The Parents Association Grant Program provides funding for programs to support the education and enrichment of MPA students. The program is:

• available to all faculty, staff, and student organizations
• intended to provide funding for equipment, program, curriculum, and faculty or staff attendance at conferences that are outside the scope of other budgeted funds.

Funds to support the grants are raised through:

• the Magazine Drive
• Recycled Treasures
• poinsettia and spring plant sales.

This is the third year of the program, which replaced the end-of-the-year teacher wish-list. This year’s theme is "Spark Something."

• Our plan is to continue with three grant cycles this year.
• The level of funding for each cycle depends on the success of this year’s fundraisers.
• Grants request will be submitted for review in October, February, and May.
• A Grant Review Committee, made up of three MPA parents and the PA Board, will determine the awards.

The grant process is fairly straightforward with:

• applications submitted and reviewed by Grant Review Committee
• the Committee ranks applications according to suitability
• makes a funding recommendation, many initiatives benefit from matching funds outside the Grant Program
• the recommendations are submitted to the Head of School and the Directors of Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School for their input and ranking
• final approval is then made by the Grant Review Committee.

During the 2007-08 there were three grant cycles and a total of $26,734 was awarded:

• 17 grants were funded
• 80% of the grants were directed to Upper School faculty and activities, 3% to Middle School faculty, and 17% to Lower School faculty
• Upper School equipment tends to be more expensive (digital photography equipment versus a classroom projector)
• the impact of a grant to benefit multiple classes or ages of students over several years is an important consideration
• last year several request were returned for additional information and future consideration.