The FundBook NJ State Edition
July 2011
Helping communities find the federal funding they need.
The View from New Jersey State Controversial topics in education
Teachers and other public employees are reeling in New Jersey over the passing of legislation that will diminish collective bargaining for public employees and reduce pensions for current and future retirees. The teachers claim that Governor Christie in his gubernatorial race sent an open letter to teachers saying, “I will protect your pensions. Nothing about your pensions will change when I am governor. I will not end collective bargaining and will safeguard protections for all public employees, including teachers.” Governor Christie, with his highly publicized education reform agenda which included limiting the power to bargain, is offering two (2) opportunities for assistance and funding which will support two of his goals: transformation of failing schools and improved teacher evaluation programs. School districts that are identified as having “a persistently failing school” can apply to the New Jersey Department of Education to create a public-private venture partnership. Called “Transformation Schools,” they will be operated by a school management organization and will be subject to the same educational standards as any other public schools and be accountable to the Department of Education. The pilot program is limited to districts where students face a chronic achievement gap. In another initiative, the NJ DOE is spending $1.1 million on a competitive grant program to encourage school districts to participate in an innovative teacher evaluation pilot program. The Excellent Educators for New Jersey (EE4NJ) grant funds will be awarded for the 2011-2012 school year to districts and charter schools that offer to work with the Department of Education to develop and implement p. ~ The Fundbook - NJ | July 2011
new educator evaluation systems focused on teacher practice and student performance. The pilot program advances the recommendations released by Governor Christie’s Task Force on Educator Effectiveness and includes: - development of a new teacher evaluation system based on student learning - measuring student achievement by student growth and school-wide performance - evaluating teacher practices using new 2011 InTASC Model Core Teaching (Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium) The eyes of the nation’s education community are focused on the reform models that will be developed in New Jersey and applicable to other states facing an education crisis. §
Budget uncertainty
With the new State Budget set to pass, NJ municipalities anxiously await release of funds that have been nominally awarded and news of staple grant programs that are expected to be reduced or eliminated altogether. Acceptance packages for funding from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program are on hold until the budget clears, as is the next application cycle, which has – in the past – been a midsummer call for proposals. However, we have urged clients to weigh their open space and recreation priorities and take advantage of an obscure caveat – the Green Acres Program will accept applications at any point during the year, even if an official application cycle has not been announced. The initial FY12 capital plan indicates reduction in funds for many other programs key to municipal development. Chief among them are Local Aid Programs, such as Centers of Place, Bikeways, and Safe Streets to Transit.
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Grants consulting & public relations services
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educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. Among some pretty stiff competition, Bruno Associates, Inc. continues to remain one of the oldest, family-owned grant and public relations consulting firms in the state of New Jersey. Our reputation is built on commitment, consistent leadership and your success. Our stability and depth of experience combine to assist you to expand and develop in the future – fiscally and responsibly. We are a company where experience counts.
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July 2011 | The Fundbook - NJ ~ p.
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Transit Village, the Local Aid Program with the highest applicant acceptance rate (over 71%, compared to 10% for the other three combined) has been slashed altogether from the proposed FY12 budget. The DOT has indicated that municipalities can still apply for Transit Village designation, which indicates that there may be signs of life in the future for this vital catalyst for effective local planning centered around development in transit districts. In the case of all four programs, NJ municipalities should be prepared for all eventualities as the implications of the FY12 capital plan unfold. §
Sustainable Jersey
As many municipal administrations are aware, Sustainable Jersey is a comprehensive sustainability program for communities that links certification with strong state and private financial incentives, and a fully resourced program of technical support and training. Even if a town is not certified, application can be made to the upcoming Small Grants Program, sponsored by Walmart. Registration with Sustainable Jersey is a pre-requisite to apply, and competitive grants up to $25,000 will be awarded to municipalities that propose to complete one (or more) of the accepted actions that earn points toward certification. Deadline is July 22nd. Foundations for success Visit http://www.sustainablejersey.com/ In the face of waning support from State and Federal grant agencies, Bruno Associates, Inc. for more detail on this program and informahas urged clients to make use of all resources at tion on how to apply for the grant. their disposal – key among these in this fiscal climate are relationships with local non-profit This article was contributed by Patricia organizations. Moving in this direction opens Lyon and Nathan Burroughs of Bruno & Associates. They are very knowledgable considerable opportunity for funding, espeof the grants and funding territory in NJ cially when it comes to charitable foundations. and work with local governments and nonMany of these entities will only grant to an profits on grants-related services there. organization with a current tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. One such entity is the Walmart Foundation, which will be accepting applications from non-profit organizations until September 9, 2011. The minimum grant request is $25,000 to fund activities in five areas of focus: Education, Workforce Development / Economic Opportunity, Health and Wellness, Environmental Sustainability, and Hunger Relief. New Jersey municipalities with strong ties to community-based non-profit entities - such as private schools, youth alliances, food pantries, and little league organizations – should consider collaborating on an application. For more information, visit http://goo.gl/ oCWkL §
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July 2011 | The Fundbook - NJ ~ p.