,000 grants
Charter schools that play outside “the box” and take risks to best prepare the students of today for the world of tomorrow.
One $20,000 grant &
Two $10,000 grants
Charter schools and small charter networks that have perfected their model and demonstrated long-term impact on their students and communities.
One $5,000 grant
Award named in honor of a dedicated volunteer leader who led with love and made everything around her shine brighter. This award recognizes one charter school volunteer who embody the spirit and is making memories for charter school families to cherish.
A way to recognize and support charter schools who are excelling in advancing education through community engagement, student empowerment, and educational innovation, and schools who are leading the charter school in overall excellence. We are also recognizing a charter school volunteer who has gone above-and-beyond in creating memories for students and a culture of proactive service in the school community.
Our goal is to distribute 13 Grants in total:
IMPACT AWARDS for Charter Schools:
Community Engagement: One $20,000 grant award winner. Two $10,000 grant award winners.
Student Empowerment: One $20,000 grant award winner. Two $10,000 grant award winners.
Educational Innovation: One $20,000 grant award winner. Two $10,000 grant award winners.
S. Joseph Bruno Charter Leadership Award: One $20,000 grant award winner. Two $10,000 grant award winners.
Shellie-Ann Braswell “Shine Brighter” Charter Volunteer Award: One $5,000 grant.
We are also providing finalists an expense-paid trip to Miami, FL for our Building Hope Impact Summit & Awards to connect and collaborate with fellow charter leaders and leaders in the charter education space through programming dedicated to digging deep into what makes charter schools successful and how to level-up the IMPACT of the work.
No. However, you may nominate a volunteer from your school for the Shine Brighter Award.
Yes. Please visit https://bhimpactawards.awardsplatform.com/
After your nomination, we will send an email to the individual with an invitation to formally apply.
You may not nominate yourself for the individual Shine Brighter Award. Schools can directly apply for grants.
Our IMPACT Ambassadors will conduct initial rounds of vetting applicants for eligibility, and then through a baseline scoring rubric to evaluate submitted materials on Impact, Program, Leadership, Growth, and Support to provide to the Selection Committee. Our Selection Committee, comprised of BH Board of Directors members, BH Leadership, Sponsors, and other Educational Leaders, and former Grant Award winners, will review applications, conduct interviews via Zoom, and select in-person school visits, as well review of a final presentation at the BH IMPACT Summit & Awards. Applicant Semi-Finalists and Finalists will be announced on our site and in social channels. Final Award Selection and Grants will be determined at the Summit. Finalist applicants will be expected to deliver a 10-minute IMPACT Talk at the Summit to the Selection Committee to help determine final grant awards
Our Grants will be evaluated on Impact, Program, Leadership, Growth, and Support. Ongoing Q&A will be available at BHConnect.
On April 24 & 25, be ready to bring your special sauce to Miami, so we can share best practices, brainstorm creative solutions, and connect with other amazing charter school leaders and advocates from across the country to level-up education.
This Summit is a chance to work with other thought-and-action leaders to not only learn about best strategies, but also to collaborate on practical solutions for your specific school.
Our slate of programming includes over 30 sessions, in multiple formats, dedicated networking space with other leaders, authorizers, select business partners, and associations. Our focus is what helps charter leaders grow the impact of their schools on their communities, families, and students.
You do not have to apply for a grant to participate in the summit. All charter leaders are encouraged to join the Summit & Awards Gala evening to connect, collaborate, and celebrate!
Tickets will be available as of October 23rd 2023. You can purchase tickets here:
https://whova.com/portal/registration/bhais_202402/
Please note, quantities are limited, so you are encouraged to register early.
November 30, 2023 by 11:59 p.m. EST.