COVID Response: Continuous Learning Grants
The Opportunity
The Seattle University Center for Community Engagement (CCE) is seeking community-based organizations to partner with central Seattle elementary students and their families to provide math and socio-emotional support in the COVID era. Eligible applicants can request awards from $40,000-$75,000 to deepen programs throughout summer and during fall re-entry into schools.
How to Apply
Complete the online application via the online application.
If you prefer to submit applications through an audio file, please contact Lauren Thurlow, Administrative Coordinator, at thurlowl@seattleu.edu or call 206-296-2569.
For overall technical assistance in submitting your materials or questions, please contact Michelle Cruver, Learning Improvement Network Director, at mcruver@seattleu.edu or call 206-550-1484.
Purpose and Activities
The COVID crisis has affected how students and families can connect with community-based organizations in culturally responsive ways. We recognize that our central area community partners are critical in reshaping education and learning in summer and out-of-school programming. Learning in the COVID crisis and beyond requires investing in community and home-based learning, as well as supporting our school’s connection to community. We seek to amplify and increase the capacity of community leaders and parents as educators to our youth. Example activities include:
- Providing social-emotional programs for students and families through regular check-ins, virtual or in-person
- Engagement that focuses on supporting at-home learning
- Creating culturally responsive educational content
- Delivering culturally responsive trainings and professional development for adults
- Engaging in distribution and use of academic materials
All ideas informed by your experience are eagerly anticipated!
Selection Criteria
Special consideration will be granted to organizations that are led by people of color and demonstrate an organizational commitment to anti-racism. We aim to select projects balanced across the central Seattle region that:
- Promote math and social emotional learning with a culturally responsive lens
- Center youth/family voice and perspectives
- Amplify community networks: priority will be given to organizations with established relationships in central Seattle
Applicant Eligibility
- Organizations serving students and families that attend the following Seattle neighborhood schools: Bailey Gatzert Elementary, Leschi Elementary, Lowell Elementary, Madrona Elementary, Thurgood Marshall Elementary and John Muir Elementary.
- Tax exempt status ( (501(c)(3)) or projects supported by a fiscal sponsor
- Proof of general liability insurance with limits of at least $1MM per occurrence and $3MM in aggregate. Note: this expense can be covered by the funds provided through this grant.
Grant Award
Applicants can request awards ranging from $40,000 -$75,000 depending on the scope of the project.
How to Apply
Complete the online application via the online application.
If you prefer to submit applications through an audio file, please contact Lauren Thurlow, Administrative Coordinator, at thurlowl@seattleu.edu or call 206-296-2569.
For overall technical assistance in submitting your materials or questions, please contact Michelle Cruver, Learning Improvement Network Director, at mcruver@seattleu.edu or call 206-550-1484.
Application Deadlines
There are two deadlines for submitting applications:
- 5:00pm June 25th and
- 5:00pm July 20th, 2020
Applicants will be notified of decisions within two weeks of the submission date; some phase 1 applications may roll over into the second round depending on demand.
Grant Reporting and Payment Summary
Grant Reporting:
- Upon completion of grant contract and submission of basic workplan
- Mid-program report
- Mid-program share-out (opportunity for grantees to connect and learn about each other’s work)
- Final program report (all grantees submit final report in the format of a short story/interview/report)
Payment Schedule:
- Payment 1 (50% of contracted amount)
- Payment 2 (40% of contracted amount)
- Payment 3 (10% of contracted amount
There are many ways to share the successes and lessons of activities, including staff interview, videos, site visits, written reports, etc. We will work with grantees to gather program reflections and stories that best suit how you collect, reflect, and share your results.
