Grants Management

Background

State budget cuts are impacting charter schools like never before, placing an even higher level of importance on the Federal funding available through the entitlements. However, this funding brings with it a whole new set of compliance demands that schools must be equipped to deal with. From the perspective of the State of Arizona and the Federal Government, compliance is just as important as academic achievement.

CSI’s entitlement specialists have years of experience working with DOE, ADE, the ASCSB, and the Arizona State Auditor General’s Office. We interact directly with these departments on behalf of our clients to ensure that all aspects of grants management are proactively attended to.

What we do

We offer a comprehensive menu of grants management services designed to meet the needs of your organization. These services include the Writing of grant applications and amendments, Monthly expense tracking, and Monitoring preparation. Our goal is to assist you, so our services can be utilized separately or combined to supplement your existing staff.

Whether you need assistance with a one-time project like single audit preparation, or you are looking for ongoing monthly services, CSI will collaborate with your team to tailor a package that compliments the strengths of your organization.

How we work

CSI’s methodology is built upon the belief that our clients must remain informed and in control of their grants management related matters at all times. Since ultimately the school is responsible for these programs, we do not promote vendor dependence. We work with our clients to establish consistent and sustainable internal competencies. As our relationship with our clients grows, they rely less on our services and more on the strengths of their own organization.

To accomplish this, CSI professionals will work with your staff to establish a detailed overview of grants management accountability. This overview includes: recommended organizational structure, job responsibilities, processes, and staff training. Once established, each member of your team will know their role, as well as where they will be working with CSI professionals to ensure that all grants are administered properly.

Our professionals will submit monthly reports to administration as needed, to keep them informed of exactly where they stand with each fund. Through this process, our clients remain in control and have the necessary resources in place to ensure compliance.

Bottom line: CSI provides compliance resources for the BUSINESS of education.

Benefits

Charter school operators are in the “education” business. However with increased dependency on Federal funds most operators are finding that they are now in the “paperwork” business as well.

By utilizing CSI’s grants management services you can spend more time focusing on your primary line of work, without compromising operational integrity. Here are just a few of the benefits that your organization could realize:

• Improved quality of operation
  It may not make financial sense to hire dedicated staff with a high level of grant administration experience. By utilizing CSI’s grants management services, you have the benefit of and access to that caliber of employee, without the significant cost of employment.

• Increased focus on your schools core competencies
  Successful schools are built and maintained by focusing on activities that continually improve academic performance. These are the areas within your organization where an investment of your time will make the greatest impact. By utilizing CSI’s grants management services, you can focus on what you do best without losing control of the rest.

• Save time and money
  Our highly skilled team of professional’s remains focused on the grant administration matters of our clients. Their skill brings with it efficiency, and a substantial knowledge base to draw from. Most grant management items can be completed in a fraction of the time required by a school staff member who is less experienced. By utilizing CSI’s services your grant administration tasks will be completed faster, more accurately, and on time. Consequently your staff will be free to focus on other important areas of business.

• Increased staff flexibility
  Most members of your staff already wear multiple hats. It’s not just a best practice to cross train, it’s a necessity. However, many wonderful employees/applicants do not possess the background or aptitude necessary to meet the schools grant administration needs. By utilizing CSI’s services you will have a wider range of more suitable applicants to choose from, and your current staff members will be better able to cover other pressing needs as they arise.

• Significantly increased business continuity
  Within every organization, there are members whose departure leaves a hole that cannot be easily filled. If that hole is created during the application process, it can have a catastrophic effect on the viability of your application and the reputation of your organization. By utilizing CSI’s services your school’s charter application matters will always be consistently attended to, regardless of changes in your staff. We will even train incoming employees on charter development matters as it relates to their job functions.