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Carol Lowery Lowe ’ s Grant Manager. Lowe ’ s Grant Program 2013. 2013 Grant Opportunities. CareerSafe Vouchers State TeamWorks Schools In Need. CareerSafe Vouchers.
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Carol Lowery Lowe’s Grant Manager Lowe’s Grant Program 2013
2013 Grant Opportunities • CareerSafe Vouchers • State TeamWorks • Schools In Need
CareerSafe Vouchers • Allow students to take an online assessment and earn their OSHA 10-Hour Construction or General Industry safety credentials
CareerSafe Vouchers • September 30, 2012. Vouchers currently in use must be completed by that date or they will expire. • 6 months to complete once logged into the system, not one year from date of issued (as in the past) • All vouchers are awarded, but many go unused. • For 2013, Directors will be provided a list of voucher recipients.
State TeamWorks Past • States received funds based on # of teams expected to compete • Prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd for HS and PS 2013 • Applications and process • Still detailing how grant funds will be distributed • Secure sponsorship for prizes
Schools in Need Lowe’s Focus! • To identify schools, classrooms or students who have a very basic need to improve the quality of the student’s educational experience. • Place the dollars in the hands of those who have no other means for obtaining funds. • Eligibility for free and reduced lunch in the school population is a key indicator of need.
State Directors Role • We need your help • Identify schools • Encourage SkillsUSA Chapter to apply • Lead them to and through the grant application process • High profile opportunity for Lowe’s
Grant Funds • Grant awards $2,500 to $25,000 • Bigger projects with greater impact • Lowe’s wants to align with technical trade areas that their business supports
Three Focus Areas • Classroom improvements • Upgrading or providing tangible tools for learning technical skills • Leadership development opportunities or providing for competition clothing that will give students the opportunity to compete at SkillsUSA events that would otherwise be unattainable. .
Pay IT – Play IT Forward • Those applicants who can outline their plan to “pay it forward”, by planning and implementing a project or event that will allow them to use the tools or skills obtained due to receiving the grant dollars, will stand a greater chance of receiving grant funds.
Best Applications Detail how the outcome will provide a life changing experience for the beneficiaries of the grant dollars!
Classroom Upgrade/Renovation • Describe what you have now, how it will change, how many students and/or programs will benefit. • What will be the impact on the students now as well as in the future. • How might this upgrade or new classroom provide an opportunity for the students to share this experience or classroom with others?
Tools/Equipment/Materials • Tell the age of the existing tools/equipment or why new tools/equipment/materials are needed. • Describe how the upgrade/purchase would impact students or meet industry standards. • How many students will benefit from the upgrade? • How will students use the tools, equipment or materials to implement a service project for their school or community?
Leadership Development orCompetition Clothing • Who will benefit? • What has been the past experience in these areas? • How will participating in this event, training or contest impact the students? • How will students use this experience to help other students or grow their local SkillsUSA chapter?
Grant Timeline • September 1, 2012 Grant application posted to website • November 1, 2012 Application deadline! • January 10, 2013 Announce winning grant recipients
Selection Process • Applications are reviewed and scored by SkillsUSA selection team • Lowe’s chooses the final winners. • Specific Rubric for scoring (Rubric posted on website!)
Selection Criteria • 60%-70% on basic need and project impact • 30%-40% on application clarity, budget detail, and project planning, development and implementation strategies
Basic Need for Greater Impact • Tell your story from the heart! • Support your story with the facts and details. • How can you expand the use of your grant dollars beyond the initial investment? • How can you create a unique learning experience for your students that will engage them in developing leadership or technical skills? • “If we receive these grant dollars, this is what will happen.” • Think Need! Think impact! Think BIG!
Write Award Winning Project • Review application • Complete in it’s entirety • Be specific, meaningful and succinct • Think about WHAT you’re going to do for your project and then HOW you’re going to tell your story and plan!
Grant Application • Tell your story and how it will impact the recipients! • Include a detailed project description • Look for opportunities to involve local Lowe’s. • Create achievable timelines • Include detailed budget and media plan • Have application reviewed by someone who is not involved in the project • Have application reviewed for correctness and completeness
Send Thank-you’s Kimberly BealLowe's Companies Community Relations 1000 Lowe's Blvd-NB5RP Mooresville, NC 28117
SkillsUSA Carol Lowery clowery@skillsusa.org 641-512-0504