Keys to Writing a
Winning Grant
Proposal
CMS Education
Foundation
3 Key Questions…...
1. What is the CMS Education Foundation?
2. What are the Grant Application Guidelines?
3. How do you complete the application?
1
What is the CMS Foundation?
1. What is the mission of the Foundation?
2. What are the goals of the Foundation?
3. What is the Foundation? What is the
relationship between the Foundation and the
school district?
4. Who benefits from the Foundation?
5. What does the CMS Foundation Fund?
What is the mission of the
Foundation?
The Clovis Municipal Schools
Foundation will provide resources to
enrich teaching, inspire learning, and
enhance opportunities for all students
enrolled in the Clovis Municipal
School District.
What are the goals of the
Foundation?
*Encourage all students to work to their
highest potential
*Support staff for innovative efforts
*Recognize staff for exemplary teaching
*Build community awareness of the Clovis
Municipal Schools Foundation
*Inspire parents and the community to
participate with the school district to
enrich education
What is the CMS Foundation?
What is the relationship between the
Foundation and the school district?
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A 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, tax-exempt, philanthropic organization of
citizens
Shares a vision of enhancing education in the Clovis Municipal
School District
Works to increase private support for educational activities in
the Clovis Municipal School District
Benefits Clovis Municipal School District students and staff by
supporting activities not funded by tax dollars
Fosters creative approaches to education through private grants
and involvement
Awards Foundation funds through a volunteer Board of
Directors consisting of business, community, and educational
leaders
Separate entities working together toward the same goals
Who benefits from the
Foundation?
•Students are stimulated
and imaginations are
sparked
• School district is able to
enhance its quality of
education
•Great school districts add
value to a community
•Business revenues go up
•Property values increase
School District
Community
STUDENTS
Homeowner
Local Business
What does the CMS
Foundation fund?
Innovative Teaching Grants
 Technology
 Staff Development
 Economic/Special Needs of Students
 Interactive Learning Experiences for Students
 School/Community Partnership Programs/Projects
 Student/Teacher Recognition Programs
 Author/Artist in Residence Programs
 Permanent Endowment Fund
 Endowed Scholarship Programs for Students
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2
What are the Grant Application
Guidelines?
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Eligible Proposals
Types of Grants
Eligible Applicants
Required Signatures
Selection Criteria
Selection Process
Eligible Proposals
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All proposals MUST directly involve the instruction
of students and MUST offer an innovative and
creative approach to student achievement.
Instructional approaches or projects should be
designed to begin and end during the current
school year and meet the selection criteria.
Types of Grants
1.
2.
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Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to individual
teacher initiated programs or projects. Grants of up to
$5,000 will be awarded to campus teams,
departments, and district initiated programs or
projects.
Only one grant per school will be awarded per grant
cycle.
The number of awards will depend on funds available
from the Clovis Municipal Schools Foundation.
Eligible Applicants
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Individuals or teams of individuals employed
by the Clovis Municipal Schools who are
involved in the instruction of students or
related support services benefiting students
Required Signatures
1. Signatures by all grant applicants
2. All proposals require an approval
signature from the campus principal.
Selection Criteria
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Purpose:
The purpose is clearly stated.
Rationale:
Improves student learning (It is broadly applicable and replicable.)
Directly relates to the CMS District Strategic Plan and the goals of the CMS
Foundation
Specifically aligns with NM Standards and Benchmarks and is supported by
research
Objectives:
Objectives are specifically stated and are measurable.
Objectives are feasible (time, resources, etc.)
Activities:
Activities/procedures are specifically stated and directly relate to the purpose and
objectives.
A specific budget has been included and is justified.
Evaluation:
Measurable criteria are used.
Measures directly relate to objectives and activities.
Selection Process
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Signed applications are due to the Deputy Superintendent of Instruction who will
annotate on the front of the application the date grant was received.
Applications will be reviewed and commented on by the Grant Application Review
Committee made up of the following members:
a. A minimum of five Foundation directors appointed by the President of
the Foundation Board of Directors
b. Deputy Superintendent for Instruction
c. Others as determined by the Foundation Board of Directors
Grant Committee will meet in person and discuss each application. Upon review
of all grant requests, the Grant Committee will select winning packages based on
meeting selection criteria, quality of package, and availability of funds.
If recommended for approval, the application is presented to the Foundation
Board of Directors in summary form for review and formal approval.
Applicants will be notified of the Foundation’s decisions.
How do you complete the
application?
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Important Questions
Completing the Application
-Cover Page
-Abstract
-Purpose
-Need/Rationale
-Work Plan (Objectives, Instructional Procedures,
& Evaluation Procedures)
-Partners in Project
-Budget
Tips for writing a successful grant
Final thoughts
Completing the Application
Important Questions
To determine if the project is appropriate for this grant process, you must
be able to answer ‘yes’ to following questions:
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Is it important to learning?
Is it research-based?
Are the results measurable?
Are the objectives clear?
Does the project address the NM Standards & Benchmarks
and Foundation goals?
Can it be done?
Is it practical?
Is it new for you? (If you are seeking recognition for
something already completed, it is inappropriate.)
Completing the Application
Cover Page
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Title: Keep as short as possible but
descriptive of the project.
Names & Signatures: All printed and signature
names of applicants and principal’s signature
signifying review and approval of application
School(s), Grade(s), Subject(s): List all that will
benefit from the request.
Primary target population: Mark with an “X” and
indicate number served.
Implementation/Ending dates: Be sure to provide
dates.
Completing the Application
Completing the Application
Abstract
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Provide a brief statement (less than 100 words)
about the project or program you wish to
implement.
What do you hope to achieve?
How will this project enhance the education of
students?
Ensure this is a stand-alone commentary that
accurately and succinctly describes your request.
This paragraph is the “HOOK” for the grant
reader…write it well!
Completing the Application
Purpose
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Tell what you hope to achieve. (e.g. what will be
different or better if the project is successful)
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State only what you can reasonably expect to
achieve.
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Keep the statement simple and straightforward.
Avoid the use of educational jargon or acronyms.
Completing the Application
Need/Rationale
Explain the specific need(s) that this project addresses.
 The problem or issue addressed
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How will the project improve student learning
and support the purpose?
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Discuss the NM Standards & Benchmarks that will
be addressed by this proposal.
Completing the Application
Objectives
Limit the number of objectives.
 List the main objective of your project.
 List in terms of “students will…”
 Objectives should be clear and measurable.
 Link objectives to instructional activities and
evaluation procedures.
 Write SMART objectives: Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Results–oriented, Time-bound (or
relative)
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Completing the Application
Instructional Procedures
Describe proposed activities and tasks.
 What actions will you take to meet the objectives?
 How will the project be implemented?
 Provide details so that the evaluation committee can
distinguish innovative ideas.
 Link the instructional activities to purpose, objectives,
and evaluation procedures.
 Be specific.
 List steps.
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Completing the Application
Evaluation Procedures
Describe how you will measure the success of your project.
(outside of standardized testing)
 How will you know that this project was successful?
 Link the evaluation procedures to objectives and instructional
procedures.
 Be specific.
Think About….
What information do I need to collect?
What is the best way to collect my information?
What are my conclusions?
How do I communicate my results?
Summary due to the CMS Foundation Board of Directors within 30 days
of concluding the program/project.
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Sample Work Plan (Simplified)
Objective
Students will
increase their
Memorization
of 0-12
multiplication
facts to 100%.
Instructional
Activity
Evaluation
Procedure
Anticipated
Result
Multiplication
Music
Pre and post
100% of targeted
multiplication
timed test given
population will
Readers’ Theatre
three days per
week.
at the beginning,
mid-term and
end of year.
have learned
multiplication
facts 0-12.
Completing the Application
Partners in Project
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If other schools, businesses, or community agencies
will be included in project or program, state which
agencies or schools will be involved
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Provide information as to how partners will be
involved in project or program.
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Will you be requesting matching/supplemental
funding for this project?
Completing the Application
Budget
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What do you need to make this project happen?
List detailed information on how the grant funds will be spent.
Do NOT guess at prices. (Every school has catalogs.)
Do not forget to include shipping and handling costs.
This is one of the more important sections of the application.
Ensure it is complete and accurate.
Provide specific name for each item, name of vendor, quantity
requested, total cost of each item.
Provide total cost for overall program or project at end of
individual list.
If possible, get a quote that is good for 90 days to ensure that
your costs will be the same at the actual time of purchase.
Budget
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EXAMPLE:
Budget Item
Vendor Quantity Budget Amt. Total Cost
20 Gallon
Wal-Mart
1
Aquarium
$102.36
$102.36
Each
Microscopes Discover
This
6
$ 39.99
$239.94
Each
S&H 20%
TOTAL
$68.46
$410.76
Tips for Submitting a Successful
Grant Application
Be SMART
Specific Measurable Achievable
Reasonable and Timely!
nLet everyone you know read your application.
nFill in all sections appropriately.
nWrite as if the person reading the grant does not
know anything about education. Remember...not
all reviewers may be an expert in your field.
nMak sur yur spelin, gramer, and punkuaton iz
correct. It speks vollumes abor yul.
nDo not ramble on. Get to the point.
nUse bullets if possible.
Final Thoughts (one more time)
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Use clear, concise, simple language.
Keep your audience in mind when writing.
Projects must have an ending.
Use test readers to review your application.
Double-check and Triple-check your finished
application.
Avoid using unexplained acronyms.
Original with signatures must be received in the
office of the Deputy Superintendent for Instruction
by October 3, 2013.
If you have any further questions, please
email Jan Cox at jan.cox@clovis-schools.org