CFC's Teachers' Aid Program (TAP) recognizes outstanding and extraordinarily dedicated teachers serving severely under-resourced communities by awarding them resource grants typically ranging from a few hundred dollars up to $1,500. Many New York City educators, aware of the deficiencies in the educational environment faced by their students, go far beyond fulfilling their basic job description and often provide needed resources out of their own pockets. Educators like these are invited to apply for a TAP grant to assist them in their efforts. Teachers may also apply for TAP grants to fund classroom service projects. Grants are generally limited to a maximum of one per school per calendar year. Check back soon for application deadlines for 2010/2011.

Selection Criteria

• The teacher must be certified at a NYC school that has significant resource needs.
  
  
• The proposed project or purpose will have an important and lasting impact on a significant number of students.
  
  
• The proposed grant will benefit disadvantaged students at a school that is struggling to educate students despite a critical lack of resources (i.e. typically 80% or more of the student body qualifies for the federal free lunch program).
  
  
• The teacher must exhibit extraordinary dedication to his/her students.
  
  

Examples of how TAP grantees may have shown their extraordinary dedication include:

• Purchasing large amounts of materials out of their own pockets in order to ensure that their students have learning materials that cannot be covered out of the classroom budget.
  
  
• Making themselves available to students during hours and/or days far exceeding their job descriptions.
  
  
• Going to great effort to bring in enrichment programs, provide field trips, or develop opportunities for their students.
  
  
• Creating or running special programs in the school that significantly enhance and broaden students' learning opportunities.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Grant Limitations
  

  Grants must be used as they have been represented to CFC. Teachers must provide follow-up reports to CFC in the form requested by CFC. Teachers awarded TAP Grants are expected to give back to the community by engaging their students in a community service project within one year of being awarded a grant. Teachers are welcome to plan their own project or participate in one of CFC’s hands-on service projects or service-learning initiatives, Projects that benefit students and other children in the community fulfill CFC's mission of building a sense of community and social responsibility through volunteering and giving.