Did snow days slow you down? No problem! We have extended the deadline to apply for the $500 PRIDE Environmental Education Grants.

The application is easy to complete. If you have any questions, we would be happy to walk you through the application. Please call us, toll free, at 888-577-4339, or send an email to bcalhoun@centertech.com.

This is Round 2 of the 2016 PRIDE Environmental Education Grant Program, which was made possible by  a grant from Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky (TMMK).

Full details are below, but here are the highlights:

• The grant amount will be up to $500.
• You may apply if you already have a grant from Round 1 of funding. We do need a new application from you, please.
• Grant applications are due February 12, 2016. (The original deadline was February 5, 2016, but it was extended due to snow days across the region.)
• Awards will be announced February 22, 2016.
• The grant funds must be spent by March 31, 2016.

Not sure how to spend $500 so quickly? Earth Day activities are a great idea, and you can spend up to $500 on your materials. Here are five other ideas to use your grants:

• Digital cameras ($200): A photo contest is a great way to open eyes to beauty in our own background. Spend up to $200 to buy cameras for students to explore the great outdoors.
• Books and multimedia ($250): Inspire new thinking about our world with a library of nature books, software, DVDs or CDs. Spend up to $250 on multimedia and $250 on books. Ask your librarian for ideas. For books, shop from this list: http://kypride.org/educate/book-list/.
• Greenhouse equipment and supplies ($250): Running low on supplies or want to add a new piece of equipment? Spend up to $250 preparing your greenhouse for spring projects.
• Educational resource kits ($500): What do you need to do a new activity this spring? Spend up to $500 on a new resource kit.
• Recycling bins ($500): Are your hand-drawn recycling symbols wearing off the trash cans you turned into recycling bins? Invest up to $500 in new recycling bins, stamped with logos that won’t fade and fitted with sorting tops. Check your janitor’s supply catalogs.

Grant details

The funds can be used for a variety of educational activities that achieve the objectives of the PRIDE Environmental Education Grant Program, which are:

• To encourage the understanding of and actions beneficial to the environment through educational activities.
• To bring an awareness of nature and the conflicts between the built and natural aspects of our environment.
• To teach students skills that create a positive action on behalf of the environment.
• To promote the concept of student acceptance of being personally responsible for his or her environment while building community pride.

The Grant Application review process will be highly competitive. Projects focusing on energy efficiency and conservation, recycling and solid waste management will receive higher priority.

The grant amount will be up to $500. The grant will be awarded to the school board or nonprofit organization that represents the eligible applicant.

Eligible applicants are teachers from public and private school systems; educational institutions applying as a school; and non-formal educators. Non-profit organizations interested in the promotion of environmental education may apply. Applicants must be working with schools or organizations within the following counties: Adair, Bath, Bell, Breathitt, Boyd, Carter, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Elliott, Floyd, Green, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Taylor, Wayne, Whitley and Wolfe.

The grant period will extend from February 15, 2016, to March 30, 2016. All materials will be required to be purchased by March 30, 2016; no extension will be awarded.

How to apply

The Grant Application is available below as a PDF document. To submit the Grant Application, please mail, e-mail, fax or hand deliver it to PRIDE. The Grant Application must be received by PRIDE or postmarked by 4 pm ET on February 5, 2016.

To apply, please follow the instructions below.

• Read the Terms and Conditions, which include details about the program, tips for completing the application, and a sample budget. To view the Terms and Conditions, click here.
• Complete the Grant Application. Click here to open the Grant Application PDF. Please type your information into the blank boxes provided in the Grant Application PDF. (To type into the blank boxes, you may first need to save the PDF to your computer.) After completing your Grant Application Form, please print it.
• Submit the Grant Application to PRIDE by:
  • Mail or hand delivery (2292 S. Hwy. 27, Somerset, KY 42501),
  • E-mail (PRIDE@centertech.com), or
  • Fax (606-677-6055).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the PRIDE office at PRIDE@centertech.com or 1-888-577-4339 (toll free).

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