Mayor’s Educational Partnership Grant

2007-2008
Applications Available: October 2007
Application Deadline: January 2008
Grant Cycle: April 2008 - February 2009

The Mayor's Educational Partnership Grant (MEPG) was established in 1998 and provides matching funds for projects that serve the educational enhancement needs of Orlando’s youth in a unique and collaborative way. It was established by the City of Orlando as a result of a recommendation by an appointed Citizen Task Force on Educational Partnerships to fund innovative academic activities during non-school hours. It is a unique opportunity for schools, non-profit organizations and neighborhood organizations to partner and receive funding for an educational enhancement program. Grants of up to $10,000 are awarded annually.

The City of Orlando believes the education of our communities' youth does not, nor should it, rest with one organization or entity. The educational development of our children demands a comprehensive and complimenting set of contributors, leveraging the resources of our families, neighborhoods, schools, businesses, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, city and other government agencies.

Requirements for Participation:

Schools and/or non-profit organizations located in or providing services in the City of Orlando must partner with a City neighborhood organization. Since this is a partnership grant, there are both sponsoring organization and neighborhood organization project planning, management and implementation requirements, with the sponsoring organization having primary responsibility. Project guidelines and examples of eligible projects are listed below.

Sponsoring agencies are defined as tax-exempt 501(c)(3), designated private or public non-profit organizations, civic/professional organizations or community organizations which provide direct education services and programs within the City of Orlando and have established a partnership with a neighborhood organization for the purposes of this grant. Sponsoring agencies are the grant applicant.

Eligible Projects Must:

• take place within the City of Orlando – click here to determine if your project will take place within City limits

• be in the public interest, serve a public purpose and be available to citizens within the neighborhood

• be planned, managed and implemented by the sponsoring organization and neighborhood organization

• enhance academic, educational opportunities for youth during non-school hours

• meet a neighborhood need

• directly involve neighborhood residents (adults and youth)

• encourage parental involvement with youth

• have measurable goals and outcomes which can be accomplished in 11 months or less

Examples of Eligible Projects:

• literacy programs

• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

• math enrichment

• science exploration or enrichment

• environmental/nature exploration or preservation

• library programs

• college tours

• college preparation courses

• SAT/ACT courses

• tutoring programs

• reading comprehension programs

• computer training

• computer assisted learning

Qualifying Sponsoring Agencies Must:

• be located in the City of Orlando, as defined by the City of Orlando's Neighborhoods Map – click here to determine if your organization is within City limits

• be a 501(c)(3) or other Internal Revenue Service tax exempt organization (documentation is required)

• have been a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization for six months before applying for the grant

• have experience operating or administering youth education programs

• have a minimum of two staff persons working directly with the Mayor's Educational Partnership Grant project

• form a partnership with a City of Orlando neighborhood organization to implement the MEPG program

For the purpose of this grant, City neighborhood organizations are defined as homeowners’ associations, neighborhood associations, condominium associations, or residents’ associations within Orlando’s city limits. Click here to determine if your neighborhood organization is within City limits.

Qualifying Neighborhood Organizations Must:

• be located in the City of Orlando, as defined by the City of Orlando's Neighborhoods Map – click here to determine if your neighborhood organization is located within City limits

• not discriminate and must actively seek membership from neighborhood residents

• represent its neighborhood and have democratically elected officers

• have been organized for at least six months before applying for a grant

• participate on the MEPG project team

• not use grant funds to supplant the organization's operating budget

• have its general membership vote and approve the grant application before its submission.

Educational Partnership Match:

To qualify for the Mayor's Educational Partnership Grants program, the value of the Faith-Based and Community organization’s contribution must equal the total amount being requested from the City of Orlando in the following ways:

• ensure adequate cash, in-kind and volunteer match for Mayor's Educational Partnership Grant project

• provide at least 50% of the match in cash and/or in-kind services

• recruit and acquire other partners (businesses, non-profits, religious institutions) or individuals to donate at least 25% of the match in cash or in-kind services

Click on the Links Below to Read About Previously Funded Projects:

2004 Projects
2003 Projects
2001Projects
2000 Projects
1999 Projects
1998 Projects