California’s developing and operating charter schools have access to various funding sources. These resources include a variety of grants, fundraising, and loan programs. Depending on several factors (such as number of years in operation, student population, location, etc) your charter school may be eligible for one or more of the following options.

Grants

Programs Now Accepting Applications:

Consolidated Application (ConApp) Part II
Directly-funded charter schools are required to go through the ConApp process to receive No Child Left Behind (NCLB) funding. NCLB funding includes all of the "Title" programs, e.g., Title I, and is a major funding source for many charter schools. Locally-funded charter schools do not have to submit their own ConApp application; instead, they should contact their district's ConApp coordinator to ensure that the charter school's information will be included on the district's own ConApp and that the charter school will receive its appropriate share of NCLB funding via the district.

Part I of the ConApp was due June 30, 2006. Part I of the application documents participation in categorical programs and provides assurances that the charter school will comply with the legal requirements of each program. Part II of the application contains the charter school's entitlements for each funded program. Part II of the ConApp is due JANUARY 31, 2007. Program questions should be directed to Anne Daniels at adaniels@cde.ca.gov or 916-319-0295. For general ConApp information, visit: www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/ca/ and www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r5/ca05rfa.asp.

Please note: Schools that receive Title II funding are now required to spend 85% of the prior year’s allotment in order to receive future allocations.

Other relevant links:
LEA Plans: www.cde.ca.gov/nclb/sr/le/
NCLB: www.cde.ca.gov/nclb/index.asp
Title I “school-wide” or “targeted” assistance plans: www.cde.ca.gov/sp/sw/
CADS Software System: www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r5/ca04rfa.asp

Charter School Revolving Loan Fund
Low interest loans are offered through the California Department of Education’s Charter School Revolving Loan Fund. The maximum loan amount is $250,000, and the maximum repayment period is 5 years. All charter schools except for conversion schools or schools that have already been renewed are eligible to apply for funds. Loan funds may be used to help charter schools reach the goals stated in their charter. Allowable expenditures may include, but are not limited to, facilities lease payments, facilities improvements, instructional materials and equipment, and program expansion.

2006-2007 applications are available at www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r1/csrevloan06rfa.asp. Program questions may be directed to Jacqueline Henderson at 916-324-7139 or jhenders@cde.ca.gov. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from JULY 1, 2006 through APRIL 30, 2007. CSDC encourages applicants to request funds early in the application period to ensure access to funds. For more details about the Charter School Revolving Loan Fund, including fund restrictions, review criteria, repayment processes, and more, contact us at 916-278-6069 or CSDC@chartercenter.org.

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Educational Technology K-12 Voucher Program
If your charter school serves a student population in which at least 40 percent of the students are eligible to receive free/reduced-price meals, it may be eligible for funding from a new Educational Technology K-12 Voucher Program. The program is designed to assist schools and districts with implementing and supporting education technology that fosters effective teaching and promotes student achievement. An estimated $400 to $600 million is expected to be available for this program, supported from funds related to settling a lawsuit. Vouchers may be used to purchase hardware, non-custom software, evaluation tools, information technology support services, and professional development services with regard to technology. For more information, including a specific list of eligible goods and services, visit www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/st/etv.asp.

Eligible applicants include direct-funded charter schools in which at least 40 percent of the attending students are eligible to receive free- or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program. CDE will use free lunch data from the 2005-06 Consolidated Application to review eligibility. If the data on this form is not correct, or if your school generally does not submit a Consolidated Application, data corrections must have been submitted by August 31, 2006.

Locally funded charter schools that are interested in this program and meet the 40 percent free or reduced price meals requirement should contact their local district. District applicants must have a state-approved district technology plan to apply on the school’s behalf.

Direct-funded charter schools are NOT required to supply a state-approved technology plan in order to apply, however a two-paragraph statement describing how the voucher will be utilized to support the implementation of a technology plan at the school must be provided in the application.

The online request for applications (RFA) is available at www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r5/etv06rfa.asp. Final applications are due on JUNE 30, 2008. The RFA is very simple and designed to take only 15 minutes to complete. Program questions may be directed to CDE’s Education Technology Office at edtech@cde.ca.gov or (916) 323-5715 or Gary Quiring at gquiring@cde.ca.gov or (916) 323-5216.

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Loan Forgiveness for Teachers
Math, science and special education teachers who have taught full-time in Title I (economically disadvantaged) schools for five consecutive years may be eligible for higher loan forgiveness amounts under a new law. The Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act (P.L. 108-409), signed by President Bush in October 2004, authorizes up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness to individuals who have been employed full time for five consecutive years as highly qualified math, science and special education teachers. The definition of "highly qualified teacher" is contained in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

This dramatic increase of $12,500 (from only $5,000) above the loan forgiveness amounts available to other teachers is meant to ease the shortage of teachers in key subject areas.

The increased amount of teacher loan forgiveness is available to new Federal Stafford Loan borrowers (math, science and special education teachers with no outstanding loan balances prior to Oct. 1, 1998, who borrowed eligible loans prior to Oct. 1, 2005).

An otherwise eligible borrower who has already received loan forgiveness under the prior requirements is eligible to receive further loan forgiveness, up to the difference between $17,500 and the amount previously forgiven, once the borrower has completed the required five years of teaching service as a highly qualified special education teacher or as a highly qualified secondary school math or science teacher.

For more information, contact the U.S. Department of Education's customer service call center at 1-800-433-7327, or visit www.ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN0414.html.

Additional grant opportunities come available on an on-going basis. For more information on charter school grants or other fundraising practices, contact CSDC at CSDC@chartercenter.org.

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Other Grant Opportunities:

2007-2010 Public Charter Schools Grant Program

In 2007, the federal government awarded $108 million in grant funding to California’s Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP), which in turn will award money in individual grants to charter schools and charter school developers. These funds will support three yearly grant cycles over the 2007 to 2010 grant period. Currently, the only active PCSGP grant type is called a Planning and Implementation (P&I) grant, which is available to applicants who have their petition approved but have yet to open for their second school year. 

For nearly a decade, the PCSGP has been one of the best sources of grant funds for new and operating charter schools.  The funds for the PCSGP are actually federal funds that the California Department of Education (CDE) applies for and receives from the federal Department of Education.  CDE has been quite successful in obtaining these funds, allowing for many funding rounds of the PCSGP.   The current PCSGP structure and application process drastically differs from previous years.

Current Grant Cycle
The Request for Applications (RFA) can be found here and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Applications are submitted to CDE and are peer-reviewed via a rubric that is included in the RFA.  After this peer scoring process, CDE recommends award recipients to the State Board of Education (SBE) at SBE’s every other month board meetings, with fund disbursement expected within three months of SBE approval.

Planning & Implementation Grants
These grants are given to new charter schools that have had their charter petition approved by a charter-granting agency and need funds to support the founding and initial operations of the new school.  Awards for the planning phase must be used within 12 months following charter approval and school opening. CDE seeks to give at least 80 of these grants out each year for the next three years.  Grants can range from $250,000 to quite generous $600,000, depending upon school and student characteristics. 

A significant change to the scoring of grant applications is the link between preference points and award amount. During the current cycle, the maximum amount of funding a school can receive will be based on student population preference points as well as school size and type. Additional grading points and additional funding will be given to developers or schools who propose to locate a charter school and serve students in an attendance area that is in Program Improvement (PI) Years 3, 4, or 5 and also has an API statewide rank of 1 or 2 (See Table 1).

The P&I grant is active and eligible applicants can apply on a rolling basis at any time.  Eligible applicants are those that have a charter petition approved but have not yet opened for their second school year (i.e., a school not yet open or in its first year of serving students may apply, but a school in its second year of serving students may not).  Please note that the original RFA stated that applicants must have a charter number from the State Board of Education before their applications will be scored, but CDE has changed this requirement. P&I applicants can now apply as soon as their charter petition has been approved.

The online application largely consists of pointing to specific provisions of the approved charter that answer specific grant questions.  While theoretically limiting the amount of work required for applicants, this approach effectively requires a group’s charter petition to closely follow PCSGP guidelines. If an application is submitted and not approved for funding, schools may resubmit the application only after seeking material revisions to their approved charter that address the P&I grant shortcomings. CSDC strongly recommends that charter school developers closely review the PCSGP RFA and P&I grading rubric prior to submitting their charter petition to ensure P&I grant eligibility.

If you have additional questions about the PCSGP, please email CSDC at CSDC@chartercenter.org or call our office at 916-278-6069. CSDC also provides ongoing petition drafting and PCSGP P&I grant writing assistance. Please call 916-278-6069 for details.

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The State Charter School Facilities Incentive Grants Program
This program provides charter schools with flexible assistance for a broad array of facilities uses. Despite its name, the program is funded from federal charter facilities grant funds. The grant funds can be used for rent, lease, mortgage or debt service payments for existing or new facilities, or for the purchase, design and construction costs of acquiring land and building/renovating a facility.

Funds will be distributed based on a series of preference points. Preferences will be given for the following criteria:

• free and reduced-priced lunch data (maximum of 40 points)
• location in an overcrowded attendance area (maximum of 40 points)
• organization as a tax exempt/non-profit corporation (20 points)

Eligible charter schools will be funded up to $750 per student, to a maximum of 75% of annual facilities costs. There is also an additional cap of $250,000 annual facilities costs for rent or lease payments, and a cap of $500,000 for new construction/renovation projects. New charter schools opening this year are not eligible for funding. The program is also unavailable for attendance generated through nonclassroom-based education. This program also contains several additional eligibility criteria because of federal requirements, which are detailed in an article entitled “Treasurer’s Office Prepares New Charter School Facilities Aid Program” in CSDC’s Summer 2005 issue of Charter Currents. The article provides more detail about the program’s funding criteria, acceptable uses of funds, and application process.

Previous applications were due to the California School Finance Authority in early AUGUST. You can find previous application and program information, including a set of FAQ’s at www.treasurer.ca.gov/csfa/. Program questions may be directed to the California School Finance Authority at csfa@treasurer.ca.gov or 916-651-7710.

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Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) Grant
Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) funds support health education efforts aimed at the prevention and reduction of tobacco use through research-proven, effective programs. There are two TUPE grant programs, one for grades six through eight and another for grades nine through twelve. The program supporting grades six through eight is currently accepting new applicants. The program supporting grades nine through twelve is accepting both new and continuing applicants.

Grants are offered over a three-year funding period. The TUPE program for grades six through eight offers up to $10,000-30,000 per year. The grade nine through twelve program offers a formula-driven grant amount based on 2003-2004 P2 ADA. Applicants with under 1000 ADA will use the following formula: $18,000 + $21 per ADA (with a $37,500 maximum). Applicants with over 1000 ADA are eligible for $37.50 per ADA. Past grant amounts are posted online at www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r8/tupe6804result.asp and www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r8/tupe91204result.asp.

The TUPE application includes a relatively straightforward set of nine to ten forms, depending on the program selected. Special scoring emphasis is placed on the program plan, program evaluation plan, and description of proposed parent, school, and community partnerships. Expenditure and progress reports are also required of all grant recipients after 6, 12, 24, and 36-month periods. Charter schools interested in applying must develop a detailed and research-proven TUPE program. Additional guidance is provided at www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/at/tupefunding.asp. All interested applicants should contact their county TUPE coordinator for more information. A listing of TUPE coordinators can be found on the program RFA.

Past applications were due in NOVEMBER. Program questions should be directed to John Lagomarsino at jlagomarsino@cde.ca.gov or 916-323-1540. The RFA and additional information can be found at www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/at/tupeoverview.asp.

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Title II, Part D, Enhancing Education Through Technology
This program provides formula-based grants for schools serving grades K-12 to help improve student achievement through the use of technology. Grant recipients are required to spend 25% of the funding on professional development related to the use of advanced technologies in curricula and instruction. Software programs purchased with program funds must be part of a state-adopted program. Other approved software programs may be reviewed by the California Learning Resources Network and must also be consistent with state board adopted content standards. More information is available at www.clrn.org.

Charter schools must receive Title I, Part A funding directly or indirectly to be eligible for Title II, Part D funding. Directly funded charter schools that will apply for Title I, Part A funds may apply directly for Title II, Part D funding. Charter schools not receiving Title I, Part A funding directly may still apply for Title II, Part D funding if they apply as part of a consortium or LEA that does receive Title I, Part A funding. Locally funded charter schools interested in this program should contact their charter authorizer. Applicants are also required to have a technology plan approved by the California Department of Education. More information regarding technology plans can be found at www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/ft/eettfortechplans.asp. Education guidelines for district technology plans are available at www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/ft/documents/edtechplan.pdf. California Technology Assistance Project Directors are available to assist specific regions. Regional directors are listed at www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/rs/ctapdirectors.asp.

Funding amounts are estimated based on the school's proportionate share of Title I, Part A funding. Last year, there were 135 California charter school recipients with funding amounts ranging from approximately $200 to $23,400 per school. For a comprehensive list of last year's charter school recipients, visit www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/ft/eett.asp. With the requirement to complete a comprehensive technology plan, some schools may find this application daunting. Additional funding restrictions on certain software programs may also deter some schools from applying. Prospective applicants should balance their proposed funding entitlements with the level of work required to complete the application.

Past application deadlines occurred in NOVEMBER. A detailed grant review and funding disbursement schedule is available in the RFA. The past RFA is available at www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r5/eettc06rfa.asp. Please direct questions regarding this program to Julie Baltazar at jbaltazar@cde.ca.gov or 916-323-5112 .

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Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)
GEAR UP supports organizations that implement effective early college preparation and awareness activities for low income students. Eligible applicants include (1) a state, or (2) a partnership consisting of (A) one or more LEA or direct-funded charter school, (B) one or more higher education institution, and (C) at least two community organizations such as businesses, professional associations, community-based organizations, etc.

Charter schools interested in applying through a partnership should carefully select each partner for their potential to make substantive collaborative contributions to a comprehensive program that will enable low-income students to stay in school, take appropriate coursework, and go to college. Partnership grants are required to promote rigorous academic coursework based on college entrance requirements, work with a whole grade level of students in order to raise expectations for all students, start with students no later than the 7th grade, follow those students through high school graduation, and inform students and parents about college options and financial aid.

Application scoring will be based on: 1) The need for the project; 2) The quality of project services; 3) The quality of project personnel; 4) The quality of the management plan; 5) The quality of the project evaluation; and 6) The adequacy of project resources. Each application must include a budget justification, as well as a narrative for each budget line item. Additional details on scoring and budget guidelines are available at the website noted below.

Approximately $113,189,000 in funding is available for an estimated 226 new partnership grants, with partnership awards ranging from $100,000 to $700,000 per year. Project periods may last up to 6 years. Partnership grant proposals must not exceed $800 per student for a single annual budget period, and must not show budget increases after the first 12-month budget period. Additional program information is available at www.ed.gov/programs/gearup/index.html. The application, technical assistance, and detailed information about the scoring process are available for download at www.ed.gov/programs/gearup/applicant.html. Applications must be submitted electronically through the e-GRANTS system at e-grants.ed.gov. Applications are typically available in the Winter and due in the Spring. Program questions may be directed to Angela Oliphant at 202-502-7676 or angela.oliphant@ed.gov .

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Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL) Program
The U.S. Department of Education's Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL) Program focuses on providing funding to public school libraries in LEAs with 20 percent or more family poverty. Funds are used to improve reading achievement through updating the library collection, expanding internet connections, purchasing new technology, providing professional development for library media specialists, and extending school library hours.

Direct funded charter schools are eligible to apply directly and must include information on their LEA designation in the abstract of their application.

Applicants must use the Department's electronic applications system to apply. The LSL program application is available through the Grants.gov website http://Grants.gov. The site also includes a demo to assist new users with the application. The 2006 LSL program applications were due in APRIL 2006. Approximately 19 million dollars was available for funding, and an estimated 100 grants were to be awarded under this competition. Awards range from $30,000 to $300,000, with an average grant award of $190,000.

More information about this program, including the full application package, can be found on the program's website www.ed.gov/programs/lsl. Program and application questions may be directed to Irene Harwarth 202-401-3751 or Irene.Harwarth@ed.gov

More information about this program, including the full application package, can be found on the program's website www.ed.gov/programs/lsl. Program and application questions may be directed to Irene Harwarth 202-401-3751 or Irene.Harwarth@ed.gov.

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Emergency Response and Crisis Management Grant Program
The goal of this program is to improve school emergency response and crisis management through the development of comprehensive crisis management plans at school district and building levels. Plans must address four phases of crisis planning as defined in the RFA (Prevention/Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery), include trainings for school staff, students, and parents, and coordinate with local law enforcement, public safety, health, and mental health agencies. Applications must also be coordinated with the California Homeland Security Plan. The competitive review process for this funding opportunity is typical of most U.S. Department of Education funding programs. The application includes six fairly straightforward forms, certifications, and other grant materials required in the application, including an 18-month budget projection that covers the various programmatic requirements detailed in the RFA. The primary, and most arduous, component of the application is the detailed program/plan description. Grant recipients must also submit a final report on the effectiveness of the programs and activities funded by the grant. Due to the comprehensive nature of these emergency response and crisis plans, CSDC recommends that charter school applicants be limited to those who have the resources and expertise to develop such a program as well as existing partnerships with the relevant local agencies. All interested charter schools must meet the absolute priority requirements noted above and detailed thoroughly in the RFA.

Approximately 71 grants will be awarded, ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 per award. Applications are typically due in late JUNE. Direct funded charter schools are eligible to apply directly. Locally funded charter schools who are interested in this opportunity should work with their district to apply for funds. Detailed information regarding application requirements can be found at www.ed.gov/programs/dvpemergencyresponse/applicant.html. Applications may be downloaded from the Department of Education's Web site at: www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html. The CFDA number is 84.184E. For more information, or to request a paper application, contact Tara Hill, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 3E340, Washington, DC. 20202-6450. 202-708-4850 or tara.hill@ed.gov.

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Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) Program
Planning and implementation grants are available for the Smaller Learning Communities Program, which aims to promote academic achievement through "small, safe, and successful learning environments in large public high schools to help ensure that all students graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to make successful transitions to college and careers." Eligible applicants include LEAs representing public high schools that include grades 11 and 12, with 1,000 or more students enrolled in grades 9 and above. Developing schools without an active student enrollment at the time of application will not be accepted. Additionally, applicants must fulfill absolute funding priorities that help "all students to succeed in rigorous academic courses." Detail on absolute priorities can be found at www.ed.gov/programs/slcp/index.html.

The U.S. Department of Education estimates that 50 grants will be awarded in 2006 with a total of $93,531,240 available in funding. Applications are typically due in late JUNE. You may access the electronic grant application for the Smaller Learning Communities Program at grants.gov . You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number - 84.215. For more information, or to request a paper application package, contact Deborah Williams, U.S. Department of Education, OVAE, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., PCP room 11033, Washington, DC 20202-7241. 202-245-7770 or deborah.williams@ed.gov.

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Consolidated Application Part I
Part I of the Consolidated Application for categorical funding (ConApp) was due JUNE 30, 2006. Directly-funded charter schools who seek federal funding are required to go through the ConApp process to receive federal funding from most of the programs authorized in the "No Child Left Behind (NCLB)" legislation. NCLB funding includes all of the major "Title" programs, (e.g., Title I), and is a major funding source for many charter schools.

Locally-funded charter schools do not have to submit their own ConApp; instead, they should contact their district's ConApp coordinator to ensure that the charter school's information will be included on the district's own ConApp and that the charter school will receive its appropriate share of NCLB funding via the district. Part II of the ConApp typically due in January.

Though the federal funding can be substantial, especially for schools serving large numbers of students who are eligible for free/reduced price meals, the application and compliance burden (red tape) associated with the funding can be very burdensome. Schools seeking Title I funding, for example, must complete both Parts I and II of the ConApp, must develop written "LEA" and school wide/targeted assistance plans, must develop various internal budget controls and spend the funds in accord with their plans and federal law, etc. In addition, the school must implement the "Coordinated Compliance Review" (CCR) process and may be subject to stringent federal audit requirements. For many schools, especially smaller ones, the application and compliance burden may not justify the amount of funding received.

For general ConApp information, visit: www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/profile.asp?id=751. Program questions may be directed to Anne Daniels at adaniels@cde.ca.gov or 916-319-0925.

Below are links to more information on topics related to the Consolidated Application:
LEA Plans: www.cde.ca.gov/nclb/sr/le/ NCLB: www.cde.ca.gov/nclb/index.asp
Title I "school-wide" or "targeted" assistance plans: www.cde.ca.gov/sp/sw/

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Charter School Facility Grant (Reimbursement) Program (SB 740)
The Charter School Facility Grant Program was enacted by Senate Bill (SB) 740 (Chapter 892, Statutes of 2001, Education Code Section 47614.5) for the purpose of providing assistance with facilities rent and lease expenditures for charter schools that meet certain eligibility criteria. Eligible charter schools may receive reimbursement for facilities rent and lease costs in an amount of up to $750 per unit of classroom-based average daily attendance (ADA), as certified at the second principal apportionment, but no more than 75 percent of their total annual facilities rent and lease costs. If there are insufficient funds to reimburse all eligible charter schools at the maximum level, the funding provided to each eligible school will be reduced on a pro-rata basis. To be eligible for reimbursement, a charter school site must be geographically located within the attendance area of a public elementary school in which at least 70 percent of the pupil enrollment is eligible for free or reduced price meals, or serving a pupil population that meets or exceeds 70 percent eligibility for free and reduced price meals. Charter schools occupying existing school district or county office ofeducation facilities and charter schools receiving reasonably equivalent facilities from their chartering authority pursuant to Education Code Section 47614 (Proposition 39) are not eligible for reimbursement.

Additional conditions of the Charter School Facility Grant Program provide that: (1) Charter schools receiving funding through this program that have exceeded their enrollment capacity must extend admissions preference to those students currently attending the charter school and to those students who reside in the elementary school attendance area in which the charter school is located, and (2) Charter schools relocating to the attendance area of an eligible elementary school must give admissions preference to the students who reside in the eligible elementary school's attendance area. These conditions are intended to ensure that the needs of students residing in predominantly financially disadvantaged areas are also being met.

To apply for reimbursement funding for expenditures incurred, charter schools must submit an Application for Eligibility and a Facility Expenditure Report. (Eligibility must be established annually). Multi-site charters must submit a separate application for each site for which they are seeking reimbursement. Required forms are posted on the California Department of Education website located at www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r1/csfacgrnt06rfa.asp.

Prior applications were due to CDE in August. CDE determines the reimbursement amounts after all eligible applicants have submitted their applications and expenditure reports. Program questions may be directed to Oluwole Olukoya at 916-327-5929 or oolukoya@cde.ca.gov.

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K-3 Class Size Reduction Program
K-3 Class Size Reduction (CSR) provides funds to school districts and charter schools that reduce one or more classes to 20 pupils per certificated teacher. Classes must be reduced following a grade-level priority: first grade, then second grade, then third grade or kindergarten or both. Funding for the 2006-2007 program increased from last year and is calculated at $1,024 per pupil in eligible Option 1 classes (those that are reduced for the full day) and $512 per pupil in eligible Option 2 classes (those that are reduced for at least 50 percent of the instructional minutes offered each day).
Charter schools are eligible to participate in CSR programs under the same conditions that other schools are eligible. Direct-funded charter schools must apply for Class Size Reduction funds separately from their sponsoring school district. A locally funded charter school may also apply separately from its sponsoring district provided that it is not also included in the district's application. (It is important that locally funded charter schools verify with their sponsoring district whether or not the district has included them in the district's application.) Home schools, distance learning programs, and independent study programs/pupils are not eligible for CSR funding.

Participants must reapply each year. Class sizes are computed based on the average daily enrollment in each class, and with the exception of very small school districts, cannot exceed 20.44 pupils. A class size calculator is available at www.cde.ca.gov/ls/cs/k3/. Staff development training is required for teachers new to the program. Prior applications were due in October. The 2006-2007 Request for Applications (RFA) is available at www.cde.ca.gov/ls/cs/k3/formsinst.asp. Program questions may be directed to Lynn Piccoli at lpiccoli@cde.ca.gov or 916-323-3926

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Fundraising

Other Charter School Fundraising Strategies
Several charter schools have successfully raised funds through a variety of grassroots fundraising efforts. Some schools have effectively launched individual donor campaigns, targeting parents, local community members, and other key stakeholders. For more detailed information about individual donor campaigns, including donor stages and campaign methods, please contact us at 916-278-6069 or CSDC@chartercenter.org (this information is only available to CSDC's Information Services subscribers). Other schools have hosted special events, from large auction galas to small bake sales. Still other charter schools have created endowments. For examples of creative charter school fundraising strategies, contact us at 916-278-6069 or CSDC@chartercenter.org (this information is only available to CSDC's Information Services subscribers).

For all charter schools, a high level of parent involvement is critical and highly recommended to help raise funds. Parents can play a large role as both donors as well as volunteers, doing much of the “heavy lifting” in terms of asking for money and/or event planning.

In addition to raising financial resources, other resources (such as gifts in-kind or volunteers) can also prove to save both time and money for charter schools. Several corporations provide in-kind giving programs for items such as computers, supplies, and other products. You may also consider creating partnerships with local organizations, providing them with volunteer opportunities that can benefit your students, such as mentorship and internship programs. Local community organizations providing various youth services can also provide valuable resources, such as after school programs. For several schools, community partnerships can help save a significant amount of funds by providing programs through local organizations rather than directly through the school.

For more information about fundraising strategies for charter schools, see the Spring 2003 issue of Charter Currents. For advanced charter school fundraising topics, please contact us at 916-278-6069 or CSDC@chartercenter.org (this information is only available to CSDC's Information Services subscribers).

An additional fundraising resource for charter schools is The Green Book©, an interactive fundraising website designed to help charter and other public schools gain improved access to grants and other funding opportunities. The Green Book was created by the Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center, Inc. (AAEC), which operates four public charter schools in Arizona. Website membership is free. For more details, visit www.gbgm.info.

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Financing

Charter School Revolving Loan Fund
Low interest loans are offered through the California Department of Education’s Charter School Revolving Loan Fund. The maximum loan amount is $250,000, and the maximum repayment period is 5 years. All charter schools except for conversion schools or schools that have already been renewed are eligible to apply for funds. Loan funds may be used to help charter schools reach the goals stated in their charter. Allowable expenditures may include, but are not limited to, facilities lease payments, facilities improvements, instructional materials and equipment, and program expansion. For more details about the Charter School Revolving Loan Fund, including fund restrictions, review criteria, repayment processes, and more, contact us at 916-278-6069 or CSDC@chartercenter.org (this information is only available to CSDC's Information Services subscribers).

Other Financing Options
Various other financing sources are typically accessed to help support facilities development or expansion. These options include low interest loans, note financing, and bond financing. Details will be posted soon.

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