Skip to main content

Office of Finance→ Grants

Grants

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) utilizes grant funding to support projects that address critical unmet needs, supplement existing programs, explore new ideas, and/or implement model programs. Grants build partnerships between schools and communities, improve the quality of education, and support academic achievement.

The Grants team within the Division of Management and Budget provides technical assistance to MCPS personnel seeking grant opportunities in the form of:

  • Identifying new grant opportunities.
  • Reviewing grant opportunities for compliance with MCPS policies, procedures, and regulations.
  • Reviewing MCPS grant proposals prior to submittal to the grantor for quality and compliance with grantor intentions and preferences.
  • Providing assistance with budget development, implementation, and monitoring as it relates to the identified grant activities.

Information for MCPS Employees

Employees are encouraged to identify grant funds to supplement existing programs and to develop new activities in support of the MCPS strategic priorities. Below is guidance for school based and central office personnel who wish to apply for grant funding.

Grant opportunities for MCPS school and central office employees fall within one of the following three categories:

  1. Independent Activities Fund (IAF) or Small Grant (for schools only)

    1. Grant award is less than $20,000

    2. Does not require restricted annual financial reporting

    3. Does not require cash, or in-kind match, nor commitment of  MCPS resources

    4. Cannot be used to employ personnel, other than substitutes in the schools during the regular school day

  2. Supported Project or Central Office Grant 

    • Grant does not meet the requirements of an IAF/small grant, and must be managed at the central office level

  3. MCPS Educational Foundation Inc. (EFI) Grant 

    • Grant has a specific tax status eligibility requirement, such as 501(c)(3). This type of grant may be subject to an administrative fee

For schools/school personnel, authorization to apply for a grant opportunity must be given by the principal, Division of Management and Budget, and the Office of School Support and Improvement. 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 Division of Management and Budget at least two weeks prior to the due date of the grant application.

For central office personnel, approval must be given by their associate superintendent or deputy chief prior to pursuing and submitting a grant application. Central office staff should contact a grants specialist within the Division of Management and Budget to discuss identified new grant opportunities, confirm eligibility, and next steps. Grants that are managed at the central office may be federal, state, local and/or private.

Grants Management

Upon receipt of a grant award, MCPS has the obligation to successfully manage the grant activities and funding in accordance with MCPS policies, procedures, and regulations, and secondarily specific criteria set out by the grantor for the grant awarded. Successful management must be maintained throughout the entirety of the grant period in order to achieve the project goals and to ensure future funding of the grant opportunity, if available, and other grant opportunities as they arise.

For each grant opportunity, a grant manager should be identified, and only a full-time MCPS employee can be the official manager of a grant. All MCPS grant managers are assisted by fiscal agent within the school/department, and the staff within the Division of Management and Budget.

Please contact the Division of Management and Budget if you need assistance with understanding specific grant guidelines, or if you have questions about grant management.

Additional information relating to obtaining and managing grants can be found in official regulations and policies of MCPS.

Contact Us

Office of Finance (OOF),
Department of Management and Budget:
Phone: 240-740-3150

15 W. Gude Drive, Suite 200
Rockville, MD 20850

Resources