LEADING for Equity Grants

Investing in Recovery to Level the Playing Field

With a new mission laser-focused on equity, the Berkeley Public Schools Fund is currently redesigning its programs and redirecting its resources to support and amplify work that levels the playing field for the students furthest from opportunity.

LEADING for Equity grants (formerly Strategic Impact Grants) are designed to support larger, multi-layered projects that involve thoughtful coordination between site and district staff, and span multiple sites or are “district-wide.”

Award amounts range from $5,000 to $30,000.

For a side-by-side comparison of LEADING for Equity and LEARNING for Equity grants, click HERE.

Priority Funding Areas

LEADING for Equity proposals will be prioritized where they clearly support at least 1 of the Schools Fund’s priority funding areas:

  • Emotional Health & Wellness
  • Digital Equity
  • Equitable Family Engagement
  • Positive Racial Identity Development
  • Focused Academic Intervention & Support
  • Strengthening the Pipeline for Educators of Color

*for any/all students (this year)

Explicit About Equity

LEADING for Equity proposals will be evaluated based on the following equity dimensions:

  • For whom? (Who is the proposed audience?)
  • By whom? (Who are the educators who’ll lead it?)
  • What? (What is the curriculum or content?)
  • How? (What is the chosen pedagogy? How will the project be implemented?)

Systems Change

To drive systems change in BUSD, LEADING for Equity proposals will be evaluated based on:

  • The number of school sites involved in the project
  • The extent of district involvement/coordination
  • The systems & structures designed for district – sites collaboration, coordination & communication

Who Can Apply

To broaden our reach, the Schools Fund requests that BUSD educators participate (as lead or collaborator) in only 1 LEADING for Equity grant per year. (Educators may, however, participate in both a LEADING and a LEARNING grant simultaneously.)

LEADING for Equity proposals from a single school will not be accepted.

Engaged Stance 

The Schools Fund will be taking a more engaged stance with regards to LEADING for Equity grants
moving forward, offering more touch points with Schools Fund staff and more support for grantees than in years
past. Supports will include:

  • Optional Office Hours (during application period)
  • Applicant Learning Conversation
  • Goals & Evaluation Technical Support in early Fall
  • Mid-project Learning Conversation

Grantee Requirements – We ask grantees to engage in the following:

  • Participation in Learning Conversations (above)
  • End of Project Follow-up Report OR Exit Interview; Grantee Survey

Application Timeline

LEADING for Equity grants open in the spring (for full year funding) and fall (for remainder of year funding). Our Spring round is complete. Learn more about LEADING for Equity grants from last spring HERE.

Fall 2021 Round:

  • Applications open on Mon, Aug 31
  • Applications close at midnight on Sun, Oct 24
  • Applicants will be notified of funding status by Fri, Nov 19

Grant writing & Planning Tools

Questions?

For Current Grantees