SCHOOL BUS FUND
Information and Eligibility
The School Bus Fund will hold the earmarked funds collected during the 2017 Toast of the Arts and Silver Soiree fundraisers, as well as future fundraisers, to be distributed for the purpose of reimbursement of the cost of travel to and from the museum for Oklahoma school field trips. Visits to the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art help students learn how to interpret art and culture, as well as enhance their visual literacy skills. With these resources, we hope to reach students that otherwise would not have an opportunity to visit the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.
The selection of recipients’ process is based on application, and fund availability, with the following requisites:
- K12, public and private or university-affiliated Oklahoma schools are eligible to apply for reimbursement
- Up to $250 of transportation costs to the museum
- Schools must be located in Oklahoma
- Only one application per teacher will be funded per school year (August-May)
Completed applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and must be received at least one month before desired visit to the museum. All applicants will be notified of their status by email no later than seven (7) business days following the application deadline.
A completed application will include:
- A complete online application form
- A letter from a school administrator that addresses the financial need of the school and the desired benefit of the field trip for students
To simplify the application and approval process, teachers are no longer required to submit a receipt of gas expense after their visit. Instead, the School Bus Fund is adopting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Standard Miles Rate for business to ensure fairness for all applicants. The standard mileage rate for business use is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile.
Effective January 1, 2024, the standard mileage rate is $0.67 per mile, up from the $0.655 IRS rate for 2023.
Teachers will simply need to provide a W9 and the distance (miles) of the school from the museum during the application process. Once approved, the reimbursement will be the standard rate times the round-trip mileage. After the field trip has occurred, the Association will request the reimbursement, which eliminates any obligation on the school and expedites the process. So, once you come, you're done!
