Financial support is made through individual grants to schools and other local area non-profits in furtherance of the goals of the Kayla Foundation. Grants cannot be made directly to individuals or for-profit institutions per IRS requirements.

OUR GOALS AND WHO WE SUPPORT:

• Poudre School District Schools, helping to enhance their music programs.
• Poudre School District students, with financial needs, helping them more fully participate in their school’s music programs. Support is made through the student’s music programs and requested by their teacher.
• Fort Collins Colorado area non-profit organizations that focus on the needs of children and young adults with providing musical opportunities for their clients.

OUR GUIDELINES:

• A school/organization may apply for more than one grant per semester, however the maximum grant per school or non-profit organization, per semester is $500.00.
• Grant applicants may apply for funding each semester regardless of any previous grant awards.
• Preference will be given to grant projects that directly benefit free & reduced lunch eligible / special needs students.
• All grant requests must be itemized with:
  1. a prioritized listing of each of the components of the grant request.
  2. the cost of each of those components adding up to the total requested  grant request amount (Maximum of $500 / school or non-profit / grant cycle)
  3. the basis of estimate (i.e. quotation, advertised price, previous purchases, hourly rate x # of hours etc.) for each requested item.

• Deadlines listed below must be strictly adhered to.
• Note that all awarded funds must be spent for their specific purposes within 1 year from the date the grant funds were issued. Any unspent funds should be credited to the Kayla Foundation.

OUR DEADLINES:

Grant Applications:

• The Kayla Foundation uses a semi-annual grant cycle.
• The fall semester application cycle is August 1 – October 1. All applications are due by 5:00 PM MT on October 1st.
• The spring application cycle is December 1 – February 1. All applications are due by 5:00 PM MT on February 1st.
• Notifications regarding the decision made regarding individual grant application will be made to the grant applicants within two weeks of the last day of the grant cycle.

Feedback Forms:

To be considered for consideration for future grants the applicant must fill out a Grant Feedback form (see below) by:

• December 15th for fall semester grants.
• April 15th for spring semester grants.

EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE GRANT REQUESTS:

For Lower Income Family / Special Needs Students:

• The purchase or rental of uniforms or performance attire.
• Basic musical supplies / maintenance (e.g. sheet music / folders, reeds, replacement strings etc.)
• Large instrument rental fees or the purchase of small instruments and accessories.
• Fees for music retreats, field trips and special opportunity events.
• The purchase of music related equipment and supplies to support music therapy programs.
• Music related travel expenses (e.g. performance attire, participation fees, sheet music, instruments etc.) to participate in very special musical events (e.g. Carnegie Hall or similar performances requiring travel). For other non-musical related travel expenses please contact Heather Poynter-Lausch at heatherpl@psdschools.org.

For All Students:

• Purchase of music teaching tools, subscriptions, software*, recording media and hardware for the classroom.
• The purchase of sheet music and protective folders.
• The purchase or repair of instruments, cases, stands and tuners for the classroom.
• The purchase of sound system equipment for the school / non-profit.
• Costumes, props, music, and sets for school musical productions.
• The sponsorship of visiting teaching or performing professionals, and accompanists.
• Fees associated with musical events benefiting all music student / clients.

*Note that all software must be approved by the site or school IT Department.

GRANT REQUESTS THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT:

• Teacher training
• Magazines
• Lighting equipment
• Videography equipment
• Lodging or food related expenses to musical events. For these types of expenses we recommend you contact Beth Higgins at bhiggins@psdschools.org.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Online Application:

1. Click on the link at the bottom of this page.
2. Fill out the required information.
3. Hit the “Submit” button at the bottom of the form.
4. You should receive an automatic notification that your form has been submitted to the e-mail address input on the form.

After Submitting the Application:

1. We will contact you within 48 hours of receipt via e-mail that we have received your application. If you do not hear from us within this time period please email us at info@thekaylafoundation.org so that we can ensure we receive your application in time for consideration.
2. Once the deadline has passed, all grants will be evaluated, at the same time, as to how well they meet the goals of the Foundation.
3. Within the fiscal constraints of The Foundation, grants will be awarded to the specific needs that best meet the goals of the Foundation.
4. We will notify you via e-mail as soon as our decision has been reached regarding your application.
5. Funds for grants that have been awarded will be transferred from the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado to the winning schools (via the PSD District Office) / non-profit organizations usually within 2-3 weeks.
6. Remember, to be eligible for future funding, grant recipients must sign into their user profile (created during the grant application process) using the link below and fill out the grant feedback fields, by December 15th for fall semester grants and April 15th for spring semester grants.

Grant Application and Feedback Forms