Welcome to our grant application process, designed to support your local association's efforts in advancing equity and inclusion initiatives. This Grant aims to empower individuals who will create an equity team or committee focused on initiatives within your local education community.
Below, you can apply for two types of grants:
- Equity Committee/Team Creation Grants: $1,000
- Equity Campaign Chair Stipends: $500
The Equity Campaign Grants are intended to assist your local union team in planning and executing gatherings that will empower your members to create changes focused on improving Equity in your systems. The Equity Campaign Chair Stipends will provide compensation for one (or more, depending on local size) individuals responsible for spearheading equity initiatives and ensuring that diverse voices are represented and heard within your local association and school districts.
Before submitting your application, please ensure your references are complete and that you incorporate which best practices related to equity and inclusion you will focus on, listed below.
Grant Application will go live on this page soon. Thank you for your interest!
Best Practices
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Professional Development and Training - Organize workshops and training sessions on implicit bias, culturally responsive teaching, and social justice education. Collaborate with outside experts or organizations specializing in equity training.
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Policy Review and Advocacy - Advocate for policies that support equity and inclusion at all levels. Review current district policies, Local Union and District contracts, and external influences, to identify areas that may perpetuate inequities. Propose changes to hiring practices to ensure diverse candidate pools. Advocate for equitable resource allocation, including funding for underrepresented programs and student support services.
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Inclusive Curriculum Development - Ensure the curriculum reflects diverse perspectives and experiences. Audit current curriculum with the committee. Facilitate curriculum workshops where teachers can share resources and strategies for inclusive teaching.
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Community and Family Engagement - Host community forums(PTA, parent support group) to gather input from families about their needs and concerns regarding equity. Develop communication strategies that include multilingual support for non-English-speaking families. Partner with community organizations to create programs that support student and family engagement.
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Equity in School Discipline - Review and reform disciplinary policies to reduce disparities. Analyze data on disciplinary actions to identify patterns of inequity. Advocate for restorative justice practices that emphasize conflict resolution over punitive measures. Provide training for staff on equitable discipline practices and the impacts of bias.
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Support for Marginalized Groups - Create targeted support systems for underrepresented and marginalized student or teacher groups. Establish affinity groups or support networks for students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities. Promote access to mentorship programs that connect teachers with mentors from similar backgrounds. Collaborate with mental health professionals to ensure that support services are accessible and culturally relevant.
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Celebrating Diversity -Acknowledge and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of students and staff. Organize cultural events and awareness days that highlight various heritages and contributions. Encourage student led initiatives that promote understanding and appreciation of diversity. Create recognition programs for educators who exemplify commitment to equity and inclusion.
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Monitoring and Accountability (mandatory) -Set clear equity goals and benchmarks to measure progress over time. Regularly report on the status of equity initiatives to the union and the wider school community. Solicit feedback from educators and stakeholders to continuously refine strategies.
Supporting Immigrant Families and Students Toolkit
