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The Grant Writing The Grant Writing QuestionsQuestions

to be answered:to be answered:• Where do I search for money?

• Why should I write a grant?

• What can a grant do for my program?

• How much work is involved in preparing a proposal?

• Where do I start?

Step 1: The Great IdeaStep 1: The Great Idea(Center it around need!)(Center it around need!)

Is it original and innovative?

Does it solve a significant problem?

Does it meet

current needs?

How much time is involved in exchange for risk and grant return?

Match to funding! Sometimes the funding is there and you have to brainstorm to see if that is something you can use it for that will be beneficial. Do not pursue if you will have lots of work for no apparent benefit to you or the students.

• Is it an online proposal?

• An RFP (Request for Proposal)

• Use grant language• Read it all• FOLLOW ALL

DIRECTIONS!

So you found a grant. Before you even plan, get familiar with the grant proposal.

Get Organized and Get Organized and PlanPlan

1. Identify the problem and the need.

2. Focus your project.

3. Prepare the project goals and objectives.

4. Describe the project in clear, concise terms.

5. Identify evaluation techniques.

6. Prepare a budget

7. Locate & connect with funding sources.

8. Get started!!!

Gather Information To Support Your Idea

Research those target population statistics!

•Free & reduced lunch statistics

•School grades

•Sad story (Sad but solvable)

•Low income statistics of school/community

•Special Education statistics

•Number of basic skills students

Possible Components Possible Components of a Proposalof a Proposal

• Abstract

• Statement of Need

• Goals and Objectives

• Activity/ Operational Plan

• Budget

• Evaluation

• District Responsibilities

• Statement of Assurances

AbstractAbstractThe abstract is a clear, concise statement that provides the reader with a broad overview of the project. There may be a word or space limitation to the abstract section of the proposal. The abstract provides an opportunity for the writer to “hook” the reader’s interest in the project.

Statement of NeedStatement of NeedThe statement of need provides statistics (national & local), trends, and other relevant information that justifies the reason for the project.

Example: “Glassboro is a community of great diversity and contrast. 35.6% of the population is composed of persons representing minority groups. While Glassboro is a college community, it also has the largest concentration of low income housing in Gloucester County. Approximately 50% of housing in Glassboro is renter occupied, and 33% of the households earn less than 50% of the 4-County regions median household income of $21,167. 40% of Glassboro students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, with 39.3% eligible at the Intermediate School. 30.2% of the Intermediate School students are enrolled in Basic Skills classes…..”

Goals and ObjectivesGoals and ObjectivesA Goal is a key accomplishment you expect to achieve through the project. It is usually a good idea to limit your goals to 2 - 4 realistic, achievable goals that can bear results by the completion of the project. Example: The student will be able to participate in a Food Science unit.

Objectives are written specifically for each goal of the project. There may several objectives for each goal……….. keeping in mind that you will have to demonstrate results for each objective in the final evaluation of the project. You may want to limit the number of objectives, too! Example: 80% of the students will be able to identify the fat content in food with 75% accuracy.

Operational Operational Plan/Activity PlanPlan/Activity Plan

The operational plan/activity plan explains the steps you intend to follow to meet the goals and objectives. This step-by-step outline provides the benchmarks you will complete along the way.

Example:

1) Class discussion on the fat content of food

2) Lab activity on fat absorption

3) Label reading to determine fat grams

4) Quiz

EvaluationEvaluationThe evaluation of a project allows you to determine if you are meeting the goals and objectives. How will you know if you are meeting the goals and objectives? Evaluation happens as the project progresses, is documented at benchmarks (sometimes quarterly), and documented again upon completion of the project.

Example:

Evaluation Techniques - teacher observation, student participation, lab reports, class work, projects, quizzes, tests.

BudgetBudgetThe budget begins with a wish list of the equipment, supplies, materials and staff needed to complete the project. It is essential that you carefully follow the proposal guidelines for: budget amounts, where and how funds can be used, and deadlines of when the funds must be spent. There are usually limitations on all of these items!

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilitiesAlways seek approval of your administration before beginning to draft a proposal! It would be a waste of your time to develop a written proposal and later find that your administration is not going to support your efforts.

You usually need the signature of an immediate supervisor, principal, and/or department chair on the proposal. A letter of support from your administration is essential! Find out what your school policy is before you begin drafting the proposal.

Statement of Statement of AssurancesAssurances

The statement of assurances is a signed document that assures the funding source that you are going to complete the project you have outlined in the proposal. You, your Board of Education, and other key stakeholders must agree that you will follow the rules! Seek any approval. The statement of assurances is usually signed by a leader (superintendent) of the institution. Be sure to arrange for any support letters well in advance of the proposal deadline date!

Funding SourcesFunding Sources

Local Other

School district Contests

State and State Agencies

websites

Colleges/Universities Federal

Private and local companies

Corporations

Non-profit organizations/clubs

Foundations

http://blog.4teachers.org/?page_id=11http://www.att.com/gen/corporate-citizenship?pid=17884

Funding Source URL Company/organization

http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/casestudies/K12_Grants_Calendar.pdf

Dell

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/business/grants.html

Discovery

http://www.neafoundation.org/pages/educators/grant-programs/

NEA

https://pages.samsung.com/us/sft/home.htm

Samsung

http://www.act.org/aauw/cag/ American Association of University Women

http://www.grantsalert.com/grants/Foundations/181

Various

http://www2.dollargeneral.com/dgliteracy/Pages/youth_grants.aspx

Dollar General Store

http://www.nea.org/grants/1649.htm Several searched by NEA

http://grants.cps.k12.il.us/ Various

http://www.petsintheclassroom.org/

http://www.k-12schoolgrants.com/foundation-grants/Georgia-Pacific_Foundation_Education_Grant_2012/schoolgrant_109.aspx

Start SmallStart Smallhttp://www.teateachers.org/grantsSpace grant January 27 – February 2, 2013 – space week

http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/grants

http://www.toolfactory.com/olympus_contest/

Information to know Information to know before applyingbefore applying

Tax ID (if applicable):

Enter the nine digit US Tax ID of the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for which you are applying. If you do not know the organization's Tax ID, please contact the business office of the organization or call the IRS toll-free at 1-877-829-5500. If your organization is not located in the United States or otherwise does not have a US Tax ID number then leave this field empty.

School District ID (K-12 public schools and public school

districts only):

For public schools, the District ID should be the first 7 digits of a 12 digit National Center for Education Statistics School ID. If you do not know the school's NCES information, please visit the NCES website.

School ID (K-12 public and private schools only):

For public schools, the School ID should be the last 5 digits of a 12 digit National Center for Education Statistics School ID. For private schools, the School ID should be the 8 digit NCES School ID. If you do not know the school's NCES information, please visit the NCES website.

http://www.mhjf.org/grants-to-educators#process

Math and Science Math and Science GrantsGrants

http://www.nctm.org/rhttp://www.nctm.org/resources/content.aspxesources/content.aspx

?id=198?id=198

http://http://www.mgaef.org/www.mgaef.org/

grants.htmlgrants.htmlEnvironmental Environmental Science grantScience grant

http://http://sites.target.com/site/sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-contentId=WCMP04-

031880031880 Applications open Aug. 1 for field trips.

http://www.k-http://www.k-12schoolgrants.com/12schoolgrants.com/GrantSeeker/Grants-GrantSeeker/Grants-

for-Teachers/for-Teachers/grantseeker_1.aspxgrantseeker_1.aspx

Tips for Seeking Tips for Seeking FundingFunding

Most importantly…… know your project! Be able to articulate your wants & needs to others!

Clearly state the reason for your request.

Look for funding in the most obvious sources first.

Use current statistics to state and support your need.

The proposal must be clear & logical to the uninformed reader.

Speak to individuals who have successfully received funding.

To review: To review: FOLLOW DIRECTIONS!FOLLOW DIRECTIONS!Regurgitate what they Regurgitate what they

want! want! Tell a storyTell a story

Inject excitement - Find Inject excitement - Find the “Wow”!the “Wow”!ProofreadProofread

Proofread again!Proofread again!

12 Things Great 12 Things Great Grants Have in Grants Have in

CommonCommonWinning proposals have clearly defined needs and descriptions of how those needs were identified.

Winning proposals describe what students and teachers (everybody) will do to make it work.

Winning proposals present the material in a logical manner.

Winning proposals are written in positive terms and comes from a sad problem that can be solved.

Winning proposals usually do not overuse educational jargon. The key - who’s the audience reading it?

Winning proposals present detailed budgets that match the proposed program.

Winning proposals give something back.

Winning proposals follow all the guidelines specified in the Request for Proposal.

Winning proposals are professional looking. Sign in blue ink. Typed. Read for type of binding.

Winning proposals are not too short or too long. Clarity is so important.

Successful grants address Successful grants address project sustainability! project sustainability!

Funders want to know if Funders want to know if your project is successful, your project is successful, it will be continued even it will be continued even

after their financial support after their financial support has ended.has ended.

Successful grants are neat and easy to read. Proofread! Pay attention to spelling and grammar errors. Charts always help!

The most important thing for grant-writers to remember is that they might submit a perfect application and still receive a rejection. Most foundations have limited resources with which to fund projects. Do not get discouraged if you get a rejection from a possible funding source.

If your project is rejected, ask the grantor for reviewer comments. The comments can offer invaluable tips for improving your future grant applications. Never forget to write thank-you notes - even if your project is not funded initially!

Is your project replicable? If so, tell the grantor how you plan to extend the project to other grades or schools.

Have a reasonable, detailed budget. Do your homework on costs prior to submitting your application and be sure to explain your budget even if there are no requirements to do so.

Things to RememberThings to Remember

Suggestion for a Suggestion for a SchoolSchool

• Establish a "School Grant Team" • Five to seven faculty members • Include a good researcher or Librarian, a good writer, and a

good English "proofer", and a good typist or word processor on the team.

• Collaboration is important – even if you write the grant yourself.

• Grants for consideration• Grant rubric

Last tip……………Last tip……………

Managing the GrantManaging the GrantYour work has really only just begun after you write a successful grant proposal and receive funding for your project! Managing a grant can be a tedious process and as much time needs to go into an effective management plan as went into the initial program planning prior to writing your proposal.

Before you even write a proposal, you should do a self-evaluation of your organization's capability to properly manage the grant. Is the staff going to have the time and expertise to be effective grant managers? If the answer to that question is "no", you may be better off in the long run not applying for the funds.

An organized system of grants management should be in place that is coordinated from the beginning of the project to the end. Effective grants management includes:* continuously monitoring how well the project is meeting its goals and objectives;* verifying that all expenditures of grant funds are allowable and appropriate;* completing required programmatic and fiscal reports on a timely basis;* conducting a thorough project evaluation - including the distribution and submission of any agreed upon reports;* preparing for audit visits which the grantor may wish to conduct during and/or after the project; and* closing out the project according to the grantor's guidelines.

http://www.techlearning.com/portals/0/Dell_Grants_Calendar_2012-13.pdf

http://stemie.mcgraw-hill.com/

http://stemie.mcgraw-hill.com/submission/show/4346 (VOTE for ME!)

http://www.imls.gov/recipients/grantsearch.aspx

http://tennessee.grantwatch.com/cat/9/elementary+education+grants.html

Listserves:

http://www.grantwriters.net/grant_writing_help.phphttp://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/listserv.htmhttp://tennessee.grantwatch.com/archives.php

Build your ReputationBuild your ReputationRemember: how well you manage your grant will shape your reputation and may determine whether you receive future funding.

Thank the funder.

Winning a grant is your best leverage to winning another Winning a grant is your best leverage to winning another grant.grant.