The purpose of the competitive state-funded grant is to support the implementation of programs designed to prevent hate crimes and incidences of bias in public schools as defined under M.G.L. Chapter 22C, Section 32.
Competitive priority will be given to:
- Applicants that have experienced and clearly articulate in the proposal hate crimes or incidences of bias within the last 2 school years (since the start of school year 2022-2023) or are in chronically underperforming status.
- Applicants who have recent and current incidences of bias and hate crimes; and are adapting quickly to those emerging situations.
- Applicants who currently have existing and ongoing collaboration with local human rights organizations that have expertise in promoting equity, building positive school climate, preventing hate crimes, and addressing bias-motivated incidents. This collaboration includes, but is not limited to: activities and opportunities for guardians and families to discuss the importance of recognizing, reporting and addressing hate crimes and bias incidents.
- Applicants who have showed success and progress in previous funding opportunities in working to prevent bias and hate crimes.