So, You Didn’t Win the Lottery? Wynn Smith Section Chief Kerry Mebane Consultant Educational Technology Implementation and Planning Services Instructional Technology Division NCDPI
So, you need funding? 1. Where to begin… 2. Putting it all together… 3. Funding Resources…
Where to begin….
Things to Consider: The Problem The Solution The Funding Current Goals/Objectives, Initiatives Administrative Support Sustainability Odds of Winning
Step 1: The Team: Collaboration = SUCCESS! Stakeholders District level staff or others with buy-in Field experts
Step 2: Research What solutions already exist? What are possible funding sources?
Step 3: Know the RFP RFP’s guidelines Required format The Team Go to the source
Step 4: Plan the Proposal An Introduction A Statement of Need Goals/Objectives Evaluation The Budget
The Introduction Piece: A clear picture Who benefits? Past successes The Needs Assessment Beware: “educational jargon”
The Statement of Need Piece: Problem/solution District/funding source priorities Honest/strong Needs of stakeholders A compelling argument Beware: “reader knowledge”
The Goals/Objectives Piece: Establishes outcomes States success Logical steps Is demonstrable Beware: “non-measurable objectives”
The Evaluation Piece: Success? Data? Method? Evaluator? Reporting method? Results? Beware: “evaluation plan unrelated to objectives”
The Budget Piece: Entire Cost Funding sources “Real” figures Sufficient Sustainability Beware: “district policies”
Putting it all together…
Step 5: Writing the Draft A goal A couple of objectives Critique/revise Divide the work
Common Pitfalls: educational jargon long/sleepy sentencing over dramatization passive voice disjointed writing typos and grammatical errors immeasurable objectives poor budget lack of research base procrastination wrong funding source Ignoring the RFP
Step 6: Final Draft Edit Team input Review the RFP Beware: “excessive revision”
Funding Resources…
Resources Grants for School District Hotline School Funding Services: A comprehensive list maintained by Sheryl Abshire: Preparing a Successful Grant Proposal: Educational Research Service Additional Resources: