1. Getting to the Bag: Grant Writing Basics
Rafael G. Simmons

2. MOTIVATION

3. Think you can’t write grants…?
In less than half of a school year, YOUR colleagues have received almost a half million dollars in grant funds.
I wrote my first grant just over a year ago.
I’ve never had any formal training on grant writing.
If you want to develop programs in your school, district, or community and are short on funds, then grant writing is for you.

4. Selma City Schools
Rafael Simmons
At-Risk High Hopes Grant
ALSDE
$97,500
Funded
R.B. Hudson
Anne Williamson
AL Digital Tools for Teachers Initiative
$12,500
Anne Williamson and Melissa Needham
Mobile Garden Project
International Paper
$3,413
Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant
USDOE/ALSDE
$175,289
AL Middle School Initiative Grant
$21,783
School of Discovery
Jessica Spivey
SOARing into Literacy
3,000.00
Cedar Park
Robin Hyche
Pets in the Classroom 50
Cedar Park
STEAM Literacy
750
Wanda Martin
Special Education Literacy
1380
Cedar Park Elementary School
Kimberly Martin
How would you use the $500 award in your classroom?
Scholastic Book Clubs and James Patterson Partnership Giveaway
$500
Teaching and Learning
C. Washington
Literacy Festival
$4,000
Teaching & Learning
Ozella Ford
Books for Ownership
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc.
$2,376.00
Career and Technical Education
Emma Alexander
Ready To Work
$1,000
Black Belt Community Foundation Grant
Heal Our Communities/BBCF
$5,000
Arts in Schools
Alabama State Council on the Arts
$4,500
Operations
Mr. Peterson
State Motor Pool Purchase (Drivers Ed Vehicle)
$7,500
Learning Supports
Dr. Marchina Harrell
Homeless Grant
$46,600.00
Allen Bearden
AL Middle & High School Robotics Grant
$1,415
R.B. Hudson Middle School
Anne Williams & Sherry Jackson
$1,482
Clark Elementary School
Jennifer Hyche
Book Club Workout
$3,000
Krystal Dozier
Read, Ride, & Relax!
$3,775
Sophia P. Kingston Elementary School
The Future is Now
$985
Byrd First Class Early Learning Center
Faith Egbert
Let's Get Physical
$840
Selma High School
Lesia James
Preparing Healthy Meals for a Better Life
Payne Elementary School
Nicole Long
Out of School Reading Project *
Operation Outreach
Edgewood Elementary School
Gardening Project
Alabama Agriculture in the Classroom
Jill Burt
Theragyms
DonorsChoose
$1,377

5. The Front End Work
Network…with CNP, the school nurse, and administrators.
Contact local health unit; find out where they meet.
Collect and analyze data!
Be persistent!
Health Department website
District website

6. Making It Happen Disregard the misconceptions.
Grants really aren’t that complicated!
Begin with something simple.
Celebrate your successes.
Utilize your support system.

7. GRANT BASICS

8. What is a grant?
A grant is an award given in the form of goods, services or cash.
When people are seeking grants, they are looking for financial support to implement programs.
You can seek grants by writing a proposal (a detailed, explanatory document about your idea).
There is usually an application to complete.
You may also be asked to include a narrative.

9. Grant Applications
You will hear grant grant applications referred to as RFAs or RFPs (Request for Applications/Proposals)
Your response to an RFA or RFP is called grant writing

10. Eligibility Read the RFA thoroughly (You may may not be able to apply)
Always check grant restrictions and limitations prior to getting started.
Some grant applications are only open to certain organizations, geographic regions, demographic profiles, etc.
DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME.

11. Grant Reports
Larger grants may require monthly, quarterly, midyear, and/or yearly reports.
Request technical assistance.
Most reports are simply financial reports.
Plenty of TA
1 on 1; whole group; webinar; etc.
Financial reports - detail how much you spend

12. Funder Profile Review what the grantor has previously funded.
Funders know what they like…and they fund what they like.
Research is a must.
What does the funder/grantor like?
Usually past grantees/awards are found where you find applications.
Networking opportunity - What did they do? How much money was granted?

13. I Have a Match?
If an RFA matches your idea/need, then you are ready to apply
Print RFA and read it thoroughly.
Don’t be EXTRA! Complete the RFA exactly as directed.
Great applications get discarded daily for forgetting the smallest of details.
Pay attention to the fine print: font size, character number, word count, margins, etc.
FOLLOW THE FORMAT!!

14. Submission Time Due dates are critical.
Provide requested number of copies.
Once again, don’t be EXTRA!
Don’t contact the grantor/funder!
Stapled means stapled!
Signatures in blue.
When apps have been reviewed, the funder will contact you.

15. Parts of a Proposal Abstract Program Narrative Organization History
Needs Statement/Solution
Vision & Mission/Goals & Objectives
Action Plan/Strategies
Evaluation
Budget
Budget Narrative
Appendices/Attachments
This may seem overwhelming.
Look at each part separately.
Don’t start more than one section at a time.
Work with a team (if possible).

16. Abstract Brief snapshot of proposal
Usually not scored, but very important
Needs statement and hope.
This is your sales pitch.
Condensed/one pager
Align needs statement with data.
You want the reviewer to feel like your problem/need is one that your proposal can solve.
This is what wakes them up or puts them to sleep…make them want to learn more.

17. Proposal Narrative Detailed organization history
Needs statement/solution
Mission/goals/objectives
This is where you answer all the questions provided, in the order requested
This is the explanation of your idea.
Why is it needed?
How it works?
Who will benefit from it?

18. Evaluation Plan How will you evaluate the proposed program?
What data will be analyzed?
The funder may have specifics they want you to measure as you implement the funded program.
Was it effective?
Be realistic.
Follow provided guidelines.
Smaller grants may only require a response to a simple question.

19. Strategies/Action Plan
Usually a form will be provided.
If specific strategies are outlined, use them.
The action plan may ask for daily, weekly, or monthly activities as well who is responsible for the activities.
Was it effective?
Be realistic.
Follow provided guidelines.
Smaller grants may only require a response to a simple question.

20. Budget & Budget Narrative
Personnel and Benefits
Supplies and Materials
Equipment
Contractual Agreements
Professional Development
Adminstrative Costs
Be realistic
If no template is provided, simply outline how much you plan to spend on the categorized items for your program.

21. Appendices, Attachments, Additions…Oh My!
Required Forms
Research
Data Sources
Support Letters
Important
Partnerships
Needs to describe specific commitments
Suggestion - write the letter yourself, forward, and ask them to put on their company letterhead.
Support letters shouldn’t just say “We support this program.”

22. Keep it Simple
Be concise - No need to flex your vocabulary muscles and command of prose. Use the terminology used in the application.
Avoid educational acronyms and jargon.
Be accurate - Use up-to-date research and data.
Be clear - Tell your story in the provided format. Don’t jump around

23. Online Grant Applications
Most “easy grants” are online.
Always read the information carefully before beginning.
Print off the grant questions before you begin, if possible.
Some online applications time out. Printing the questions and answering them in a word doc allows you to copy and paste your responses.

24. THE STARTING POINT

25. Data & Organization Numbers
Collect area and organization data.
Financial Information (DUNs #, Tax ID #, etc.)
Organization Numbers
Legislators
Reference grants page

26. Selma - Dallas County What does YRBS data show? Fitness Test results
BMI percentages
Health data
Alcohol-related deaths
Achievement test scores
Poverty level
Median household income
Find out everything you can about our area!
What makes our area stand out? (good or bad?

27. EASY GRANTS

28. Donors Choose
Target Field Trip Grant
Walmart Community Grant
Dollar General Grant
Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Grant
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Grant
Action for Healthy Kids Grant
Alabama Game & Fish Commission Grants

29. Pets in the Classroom Grant
Fuel Up to Play 60 Grants
Art in Education Mini Grant
Exxon Grant
Toshiba Science and Math Grant
Chemistry Grant
Airforce Association Grant
Aerospace Grant

30. Easton Foundations
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Youth Service America
Verizon Grant
Firehouse Subs Grant
Chemistry Grant
Airforce Association Grant
Aerospace Grant

31. Magic Letters Don’t be too proud to beg!
Donation letters are great tools when you have trouble finding a grant to meet your needs.
Utilize the county/city businesses
Contact Chamber
Write an official letter detailing needs, impact, how they can help, and what you will do in return.
Include mailing address and to whom checks should be made payable.

32. STATE GRANTS

33. 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Support Extended-Day Programs
Up to $150,000 for three years
Allowable expenditures include salaries, student transportation, field trips, materials, and supplies
You will get samples of funded copies of this grant and some of the easy grants as well.
This grant opportunity will be available this spring for schools.

34. Dependent Care Development Grant
Expand, start, or improve the quality of an extended-day program
Grantees receive $15,000
All schools were attended this opportunity this Fall

35. FEDERAL GRANTS

36. Federal Grants Complete a grants.gov account
It can take 3-5 days to begin the process
You will have access to all open federal grants
Federal grants are typically larger grants.
They usually require a partnership. Mostly LEAs and SEAs and other nonprofits can apply.
They tend to have multiple guidelines and criteria.

37. WRAP UP

38. Some Final Thoughts Do not pay for a grant alert service!
Grant opportunities are an additional path to improving your classroom, your school, and/or your community