College Innovation Fund

The purpose of the TCC Foundation's College Innovation Fund (CIF) is to encourage and provide financial support for faculty, staff and students to develop and implement innovative projects that will improve the quality and/or quantity of programs and services at Tallahassee Community College. CIF grant awards are given for projects that benefit the College and involve costs that fall beyond the College's operational budget.

The College Innovation Fund is supported by funds provided through the TCC Foundation, which are separate and distinct from the College's operating funds.

Funding Priorities

Applications for College Innovation Fund grants are encouraged for projects addressing perceived shortcomings or opportunities for improvement in the following areas:

Student Experience

• Academic Excellence
• Customer Service
• Student Life

College Recruitment & Marketing

• Increasing Enrollment
• Improving Student Success Rates

Project and Applicant Eligibility

All projects must be for the ultimate benefit of TCC's students, not individual faculty or staff. Applications may be made by TCC student groups, faculty, administrative departments, or any team comprised of members of these constituencies.

Funding Parameters

For the 2010-11 year, applicants may apply for up to $5,000 in grant funding. However, projects of significant scope, exceptional merit or those that involve collaborations may be funded at a higher level.

Generally, grant awards range from $500 to $5,000. At the funding level approved for the 2010-11 budget year ($30,000), this makes funding available for between seven and 70 projects. Applications requesting grant amounts in excess of $5,000 must be accompanied by proof of matching funds either from within a Tallahassee Community College department or from some external source. Funds must be used within one fiscal year of the date they are awarded.

Preferred Projects

The following are examples of the types of projects eligible for funding. This list is not meant to be exhaustive. Any project supporting TCC's mission will be considered. Those aligned with the Funding Priorities identified above are expressly encouraged.

Student Experience

• Enhancing the learning environment.
• Integrating technology into the curriculum.
• Improving student performance.
• Strengthening or expanding support services for students.
• Designing services for distance education students.
• Partnering with business and industry to provide work-based learning experiences for students or faculty.
• Promoting interdisciplinary collaborations to enhance the quality of education.
• Developing sustainable extracurricular activities for students.
• Improving the operation of an administrative office.

College Recruitment & Marketing

• Collaborating with K-12 schools and/or postsecondary institutions to strengthen or expand curricula.
• Exploring and addressing issues related to student success.
• Developing new courses and/or programs.
• Cooperating with other organizations to provide a program or service to benefit the community.
• Fostering economic development in the community.

Areas not funded

Board policy prohibits funding for political/lobbying activities, and religion-related activities. In addition, projects for personal research will not be accepted. Funds for research projects may be available through a Faculty Fellowship offered by TCC or the TCC Foundation.

How to apply

Complete the online application or contact the TCC Foundation at (850) 201-8580 for more information.