P-12

Prekindergarten through Grade 12 Education


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My Brother’s Keeper Challenge Grant (MBKCG)
A New York State My Brother’s Keeper Initiative
2016-2019
Announcement of Funding Opportunity


RECENT UPDATES

  • 10/7/16 – IMPORTANT UPDATE: The proposal postmark date for the MY BROTHER’S KEEPER CHALLENGE GRANT (MBKCG) has been extended from 9/15/2016 until postmarked close of business 10/21/2016.  All eligible applicants may submit completed applications for funds until postmarked close of business 10/21/2016.  If an applicant has previously submitted an application and wishes to alter, amend, or substitute a different application, please note that the latest postmark date shall be the application reviewed for award.  All applications must bear the original signature of the District Superintendent (or the NYC DoE Community School District Superintendent) or that of the Superintendent’s authorized designee. If signed by a designee, you will be asked to provide a letter verifying the Superintendent’s authorization of the individual to sign for them. Please note that for applications received by the extended deadline of October 21, 2016, the initial project period will begin November 15, 2016 and end August 31, 2017.
  • Recording of Informational Webinar – Posted 9/2/16
  • Questions and Answers Adobe PDF – Posted 9/1/16

Grant Application Documents

Application in PDF Adobe PDF | Application in Word Word document
Questions and Answers Adobe PDF – Posted 9/1/16

Legislative Authority

Chapter 53 of the laws of 2016.  With the adoption of the 2016-2017 New York State budget, New York became the first state to accept the President’s My Brother’s Keeper challenge.    

Purpose of Grant

The purpose of My Brother’s Keeper Challenge Grant is to incentivize and support school districts to accept the My Brother’s Keeper Challenge and implement a coherent cradle-to-college strategy aimed at improving the life outcomes for disadvantaged youth, particularly boys and young men of color.  Through this Request for Proposals (RFP) process, the Department will fund grants to eligible school districts to address two or more of the following (except for districts whose award is $30,000 or under who are required to pursue one of the following):

  • Entering school ready to learn, as evidenced by universal Pre-k access;
  • Reading at grade level by third grade, as evidenced by a significant narrowing of the achievement gap for disadvantaged youth, particularly boys of color;
  • Graduating from high school ready for college and career, as evidenced by a closing of graduation rate achievement gaps for disadvantaged youth, particularly young men of color;
  • Completing and access to postsecondary education or training, as evidenced by an increase of disadvantaged youth, particularly young men of color completing Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or college credit courses while in high school;
  • Entering the workforce successfully with middle skills jobs, as evidenced by disadvantaged youth, particularly young men of color having work access to internship experiences while in high school; and
  • Reducing code of conduct violations and providing a second chance, as evidenced by disadvantaged youth, particularly young men of color having a reduction in in school and out of school suspensions, and behavioral related referrals.

Funding

The allocation for 2016-2017 is expected to be $7,000,000.
The project period will be from October 1 - August 31, subject to the continuation of the State appropriation.  The funding of eligible individual school districts will be by formula. Districts will be required to submit a form outlining the activities in response to at least two of the six challenges and an approvable FS-10 budget and budget narrative; districts with awards under $30,000 are only obligated to pursue one of the six challenges.

Program Start Date & Coverage of Expenditures:

The beginning date for grant activities is October 1, 2016 – August 31, 2017. Only expenses incurred during this period will be eligible for coverage with these state funds. Please note that for applications received by the extended deadline of October 21, 2016, the program start date is November 15, 2016.

Matching Requirements:

A minimum 15 percent (%) match of approved grant is required.
The matching requirements may be met through the institution’s own resources, private sources, other non-state government sources, and/or in-kind services. 

Applicant Eligibility:

Eligible applicants are public school districts (charter schools are excluded) which have at least one identified Priority School as of July 1, 2016. Districts will be allocated funds on a per student basis, based upon the total number of students in Priority Schools within the district. Please see the attached allocation chart (Attachment X) for eligible districts.

Important Dates:

The proposal postmark date for the MY BROTHER’S KEEPER CHALLENGE GRANT (MBKCG) has been extended from 9/15/2016 until postmarked close of business 10/21/2016.  All eligible applicants may submit completed applications for funds until postmarked close of business 10/21/2016.  If an applicant has previously submitted an application and wishes to alter, amend, or substitute a different application, please note that the latest postmark date shall be the application reviewed for award.  All applications must bear the original signature of the District Superintendent (or the NYC DoE Community School District Superintendent) or that of the Superintendent’s authorized designee. If signed by a designee, you will be asked to provide a letter verifying the Superintendent’s authorization of the individual to sign for them.

Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers Adobe PDF – Posted 9/1/16

Due to the extended deadline, there will be an additional Q&A period, with questions due 10/12/16. Additional questions regarding this grant must be emailed to kiap@nysed.gov.

A Question and Answers Summary will be posted here no later than 10/17/16.

Informational Webinar

Recording of Informational Webinar – Posted 9/2/16

Contact Information

For Information and Submission, Contact:                     

ATTN: MBK Challenge Grant
New York State Education Department
Office of Access, Equity, and Community Engagement Services
89 Washington Avenue, EBA 971
Albany, New York 12234
(518) 474-3719
kiap@nysed.gov

The State Education Department Contacts:         

Program:
kiap@nysed.gov

Fiscal:
kiap@nysed.gov

Grant Application Documents

Application in PDF Adobe PDF | Application in Word Word document
Questions and Answers Adobe PDF – Posted 9/1/16
Recording of Informational Webinar – Posted 9/2/16


The State Education Department does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, gender, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or sexual orientation in its educational programs, services and activities.  Portion of any publication designed for distribution can be made available in a variety of formats, including Braille, large print or audiotape, upon request.  Inquiries regarding this policy of nondiscrimination should be directed to the Department’s Office for Diversity, Ethics, and Access, Room 530, Education Building, Albany, NY 12234.

Last Updated: October 7, 2016