MESA PUBLIC SCHOOLS SERVICE LEARNING
Mini-Grant Application
“Transportation Only”
Funded by ECA Donations, Mesa Public Schools
and MPS Employee Donations to United Way
Mesa Service Learning administers a mini-grant program for service learning
activities involving Mesa youth of all ages. “Transportation Only” mini-grants for up to
$300 are available to Mesa Public Schools groups for service learning activities that
only require funding for MPS transportation. Applicants requesting additional funds
for supplies, materials or equipment should complete the full Mini-Grant Application
that covers everything, including transportation. Do one OR the other.
A service learning project is defined as one or more community service activities
that benefit the youths' school, neighborhood, or greater community and include
articulated learning goals for the youth participants. Applicants are encouraged to
plan the project with input from the clients or organizations who will benefit in order
to ensure the project is needed and timely.
Transportation funds will be available on a first come, first serve basis and will
be distributed monthly. The grant deadline is the 15th of each month. Applicants will
be notified about the status of their mini-grants the first of the following month. A
school group may not receive more than two grants during the school year. Preference
will be given to school groups who have not received a grant in the past.
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CHECKLIST FOR ALL APPLICANTS
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED.
Cover Sheet
Summary (on the Cover Sheet)
Responses to Six Questions
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
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The project must involve Mesa Public Schools students (PreK – 12) in service to
their school, neighborhood, or the greater community.
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The funds must be used to transport students to a location where they will
perform service activities. That may include delivering created or collected
items.
The project must include preparation activities that teach students the needed
skills or knowledge to implement the project.
The project must also include reflection activities that solicit and demonstrate
the students' analysis and evaluation of the project.
A final report will be expected within a month of completion of the project. It
will include quantitative and qualitative data on the project and reflections from
students and adults.
APPLICATION PROCESS
In order to apply, please complete the two-page application that follows and submit
it to the Service Learning office by the 15th of the month. Another option is to download
this application from www.mesaservicelearning.org and complete it online. It may then be
printed and mailed to Service Learning, or it may be sent to lthompson@mpsaz.org as an
attachment.
Lengthy responses are not expected or desired; however, enough information must
be provided to enable the Mesa Service Learning Advisory Board to have a clear
understanding of the service learning being funded. When applications are written by
youth, the age of the authors will be taken into consideration. The requested content is
needed, but an adult writing style is not a criterion for receipt of funds.
A few pointers: (1) "Name of Youth Representative" is the name of one or more
young people who are class, organization or project leaders. (2) You must write the
Summary requested on the Cover Sheet. Do not write "See application" which
necessitates Service Learning having to write your summary for you. (3) In order to
prepare the budget, you must submit an estimate. The cost of an MPS bus between 9
a.m. and 1:30 p.m. is $22.95 per hour + 2 hours + $3/mile. There is a minimum of 3
hours per trip on weekends and 2 hours per trip on weekdays. If you need a charter
bus or more information, call 472-0164.
ADDRESS QUESTIONS AND APPLICATIONS TO:
Mesa Service Learning
155 N. Center St. Mesa, Arizona 85201
Phone: (480) 308-7351 Fax (480) 308-7379
Email: Lisa Thompson - lthompson@mpsaz.org
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DATE REC’D.
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Mesa Public Schools Service Learning
Mini-Grant Application
“Transportation Only”
PROJECT NAME
DATE
GROUP NAME
(School, class or organization)
NAME OF TEACHER(S)
ADDRESS
CITY
WORK PHONE
ZIP
EMAIL
NAME OF YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE(S)
NUMBER OF YOUTH INVOLVED IN PROJECT SERVING AND LEARNING
GRADE/AGE LEVEL OF YOUTH INVOLVED IN PROJECT
NAME OF ORGANIZATION RECEIVING SERVICE
NAME OF PERSON AT ABOVE ORGANIZATION
WHO VERIFIED THE NEED FOR THE SERVICE
NUMBER OF PEOPLE BEING SERVED (IF APPLICABLE)
APPROXIMATE DATES (TIME SPAN) OF THE SERVICE LEARNING ACTIVITIES BEING FUNDED
TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED
A 25-35 WORD SUMMARY OF THIS PROPOSAL WHICH DESCRIBES THE YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED, WHAT
SERVICE THEY ARE DOING, FOR WHOM THEY ARE DOING IT, AND WHAT THEY WILL LEARN.
SIGNATURES OF APPLICANTS: _______________________________________________________
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APPLICATION QUESTIONS
1. DESIGN OF THE SERVICE LEARNING ACTIVITY/ACTIVITIES: What will the
service learning project be and how will the community benefit?
2. LEARNING OUTCOMES: What academic and life lessons will the students learn as they
participate in this project? Include the relevant Arizona State Service Learning Standards.
3. PREPARATION ACTIVITIES: What activities will be used to prepare the students for their
service activity? (How will they learn the skills and attitudes needed in order to perform their service?)
4. REFLECTION ACTIVITIES: How will students analyze and evaluate their service learning
experience throughout and upon completion of the activities? How will they demonstrate what they have
learned?
5. RESULTS AND EVALUATION: How will the results of the service and the learning of the
students be measured?
6. BUDGET: What is the estimated expense of your trip according to MPS Transportation
Department? (Break it down by hours and mileage.) If you have other sources of funding contributing
to the cost of transportation, please note the source and the amount of that contribution.
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