1. Who are you? You’re here because you care about making schools a better place for kids. Who is SRVEF? The foundation is made up of people who want to help you make the schools a better place for kids. 2015 SRVEF Grant Workshop

2. Today’s Learning Goal Increase likelihood of being funded Start with the end in mind. Learn the parts of a SMART goal. Attend to the judging criteria. Write to the application. Make it easy to read.

3. Important dates Applications are now being accepted September 11 - Applications due 4:00PM October 23 - Grant winners announced December 16 - Deadline for request for funds February 26 - Project outcomes due

4. Start with the end in mind. Do you want an A? Give the scorer what s/he asks for. Read the purpose. Follow the guidelines. Observe the timeline. Pay attention to the criteria. Provide all the requested information. Submit your proposal in the boxes provided, but compose it offline first.

5. Do a quick write. This is only for you. What idea(s) do you have for grant(s)? What do you want funded from SRVEF? Who will it affect? When will you implement this grant? Data - How will you know if the grant has been successful?

6. Criteria Start with the end in mind SRVEF’s checklist Meets the SRVUSD framework Goals are SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, results oriented, time specific Addresses student need Innovative and/or creative Number of students served Long lasting impact or potential, sustainable Aligns with Common Core

7. Criteria – meets SRVUSD framework The SRVEF readers want to know that you are in alignment with district goals.

8. Criteria - SMART goal Specific Measurable Attainable Results oriented Time specific

9. Specific SMART goal What does your project look like? Paint a mental picture for the reader. example – “lose weight” vs. “sign up for classes 4X/week and walk 30 minutes on other days

10. Measurable SMART goal How will you know you’ve met your goal? What data will show the results? example – “lose weight” vs. “my skinny jeans will zip up”

11. Attainable SMART goal Do a reality check. Is this something realistic to do? example – “I’ll never eat dessert again” vs. “I’ll eat fruits/vegetables at 2 meals/day”

12. Results oriented SMART goal Is this helping students move toward instructional excellence? example – name a specific software or application vs. saying you’ll use iPad apps

13. Time specific SMART goal What is the timeline? example – “lose weight” vs. be one size smaller by my high school reunion in July

14. Your application You will submit your application online. Compose it offline. Use spell check! Be concise. Boxes are limited in the number of words allowed.

15. Overview Describe your grant in student terms. Help the reader to see how your idea will affect students. Don’t forget the timeline to help the grant reader to “see” when things will happen. Keep it simple and straightforward. Remember the Grandma story.

16. Goals Describe your specific goals. What do you want to accomplish? Be specific. Help reader visualize what students (not teachers or adults) will be doing. Reference Common Core.

17. Expenditures Be specific – Submit a shopping list. Make it clear what you are going to purchase. Do you have a partial funding plan? Describe what additional funding you have already secured or plan to seek.

18. Evaluation How will you know if your project is a success? Provide data, data, data. Talk about objective measures, results, numbers. Give a timeline for assessment – calendar, benchmarks along the way.

19. Innovation New or different? Creative? Something unusual?

20. Sharing Newsletters Website Faculty meeting presentations Professional Development days Student presentations PTA or foundation meetings Assemblies Toot your horn!

21. Reminders, tips Plan ahead. Follow the timeline. Think through your idea before submitting it.

22. Reminders, tips Be succinct. Avoid education jargon. Remember who your readers are. Think about style –Tell a story. Have other eyes take a look. Use spell check. Use grammar check. Proofread. Proofread. Proofread.

23. Last bits of advice When you’re funded, publicize your success. Write a thank you letter. Send student work. Send photos. Call the newspaper. Publish. Watch for details about a future SRVEF event - your chance to be honored.

24. Thank you! You’re applying for a grant because you care about making schools a better place for kids. SRVEF is here because we want to help you make the schools a better place for kids. Now – let’s get to work!

25. Jot more notes With the criteria in mind, look again at the grant project you’re thinking about. What are you asking for? Who will this project affect? When will the project happen? How you will assess? Data, data, data Work on writing a successful grant!