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RFP Description To start or complete an existing application, click here.
PSEG Foundation
Request for Proposal to Fund United Way After School Programs
For School Year 2009-2010
Submissions are due no later than August 14, 2009
DESCRIPTION:
The PSEG Foundation will fund United Way after school programs in one of the following three categories.
1. Initiate or increase use of Homework Help New Jersey
Homework Help New Jersey offers free online Homework Help from a live tutor in Math, Science, Social Studies, and English for students in grades K-12, college intro and adult learners in participating areas. Each participant uses their library card number to access the site which is available from 2pm to 10pm seven days a week. As part of our commitment to education, the PSEG Foundation makes Homework Help New Jersey available to library card holders in seven urban cities; Camden, Elizabeth, Jersey City, Newark, New Brunswick, Paterson and Willingboro. Homework Help New Jersey is also available in other communities that subscribe to the service. To identify if a community participates, click here.
Funding will be provided for equipment or incentives to initiate or increase Homework Help usage which will be measured. For example, funds may be used for the acquisition or installation of technology. Funds may also be used for incentive programming and promotions designed with the goal of increasing usage of Homework Help New Jersey. Funds cannot be used to pay for monthly internet charges or transportation to a computer lab. The applicant must present a sustainable plan for maintaining or continuing to increase access and usage to Homework Help New Jersey tools well beyond the one year funding cycle. The applicant is also responsible for the security and maintenance of assets attained with the use of PSEG Foundation funds as well as assuring that the assets are used solely for the designated after school program throughout their useable life. Credit will be given for Homework Help New Jersey usage both in the program and in the student’s home. Ongoing usage tracking will be provided to the PSEG Foundation by Homework Help New Jersey to monitor progress.
2. Staff Training and Development
The PSEG Foundation realizes that a more qualified staff can yield better outcomes. Therefore, funding dollars may be used toward staff training and development. Dollars cannot be used for certification required for facility operation. They can be used to augment training or qualify a staff member that would make a difference in the number of children or quality of the program. It is presumed the site meets the National After School Association (NAA) Quality Standards as listed below.
Assistant Group Leaders receive at least 15 hours of training annually.
Group Leaders receive at least 18 hours of training annually.
Senior Group Leaders receive at least 21 hours of training annually.
Site Directors receive at least 24 hours of training annually.
Program Administrators receive at least 30 hours of training annually.
Funds are to be used solely for the expense of the actual course offered and related course materials for paid program staff (volunteers are not included). Funds may not be used on transportation expenses related to getting to the training which includes but is not limited to gas mileage, car services, airfare, meals, or public transportation fees. The program must have a staffing plan in place to maintain program effectiveness if training requires staff to be absent during program hours.
3. Environmental Stewardship/Energy Awareness
The PSEG Foundation challenges United Way after school programs to design and execute a plan for educating and moving the children within their programs to become stewards of their environment and aware of energy usage. Be sure to visit the environmental section of PSEG’s website for information, ideas, and tools for teachers and students as well as links to organizations that provide additional resources. The plan should fall into one of the following categories:
Community Greening/Clean up
Funds may be used for educational materials, plants, seeds, and tools. Programs will be evaluated on creativity, effectiveness and cost as well as quantity planted or quantity cleaned up.
Recycling/Reusable Resource Education
Funds may be used for educational materials. Programs will be evaluated on creativity, effectiveness and cost as well as the total quantity of goods recycled or reused.
Global Climate Change Education
Global climate change is the preeminent issue of our time. To make children aware and take action, funds can be used to conduct projects addressing energy efficiency or alternative energy sources. Programs will be evaluated on creativity, effectiveness and cost.
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Eligibility Criteria A. Nonprofit Status
The United Way must be able to provide a copy of their 501(c)(3) determination letter.
B. Geographical Area Served
The United Way as well as the after school program must serve a community within a geographical area in which PSEG does business.
C. Program Results/Effectiveness
Answers to questions within the RFP and subsequent reporting must clearly demonstrate the current effectiveness of the program.
D. Availability of Funds
The PSEG Foundation is looking to provide additional enrichment to drive results within after school programs across PSEG’s service areas. The PSEG Foundation intends to serve as a supplemental funder and does not intend to be the primary or major source of funds for any one after school program. Funding will also be allocated within the limits set forth by this year’s budgetary restrictions.
The PSEG Foundation will not fund:
- Organizations not exempt under Section 501(c) (3) of the IRS code.
- Organizations not primarily serving communities within areas in which PSEG’s does business.
- Sectarian purpose programs that promote religious doctrines or exclude participants based on religion.
- Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, sex or religion.
E. Attendance Monitoring
Programs must provide target enrollment numbers in their proposals. It is expected that the program will, at least achieve ADA recommended results.
Average Daily Attendance (ADA):
- 70% ADA for elementary school serving Grades K-6
- 65% ADA for combined elementary school serving Grades K-8
- 60% ADA for middle school serving Grades 6-8
The applicant’s current ADA should be clearly reported and explained within the application and should be expected to be reported within all subsequent progress reporting.
F. Reporting Requirements
After school programs funded by the PSEG Foundation are required to submit a mid-year programmatic report and an end of year final report.
G. Existing Grantees
Please be aware that if an after-school program was funded in 2008 previous results may be a factor in the evaluation of the application.
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Role of the United Way The United Way Agency’s responsibilities with respect to the grant are listed below.
Identification of Program(s)
The United Way Agency should identify a 501(c) (3) after school program or programs that will be able to deliver the results and expectations of a best in class after school program as set forth by the nine core elements proposed by NJ After 3 and other leading experts in the field (See Attachment 1). Furthermore, the United Way agency is to ensure that they meet the cost per student guidelines specific to the program’s structure. (See Attachment 2).
Communication and Reporting
The PSEG Foundation expects the United Way agency to frequently communicate with and internally evaluate the identified program or programs for effectiveness to include at least one site visit. The PSEG Foundation staff may also visit the program site at random. PSEG Foundation mid year and final programmatic reporting should be facilitated through the United Way agency and submitted by the deadline. The United Way agency accepts duel responsibility with the identified after school program for accuracy of results and completeness of the application and requested reports.
Facilitation of Funds
The United Way agency is expected to release the granted funds to the after school program upon receipt. The United Way is also required to notify the PSEG Foundation of the net dollar amount that is passed on to the after school program in a timely fashion.
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Attachment 1 - Nine Core Elements Like NJA3, PSEG believes that nine “Core Elements” of after school programs as adopted from that research demonstrates contribute to positive youth outcomes.
These elements include:
- Public/Private Partnerships: Programs are operated by community-based
nonprofit organizations in a safe environment. A successful relationship with a
school or other non profit partner can be key to the success of an after school program.
- Regular Attendance: Programs operate a minimum of three hours a day (generally from 3pm to 6pm), every day school is in session, beginning in September 2009. It is expected that children will attend on a regular basis. PSEG Foundation funded programs are not designed to be drop-in programs.
- Significant Size & Open Enrollment: Programs are open to every student within the program’s specializations and capacity. However, programs should be carefully coordinated with any other programs in the local community for maximum effectiveness.
- Comprehensive Programming: Programs offer a comprehensive and balanced set of activities based on the core principles of youth development.
- Alignment with the School Day: Activities are aligned with the academic standards the local school systems, in order to complement, but not duplicate, school day instruction.
- Rich and Diverse Staffing: Programs are staffed by a full-time site coordinator who works with local school systems, and a mix of other staff including parents, college students, youth workers, and certified teachers.
- Low Student to Adult Ratio: Programs should have a 1:10 adult to student staffing ratio for grades K-6 and 1:12 adult to student staffing ratio for grades 7 and 8.
- Family Involvement: Programs should engage parents and family in all aspects of program operations.
- Cost Effectiveness: Based upon the availability of funds, the PSEG Foundation will determine funding amounts based on the cost effectiveness of current program. See Attachment 2 for categorical cost structure of after school programming.
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Attachment 2 - Categorical Cost Structure of After School Programs The program structures will fall into one of the following categories:
NJ After 3 School Based – the program has a relationship with a school or schools that provides at minimum, daily facilities, snacks and custodial services. State required staff training is provided by NJ After 3. These costs are not factored into the cost per student calculation as they are provided by the school at no charge to the program budget. Cost per student is expected to be between $1,000 and $1,500.
Club/Y School Based - the program has a relationship with a school or schools that may provide the facilities among other services complimentary or for a nominal fee. The provider is responsible for providing all the services required to successful administer the after school program. Minimal to no transportation expenses are incurred. These programs are mainly fee based. Cost per student is expected to be between $1,500 and $2,500.
Club/Y Based - the program is held at a location other than a school. Typically more extensive transportation services are required to and from school. The location is also responsible for providing all the services required to successful administer the after school program. Cost per student is expected to be between $2,500 and $3,000.
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How to Apply Applications must be submitted online no later than Friday, August 14, 2009. IMPORTANT: If a United Way agency has multiple after school programs that it wishes to submit for funding consideration, an application must be filled out for each individual program. Applications containing more than one program will not be considered.
If you are a United Way chapter representative interested in applying, please click here to access the application and submit it for consideration.
Please note these instructions before proceeding:
- The first page is the “Account Login” page, where you will enter your email address and click whether you are a new online applicant or a returning online applicant.
If you are a first time visitor, you will be directed to provide some additional information to create an account: enter your email address and choose a password you will easily remember.
- Next you will be brought to the United Way RFP Page—on this page, you will be asked to enter your organization’s EIN or Tax ID number.
- Complete the grant application. Please keep in mind that the proposal information pertains to the after school provider and not the United Way Agency.
- When you are ready to submit the application, be sure to “Review and Submit” and then again, “Submit”.
- If requested supporting documentation cannot be uploaded with the application, please mail to Corporate Responsibility ATTN: United Way RFP, 80 Park Plaza, Mail Code: T10C Newark, NJ 07102 by August 14, 2009 or send them via email to Contributions&Events@pseg.com.
If assistance with the online application process is required, please call Marion C. O’Neill at 973-430-7842 or email Contributions&Events@pseg.com
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