Application Overview

• Read through the Important Notes page carefully

• Submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) and discuss your proposal with the Executive Director to ensure it will be considered by the DEF Grants Committee.

• Prepare your budget and include quotes - these will be the only attachment(s) you will need to upload

• Prepare & submit your application through our automated system. Be prepared to fill out the application at one time, as there is no option to save one’s work and continue later. 

• If granted, contact DEF at (970) 385-1491 or 9RFoundationGrants@gmail.com to schedule a school visit with a DEF representative to view your grant in action

• Submit your Post-Grant Evaluation after implementation, if your grant is funded.  Don’t forget to take photographs – obtain permission to photograph students before submitting them to DEF!!

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry

A brief Letter of Inquiry (LOI) is required prior to completing a full grant application. Yes, you may apply for more than one grant. Submit your LOI as early as possible to allow for sufficient time to be reviewed. LOIs can be submitted at any time. The DEF Executive Director will contact you after your LOI has been reviewed. If your proposal appears to be a good match, you will be invited to submit a full grant application. ​

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• Download and complete the following PDF fillable form and save as. You will need to upload this attachment.  Click here to access the Letter of Inquiry (LOI) Form

• Use the following link to access the online application and submit your Letter of Inquiry. Click here to submit your Letter of Inquiry (LOI).

Step 2: Apply

*Please Note: You will not be able to save the application to submit at a later time. We advise that you write your narrative in a word processor to copy/paste and save all appropriate documents to have on hand when you are ready to submit. 

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• Review the guidelines and criteria link below for guidance in formulating your narrative. Don't forget to make connections to Portrait of the Graduate. Click here for Narrative Guidelines and Content Criteria.

• Prepare your budget using the template below. Be sure to verify the total amount on the budget with the requested amount on your application. Don't forget to save as, you will need to upload this attachment when prompted. Click here to access the Budget Template.  

• Access the grant application using the "Apply" button below and submit!

Step 3: Post-Grant Evaluation

A post-grant evaluation is required for all awarded grants. The post-grant evaluation allows DEF to assess the quality and/or impact of funded grants. The evaluation should be submitted 6 months after implementation, but extensions may be requested by contacting DEF to allow for meaningful results. The evaluation must be received prior to making a new grant request to be considered for subsequent funding, or within 6 months of receiving the grant, whichever comes first. ​

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Spring Evaluation Deadline: Monday before 9-R Spring Break 

Fall Evaluation Deadline: Monday before 9-R Thanksgiving Break 

• ​Download and complete the following PDF fillable form and save as. You will need to upload this attachment when prompted. Click here to access the post-grant evaluation form.

• Use the link below to access the online application, identify your awarded grant by grant title, and upload your completed post-grant evaluation form. Click here to submit the Post-Grant Evaluation.

• Send grant photos to 9RFoundationGrants@gmail.com. Don't forget to obtain parent photo permission before sending photographs. 

• Don't forget to contact a DEF Representative for a site visit to view your grant in action. 

Need Help or Have Questions? 

Contact Diana Cruz, Executive Director at (970) 946-7746 or by email at 9RFoundationGrants@gmail.com for questions pertaining to the DEF Grant Application. 

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Contact 9-R Grant Coordinator in the 9-R Finance Department at (970) 946-5411 ext. 1416 for help with the overall budget and vendor information. 

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Have trouble completing the online application? 

• Click here to access the Hard Copy Version of the Grant Application

• Email the completed application in PDF format to 9RFoundationGrants@gmail.com