TConnect Student Grants: A Funding Opportunity from TCI

 

TCI invites 9th -12th grade students to apply for a TConnect Student Grant, an exciting opportunity for students to incorporate a Jewish voice into their independent high school.

 

Grants up to $1,000 support creative student-designed and led projects that:

 

·      Broaden an appreciation for Jewish culture or heritage in a school

·      Bring Jewish culture and heritage to an existing school club

·      Establish or support a Jewish club

 

 

What is TCI?

TCI provides resources and programs to support Jewish student life and nurture school communities’ appreciation for Jewish culture and heritage.  We achieve our mission through school programs and activities, inter-school events, Jewish-themed trips and professional development. These are designed to incorporate Jewish perspectives into a school's diversity efforts and to foster a school community of mutual respect and understanding.

 

 

What types of programs will TCI consider for a grant?

We encourage students to put their creativity to work for Jewish-themed programs that build on schools’ diversity efforts and benefit students of diverse backgrounds. Sample projects include:

 

• Freedom Seder co-sponsored by the Jewish, LGBT, and student of color clubs at Cambridge School of Weston, MA
• Screening of the film “Punk Rock in the Holy Land” and discussion with the director at Marin Academy, CA
• Installation art piece for a remembrance project designed by the Literature of the Holocaust class at Rutgers Prep, NJ
• Purim carnival game booth at Woodside Priory School, CA

 

Other programs might include:

 

• Visits to Jewish-oriented cultural institutions, such as the Yiddish Book Center
• An interschool Jewish holiday celebration or Shabbat Dinner
• Jewish-themed community service projects
• A luncheon to jumpstart a Jewish student club

 

Grant funds can be applied to project materials and supplies, food, transportation, speaker/educator fees, educational tools, and related items. TCI will serve as the purchasing agent for all grant-related services, and thus must approve expenses.

 

 

Who can apply for a TConnect grant?

Two or more students can apply for a TConnect grant. TCI will give preference to projects that involve a greater number of students who help plan and implement the project. A project must:

 

• be student-driven
• have teacher support
• have a student-written proposal

 

Projects can be one-time events or a series of activities, for example, programs for several club meetings.

 

Two students should be designated project leaders. Applicants should select a teacher to inform and guide their project design, and to liaise with TCI regarding program development and implementation. Teachers, along with student leaders, must sign-off on the project.

 

TCI will meet with students as they formulate their project ideas. We can also meet with students who might want to apply for a grant, but are unsure how to proceed.

 

How will the grant be judged?

TCI staff will meet with you when we receive your proposal. We review grant applications based on the following criteria:

 

• Creativity
• Capacity for successful implementation
• Capacity of the project to enlighten participants about Jewish culture and heritage
• Number of students involved in planning and implementing the project
• Realistic budget

 

What happens if we receive a grant?

TCI will notify grant winners within three weeks of receiving your proposal. All grantees will be invited to attend Jewbilee, TCI’s annual student retreat, where they will be publicly recognized. TCI will work closely with grantees to develop and implement the project, and to provide appropriate resources to ensure project success.

 

 

 

When do I apply? Who do I contact?

The TConnect grant application is due at least six weeks prior to your program. We encourage you to talk with the TCI Regional Director before you submit a proposal to maximize your chance of success.

Email your application to your Regional Director:

                                   

                                   

San Francisco Bay Area: Adrian Schrek	ASchrek@tcionline.org	415.221.2885
Metropolitan New York: Adam Gaynor	AGaynor@tcionline.org	646.230.1630 x204
Washington D.C., MD, NJ: Jason Benkendorf	JBenkendorf@tcionline.org	301.448.2396
New England: Yavilah McCoy	YMcCoy@tcionline.org	617.581.6869

 

 

TCI will contact each applicant to learn more about the proposed programs and gain additional clarifying information, where necessary.

 

 

Download TConnect Application