Spark Tank Grants
Spark a Learning Adventure!
Along with our Scholarships Program, the centerpiece of Irving Schools Foundation’s mission to uplift Irving students and teachers is the ISF Spark Tank, a competitive grant program that awards funds for innovative, enriching, and out-of-the-ordinary classroom projects and learning experiences for students of all ages across Irving ISD. Since 2013, ISF has funded over 303 projects representing over $1 million and 180,000 students, teachers and staff impacted.
How Spark Tank Works
Every month (excluding July and August), the ISF Spark Tank Committee (the Programs Committee) meets to evaluate Spark Tank grant proposals from Irving ISD teachers, counselors, librarians, coaches, administrators, or other Irving ISD employees.
Each application includes an informal presentation (of no more than seven minutes), followed by a five-minute period of follow-up questions from the committee. The applicant will then be asked to step out of the room while the committee deliberates. Some funding decisions are made immediately (with applicants notified on the spot or the following day), while other applicants may be notified that further deliberation is required. Funding may be awarded in part or in full, based on both the availability of funding as well as the evaluation committee’s discretion.
Disclaimer: Spark Tank has always been and will continue to be on a first-come, first-served basis. We will take the applications in order as they come in. Our monthly meetings only allow us to see a maximum of six applicants per month. Please keep this in mind when submitting your application. If you need funding immediately, please note that it typically takes approximately four weeks to receive your funding once it is approved.
Elements of a Successful Grant Application:
Preparation: Grant presentations don’t have to be “fancy”, but they should be thorough and include as much detail as possible.
Creative: The committee is most interested in applications proposing learning experiences that are creative, innovative, out-of-the-ordinary, or inspirational.
Clear: Be sure to clearly communicate the intent or purpose of your proposal, the need to provide this kind of experience for your students, your budget, the educational impact of the proposed experience, and information about the student population that will benefit from the opportunity. The amounts you submit in your application must be exact and match the supporting documents and quotes. Please do not round up or down. Additionally, your amount may not change between the time of submitting your application and presenting to the committee (unless decreasing).
Dates: Spark Tank applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the school year—however, applicants should bear in mind that the Spark Tank committee only meets once a month, and that we typically take a break in July and August. We recommend that applicants seeking funding for time-sensitive projects submit their application at least two months in advance of the event date or program kickoff.
Important Dates
Deadline of Application: 10th of each month (September to June)
How to Apply
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Access the application form via the links on this page. Note that all required documents must be submitted in PDF form.
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The amounts you submit in your application must be exact and match the supporting documents and quotes. Please do not round up or down. Additionally, your amount may not change between the time of submitting your application and presenting to the committee (unless decreasing).
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Turn-around time for approval varies. Most applicants receive a decision after the completion of the Spark Tank presentation, while others may require further deliberation of up to three weeks.
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Have a question about the process? Please contact us at [email protected] or at 972.600.5018.
How to Get Help
Looking for guidance on how to submit a successful proposal, or have a question about the process? Contact us at [email protected] or at 972.600.5018.
