University, Nonprofit Grant Partnership Requests

Guilford County Schools greatly values partnerships that are mutually beneficial and have the potential to improve outcomes for our students.  Historically, we have partnered on grant-funded projects with colleges, universities, governmental agencies, local, state and national organizations.

Grant partnership requests with Guilford County Schools (GCS) are initiated through the district Grants Acquisition Office. Please contact Lane Brown, Senior Director of Public Affairs and Philanthropy, with questions at (336) 370-3201 or brownl8@gcsnc.com.

Nonprofit Request Steps:

Nonprofit organizations need to include the following information with partnership requests and email this information to Lane Brown at the address noted above:

District Request Review Process:

The Public Affairs and Philanthropy Office is responsible for reviewing the information, ensuring letters of support and other GCS required documents are completed, and connecting the nonprofit with GCS internal departments and schools as needed.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Nonprofits should allow five weeks in their timelines for this process.

University Grant Partnerships and Letters of Support Requests

Guilford County Schools welcomes collaboration with colleges and universities on grant projects. Those seeking to partner on grant projects should contact the school district as early as possible in the application process. GCS follows a partnership review process that includes department or school staff, supervisors, and senior Cabinet leadership. Requests that do not align with the district's Strategic Direction are unlikely to move forward. This process begins with the university contacting the Public Affairs and Philanthropy Office and submitting the information detailed below. The Superintendent, or designee, ultimately approves partnerships and signs letters of support. Universities should anticipate a minimum of five weeks for project reviews and letter of support processing. Questions and documents should be emailed to Lane Brown, senior director of public affairs and philanthropy, at brownl8@gcsnc.com. 

GCS principals please note: Schools that receive partnership requests directly from universities or community nonprofit organizations should forward this information to the Public Affairs and Philanthropy Office to comply with the review process. School partnership documents and letters of support are signed by the Superintendent or designee. 

The university cover letter should include:

How Long Does the Process Take?

Universities should anticipate a minimum of 5 weeks in their timelines for this process.

1. Grant program information (RFP or NOFA, or a summary)
2. Schools that the organization requests to partner with and why selected
3. Overview or executive summary of:
   • Services to be provided at each school
   • Any requirements on the school or district’s part
   • Any funding that would come to the school as a result of the grant
   • Data collection requirements
   • Letter of Support or other signature requirements
4. The Public Affairs and Philanthropy Office shares partnership requests with the Deputy Superintendent for Instructional Leadership and Wellness, Community Engagement and Equity, and Chief of Staff's offices and with Principal Supervisors assigned to requested schools.
5. The Principal Supervisor and school principal review the partnership proposal and determine alignment with other programs and activities currently in place in the school.
6. The Principal Supervisor communicates decisions to the Public Affairs and Philanthropy Office, who in turn communicates with nonprofits. If a requested school is unable to partner, GCS will, when possible, suggest an alternative option for the nonprofit to consider.
7. When schools confirm partnership interest, the Public Affairs and Philanthropy Office is responsible for connecting the nonprofit and Principal Supervisor directly to complete application requirements as needed.

• Your organization’s name
• Contact name
• Contact email
• Contact phone number
• Your program name
• Grant Name
• Funding Agency/Source
• Funding Opportunity URL
• Total amount requested
• Sub-award or value to Guilford County Schools
• School district expectations and responsibilities
• Project start and end date
• Grant application submission deadline to the funder
• Date the Letter of Support is needed