Leonardo Smith Diversity Award Application
Leonardo Smith graduated from Billings Senior High School as Valedictorian in 1990. A school teacher and dancer in New York City, Leonardo inspired and touched the lives of his students, family, and friends. Leonardo died in 2006 and his family established this award to honor his memory. The Leonardo Smith Diversity Award reflects Leonardo's commitment to fostering understanding, respect, and sensitivity to each other's differences.
The Leonardo Smith Award provides funds for educators and students to advance their understanding and respect for issues involving sexual orientation including lesbian, gay, trans-sexual, and bi-sexual issues. A selection committee from the community will choose the recipients.
Examples of awards could be, but are not limited to, defraying the costs of:
Universal Requirements
Criteria
Selection & Notification
Final Evaluations of Project
Receipt of Grant Money
Continue the Online Application Process.
The Leonardo Smith Award provides funds for educators and students to advance their understanding and respect for issues involving sexual orientation including lesbian, gay, trans-sexual, and bi-sexual issues. A selection committee from the community will choose the recipients.
Examples of awards could be, but are not limited to, defraying the costs of:
- Sending an educator or student to a conference or course.
- Bringing in a speaker to a school to work with educators.
- Sending an educator or student to receive an award that involves work with issues of sexual orientation.
- Sending an educator or student to lead a workshop at a conference.
- Purchasing materials to enhance a school club or school classroom regarding sexual orientation issues.
- Supporting club activities that promote understanding of sexual orientation issues.
Universal Requirements
- Applicants must be Billings Public School personnel.
- Applicants must use the online application process and each section of the grant application must be completed for consideration.
- Completed applications must have the appropriate authorization.
Criteria
- Grant applications need to demonstrate how funds will be used to advance understanding and respect for issues involving sexual orientation.
- More than one grant proposal can be submitted from each site. An educator may collaborate on more than one proposal for separate/independent projects.
- Funded projects must be implemented within the 2022-23 school year.
- Grant funds are NOT available for projects already completed.
- Salaries and stipends are not eligible for funding.
Selection & Notification
- A screening committee will review the grant requests for selection and final approval.
- Notification and other correspondence will be directed to the project administrator.
- Notification of awards will occur in late April 2022.
- Final decision on grant awards will be the sole judgment of the Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools Board.
Final Evaluations of Project
- The project administrator will be required to complete an on-line follow up form at the completion of the project or at the end of the project school year.
- The form will be completed on-line by the date indicated in the award winner notification letter.
Receipt of Grant Money
- Please allow up to four weeks for your funds to be available at your school after notification has been received.
- If the approved project funding is increased or decreased, you will receive notification in the winner's award letter.
- All grant funds are transferred to Billings Public School's business office upon approval.
- All materials purchased through each grant are the property of SD2. Any unspent dollars must be returned to the Education Foundation by June 1, 2023.
- Please contact the Education Foundation at foundation@billingsschools.org or 281-5149 with questions.
Continue the Online Application Process.