Grants Available for 2024-2025
Introduction: The Clifton Education Foundation, Inc. was founded in 1998 as a non-profit community organization independent of the Clifton Board of Education. Our purpose is to further the educational goals of the Clifton Public Schools through the funding of creative programs and special projects that cannot be supported through the regular district budget. We are announcing the availability of grants of up to $500 for the 2024-2025 school year. The number of grants awarded will depend upon the success of our upcoming fundraisers.
Who May Apply For These Grants?: District staff (teachers, administrators and other members of the staff), student groups and parent groups (i.e., PTOs, HSAs).
Examples Of Projects Considered For Fundraising: Math and Science Projects; World Language or Multicultural Programs; Environmental Studies; Art, Theater, Music or Literature Programs; Technology Projects; and Problem-Solving/Critical Thinking Activities. Other creative and innovative types of projects not listed here will also be considered for funding.
How Will Proposals Be Evaluated?: All applications will be reviewed by a committee from our Board of Trustees, which will evaluate the proposal on its originality and creativity, as well as an explanation of how, through its goals and objectives, the project will benefit Clifton students.
How To Apply: Applications are available online on the district's website under: Our District - Community - Clifton Education Foundation. Complete the application and return it, along with two copies, by mail to: Grant Applications Committee, Clifton Education Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 2071, Clifton, NJ 07015.
Grant applications will be accepted beginning June 1, 2024 until November 1, 2024. Grants will be awarded beginning mid-September on a rolling basis until such time as allocated funding is expended. Each grant applicant will receive notice of the status of their application. If there are timelines with the application, every effort will be made to notify the applicant of the status of the grant in order to meet those timelines.
Required Signatures: Elementary, middle school and high school staff members must obtain the signature of their building principal and subject supervisor. Clubs only need approval of the building principal. Principals must obtain the signature of the Assistant Superintendent. Student groups must obtain the signature of their building principal and faculty advisor. Parent organizations need approval of their building principal. Any staff member submitting a grant involving computer technology (not including equipment) must obtain the authorization of the Coordinator of Instructional Technology. If these guidelines are not followed, your grant will be rejected.
Summary Report: Grant awardees will be required to submit a summary report on their project to the Clifton Education Foundation, Inc. by Friday, June 6, 2025. For further information about the grants program, call Loretta Ahmad at 973-919-0118 (cell).
Note: Recipients of a Clifton Education Foundation grant have been awarded funds to carry out the goals and objectives identified in the grant. These funds are subject to certain regulations. oversight, and audit. Grant recipients may not profit personally. Any personal connection to a vendor must be disclosed in the application. Grantee shall disclose any ownership interest in any vendor that is part of the requested grant in the application. Grant dollars must be used for their intended purpose. Grant recipients must account for costs and provide receipts if indicated.
The Clifton Education Foundation is pleased to announce they have become the administrators for the Daniel Listmeier Memorial Scholarships. The scholarships, available to two students in the Clifton High School ASPIRE program, honor Mr. Listmeier’s commitment to the students the program serves.
Danny, a former custodian in the Clifton High School Annex, was deeply invested in mentoring at-risk youth, providing guidance, friendship and often financial support. The scholarships, established and funded by his parents Lani and Jerry Pollastro after Danny’s untimely death, honor his kind and generous spirit, leaving behind a legacy not soon forgotten.
Danny’s family is deeply rooted in our school community. His mother Lani and aunt, Cathy Burke were long time teachers in the district, where his cousin Erin Burke-Saba continues to serve. Danny followed in his dad Jerry’s footsteps, who was also a beloved former custodian, as well as a mason and glazier.
We thank the Pollastro family for the honor of allowing the CEF to help keep Danny’s commitment to the students he loved alive in Clifton schools. Those wishing to contribute to the scholarships may do so by sending a check payable to Clifton Education Foundation, P. O. Box 2071, Clifton, NJ 07015. Please add a note that your donation should support the scholarship. All donations are tax deductible.
Daniel Listmeier Memorial Scholarship Requirements
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:
• Must be in Grade 12
• Graduating from Clifton High School
• Earn a minimum 2.7 GPA
• Must have attended the ASPIRE Program for at least one full year.
• Must have exited ASPIRE in good standing.
• Plan to enroll in an Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree program at an accredited institution of higher learning or a Technical School in the fall directly after graduating from high school.
Two $500 scholarships will be awarded annually to two ASPIRE students who have demonstrated a desire and commitment to overcome obstacles to achieve their goals.
Students will be evaluated based on:
• Individual determination to succeed
• Future goals and plans to achieve them
• The support of the ASPIRE Program faculty and administration
All ASPIRE students who meet the above criteria will be eligible for consideration. There is no need to apply. Two students will be selected by a committee determined by the ASPIRE program coordinator.
Jennifer Lucas was a treasured member of the Clifton Public Schools community,
serving the students she adored for nearly 30 years. She began her career in
Clifton in 1995 as an elementary music teacher, providing music education to
students in Schools 9, 11 and 12. Sharing her musical gifts, Ms. Lucas inspired
countless students, teaching them to embrace the many ways the beauty of
music cultivates talents, expands imagination, serves to connect to others, and
fills the soul.
Rising to the role of Assistant Principal of the School 12 Annex and eventually
becoming the beloved Principal of School 2 in 2010, Ms. Lucas left an indelible
mark on the entire Clifton Public Schools community. Despite leaving the
classroom, she never abandoned her love of music, often sharing her gift as a
pianist during school assemblies and gatherings.
Ms. Lucas has been described as a “second parent” by many, offering compassion,
warmth, kindness, and dedication to not only students and colleagues who
benefited from her leadership and kind heart, but also parents who sought her
guidance and wisdom, effortlessly given, making recipients feel seen, respected
and a valuable part of the school community. It has been said that she was “born
to be an elementary school principal.” She often contributed her leadership
beyond the confines of the city, most notably as the leader of the annual Safety
Patrol trip to Washington, DC, undertaking the daunting task of ensuring the
safety of the children in her charge. Parents and guardians had a sense of security
in knowing their most precious gifts were in Ms. Lucas’s capable hands.
Jennifer Lucas’s presence will be felt throughout the district whenever music fills
the air, reminding all whose lives she touched of her enduring legacy that will
reverberate for generations to come.
The Clifton Education Foundation is honored to be the administrators of the
Jennifer Lucas Memorial Scholarships, established by the Lucas family, awarding
two individual scholarships to deserving Clifton High School seniors pursuing a
career in Education or Music.
Those wishing to contribute to the scholarships may do so by sending a check
payable to Clifton Education Foundation, P. O. Box 2071, Clifton, NJ 07015. Please
include your email address and add a note that your donation should support the
Lucas scholarship. All donations are tax deductible.
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