In partnership with the Walton Family Foundation, the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools Association provides high-quality start-up grants to help establish charter schools serving significant low-income student populations. The Walton Family Foundation Startup Grant program supports the creation of public charters by providing grants to school developers as they launch new schools.
Grantees are school developers who primarily serve low-income children in WFF target geographies, and can demonstrate the capacity to dramatically raise student achievement.
Currently, Orleans Parish is the WFF target geography; however, there is the possibility of a few grants outside of Orleans Parish for the 2011 grant round.
Important Dates
January 5, 2011: (optional) Due date for preliminary feedback on grant application. Please email application to Sherman Whites at
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for feedback.
January 13, 2011: Startup grant due date. Please send completed application to Sherman Whites at
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. Any incomplete, late, or improperly formatted applications will be automatically denied for this grant round but could be considered for a future grant round.
February 2011: (date TBA)-Startup Grant Interviews with Committee
March 2011: Startup Grant Award Notifications
Criteria
- Existing eligibility concerning target geographies, student populations, nonprofit status and academic performance applies
- PreK students included if charter law covers PreK and students are part of a school that includes at least 1st and 2nd grade
- Applicants must demonstrate financial need
- Applicants must be Louisiana Association of Public Charter School (LAPCS) members in good standing
- Newly authorized schools; charter schools opening new, additional campus under existing charter; or existing school expanding to serve incremental students with new program and faculty on the same campus
- Expenditures may be utilized for startup operations, including facilities at the discretion of the LAPCS and WFF
Potential funding avenues
Phase III - Combination Startup
$250,000 Maximum
A proposal may be submitted once the school is approved by its authorizer and during the school's first year of operation. Please first consult with WFF or our local Grant Partner before applying for this option as it is rare.
Click here to download grant applications for the different funding avenues.
The WFF has recently restructured its Public Charter School Startup Grants so that qualified applicants would receive an upfront base amount and, over the subsequent five years, a per-pupil supplement for a maximum award totaling $500,000. The base grant award of $250,000 can be awarded in one step, but WFF does provide some schools with startup funds before their charter application is formally authorized. Schools that have already been approved may apply for a combination pre- and post-authorization grant.
Application Instructions
Visit the Walton Family Foundation website for application instructions and to download the application and supplemental materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click here for commonly asked questions.
For further information contact Sherman Whites at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 504-274-3675.