OGDC serves as the primary point of contact and central coordinating office for all grant-seeking activities in the District, and we actually spearhead the writing of most major systemic public dollar (federal, state and city) grant funding proposals for the District.

Please visit and review OGDC’s Grant Operating Procedures for up-to-date information on our policies and procedures.

Development Committee is the primary vehicle for guiding and coordinating grant activities on a District-wide basis. This Committee, which is comprised of representatives from all District offices and entities involved in grant-funded activities, meets generally every two weeks and follows agendas set by the Director of OGDC, examining all major grant opportunities through the lens of relevance to established District priorities and its capacity to implement, monitor and evaluate grant-funded activities. Based on these priorities, the committee designates an administrative unit within the District — a specific central office, region, or school — to serve as primary manager of the program for which funding will be sought, and provides guidance with respect to how the program focus should be defined.

In addition to setting the overall priorities of the District and approving the District’s overall strategic plan, the School Reform Commission (SRC) must approve acceptance of all grant funds and authorize the District to implement all grant-funded activities in compliance with all related terms and conditions.

For Contracts of $15,000 or less, you may take advantage of the Limited Contract Authority (LCA) process.

Once a school or administrative office is awarded a grant, the Office of Management and Budget establishes an ABC code as the identifying "account number" which must be written on all expenditure requests related to the grant.

Central offices, regions, schools and staff that would like to respond to a grant opportunity of more than $20,000 must contact the OGDC before proceeding so that the opportunity may be reviewed by Development Committee as required by District policy.  For grants of $20,000 or less, review and approval by Development Committee is not required; however, it is still advisable to contact OGDC before proceeding so that appropriate guidance and support can be provided.

Prior to applying for any proposal requiring School District involvement, even if the District is not the lead applicant, outside entities must complete an Outside Entity Intent to Apply form and submit it to the Director of OGDC, who will then share the request with Development Committee.

Approaching Foundations or Corporations for funding should be coordinated through the Office of Strategic Partnerships.

The Office of Grants Development and Compliance offers a workshop covering the basic components of a proposal and important elements, such as concept, program and expenses, as well as the policies and procedures involved in requesting funds through the School District.