Oct 20 Operations & Finance Monthly Recap: Finding the Funds – Facility Grants & Title Funding
Thank you to everyone who joined our October 20 Operations & Finance cohort meeting focused on facility grants and Title funding. With schools navigating ongoing funding challenges, this session highlighted several grant opportunities and practical strategies for identifying and maximizing available resources.
A special thank you to our guest speakers: Paola Paga, Director of Charter Schools at CDE, and Marcie Robidart, Senior Director of Grants Fiscal & Accounting at the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI), for sharing their expertise and guidance.
Key Takeaways
- BEST Grant Program – Plan ahead. The FY2027–28 BEST grant cycle is approaching. Intent to Apply forms are due November 23, applications open January 11, and final applications are due March 1.
- Charter School Facility Assistance Grant – Applications are open. Cycle 3 is underway, with an informational webinar on November 2 and required Intent to Apply and Eligibility materials due November 30. Schools should request GAINS access early.
- Know your student counts. Accurate student data impacts more than school funding. It also determines eligibility and allocations for Title funds and other state and federal grants.
- Identify additional funding opportunities. Understanding your student populations can help identify competitive grants where your school may qualify for additional priority points.
League Updates
We also shared several timely League updates, including the new Education Freedom Tax Credit, school funding updates, advocacy developments, upcoming grant opportunities, and League events. Please review the League slide deck for additional details, resources, and links.
Meeting Resources
Slides: Both slide decks are posted in the Documents tab.
Recording: View Recording
Passcode: 4tHA2+8f
Additional Resources
BEST Grant Program – Resources & Timeline
Charter School Facility Assistance Grant – Program Information
Next Up
November 17, 2026 – From Budget to Reality: Using Financial Data to Make Better Decisions
January 19, 2027 – Facilities Planning
Thank you again for joining us and for the work you are doing to support your school's financial sustainability. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need help connecting with additional resources.
Created: October 26, 2026 11:10:41 AM
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