Stronger Schools Grants (Student Mental Health & School Climate and Culture Proposals)

Stronger Schools Grants (Student Mental Health & School Climate and Culture Proposals) is sponsored by Baltimore Community Foundation. These grants support programs and projects that improve student mental health and school climate and culture for Baltimore City and County students.

BCF’s Stronger Schools Grants are focused on funding efforts that support Baltimore City and County students’ successful recovery in the areas of **kindergarten readiness, student mental health, and school climate and culture**.

We will consider funding programs/projects that happen both in school buildings and in the surrounding community, but applicants must explicitly demonstrate that they are hosted in partnership with school(s) and that the program/projects goals align with school leaders’ expressed goals.

### Kindergarten Readiness Proposals Our interest in supporting early childhood education is specifically geared towards improving school readiness in kindergarten, as measured by the state’s Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA).

Grant requests should align to the four domains assessed by the KRA: * Physical well-being & motor development Efforts and activities may include, but are not limited to, direct support for young learners, and other supports that target parents/guardians and school staff. We will also continue our support of Judy Centers.

### Student Mental Health & School Climate and Culture Proposals Grant requests may include, but are not limited to, efforts and activities that support all grade bands in the following areas: * Positive behavioral interventions, supports and incentives * Campaigns, activities and events that promote a safe and positive culture (e.

g, anti-bullying, relationship-building) * Enrichment opportunities (e.g., sports, arts, work-based learning)* * Expanded academic opportunities (e.g., accelerated learning, online adaptive learning platforms, tutoring, dual language, AP, summer and other recovery)* * Programming for targeted populations (e.g., English language learners, students with disabilities, homeless students) **S chool personnel and infrastructure:** * School culture and climate plans * Student wellness support teams * School-based health services (e.g., social workers, mental health and counseling staff) * Student advisory meetings * Professional development (including paraeducators and substitute teachers) * Individualized Education Program (IEP) and 504 Plans * Student Learning Plans (creation and/or implementation) * Home visits, family workshops and other activities that connect families to schools * Addressing barriers in the home environment that hinder student learning* ### Collaboration & Success Stronger Schools grant proposals should be developed by or in direct partnership with school leaders at the school(s) to be served and aligned with school leaders’ expressed goals.

Applicants should also note the importance of being able to measure their success. Success can be indicated by documented improvements in kindergarten-readiness, chronic absenteeism, attendance rates, suspension and other behavioral data, perceptions (e.g., Do students report feeling more connected to their peers and school? Do they feel safer?)

and course completion rates.

Data references may include, but not limited to: * Student academic progress in English and math (e.g., MCAP scores, Maryland School Report Card, iReady) and other benchmarks such as course completion and graduation rates * Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) * Other school quality and success measures (e.g., chronic absenteeism/attendance, behavioral/suspension, enrollment) * District or school-level student, parent, and/or stakeholder surveys * Pre- and post-student perception surveys that capture improved attitudes, administered by grantees _*Again, these activities must be connected to data/metrics that support student improvements.

_ **Due to high demand, BCF is no longer accepting Stronger Schools applications for 2024. We look forward to receiving your application in the 2025 grant-making season. **