Process

Importance of Communication
The grant development office serves as a communication link within RRISD and collaborative entities working on grant proposals. Increased communication can reduce duplication of efforts (e.g., two overlapping or competing proposals) and increase the chances of a grant being funded. Communication is also necessary in order to inform the Superintendent about large proposals and their implications for RRISD as well as to coordinate appropriate channels of approval.

Criteria for Communicating with the Grant Development Office
Efforts to gain funding through state or federal grants should always be discussed with the Grants Department, especially if the proposal meets one or more of the following criteria.

• Proposal requires Board and/or Superintendent endorsement

• Proposal duplicates or competes with other proposals from RRISD

• Proposal requires additional personnel or changes in current personnel

• Proposal requires a match in funding from RRISD or another partner

• Proposal is for an amount of $10,000 or more per funding year.

The Grant Development office can best support the grant process if information about grants that meet the above criteria is communicated early in the proposal process.

Grant Development Process

• Stage 1: Development -- Small Proposals for Applications Under $10,000
• Stage 1: Development -- Large Proposals for Applications Over $10,000
• Stage 2: Post-Award Planning
• Stages 3 and 4: Implementation and Completion
• Grant Process Narrative
• Grant Implementation Financial Guidelines

The Grant Development Office searches, identifies and screens available grants for alignment, eligibility, and suitability. After a careful review of each Request For Proposal [RFP] (timelines, required fund matching, academic, legal, and political requirements, and implications, etc.) a grant synopsis is prepared and e-mailed to appropriate district personnel including central office and/or campus administrative staff.

Once notified of a potential opportunity, those interested in pursuing the grant should contact the Grant Development Office. A meeting is then scheduled among the interested stakeholders to further examine the available grant and its relation to district/campus needs.

Depending on the grant requirements, a decision is made to apply for the grant collaboratively, individually, or both, or not to pursue the grant. If the grant is pursued, district/campus administrators identify key staff to help develop and submit the grant proposal. The Grant Development Office then provides three levels of assistance in developing and submitting the grant.

Grant Sustainability Worksheet

GrantEmployee Time and Effort Certification Form

Expense Reimbursement Claim

Extra Duty Authorization Form

Consultant Services Agreement

Federal W9 Form

Donation Receipt

Out-of-District Travel Request Form

Local Travel Form

Sales Tax Exemption Form

The RRISD Grant Development Office provides the following three levels of assistance after available grants at the Federal, State and local level are screened:

Level I: Informational Assistance for proposals up to $10,000

Level II: Technical Assistance for proposal of $10,000 to $50,000

Level III: Developmental Assistance for proposals of $50,000 and higher

Below is a chart highlighting what the Grant Development office can provide at these levels of assistance.