GRANTS FOR GREAT IDEAS Workshop Spring 2012

Workshop Objectives To provide a format for writing grant proposals. To offer insights for creating effective grant proposals. To have a grant application idea in mind when you leave at the end of the day!

Goals of The Midway ISD Education Foundation Grant Program To recognize and reward innovative and creative instruction To enhance student academic performance To support higher levels of student learning To facilitate the creation of pilot programs for the district

Grant Awards Up to $1,500 for individual teachers* Up to $5,000 for campus teams, departments or district initiated programs or projects *Exceptions

This is a competition, so get your game face on!

Selection Criteria Supports the District goals and the Campus Improvement PlanFunds items not normally included in the campus budgetEmphasizes student academic performanceIncorporates sound evaluation procedures Represents a creative or innovative approach to accomplishing objectives (Should address a new project instead of one accomplished or under way) Presented clearly and logically

What we fund Creative & Innovative Classroom Projects Not Typically Covered in the Regular School Budget

Applications Not Typically Approved  Computers and other software for regular classroom use  Student Stipends for Trips  Out of State Teacher Training/Hotel Stays  Supplies for district-mandated programs (i.e., guided reading or RTI) unless programs themselves are creative and innovative  After school or extra-curricular clubs

New Rule  Your name can only be on a maximum of two grant requests per cycle…..whether as a primary or a secondary writer (or both).

Submission Criteria  Due to the Education Foundation office no later than 4:30 PM on March 19  Submit hard copies of application pages (with signatures) and a diskette or cd containing ONLY the application and budget pages saved in Word format. Do not include criteria, evaluation pages, etc. (If submitting early, you may the application to me and send hard copy through campus mail or delivery)  No late entries will be accepted. Don’t rely on same day campus mail delivery!

Sign on the dotted line….  Campus principal should sign application after agreeing that the program is viable on their campus. Grants affecting multiple campuses need each campus principal’s signature.  If your grant program serves primarily special education students, then the Director of Instructional Services must sign your application as well.  If your application involves the purchase of technology, the Director of Technology (Adam) or the Technology Coordinator (Susan) must sign the BUDGET page of your grant application. Please submit a copy of the grant application to the Technology office no later than noon on Friday prior to the deadline.

Dos and Don’ts of Grant Writing

DO Have someone proofread your work Explain how your idea is creative and innovative Spell out acronyms the first time they are used in your application Limit the dollars requested for substitutes Be persuasive Be Creative – think up a “catchy” title Mention planned involvement of parents, PTAs, etc.

Do (Continued)  Include grant writer training certification for at least one member of your group  Be positive.  Number of students to be served.  What will be better with your project?  Paint a picture of what you want to create in the classroom  Document the need in the classroom:  cite research, demographics.  State your need or problem.  Increase…  Decrease…  Reduce…  Determine…  It’s okay to come up with your persuasive points and THEN find a place for them in the application.  Explain how you will maintain the program if you are requesting “one time” use items such as batteries or laser cartridges.

DON’T Forget to add shipping costs for items requested Include other teachers on your grant application unless they are actively involved in the execution of the program (Remember secondary v. primary authors) Let those $$$ sit in the bank after you win a grant! Funds awarded must be spent by the end of the semester in which they are granted. Requisition forms are submitted through your regular campus process, and should be turned in as soon as possible.

Funded Items – an ever- changing target Bonus points for  New to district  New to campus  New to dept./grade level  New to YOU We want to be cutting edge, not old school!

Thank you and Good Luck! Thank you and Good Luck!