1. Need More Money? Grant Writing 101
2016 ESEA Directors Institute
August 2016

2. Rita Fentress Director of School Improvement Consolidated Planning and Monitoring (615)

3. Need More Money? Grant Writing 101

4. Agenda Background Making the application decision
Writing a grant proposal
Developing the budget
Adhering to the rubric
Finding the right grant

5. Education Grants Formula Discretionary (competitive) Grantors USEd
State
Non-profits
Private philanthropic

6. Application Decision Is the award within reach?
Is there ample time to meet the due date?
Is my organization eligible?
Does the grant meet an identified need?
Is matching, cost sharing, or stakeholder support required?
Is there capacity to determine effectiveness?
How can the program be sustained when funding is no longer available?

7. Building Internal Relationships
Accounting – budget development
Research or Data Team – assistance with development of a needs assessment and/or an evaluation
Human Resources – development of job descriptions, staffing timelines
Technology – assistance with equipment selection, wiring requirements, maintenance, and lease versus purchase

8. Internal Process Required approvals Required signatures
Required assurances

9. Writing the Grant Proposal

10. Application Process Major Components Guidelines Application Forms
Narrative
Budget

11. Proposal Guidelines Program purpose Desired outcomes
Amount of funds available
Expected award range
How and when to apply
Technical details
Budget preparation instructions
Required forms and attachments

12. Application Forms Format Content Section length Style
Adhere to font, character, and page requirements.
Content
Section length
Style
Headings and subheadings
Acronyms – use only after the entire title with acronym has been used in the document. i.e., Anytown High Schools (AHS)
Products – include website

13. Grant Narrative A statement of need with supporting data
Goals and measurable objectives
Explanation of how the grant project’s goals and objectives will be met
Activities to be used
Necessary personnel and how personnel will be utilized

14. Grant narrative, continued
Assessment procedure, including how the project will be evaluated including specific measurement strategies
Timeline that includes the start and end dates of the project and a schedule of activities
Applicant's credentials, including information that demonstrates the district’s/school’s capacity including background and ability to carry out the project successfully
Evidence of sustainability of the project in the absence of grant funds

15. The Clincher Clear and compelling statement of need
Positive impact on the district/school

16. Budget
Project cost
Provide a clear explanation of how funds will be used.
Specific, reasonable, realistic, accurate, clear
Ensure budget contains only those items essential to the project.
Include other revenue sources, if applicable.
Ensure the actual budget is consistent with the narrative.

17. The Rubric is Your Friend
Organize the grant application to align with the scoring rubric.
Provide the level of detail required in each section of the scoring rubric.

18. Review the Rubric Details

19. More Details

20. Before You Hit Submit

21. Final Checks Multiple contributors – check for continuity and flow
Be as concise as possible
Check for understanding - enlist personnel unfamiliar with the grant to read for clarity
Check for completeness – enlist personnel to score the grant against the rubric

22. Grant Opportunities Edutopia Dreambox
The Big List of Educational Grants and Resources
Dreambox
Links to Professional Development Grant Resources

23. Grant Databases Grants.gov Grant Select Grant Watch Teachers Count
Grant Select
Grant Watch
Teachers Count
American Library Association
Scholastic

24. Professional Organizations
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
International Literacy Association
American Library Association
National Science Teachers Association
National Association of Music Education
National Art Education Association
Spark Grant Finder for Physical Education

25. Others Apple State Farm Insurance LEGOs Lowes
State Farm Insurance
LEGOs
Lowes
The possibilities are endless.

27. Notifications can also be submitted electronically at:
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