Grant Writing How are you going to stuff for your classroom?

How to get started...  Most successful grant writers give the same advice:  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)

So you have the three P’s in place  Get started early...  Document the need  with demographics, test results, and anecdotal evidence  mission statement or outcome statement  Identify the project’s potential outcome.  goals and objectives  Make sure they are specific and measurable.  Timeline  When and what will things be done  planned assessment tool(s).  Again, be specific required materials, supplies, and personnel.  total cost  Make sure you within the budget of the funder!!!!

You have an idea and plan... So...  Find funding....  School Grants Center : School Grants Center  Education World offers the latest information about current education grants.  Discretionary Grant Application Packages: Discretionary Grant Application Packages  The U.S. Government offers this clickable list of application packages for currently open Department of Education grant competitions.  Grants and Programs: and Programs  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: The Foundation Center  This site for non-governmental funding resources offers both print and online resources for a subscription fee.  eSchool News Online: eSchool News Online  Sign up for eSchool News Technology Alert, a free newsletter containing information about grants and grant deadlines.  Community Foundation Locator: Community Foundation Locator  This tool identifies tax-exempt charitable organizations in your community that are possible sources of grant

What typically goes into a grant...  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

Narrative  Narrative section of the application usually includes:  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  Your narrative clear, concise, and interesting to read.  Often times an easy to read and engaging narrative will be funded over what may be a stronger proposal but harder to read  Write professionally, but avoid too much educational jargon.  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  The budget provides funders with cost projections for the project.  Your budget should be  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.  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.

Extra stuff...  Some funding sources may also require a variety of supporting documents as part of the application.  Those could include endorsements, resumes, additional project information, visual aids, and so on.  Pictures of students engaged in activities are powerful visuals  However,  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...  Getting told no does not mean your idea was bad  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  Write a thank you note to the grant funder and to your contact person.  Have your students sign it  Adhere to the specifications and timeline presented in the grant application.  As best you can – can say what happened in your report  Provide the promised evaluation documents promptly.  Turn in any reports on time!  Write a final report that’s as complete, interesting, and enthusiastic as the grant application.  Document your success and include photographs, videos, pod-casts  Again, visuals are very powerful for the funder  Maintain contact with the funder  If they like what you do you may be invited to apply for future grants

Summary...  Geographic requirements  Some funders only service a particular geographic area  Think creatively...  Ideas and Innovations are why most grants get funded  Populations  Some funders focus on urban others rural  Make sure you are teaching the population the funder wants to support  Interests  Make sure the funder has an interest in your area  Priorities  Most funding agencies list their priority areas for funding  Environment, community outreach, etc...  Funding Range  Always make sure you within the budget of the funder  Proofread  Always, always, always proofread  Have someone else read it – see if it makes sense to them

Some additional sources for help  Basic Elements of Grant Writing Basic Elements of Grant Writing   The Corporation for Public Broadcasting provides this guide to the elements of grant writing.  SchoolGrants SchoolGrants   This site provides grant-writing tips and sample proposals.  Getting Grants Getting Grants   LibrarySpot offers resources on locating grants and writing grant proposals.  Persuasive Proposal Writing Persuasive Proposal Writing   This document walks prospective grant writers through the entire process, from planning to writing.  Grant Writing Sources and TipsGrant Writing Sources and Tips   About.com offers advice on writing grants.

Some example places  Hewlett-Packard Technology for Teaching  12_main.html 12_main.html

Tool Factory/Olympus Grants

 Places to Look examples

The Foundation Center

GrantsAlert.com

The Grantsmanship Center

Technology Grant News

School Grants

Donors Choose

KaBOOM! / Home Depot

U Play University Scholarships are available now!

Find the Criteria  What’s the judging criteria?  Every grant will tell you

Make sure to match:

Sneak Peek - Judging Site  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  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  Map out deadlines  Pretend everything is due 1 week early  Proofread twice - leave time Murphy’s Law stalks grant writers!

Writing  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  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  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  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!