Program Explanation

The Community Grant Program proceeds from the premise that those involved on the front lines of the educational system, “below” the top management level, often have unique insight into small but significant needs or innovations that are often overlooked and which, with foresight and focus, could be addressed in the near future to make a positive difference to the community served.

The purposes of the Community Grant Program are to simultaneously (1) encourage those involved broadly with the Brown Rudnick Center for the Public Interest to actively think about the educational needs in the communities of Boston, Hartford, New York City, Providence and Washington, D.C.; (2) recognize, encourage and collaborate with the front-line workers within the educational system who often do not have a voice in funding decisions; and (3) provide funding to assist with small, concrete projects or needs which will make an improvement in inner city education in Boston, Hartford, New York City, Providence and Washington, D.C. within a year of the grant award. (Grant requests to fund an organization that is outside the city limits of one of the eligible cities will not be considered.)

The Foundation shall generally consider grant applications monthly and award grants in an amount totaling not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) in any one month.

2012 Grant Applications. A grant application which meets the following criteria must be submitted to the Foundation. This may be accomplished by using the electronic form below or by sending an e-mail containing the necessary information to Kellie Cahill.

1.  Applicant.  The applicant must be a “front line educational worker” who is involved in the education field or a related field in one of the communities eligible for Foundation grants (Boston, Hartford, New York City, Providence or Washington, D.C.) (Applicants who have control over approving the organization’s budget are not eligible.)

2.  Recipient.  The proposed recipient must be a non-profit organization or tax-exempt organization (e.g. a public school) that is willing to accept the grant and use it in the required manner.

3.  Purpose.  The proposed use of the grant must be to fully fund a specific, one-time future education-related need or idea which promises to improve inner-city education within one year of the grant award in one of the cities eligible for Foundation grants.  These cities are Boston, Hartford, New York City, Providence or Washington, D.C.  Applications seeking funds for use outside of the boundaries of these cities will not be considered.

4.  Support.  The applicant may, if they wish, provide a letter of support by those knowledgeable about the potential recipient, especially those who are connected with the Brown Rudnick Center for the Public Interest and/or those who are involved (or plan to be involved) with the grant recipient’s endeavors.

5.  Limitations.  Applications shall not be considered or eligible, where the purpose is to pay for sponsorship of a fundraising or a “table” event.

The delivery of grant funds shall be conditioned upon the recipient’s willingness, indicated in written form, to accept the grant, use it for the required time and report to the Foundation on the grant’s success.