There are three different types of Walton Family Foundation startup grants. The maximum amount any school can receive in startup funding is $250,000. Depending on where a school is in the authorization process, a school is eligible for one of three different funding options:

Phase I - Pre-Authorization: This grant is awarded to schools that have not received formal approval or an authorizer, have a formal business plan and financials (among other requirements), and who are very likely to open and receive a charter.

• Purpose: To help school developers begin school startup activities while awaiting final approval from their authorizer.
• Amount: Up to $30,000 
• Timing:  A proposal may be submitted up to 15 months before filing a charter petition.
• Requirement:  A positive consumer credit report [for groups without 501(c)(3) status under the IRS Code]

Phase II - Post-Authorization:

• Purpose: To help school developers with startup costs after a charter petition is approved by an authorizer.
• Amount: Up to $220,000
• Timing:  A proposal may be submitted once the school is approved by its authorizer and during the first year of the school’s first year of operation.
• Requirement:  Proof of Charter Authorization

Phase III - Combination Startup: $250,000 Maximum – A proposal may be submitted once the school is approved by its authorizer and during the school’s first year of operation. Please first consult with us or our local grant partner before applying for this option, as it is rare.

1. A completed WFF Public Charter School Startup Grant Proposal (Excel spreadsheet - 251 KB) with all required attachments;
2. An acceptable business plan (Word document - 514 KB)
3. Financial template (Excel spreadsheet - 50 KB); and
4. An endorsement from one of our grant partners or a Walton Family Foundation staff member; and
5. A strong charter school application that has a high probability of being approved by the authorizer.

Deliverables:

1. Report summarizing grant-related expenditures, as required by IRS; and
2. Proof of charter approval from an authorizer (for pre-authorization grantees only).

ATTENTION - Before you attempt to complete the startup proposal, you will need to update your macro securities by following the below steps in Microsoft Excel, otherwise the information you type will not be saved properly:

• WFF proposal documents are formatted for Microsoft Excel and utilize macros to run effectively. BEFORE opening the proposal, you must ensure that the proper Excel macro securities are in place.
• In Excel, select the Tools Menu, then Macro, Security, and Security Level tab. Choose either the Medium or Low setting.
• Once you have reset your security setting in Excel, you can proceed with opening and completing the WFF proposal.

  Next: Seek an Endorsement