Policies

  • NAIS member schools in the United States, serving grades 9-12, NAIS and Regional, State and Local Independent School Associations in the United States are eligible to apply.Other associations serving independent schools are no longer eligible for funding.
  • The School must have a mission to serve a diverse population .
  • For any school whose endowment per student is greater than $100,000 or with significant other resources, there is an implicit expectation that the school seek funding that will, in the language of The Foundation’s mission, “leverage its unique talents, expertise and resources to advance teaching and learning throughout this country” and not simply benefit the individual school.Endowment per student shall be calculated by dividing the entire enrollment of the school into the endowment based on the audit of the previous year.
  • The Head of School must initiate the process for grant consideration by personally requesting a place on the next available agenda.
  • The Head of School must have served for a full two years before a request for placement on an agenda may be made and remain for one year past the grant process cycle.
  • Schools and Associations must wait for a period of four years between application.
  • All grants must be matched and must be completed at a minimum of 1:1, in cash, within one year of receiving favorable grant notification
  • We look for replicability by other schools in an effort to stretch our dollars.
  • Endowments established, at least in part, by grants from the Foundation must be able to be tracked in terms of total gift value and current market value.A reasonable yield from such endowments must be used annually for the purpose intended.
  • Under Grants to Endowment we believe a school having $20,000 per pupil or more should not seek funds for endowment from us, though matching funds raised to secure a grant may be directed to endowment