LEADING for Equity grants are designed to support district-wide (or multi-school) collaborative, equity-explicit projects within the 6 priority areas described below. Award amounts range from $5,000 – $25,000.
See what projects we are funding in ’24-25.
Check out this side-by-side Comparison of LEADING for Equity and LEARNING for Equity grants
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:
- Focused Academic Intervention & Support
- Emotional Health & Wellness
- Digital Equity
- Culturally & Linguistically Responsive & Relevant Learning (Including Positive Racial/Ethnic Identity Development)
- Equitable Family Engagement
- Recruit & Retain Educators of Color
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? (What relevant qualifications do the educators have?)
- What? (What is the curriculum or content?)
- How? (What is the chosen pedagogy? How will the project be implemented?)
Read more about what the Schools Fund means by “equity.”
Systems Change
To drive systems change in BUSD, LEADING for Equity proposals will be evaluated on:
- The composition of the grants team (including site and district members, where relevant)
- The systems & structures that enable essential collaboration across project partners
Who Can Apply
LEADING for Equity grants are open to current BUSD staff members, certificated and classified. Community organizations may partner with BUSD staff but the BUSD staff member must serve as the Project Lead.
Please consider whether a LEARNING for Equity grant may be a better fit. See this side-by-side grants comparison.
Are you a current grantee interested in re-applying for the same or similar project? Read more about our criteria for re-applying.
Questions?
Email Duffy Ross: duffyross@berkeley.net
Strategic Investments Where They Matter Most
With universal goals for all BUSD students, the Schools Fund works in a focused way to ensure that all students, and especially those furthest from opportunity, thrive in school and in life.
Grantwriting Tools
- Step-by-side Guide to Writing a Schools Fund Grant
- Past Year’s LEADING for Equity Awards: ’23-24 Grants, ’22-23 Grants and ’21-22 Grants
- LEADING for Equity Grant Guidelines
- LEADING for Equity Application Questions & Planner
- Equity Grants, EXAMPLE Budget & Blank Budget Template
- LEADING for Equity Example Completed Application (Funded)
- LEADING for Equity Budget Considerations
- LEADING & LEARNING Grants Side-by-side Comparison
- Other Grantmaking Organizations for Educators
For Current Grantees
Grantees can request funds with this Equity Grant Funds Request Form
Are you paying BUSD Staff? Read these Instructions for Completing BUSD Timesheets
Are you working with external contractors? Read this Working with External Contractors.
Are you purchasing technology? Read this How to Request/Purchase Grant-funded Tech through BUSD.