Grant Program

The Dover-Sherborn Education (DSEF) Board is pleased to offer an opportunity to apply for an award under this program.  The following information is provided to give perspective and guidelines relating to the DSEF grant process.

Download a Grant Form
Download a Final Report Form
Download a Grant Amendment Form
Download a Grant Extension Form
Download a Request for Check Form

Some background ...
            The DSEF is our community vehicle for annual giving to public education.  through its nonprofit community fundraising, DSEF grants are made available to enhance arts, athletics and cultural enrichment as well as core academic curriculum, beyond that provided by the tax base. Each year, the DSEF Board awards grants to applicants within the Dover-Sherborn School District.  The annual distribution of DSEF grants has exceeded $200,000/year for the past 6 years.  Since its founding in 1984,the DSEF has received over 2 million dollars in contributions, enabling it to play an important role in the continuing excellence of our K-12 schools.

Our rationale ...
            The DSEF has designed its grants program with three main purposes. First, it is seeking proposals that enhance the classroom and school environments in Dover Sherborn.   Second, the Board wants to recognize and support those individuals who, year after year, support our students and their educational experience with limited resources.   And third, the Board seeks to address the growing need within our classrooms for enriched experiences for students of varied abilities.  Our hope is that these grants will provide important learning opportunities for both our students and our faculty and staff.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any individual or group in the Dover-Sherborn School District.  Applications are completed and submitted the Friday before February vacation.  Grant proposals are reviewed by the Board with decisions presented in June.

How is the final award determined?

A grant is provided directly to the individual or team recipient based upon the funds requested by the proposal.  The final funding could be adjusted by the Board after further assessment of the proposal and its potential impact on the educational experience of D-S students.  To encourage collaboration, higher amounts may be awarded to team-based projects.

For what is the award given?

Awards will be considered for any proposal covering academics, arts, or athletics, including staff development.  The Board particularly encourages proposals for the development and implementation of exemplary curriculum projects, instructional strategies, and teacher professional development, as well as enrichment materials.  Grants for incidental travel expense will also be considered: however, grants primarily for personal travel expenses will not be considered.

How will the awards be decided?

The DSEF Board will screen all proposals and award grants to those clearly described projects that best support our program's rationale.   The Board considers applications for a variety of potential projects;  some of those particularly encouraged include:

Interdisciplinary, theme-based curricula

• Specific instructional units, e.g., Outdoor education in elementary science

• Projects that encourage dynamic forms of collaboration and teaming among faculty, faculty and students, or students and students

• Projects that are related to professional growth objectives

• Proposals related directly to district/building level goals

• Projects using the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks creatively to improve learning and educational opportunities

The projects the DSEF is most proud of over the past 10 years include:

• Middle School Language and Computer Labs
• Visiting Authors and Poets
• School-Based Peer Mediation
• Harbor Exploration
• World Language Festival
• Projection Microscope
• Library Automation system at Pine Hill
• Social Competency Program
• Museum of Science Internships for Elementary Teachers

What is my responsibility if I am the recipient of an award?

Individual or teams that receive DSEF grants must agree to:

• Implement their project during the academic year following receipt of the award

• submit a written report/evaluation form to the DSEF Board prior to June 30 of that year.   This report will document progress and the outcomes of the project.

• Be willing to assist others in developing proposals and/or implementing similar projects, and share information regarding their own project with others at the request of the Board

• Allow the Board to distribute copies of winning proposals and written reports to interested applicants upon request.

How do I apply?

Complete the Application Form.  A computer disk is available from the school principal and on-line.  Submit an electronic pdf  copy to:

1. The principal of the school in which your project is to be conducted
2. The DSEF Board (Attention: Dr. Perry Davis, District Superintendent)

the deadline for submission of all applications is Friday, February 22, 2007.

For more information, contact Joe Gallagher or Steve Smith (Co-Presidents), Dr. Perry Davis or any member of the DSEF Board.