Grant Writing
How are you going to stuff for your classroom?
How to get started...
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Most successful grant writers give the same advice:
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begin your search for a grant with
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a Project
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a Plan
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a great idea – it is more often than not the idea that is often funded so
think about innovative ideas
How you are going to implement your great idea
Permission.
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If you’re planning to apply for a major grant you often need administrative
sign-off (principal, someone)
So you have the three P’s in place
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Get started early...
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Document the need
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mission statement or outcome statement
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When and what will things be done
planned assessment tool(s).
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Make sure they are specific and measurable.
Timeline
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Identify the project’s potential outcome.
goals and objectives
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with demographics, test results, and anecdotal evidence
Again, be specific required materials, supplies, and personnel.
total cost
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Make sure you within the budget of the funder!!!!
You have an idea and plan... So...
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Find funding....
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School Grants Center :
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/archives/grants.shtml
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Discretionary Grant Application Packages:
http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html
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This site for non-governmental funding resources offers both print and online resources
for a subscription fee.
eSchool News Online: http://www.eschoolnews.com/resources/enewsletters/alert
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The National Education Association Foundation for the Improvement of Education offers
information, guidelines, and other resources related to grants the foundation administers.
The Foundation Center: http://fdncenter.org/
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The U.S. Government offers this clickable list of application packages for currently open
Department of Education grant competitions.
Grants and Programs: http://www.nfie.org/grants.htm
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Education World offers the latest information about current education grants.
Sign up for eSchool News Technology Alert, a free e-mail newsletter containing information
about grants and grant deadlines.
Community Foundation Locator:
http://www.communityfoundationlocator.org/search/index.cfm
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This tool identifies tax-exempt charitable organizations in your community that are
possible sources of grant
What typically goes into a grant...
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Grant application generally consists of three parts:
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the application form or forms
the narrative
the budget.
Most funders caution applicants to give equal weight to all
three sections
Narrative
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Narrative section of the application usually includes:
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Need: includes the project’s purpose, goals, and measurable objectives. This
section can also include background on how and why the project was conceived
and should include a compelling reason why the proposal should be funded.
Plan: includes an explanation of how the project’s goals and objectives will be
met, what activities will be used, what personnel will be needed, and how that
personnel will be utilized.
Assessment/Evaluation: a discussion of the assessment procedure, including
how the project will be evaluated and specific measurement strategies.
Timeline: a timeline that includes the start and end dates of the project and a
schedule of activities.
Who you are: the applicant’s credentials, including information that
demonstrates his or her background and ability to carry out the project
successfully.
Why the project is important (clincher): You won’t find this on the
funder’s guidelines, but it’s the critical aspect of your narrative. Provide
information in a way that clearly demonstrates to the reviewers why the project
is needed and why it is an important funding opportunity for their business or
organization. Let the funder know that the project is important to you and that
you’re excited about its possibilities
Things to keep in mind
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Your narrative clear, concise, and interesting to read.
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Write professionally, but avoid too much educational
jargon.
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Often times an easy to read and engaging narrative
will be funded over what may be a stronger proposal
but harder to read
Define any educational buzz words that you do use.
(Remember, the reviewers might not be educators! and in most
cases are not)
Be specific about your project’s goals and objectives -and focus on results!
Most importantly, follow the rules set down by the
funder
The budget
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The budget provides funders with cost projections for
the project.
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Your budget should be
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specific, reasonable, realistic, accurate, and flexible -- in case the
funder wants to negotiate the funding amount.
Be sure to include other revenue sources, if any are available.
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This could be from your school or district
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Some districts have an educational foundation and if they would be willing
to provide some kind of match so much the better
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Old saying – money gets more money...
Above all, make sure the budget is consistent with the narrative. Don’t
include budget items that aren’t mentioned in the proposal or omit
costs for projected activities.
Extra stuff...
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Some funding sources may also require a variety of
supporting documents as part of the application.
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Those could include endorsements, resumes, additional project
information, visual aids, and so on.
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Pictures of students engaged in activities are powerful visuals
However,
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Don’t assume that your funder wants -- or even allows -those documents, however. Ask if you aren’t sure.
What if I don’t get funded...
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Getting told no does not mean your idea was bad
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Getting no happens more than yes - competitive
They didn’t fit the socio-economic group the business or
organization funds.
They didn’t meet the objectives the business or organization
had in mind to fund.
They focused too much on the equipment.
The project’s plan wasn’t thought out well enough.
Competition was high.You had an excellent grant prospect, but
there were so many good ones, yours didn’t make the cut.
The reviewers just didn't like it!
What to do after you hear from the funder
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Write a thank you note to the grant funder and to your
contact person.
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Adhere to the specifications and timeline presented in the
grant application.
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As best you can – can say what happened in your report
Provide the promised evaluation documents promptly.
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Have your students sign it
Turn in any reports on time!
Write a final report that’s as complete, interesting, and
enthusiastic as the grant application.
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Document your success and include photographs, videos, pod-casts
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Again, visuals are very powerful for the funder
Maintain contact with the funder
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If they like what you do you may be invited to apply for future grants
Summary...
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Geographic requirements
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Think creatively...
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Some funders focus on urban others rural
Make sure you are teaching the population the funder wants to support
Interests
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Ideas and Innovations are why most grants get funded
Populations
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Some funders only service a particular geographic area
Make sure the funder has an interest in your area
Priorities
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Most funding agencies list their priority areas for funding
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Funding Range
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Environment, community outreach, etc...
Always make sure you within the budget of the funder
Proofread
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Always, always, always proofread
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Have someone else read it – see if it makes sense to them
Some additional sources for help
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Basic Elements of Grant Writing
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SchoolGrants
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http://www.libraryspot.com/features/grantsfeature.htm
LibrarySpot offers resources on locating grants and writing grant proposals.
Persuasive Proposal Writing
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http://www.schoolgrants.org/
This site provides grant-writing tips and sample proposals.
Getting Grants
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http://www.cpb.org/grants/grantwriting.html
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting provides this guide to the elements of
grant writing.
http://www.biu.ac.il/RA/www/rserch/writing/write1.html
This document walks prospective grant writers through the entire process, from
planning to writing.
Grant Writing Sources and Tips
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http://7-12educators.about.com/library/weekly/aa061500a.htm
About.com offers advice on writing grants.
Some example places
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Hewlett-Packard Technology for Teaching
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http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants/us/programs/tech_teaching/k
12_main.html
Tool Factory/Olympus Grants
www.toolfactory.com/olympus
Places
to Look examples
The Foundation Center
www.foundationcenter.org
GrantsAlert.com
www.grantsalert.com
The Grantsmanship Center
www.tgci.com
Technology Grant News
www.technologygrantnews.com
School Grants
www.schoolgrants.org
Donors Choose
www.donorschoose.org
KaBOOM! / Home Depot
www.kaboom.org
U Play University
Scholarships are available now!
Find the Criteria
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What’s the judging criteria?
Every grant will tell you
Make sure to match:
Sneak Peek - Judging Site
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Rule #1 No typpos!#*!
Rule #2 Properly Grammer useage
Rule #3 Must reflect adequate planning
Round 1:
Yes or No
Find the Judging Criteria
Make your grant match their criteria!
Sneak Peek - Round 2
Think Outside the Box
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You want: digital cameras and a microscope.
Grant’s objectives: Save the environment.
How do you make your
“Wants”…meet their
“Objectives”?
Sunderland
Elementary
School
Create Timelines
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Map out deadlines
Pretend everything is due 1 week early
Proofread twice - leave time
Murphy’s Law stalks grant
writers!
Writing
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FOLLOW DIRECTIONS!
Regurgitate
Tell a story
Inject excitement - Find the “Wow”!
Proofread
Proofread again
Start with their mission and objectives, then
edit. Remember, it’s their money!
Build a Relationship
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Write letters
Call
Write more letters
Call again
Did I forget to say “Write letters”?
What do kids do when they
want something?
Create an Electronic Library
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School demographics
Description of local issues
Project descriptions
Bios
Press releases
Press coverage
Store it on the server, force everyone to use it.
After the Win
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Thank everyone
Press releases
Radio, television, newspapers
Send progress reports
Deliver
Winning a grant is your best leverage
to winning another grant.
Digital Wish
Reach out to your
community!
Create a profile and
enter to win 43
grant opportunities
at once!
www.digitalwish.com