Expanding Horizons Grants

Through the efforts of Assemblyman William Magnarelli, the STA is offering the Expanding Horizon Grants program. The awards are designed to help our members supplement the funding of field trips that will expand the cultural horizons of SCSD students. Please read the criteria below before filling out and submitting an application. For questions or help with the form, call us at 472-6374.

Assemblyman William Magnarelli, the Rosemond Gifford Foundation, and the Green Foundation have designated grant money to a 501-c 3 fund established through the Syracuse Teachers Association. Expanding Horizons Grants [EHG] from this fund are awarded to Syracuse City School District teachers to enrich the cultural experiences of their students.   These funds are meant to supplement other funding sources, not be the sole source of support for the experiences. Your application should name your additional sources. You need to demonstrate the effort made to raise a substantial portion of the needed funds.   

Preference will be given to applications for Central New York trips, which focus on (but are not limited to):

• Cultural Events - plays, concerts, lectures, author/artist visits, museum/MOST exhibits, and culinary experiences.
• Learning Activities – fossil hunting, hands on original documentation, crafts creation, and orienteering.
• In-School Enrichment – distance learning cart programs, “Zoo-to-You”, etc.
• Community Experiences – programs that will enable students to benefit from a broader community – farm visits, class service projects, etc.
• Summer Enrichment – activities that lead to a better understanding of diverse educational and cultural perspectives,

Applicants should present financial statements showing substantial funds from other sources besides this grant. The maximum award is 50% of overall cost.  Funds from EHG will be generated in the form of a check in the name of the vendor. (Ex: First Student, Cultural Resources, Crick Farm, etc., NOT the ECA treasurer in your school.) If your field trip is to be held in your building, the Expanding Horizons Grant Committee will accept grant proposals where a $211 in-kind donation should be entered in your budget (line B#4). This is the cost of one bus dispatched to a city destination.

Make your application for this grant after you have completed the SCSD required packet if necessary. If you are granted funds, the EHG email confirmation letter will include specific information regarding how to fill out the new transportation request form, if required.

Grant applications will be reviewed weekly. Allow a minimum of 35 WORKING DAYS for the entire day trip process (time needed for grant application and school district field trip packet approval).

Please follow the directions with the EHG application. Please be sure to include with your application an itemized budget (page 2 of the application) and a copy of the SCSD Field Trip packet.

Expanding Horizons thanks its partners for their continuing support. Check out their sites for teacher resources.

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