Transcript Grant Writing

How are you going to get stuff for your
classroom?
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Most successful grant writers give the same
advice:
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begin your search for a grant with
 a Project
 a great idea – it is more often than not the idea that is often
funded so think about innovative ideas
 a Plan
 How you are going to implement your great idea
 Permission.
 If you’re planning to apply for a major grant you often
need administrative sign-off (principal, someone)
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Get started early...
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Document the need
 with demographics, test results, and anecdotal evidence
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mission statement or outcome statement
 Identify the project’s potential outcome.
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goals and objectives
 Make sure they are specific and measurable.
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Timeline
 When and what will things be done
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planned assessment tool(s).
 Again, be specific required materials, supplies, and personnel.
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total cost
 Make sure you within the budget of the funder!!!!
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Find funding....
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School Grants Center :
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/archives/grants.shtml
 Education World offers the latest information about current education grants.
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Discretionary Grant Application Packages:
http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html
 The U.S. Government offers this clickable list of application packages for currently open
Department of Education grant competitions.
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Grants and Programs: http://www.nfie.org/grants.htm
 The National Education Association Foundation for the Improvement of Education
offers information, guidelines, and other resources related to grants the foundation
administers.
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The Foundation Center: http://fdncenter.org/
 This site for non-governmental funding resources offers both print and online resources
for a subscription fee.
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eSchool News Online:
http://www.eschoolnews.com/resources/enewsletters/alert
 Sign up for eSchool News Technology Alert, a free e-mail newsletter containing
information about grants and grant deadlines.
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Community Foundation Locator:
http://www.communityfoundationlocator.org/search/index.cfm
 This tool identifies tax-exempt charitable organizations in your community that are
possible sources of grant
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Grant application generally consists of three
parts:
the application form or forms
 the narrative
 the budget.
 Most funders caution applicants to give equal
weight to all three sections
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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
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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
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The budget provides funders with cost projections
for the project.
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Your budget should be
 specific, reasonable, realistic, accurate, and flexible -- in case
the funder wants to negotiate the funding amount.
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Be sure to include other revenue sources, if any are
available.
 This could be from your school or district
 Some districts have an educational foundation and if they
would be willing to provide some kind of match so much the
better
 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.
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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.
 Pictures of students engaged in activities are powerful
visuals
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However,
 Don’t assume that your funder wants -- or even
allows -- those documents, however. Ask if you aren’t
sure.
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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!
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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
 Again, visuals are very powerful for the funder
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Maintain contact with the funder
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If they like what you do you may be invited to apply for future grants
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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
 Environment, community outreach, etc...
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Funding Range
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Always make sure you within the budget of the funder
Proofread
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Always, always, always proofread
 Have someone else read it – see if it makes sense to them
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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.
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Hewlett-Packard Technology for Teaching

http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants/us/programs/
tech_teaching/k12_main.html
www.toolfactory.com/olympus
 Places
to Look examples
www.foundationcenter.org
www.grantsalert.com
www.tgci.com
www.technologygrantnews.com
www.schoolgrants.org
www.donorschoose.org
www.kaboom.org
Scholarships are available now!
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What’s the judging criteria?
Every grant will tell you
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Rule #1 No typpos!#*!
Rule #2 Properly Grammer useage
Rule #3 Must reflect adequate planning
Round 1:
Yes or No
Make your grant match their criteria!
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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
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Map out deadlines
Pretend everything is due 1 week early
Proofread twice - leave time
Murphy’s Law stalks grant
writers!
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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!
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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?
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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.
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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.
Reach out to your
community!
Create a profile and
enter to win 43
grant opportunities
at once!
www.digitalwish.com