Office of the Chief Financial Officer → Grants → FAQs

What is a grant?

A grant is an agreement with a foundation, government agency, corporation, or other external source that provides funds for a particular purpose over a definite period of time to fulfill the goals and desires of the funding source. MCPS seeks grant funding to support projects that address critical unmet needs, supplement existing programs, explore new ideas, and/or implement model programs that will improve the quality of education and support academic achievement for all.

I found a grant opportunity I would like to apply for. What are the next steps?

You must receive approval from the appropriate leadership to apply for a grant. Approval must be given by the Principal and/or responsible office leadership, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Superintendent of Schools. Directions for obtaining approval are provided below:

• School based employees looking to apply for a grant opportunity must complete MCPS form 280-60, Authorization for School Grant Application and submit the form to the Budget Unit at least two weeks prior to the due date of the grant application.
• Central office employees looking to apply for a grant opportunity must work with the relative leadership team and budget specialist within the Budget Unit to confirm eligibility to apply for the grant and next steps.

I submitted an approved grant application to the grantor, and I have not received any information as to whether or not it was approved. Who should I follow-up with?

Please contact the grantor representative for the respective grant you applied for to determine if an update can be provided. The timeline for responding with an update on submitted grant applications varies between the grantors.

What is a request for proposal (RFP)/request for renewal (RFR)?

A RFP is the set of documents sent out by the grantor that outlines the requirements for the grant application. The documents usually provide background information for how the grant opportunity was developed, and usually contain the technical information for what information is needed to complete the application.

A RFR is the set of documents sent out by the grantor that outlines the requirements for the system to renew a current grant application for an additional year(s). The documents usually provide background information for how the grant opportunity was developed, and usually contain the technical information for what information is needed to complete the renewal application.

The grantor request for proposal indicates that the recipient of the grant funding must meet a tax eligibility requirement of having a 501(c)(3) tax status. Does MCPS meet this requirement?

No, MCPS does not meet the requirement for a 501(c)(3) tax status. Please contact the Budget Unit at (301) 279-3547 for more information regarding how to apply for a grant that has this type of requirement.

Are teachers permitted to apply for grants that award funding directly to them instead of MCPS or the specific school they work for?

Yes, teachers are permitted to apply for grants that award funding directly to them instead of MCPS or the specific school they work for. However, it is encouraged that the teacher reach out to the Budget Unit for additional information prior to applying for this type of grant, as this type of grant may result in a personal financial impact for the teacher.