Avon School Officials Establish Creative Way to Be Competitive in Grant Market

Only non-profits are eligible for certain grants the could benefit schools.

So school officials have founded a non-profit organization called the Avon Trust to house grants the district is interested in applying for and seek alternative resources.

Avon Superintendent Gary Mala said that the trust has been established to allow Avon schools to compete and qualify to compete for grants to assist with funding to maintain "programs and services."

“This is just another way to potentially gain some funds to maintain the operating [budget] of the district without having an impact potentially on the tax rate and a host of other things," Mala said last week. 

The Avon Trust was officially recognized as a not-for-profit organization a few weeks ago, Mala said.

Volunteers from the community will be preparing the grant applications and board member Jay Spivak, of the board's Alternative Resources Committee, is spearheading the initiative with the help of board members and parents. Mala said that he and district officials are excited about community involvement on the grant application process.

The non-profit will be governed by a board and the Avon Trust is in the process of establishing that group of people.

“No district employees will hold any of those positions," Mala said. 

The Avon Trust will only be used for grants, not fundraising, Mala said. He said there is often a reliance on the community and businesses in Avon for fundraising.

This is a different way to think about revenue, Mala said, though he noted other districts have done it before. 

The non-profit will work with district leaders to identify grants to apply for, which Mala said will be found through an electronic resource available to Avon schools by subscription.

Mala said that the Avon Trust could also be used to apply for grants on behalf of the town that would help fund municipal activities.

“We’re optimistic as we move forward," Mala said.