Request for HELP on getting a Grant

Dear ISM Community,

We need your help if you can. Dr Volante was just made aware of an opportunity to request a grant for our school. At the bottom of the email is detailed information from Dr. Volante and just below my name is a sample letter that you could use to help our school obtain this grant. If you have the time, please HELP. The deadline is Wednesday, Sep 23 at 2pm. Contact Dr. Volante with any questions.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Wendy Bluhm

Sample Letter

There is a Grant opportunity available that I want to apply for on behalf of ISM. It is through the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District Parks, Open Space and Coastal Preservation Grant Program and time is of the essence. ISM is required to submit community support letters (on business letterhead) and parent support letters with the Grant application. The deadline is this Wednesday, 2:00 pm.

The ISM Grant Committee does not have time to apply for this Grant, as ISM just learned details on Friday. This grant is offered each year, and it is my understanding that each year ISM learns of this grant opportunity late, without adequate time to submit an application. This year I decided to do the best I can to submit an application with community/parent support letters. I feel it is important for ISM to at least apply.

Here is a briefing, though a bit long... and perhaps a bit redundant, as I cut and pasted from earlier request letters. Thanks for understanding.

ISM is requesting parent and community support, as ISM applies for the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District Program (MPRPDP), Open Space and Coastal Preservation Grant Program.

Community support letters on business letterhead and personal parent support letters are required for the MPRPDP Grant application. Support letter are to share the importance of obtaining grant money for improving the 'open space' area of the ISM Children's Garden/Nursery and for blending natural science education with nutrition, nature, and community service restoration projects (details below).

ISM's Grant application is to improve the 'open space' on our current campus - the ISM Children's Garden & Nursery- by purchasing a walk-in greenhouse/nursery, protective fencing, nursery/gardening tools, planting pots, dirt, compost, compost bin, garden plants, seeds and other supplies, and to rebuild current ISM Children's Garden area. ISM's Children's Garden been vandalized several times. That piece of information may be helpful in the support letter.

Briefly, so you have an idea, the Grant proposal will included, but is not limited to:
- How the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District Parks, Open Space and Coastal Preservation
Grant Program Grant will provide a wonderful experiential opportunity for ISM students, to further their natural sciences education and to participate with the local community and the coastal California parks and recreation areas, by improving an 'open space' area on campus and giving back to the community through growing native Californian plants, trees, shrubs, flowers and organic vegetables and participating in restoration projects, while blending in natural sciences education.
- The benefits of having a portable greenhouse,/nursery that can be relocated to the Hayes location when the school moves, next summer
- Fencing to enclose the ISM Children's Garden area and greenhouse, to protect against vandalism
- This project would benefit ISM students to be further educated in the importance of 'going green' understanding and sharing benefits of organics and native growing, living, and provide opportunities for participation in native environmental planting restoration projects with the regional parks (Big Sur, Marina Dunes, etc.)
- Our students will grow native plants in the greenhouse for improving our community, assisting to restore costal areas to encourage the natural habitat and to have experiential learning opportunities with community organizations.
- I would LOVE to have ISM students (those interested) and families to have a 'planting day' at Big Sur or the Marina Dunes, after growing native plants.
- Money from growing and selling organic vegetables and flowers will go to the continual purchase of seedlings and starter trees, plants, and shrubs, to be nurtured until they are large enough to be transplanted at local and regional park areas.

My goal is to gather several community and parent support letters and submit an application by 2:00 pm, this Wednesday.

Attached is a sample parent letter, written by a parent unable to provide a support letter for ISM. You may use this as an example, perhaps adding information from above or other information you may want to add. Feel free to call me for further information.

ISM would be grateful for your assistance with this grant application, on such short notice. If you are able to provide a letter, please let me know. I completely understand any regrets.

Say a prayer for me. I have a lot of work to do, but I am determined!

Best Regards,

Dr. Neli Volante
Counselor / Student Services
International School of Monterey
nvolante@ismonterey.org
831-583-2172