Teacher's Grant

As a supporting organization of Conway Regional Health System, the Conway Regional Women's Council is dedicated to the fight against childhood obesity in our community. Through the Teacher's Grant, the Conway Regional Women's Council is offering educators in Conway Regional’s service area the opportunity to impact the lives of their students by offering programs specifically designed to promote physical activity, good nutrition and/or personal wellness.

Educator Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be employed full-time as a PreK-12th grade teacher, Health and Physical Education teacher or coach
• Must intend to continue teaching within a 6 month period after award of grant
• Must have experience as a PreK-12th grade teacher

Eligible teachers may submit one application per school year. Proposals must be written by at least one person participating in the program.

Upon award, recipients will receive 80 percent of their grant award, the remaining 20 percent to be reimbursed upon completion of grant requirements. Award amounts are typically limited to $500, but additional funds may be awarded based on merit.

Two progress reports will be due during the grant period. These dates will be based on the date the grant was awarded. Only after completion of the final progress report will the 20 percent be reimbursed.

The Conway Regional Women's Council will not provide funds for the following: student travel, completion of degrees, teacher certifications, university/college credit hours, courses for graduate credit, onsite (or campus) professional development at your school or by the district,  and compensation for substitutes or stipends. Additional items that would not qualify for funding are: Fit Bits, alternative seating (stability balls, rocking chairs, etc.), participation incentives and/or event giveaways (food, t-shirts, etc.) Motivation incentives may be awarded based on grant proposal. Examples of these could be participation ribbons, tokens, etc.

Eligible applications will be reviewed and ranked by a Selection Committee comprised of Conway Regional Women's Council members and Conway Regional Health Foundation staff using a scoring rubric. 

Applicants will be notified of the selection committee decision within two weeks of the application being submitted. Award recipients must be available to meet with a member of the selection committee to receive a check. Award recipients may be asked to participate in publicity regarding the Conway Regional Women's Council efforts to combat childhood obesity and this grant.

The Conway Regional Women's Council reserves the right to review the terms and conditions of this grant program and to make changes at any time, including termination.

If you are awarded a grant and change positions within the school, your award eligibility may be contested by the Women's Council Board. This includes moving to another grade or school within the district.

Application Part One:

A. Applicant and School Information
Complete the Contact Information Section

B. Program Summary
The Program Summary should be a high-level description of your program.

Application Part Two:

C. Proposal
The proposal consists of six sections and should articulate creative, thoughtful activities or projects that demonstrate potential for improving the physical activity, good nutrition and/or personal wellness of your students.

• Consider providing important details about your school environment: demographics, school type, current or past programs, subject champions, etc.
• Refer to the Scoring Rubric when addressing each of the six proposal sections
• All six proposal sections must be addressed

Proposal Sections

EXISTING STATE OF HEALTH: Detail the existing physical activity, nutrition and/or personal wellness programs currently offered within your school and why they are succeeding or failing to accomplish their goals. Include estimate of total minutes of daily physical activity and nutrition initiatives offered to the average student in your school (including PE, recess, classroom-based activity, before/after school programs, etc.).

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND STRATEGY: Describe in detail the physical activity, nutrition and/or personal wellness program or project you wish to see at your school. What key activities will you pursue, and why are they important? How will students benefit from your proposed program? What meaningful impact will you have on the school and your community? Will you incorporate any national programs into your school environment to support your health initiative? Also, explain what qualifies you specifically to pursue this program.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES: Describe three to five measurable outcomes that will lead to the impacts from your desired program area (physical activity, nutrition and/or wellness initiative). Note: Outcomes are statements summarizing what the target group will know, be able to do, or do as a result of your work. A good measurable outcome can be written in the following way: “By (as set time), (what number or percentage) of (who) will (do what).

PROGRAM TIMELINE: Describe your tentative project timeline. Tell us what you hope to accomplish in each month of the grant term. Relate the specific objectives to the overall goal of the program. Be realistic, keeping in mind the time frame constraints of the grant.

SUSTAINABILITY AND EVALUATION: Describe, once the grant term is over, how you or your school will ensure that the programs, policies, and practices developed and implemented as part of this grant will be sustained. Describe how you will measure your outcomes. Include how you will share what you learn from the program with your colleagues.

BUDGET NARRATIVE: Provide a brief narrative showing evidence of thoughtful planning and research into your proposed program. This section should include the overall rationale for the project’s expenses (especially any unusual budget items) and approximate costs as closely as possible. In-kind expenses and donation or matching funds should also be described.

If including a technology expense, specify why the item is necessary for the program’s success, why you have chosen the specific brand/type, and whether you have prior experience using the technology.

Refer to Part Three: Itemized Budget Sheet for more detail regarding allowable expenses.

Application Part Three

D. Itemized Budget Sheet
The Itemized Budget Sheet should include the following:

• Budget period
• Total requested from the Conway Regional Women’s Council
• Total cost of the project
• If the requested amount is different from the total cost of the project, itemize all confirmed and anticipated sources of revenue, and provide a revenue total
• Breakdown of your budget narrative into the following itemized categories
• Materials and supplies
• Equipment
• Incentives/gifts/rewards
• Printing/event costs
• Other-(Specific costs not outlined in the preceding categories. Please give clear descriptions of these expenses. Use the Budget Narrative for any further explanation.)

Non-allowable expenses: Student travel, completion of degrees, teacher certifications, university/college credit hours, courses for graduate credit, onsite (or campus) professional development at your school or by the district, compensation for substitutes or stipends. Items that would not qualify for funding are: FitBits, alternative seating (stability balls, rocking chairs, etc.), participation incentives and/or event giveaways (food, t-shirts, etc.) Motivation incentives may be awarded based on grant proposal.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact Dot Welch at [email protected].

Apply Online

When you are ready to apply, complete the Teacher's Grant application. A member of our staff will be in touch with additional information and next steps.