To help our members participate in PCPI by coming to the annual meeting, PCPI established and now honors longtime cooperative preschool advocate with the Marika Townshend Travel Grant program.  The 2018 annual meeting will be held in San Francisco, California, March 9-11, 2018.  Please consider attending the PCPI working meetings for the camaraderie opportunity as well as to exercise your membership vote, network with like-minded co-op people and attend educational sessions. 

Grant applications must be received by Noon Pacific Standard Time (3:00pm EST) on Monday, January 8, 2018.

This Cooperative Spirit Grant is for schools who have an idea for increasing parent involvement and participation by designing a project that will make their school a better place for their children and leave a legacy for future classes. 

The guidelines are open – be creative.  How can you involve your parents and have them work together to improve your school?  This grant is designed to assist in the cost of purchasing needed items and supplies for the project. 

The project must be something that could be replicated at other schools.  The grant recipients agree to provide photos and a written report at the end of the school year.

U.S. and Canadian preschools with direct membership in PCPI are eligible. Member councils may apply for a grant to fund a council cooperative project.  The total grant amount is up to $1500 to fund one or more programs. 

Your school could be the next recipient of funds to support a parent education program that is just right for your school.  The total grant amount is $500 to fund programs in one or more PCPI member schools in the U.S. are invited to submit grants up to December 15, 2017.  Grant requests can be sent in letter or document form and should include the following information:

-School name and address
-Contact person’s name, phone and email.
-Your parent education goals
-Your program content
-Estimated number of participants
-Your program staff/presenters
-The length of your program and timelines
-Your program budget needs

In sum, your request should clearly describe a program that will be of value to your school/community with as many specifics as possible.  Please send your requests via email to Lisa Meyer, Chairperson for the Becky Allen Fund, at gns@greenbeltnurseryschool.org.  (Please expect confirmation of receipt within two business days, otherwise, resend or contact the Chair at 301-474-5570).

The Grant request deadline is December 15, 2017.  The grant award decision will be made by January 10, 2018.  Please consider taking advantage of this opportunity to enhance parent education at your school.