Friends of OSD - FOSD

Enhancing the educational experience for OSD students.

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You are here: Home / Awards / Applying for an Award

Applying for an Award

Award Application Form

We are pleased to invite Oregon School for the Deaf staff to complete an Educational Enrichment Award Application packet. We anticipate a wide variety of requests. Special attention will be given to ensure that awards are in keeping with the stated purpose of Friends of OSD.

Friends of OSD was created not to replace or supplant the fiscal responsibilities of the State of Oregon which has administrative responsibility for the school. Rather, Friends of OSD operates as an independent nonprofit organization to assists OSD by enhancing the education experience for students.

The FOSD Board has identified four initiatives for which awards may be granted:

  • Education
    Projects that enhance the education of students who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families.  Examples might include:  participation in Academic Bowl; Space Camp; driver permit tutoring; Family Learning Program.
  • Cultural Activities
    Projects that relate to deaf culture and/or the arts.  Examples might include: ASL classes; artist-in-residence; special speakers who are deaf, such as participants in the Middle School LIFE program.
  • Innovative Programs
    Projects that incorporate new learning methods or experiences.  Examples might include:  participating in robotics and micro-lending experiments; new skills programs/equipment for special needs students; school wide positive behavior reinforcement program.
  • Minor Capital Improvement Projects
    Minor projects that upgrade portions of dated facilities and which are not mandated State responsibilities.  One example might be assisting in cost and installation of a pool lift.

Award Application Form

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Does the application have to be for a totally new project?
A. No. You may apply to expand an innovative project you are already pursuing in your class(es) or on campus.

Q. Does the application have to be lengthy?
A. No. In fact, it is requested that the proposal be no more than 3 pages in length.

Q. Can someone help me write a proposal?
A. Yes. Board members are available to answer questions about your proposal and the EEA application. Please contact Linda Couoh at: [email protected] or Judy Lorenzen at: [email protected]

Q. Must I first apply for other funding?
A. Applications must first be submitted to the OSD Director for review and consideration of appropriate funding.  However, you can apply for an FOSD EEA even if you have not asked elsewhere for funding. You do need to indicate on your application whether you have tried to get other funding.

Q. Are awards limited to $500?
A. Not necessarily. However, when the funds available are limited, awards are generally limited to $500. These are called Expedited Awards.  All awards are considered on their merits.  Awards for both less and more than $500 have been considered and funded.

Q. What are Board Review Awards?
A. These awards are generally for between $501 and $1,500.  They require more detail on the Educational Enrichment Award (EEA) application.

Q. What are Special Projects Awards?
A. These are awards over $1,501.  These may require that you work with the FOSD Grant Committee to find an appropriate funding institution, write and submit a grant. Due to institutional funding cycles, funds for these awards should not be expected earlier than 6 months to a year after the request is submitted.

Q. Why are post-project evaluations so important?
A. 
Evaluation results are critical to FOSD’s final report to our granting organizations, and to our success at being re-funded.  Data-based result statements are preferable but subjective participant comments are also well-received by our grantors.  Feel free to contact the FOSD Board to discuss easy and uncomplicated ways to evaluate the impact of your proposed project.


Please include all information requested on the Educational Enrichment Award Application  Form, include attachments, email a copy to: [email protected] and also submit completed packet by mail to:

Friends of OSD
PO Box 15053
Salem, OR 97309

The board will review applications at the first regularly scheduled meeting after submission and determine those that merit further consideration for funding. This review schedule may be subject to change.

Those that do not merit further consideration will be notified in writing of the board’s decision.

Those that do merit further consideration may be invited to send a representative to the board meeting when their application is being discussed.

If further information is needed, board action may be postponed. For example, board representatives may wish to visit the proposal site or program, or the applicant may be asked to provide further information.

All successful applicants will be notified in writing. Educational Enrichment Award notification will include reporting requirements. Public announcement of awards will be made via newsletter, website or other appropriate media.

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Incentive Awards

For several years OSD has used the nationally recognized PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) Program to encourage positive student behavior.  … [Read More...]

Our Mission

IMG_2702The FOSD mission and purpose is to support the enhancement of programs and services for students at OSD beyond the State’s funding responsibility*. The FOSD Board has identified four initiatives for which awards may be granted:  education, cultural activities, innovative programs and minor capital improvement projects.

Founded by a small group of dedicated people in 2006, FOSD was established to support the students at the Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD).  From that beginning, Friends of OSD has grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with an all-volunteer Board of Directors. In 2014, FOSD created an Advisory Council of 15 members.

The Friends of OSD Strategic Plan provides direction as the nonprofit continues to expand. We are proud to say that 95% of all grants and donations go directly to programs that benefit students.

*The State of Oregon is responsible for operating programs and services for the students at the Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD). Federal case law establishes the expectation that special education services provided by a school be reasonably designed to ensure students make progress. Friends of OSD will not replace or supplant the responsibilities of the state.

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