Resources for Community Partners

  • As stated in the strategic plan, we believe that our district is more capable of preparing our students for a bright future when we benefit from the talents, resources, and support of our broader community and all the stakeholders within it.  Therefore we welcome and seek opportunities to collaborate with community partners.

    To inquire about ways to support KCS schools or district initiatives or to request a Letter of Support/Commitment, please contact the Grants Office at Laura.Denton@knoxschools.org or 865-594-8080.
     
     
    Collaborative Grant Writing/Opportunities
     
    Knox County Schools values the opportunity to collaborate with community partners on mutually beneficial grants.  Please follow the process below for requesting to collaborate with KCS on a grant opportunity, including requesting letters of support.  Please provide at least 2 weeks to process letters of support.  All other requests should allow at least 30 days for review and approval.  More time may be required depending on the complexity of the grant/project. To request KCS collaboration on a grant proposal, please follow the steps outlined below:
    • Complete a Request for Grant Collaboration form and submit to KCS Grants Office.
    • Note that proposals requiring research collaboration must also complete Procedures for Conducting Research Studies in Knox County Schools .
    • Grants Office will engage appropriate KCS personnel and seek approval for collaboration
    • If approved, Grants Office and appropriate KCS personnel will work with community partner.
    • Partner will send the grant application to the Grants Office for final review.
    • When partner receives notification of a grant award, please notify the KCS Grants Office.
    Letters of Support/Commitment and Memoranda of Understanding
     
    KCS values our community partners and acknowledges the essential work being done in our community by these partners. All Letters of Support/Commitment must be routed through Central Office and approved by the Superintendent of Knox County Schools. To request a Letter of Support from KCS, please complete the process outlined below allowing at least two weeks to process Letters of Support and up to ten weeks to process Letters of Commitment and Memoranda of Understanding.
     
    Letters of Support (no funds, resources or access obligated by KCS)
    • Complete a Request for Letter of Support/Commitment form
    • Submit Request along with Letter of Support template in an editable format to KCS Grant Development Manager at Laura.Denton@knoxschools.org
    • Grant Development Manager will review request and make edits to Letter of Support, engage appropriate KCS staff to make edits and seek Superintendent's approval and appropriate signature
    • We will facilitate communication with requestor throughout the process and return signed Letter of Support as soon as possible.
    Letters of Commitment (obligating funds, resources or access from KCS)
    • Complete a Request for Letter of Support/Commitment form
    • Submit Request along with Letter of Commitment (LoC) template in an editable format to KCS Grant Development Manager at Laura.Denton@knoxschools.org 
    • Grant Development Manager will review request and make edits to LoC engage appropriate KCS staff to make edits and seek Superintendent's approval
    • Because signing an LoC obligates KCS to provide funds, commit resources or allow access to KCS buildings/teachers/students to your project, Board of Education approval will be necessary before signing
    • KCS Grant Development Manager will work with Board Secretary to place the LoC on the earliest possible Board of Education meeting agenda. This can take 4-9 weeks.
    • If timing does not allow for Board approval, you will be asked to change LoC language to reflect that commitment to the project will only be made if Board of Education approval is obtained.
    • Grant Development Manager will attend Board of Education meetings on behalf of LoCs and will keep partners up-to-date on progress
    • Upon receipt of Board approval, we will seek appropriate signature(s) and return signed LoC as soon as possible.

Grants Staff