Launch Michigan advocates for public education funding transparency and accountability with Grants Clock

Launch Michigan, a nonprofit dedicated to reinventing Michigan’s public education system, today announced the Grants Clock, a new tool designed to provide transparency regarding the public school grant distribution process and hold the state accountable for the efficient distribution of funds for classrooms. 

Each year, the Michigan Legislature and Governor allocate billions of dollars for the state’s public schools, but many districts face significant challenges in accessing these funds. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Michigan’s education budget totaled $23.4 billion, down 3.5% from the previous year. Of this, $20.6 billion is set aside for K-12 schools, yet superintendents report persistent delays in distributing the grant money that schools rely on for essential programming. 

“Michigan public school districts have faced decades of underfunding. Grants provide an opportunity to remedy past inequities, improve facilities, and enhance educational outcomes for all students – if the funding reaches classrooms,” said Venessa Keesler, president and CEO of Launch Michigan. “We must work together to reinvent Michigan’s public education system and ensure that the process for delivering grant funds to students is simple and timely.” 

The Grants Clock monitors the distribution of 99 grants totaling $3.8 billion in funding. These grants are classified into four categories: competitive grants, direct grants, formula grants and reimbursement grants. Each of these grant types serves a critical role in supporting Michigan’s schools. Still, delays in distributing these funds have left many districts in limbo, unable to properly plan or implement programs for students. 

“We’ve heard from district leaders across Michigan that there continue to be many challenges related to securing essential funding for their classrooms via grants, including burdensome application processes, delayed award notifications, and a general lack of awareness,” said Dr. Tina Kerr, executive director of the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators. “Information such as the Grants Clock will help ensure funding that has already been allocated to our districts reaches them in a timely fashion and can make an impact.” 

The Grants Clock provides updates on the status of each grant, tracking key metrics such as the total amount available, the number of days since the funds became available, and the percentage of funds that have been distributed. By offering this level of transparency, Launch Michigan aims to hold state officials accountable for the efficient allocation of resources and address the systemic challenges that have previously slowed funding. 

“As a superintendent of a small district in northern Michigan, I know firsthand how critical funding is for our classrooms,” said Stephanie Long, superintendent of Leland Public Schools. “Delays and uncertainty make it even harder for rural districts like ours, where we have fewer staff and resources to navigate the complex process. The Grants Clock brings much-needed transparency to what districts face as they work to secure the funding that keeps essential programs running.” 

In addition to tracking the distribution of funds, Launch Michigan has put forward several recommendations to streamline the grant process. These include prioritizing grants with the most direct impact on students, simplifying the application system by connecting it to existing district platforms, providing additional funding for the Michigan Department of Education to hire necessary staff and update IT systems, and partnering with organizations that can provide technical assistance to districts. 

“We must ensure the resources allocated to education get to the classroom in a timely and transparent manner,” said Jeff Donofrio, president and CEO of Business Leaders For Michigan and chair of the Launch Michigan Board of Directors.  “The many laudable efforts to improve education will only be effective when the money gets to where it’s needed most and the outcomes can be easily understood.” 

For more information about the Grants Clock and to track the latest updates on education grant distributions, visit www.launchmichigan.org/grants-clock.