A Look at the Investing in Innovation Fund

The Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) is part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and is focused on improving student achievement and student growth for high-need students. The Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF) is offering school districts that are working with Making Connections a challenge grant for part of the match to apply for an i3 Development grant.

By partnering with districts on this proposal, Making Connections sites will have the opportunity to strategically expand the CHAPSS and “focus school” work to a cluster of schools and ultimately throughout the entire district. It is also an opportunity for districts to work within a “national” learning community with the other Making Connections and Casey-affiliated sites and their districts that apply for the i3 Development grant, making these proposals stronger and more competitive than districts that apply alone.