Read Conmigo School Impact Grant

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

About the Read Conmigo Grant Program

Q: Who is The Kemper Foundation and what does it do?

A: The Kemper Foundation is the philanthropic partner of Kemper Corporation. Through community outreach and financial support, we aim to strengthen our communities and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. We support causes and non-profit organizations focused on education, health and community development.

Q: What is the Read Conmigo Grant Program?

A: The Kemper Foundation’s Read Conmigo Grant Program aims to advance dual-language (Spanish-English) education for bilingual students in under-resourced communities. By providing grants to educators and schools, the program enhances bilingualism and biliteracy, supports academic achievement, and fosters multicultural understanding. These grants seek to make a significant impact on Hispanic and Latino students, helping them develop the critical skills needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and globally inclusive world.

The Kemper Foundation offers Read Conmigo Grants for educators and schools:

• Read Conmigo Educator Grants: $3,000 grants to educators in dual-language (Spanish-English) programs at public and charter elementary schools.
• Read Conmigo School Impact Grants: $10,000 grants to Title I elementary schools for school- or program-wide dual-language (Spanish-English) initiatives.

Each year, The Kemper Foundation awards up to 100 Read Conmigo Educator Grants and up to 22 Read Conmigo School Impact Grants.

 

Eligibility

Q: What schools are eligible for a Read Conmigo School Impact Grant?

A: To be eligible for the Read Conmigo School Impact Grant, schools must meet the following criteria:

• Be a Title I public or charter elementary school serving bilingual students in one of the following locations:
  • Arizona: Maricopa County
  • California: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, or Ventura counties
  • Florida: Broward or Miami-Dade counties
  • Illinois: Cook County
  • Texas: Dallas, Harris, or Hidalgo counties
• Have an established dual-language (Spanish-English) program with at least one year of implementation.
• Cannot have received a Read Conmigo School Impact Grant in the previous school year.

Q: If our school has been awarded a Read Conmigo School Impact Grant in the past, can the school apply for another grant?

A: Schools cannot receive grants in consecutive school years. If your school received a 2025 grant for the 2025-2026 school year, you are not eligible for a 2026 grant for the 2026-2027 school year. Your school will be eligible for a 2027 grant for the 2027-2028 school year.

Q: Who can apply for a Read Conmigo School Impact Grant on behalf of a school?

A: Read Conmigo School Impact Grant applications must be submitted by the principal on behalf of their school, and each school may submit only one application per grant cycle.

Principals cannot have an immediate family member employed by any of the Kemper family of companies, including Kemper Corporation, Kemper Auto, and Kemper Life.

Q: Is a school with an English as a Second Language (ESL) program eligible to apply for a Read Conmigo School Impact Grant?

A: The Read Conmigo School Impact Grants are designed to support dual-language (Spanish-English) programs that provide instruction in two languages with the goal of fostering bilingualism and biliteracy for all students. Schools with programs focused solely on supporting proficiency in a single language, for example, many ESL programs, would not be eligible for this grant.

Q: Would a school that recently implemented a dual-language program be eligible for a Read Conmigo School Impact Grant?

A: Schools must have an established dual-language (Spanish-English) program with at least one year of implementation to be eligible for the Read Conmigo School Impact Grant.

Q: Are elementary schools that extend beyond the traditional K-5 model eligible to apply?

A: Yes, while elementary schools that serve grades beyond the traditional K-5 model are eligible to apply, grant funds must support school- or program-wide initiatives that primarily benefit elementary-age (K-5) students.

Q: Can a school that recently had teachers awarded the Read Conmigo Educator Grant still apply for the Read Conmigo School Impact Grant?

A: Yes. Schools with Educator Grant recipients may apply for the School Impact Grant.

Q: Can individual schools within the same charter network apply for Read Conmigo School Impact Grants?

A: Yes, individual schools within a charter network – such as multiple campuses operated by the same charter management organization – may each apply. Each school principal must submit their own application with proposed initiatives specific to the school. Identical applications may not be submitted for multiple schools.

 

Grant Usage

Q: What does a Read Conmigo School Impact Grant fund?

A: Grant funds are intended to support school- or program-wide dual-language (Spanish-English) initiatives, including school resource and technology improvements, instructional support and professional development, and community and cultural engagement.

The following are eligible uses of the grant funds:

School Resource and Technology Improvement

Examples of eligible uses:

• Bilingual library enhancements
• Software and device upgrades for dual-language education
• Bilingual STEM educational tools

Eligible expenses may include books, library shelving and storage, software, educational resource subscriptions/purchases, tablets, computers, interactive smart boards, STEM-related materials, educational games, manipulatives, sensory tools, flexible seating, and resources for project-based learning initiatives.

Instructional Support and Professional Development

Examples of eligible uses:

• Dual-language curriculum and instructional material development/acquisition
• Expansion of existing dual-language programs
• Bilingual educator training, workshops, and conferences

Eligible expenses may include curriculum, instructional materials, workshops, training, speaker fees, conference registration, and conference travel and lodging.

Community and Cultural Engagement

Examples of eligible uses:

• School-wide bilingual events (e.g., assemblies, literacy fairs, and cultural celebrations)
• Family engagement initiatives supporting dual-language education
• Dual-language art, dance, music, and theatre programs
• Cultural or educational field trips enhancing bilingual understanding

Eligible expenses may include family take-home resource kits, instruments, assembly expenses, speaker honorariums, art supplies, performance costumes, field trip transportation costs, and entrance fees to local museums and cultural centers.

Q: What is excluded from Read Conmigo School Impact Grant funding?

A: The following are not eligible uses of the grant funds:

• General operations
• Capital projects or facility maintenance
• Endowments
• Fundraising events or similar activities
• Religious or political projects
• Salaries, staff stipends, and/or substitute teacher costs
• Gift cards
• Personal use
• Education research
• Field trips to amusement parks
• General, non-project-based classroom supplies (e.g., pencils, pens, paper, etc.)
• Communication materials (e.g., school promotional materials, newsletters, etc.)
• School uniforms or school spirit attire
• Summer projects
• Non-bilingual program club activities

Q: Can the grant support more than one initiative?

A: Yes, schools may include multiple initiatives in a single grant application. For example, a school might request funding for both a cultural event and bilingual library enhancements. The principal must detail each initiative within the application.

Q: Can the grant support a single educator or classroom?

A: No. The grant must be used for school- or program-wide initiatives that promote dual-language (Spanish-English) education and support bilingual students across the school.

Q: Can a school utilize funding as needed throughout the school year?

A: Grant funds must be used in alignment with the approved application and budget. Any budget changes require prior approval from The Kemper Foundation, which can be requested by contacting readconmigo@thekemperfoundation.org. Revision requests are subject to the discretion of The Kemper Foundation. Grant funds may not be spent on revisions without written approval.

Note: Using funds in a way that does not align with the approved application and budget, or without prior written approval from The Kemper Foundation, is considered misuse of funds. Such actions may require principals to immediately return the misused funds and could result in disqualification from future grant opportunities.

Q: In what time period do the grant funds need to be spent?

A: All grant funds must be used by December 31 of the awarded year, unless designated for a time-specific event (e.g., field trips, school events, or professional development). If a school cannot utilize all funds by the deadline, the principal should contact The Kemper Foundation at readconmigo@thekemperfoundation.org.

Q: Are there reporting requirements for the Read Conmigo School Impact Grant?

A: Yes. Principals must submit a Grant Impact Report by June 1 following the end of the school year in which the grant was awarded. For example, if the grant is awarded for the 2026-2027 school year, the report will be due by June 1, 2027. The Kemper Foundation will send a reminder 30 days before the due date. Principals must retain and submit all itemized receipts and vendor invoices related to grant expenditures with the grant impact report. Submitted receipts must total $10,000.

Q: If a school is awarded a grant, but the principal who submitted the application moves to another school, can the grant funds be transferred to the new school?

A: No. Grant funds are awarded to the school and are intended to benefit that school’s students. The funds will remain with the school, regardless of changes in principal leadership.

 

Grant Application

Q: What is the deadline for the Read Conmigo School Impact Grant application?

A: Application submission deadlines are listed on The Kemper Foundation website. Grant applications are accepted annually during selected dates from January to March, with grant funds distributed in May to support initiatives for the upcoming school year.

Q: What does the application entail?

A: The application consists of six sections:

1. Contact Information: Details for key school personnel.
2. About Your School: Information on your school’s demographics and dual-language program.
3. Proposal: SMART goals, activities, expected impact, and evaluation of your school’s proposed initiative(s).
4. Budget: An itemized breakdown of your $10,000 funding request.
5. Attachments (Optional): Supporting materials, such as videos, letters of support, or other relevant documents.
6. Acknowledgement: Confirmation and submission of your application.

A copy of the application is available on the School Impact Grants page on The Kemper Foundation website. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before entering them into the grants portal.

Q: Can a principal use AI tools (such as ChatGPT) to assist with writing the grant application?

A: While The Kemper Foundation understands that AI tools can be helpful for drafting or refining grammar, we strongly encourage principals to write the core content of their applications themselves. The application should authentically reflect the unique voice, vision, and needs of the school.

Q: Is formal district approval required for a school’s grant application?

A: Formal district approval is not required, but The Kemper Foundation strongly recommends that principals discuss their application with district officials prior to submission. Principals must confirm on the application that it aligns with school and district policies. Optional letters of support from the district may also be included as attachments to their application.

Q: How do I begin the grant application process?

A: When the grant application period opens, click the “Apply Now” link on the School Impact Grants page on The Kemper Foundation website.

Q: Why am I being asked about multifactor authentication when I login?

A: As of October 2025, CyberGrants has instituted a standard multifactor authentication process. Please follow the instructions when prompted in either setting up an account or logging into an existing account. If you have any issues, please see the question and response below.

Q: Who do I contact for technical issues with the grants portal?  

A: For assistance, click “Need Support?” at the bottom of any page in the grants portal. This will open a new window with frequently asked questions. If your question isn’t addressed, click “I still have a question” at the bottom of the FAQ page to submit a support request ticket. Complete the form, and the CyberGrants support team will contact you. You can also contact The Kemper Foundation for support at readconmigo@thekemperfoundation.org.

Q: How do I complete the registration page?
A: The name, telephone, e-mail address should pertain to the principal. The organization name and zip code should pertain to the school applying for the grant.

Under the NCES Information section, enter the first seven digits of the school’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) School ID as the School District ID. Enter the last five digits of the school’s NCES School ID as the School ID.

Q: How do I access the grants portal after registering?

A: Once you complete registration, you will receive an automated email with the link to the login page. Please bookmark this link for future use.

Q: What if I forget my password for the grants portal?

A: On the grants portal login page, click “Forgot your password?”

Q: Can I save an incomplete grant application and return to it later?

A: Yes, your application is automatically saved. You can return to it at any time by logging into the grants portal with your username and password.

Q: In the application, why do some questions have (?) next to them?

A: The (?) symbol indicates a tool-tip which provides helpful information to answer the question. You can hover over the (?) to read the suggestion.

Q: Is there an example of how to complete the Proposed Initiative(s) Summary Chart?

A: Yes. In the grants portal, you can find examples when hovering over the (?) tool-tips in the chart. Those examples are also provided in the sample chart below:

Goal Number	SMART Goals	Activities	Expected Impact	Evaluation
Example: 1	Example: Enhance the school library by increasing the availability of bilingual books by 30% and creating a welcoming reading environment with new seating by June 2027	Example: By November 30, 2026, purchase 500 bilingual books (targeted by grade level and interest)   By December 15, 2026, install new shelving and seating	Example: 20% increase in book checkouts   10% more class visits to the library   Improved teacher satisfaction with the library and its resources	Example: Track book checkout data   Monitor class visit data   Conduct teacher satisfaction survey in May 2027

 

Q: Can a school apply for a grant that’s for an amount other than $10,000?

A: No, all grants are awarded at $10,000. Schools must ensure their budget totals $10,000 in their submitted application.

Q: Are there specific guidelines for planning the grant budget? 

A: Yes, grant budgets must align with individual school and district policies, including the use of approved resources or district-approved vendors, if applicable. We recommend that principals review district guidelines and consult with district officials to ensure full alignment with all policies. Principals must confirm this alignment on the application.

Q: In the budget section in the grants portal, do I need to complete both the budget table and the Excel budget template?

A: No, we ask that you complete your budget using either the table in the grants portal OR uploading a completed Excel budget template.

Q: In the Proposed Initiative(s) Summary Chart and budget section of the application, what should I do if my item link is too long?

A: The grants portal has a 250-character limit for item links. If your link exceeds this limit, use a URL shortener, such as bitly.com.

Q: Can I review my entire application before submitting it?

A: Yes, you can review your application at any time during the process by logging into the grants portal and accessing your application under “Applications Requiring Action.”

 

Granting Process

Q: How are Read Conmigo School Impact Grant recipients selected?

A: After the submission deadline, the selection committee, including officers from The Kemper Foundation and Read Conmigo Grant Program partners, will review eligible applications to determine the grant recipients. Principals of the selected schools will be required to complete a grant acceptance form in the grants portal before funds will be disbursed.

Q: How will principals be informed about the status of their grant application?

A: Principals will receive updates at key stages of the grant selection process:

1. Upon submitting an application, principals will receive a confirmation email.
2. Following review by the selection committee, principals will be notified of the decision by email within 60 days of the application deadline.

Q: When should principals contact The Kemper Foundation during the application process?

A: Principals should contact The Kemper Foundation if they have questions while submitting their application or if they have not received a grant decision within 60 days after the application deadline. Questions can be emailed to readconmigo@thekemperfoundation.org.

Q: How are grant funds distributed?

A: Once principals complete the grant acceptance form, The Kemper Foundation will distribute the funds to the school through either a virtual check (sent by email) or a physical check (sent by mail). Principals are encouraged to discuss the disbursement process with their school district to ensure compliance with district policies.

Q: Is feedback available to a school for a declined grant request?

A: The Kemper Foundation is unable to provide specific feedback beyond what is included in the decision communication.

 

Other

Q: Where can I send suggestions or feedback about the Read Conmigo Grant Program?

A: You can email your suggestions and feedback to readconmigo@thekemperfoundation.org.