Let’s Write a Math, Science & Technology Grant

Part 1: Finding a MST Grant

Or more commonly stated as,

“We Want Money!”

G. Carlin - July, 2007

Where Can We Get Money From?

•Government: Federal, State, Local

•Private Foundations

•Community Foundations

•Corporate Giving Programs

•Other grantmaking Public Charities.

Private Foundations• A Private Foundation is defined as a nonprofit corporation or

a charitable trust, with a principal purpose of making grants to unrelated organizations or institutions or to individuals for scientific, educational, cultural, religious, or other charitable purposes.

• A private foundation derives its money from a family, an individual, or a corporation.

• An example of a private foundation is the Ford Foundation.

“Public Foundation”

• A Public Foundation, or as more commonly referred to as grantmaking public charity, derives its support from various members of the public.

• An example of a grantmaking public charity is the Ms. Foundation for Women.

Community Foundation• A 501(c)(3) organization that makes grants for

charitable purposes in a specific community or region. The funds available to a community foundation are usually derived from many donors and held in an endowment that is independently administered; income earned by the endowment is then used to make grants.

• Although a community foundation may be classified by the IRS as a private foundation, most are public charities and are thus eligible for maximum tax-deductible contributions from the general public.

• Most community foundations are also Public Foundations (grantmaking public charities).

Corporate Giving• Corporations may donate to charity by means of a

company-sponsored foundation, through a separate corporate giving program, or both.

• Corporate giving whether by means of a foundation or not, usually is limited to programs of benefit to employees, their families, or residents of specific locations where the company conducts business. Geography plays a significant role in corporate grantmaking, and employee matching gifts programs are increasingly common vehicles for giving.

Public Charity

• A nonprofit organization that qualifies for tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Public charities are the recipients of most foundation and corporate grants.

• Some public charities also make grants.

EXPERT ADVICE "I would suggest that the very first step and

one that is most important prior to writing anything is doing research on the foundation you wish to approach. The buzzword is homework. Do it well and thoroughly.”

Ilene Mack, Senior Program Officer

William Randolph Hearst Foundation

What do Funders Look for in a Grantee?

• “Funding officials will first ascertain that the purpose of an organization or project matches the funder's interests. They will also seek evidence that an organization is well known in its community and that it addresses an existing need. A history of funding by other sources, whether governmental or private, helps establish credibility. Sound fiscal management, a strong, involved board, committed volunteers, qualified staff, and a realistic budget are also all very important considerations. In today's economy, grantmakers will also look for evidence of financial sustainability beyond the period of the actual grant.”

• Foundation Center, Guide to Funding Research

“Ask or Answer?”

• In terms of getting grant money, there are two approaches:

•1. Ask a grantor for money to fund a specific proposal.

• 2. Answer a grant posting to fund specific projects/activities.

To Start With…

• In most cases its probably best to first start by answering a grant posting*.

• See what they are looking for and see if its something your interested in doing, have the capabilities, or most ideally allows you to expand something your already involved in.

Let’s Be Clear …

• The size of the grant or the amount of money you are asking for is INDIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL to your chances of obtaining that grant.

• As the size of the grant increases, your chances of obtaining that grant generally decreases.

What does that mean …

• If your new to the grant writing business you may to consider applying for smaller grants first.

• Generally the amount of time you put into writing the grant will be less, and the amount of record keeping and reporting will be minimal for smaller grants.

Request For Proposal (RFP)• When a foundation or the government issues a

new contract or grant program, they send out a Request For Proposals (RFPs) to agencies that might be qualified to participate.

• The RFP lists project specifications and application procedures. While a few foundations occasionally use RFPs in specific fields, most prefer to consider proposals that are initiated by applicants.

Program Announcement• In addition to the RFP, a “Program Announcement” may

also be available (on the grantor’s website) that clearly defines:

• Purpose of the grant program• Eligibility criteria• Range and number of awards• Allowable costs• Evaluation criteria• Suggested outline for the proposal• Deadline dates• Program contacts

Request For ProposalSCIENCE

Best Buy Teach Award Program to Recognize

Schools for Creative Uses of Technology• In recognition of creative uses of interactive

technology in K-12 classrooms, grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded to schools and school districts within fifty miles of a Best Buy store....

• Deadline: September 30, 2007• Posted: July 13, 2007

Request For Proposals• Posted on July 13, 2007• Deadline: September 30, 2007

• Best Buy Teach Award Program to Recognize Schools for Creative Uses of Technology

• Through the Best Buy Teach Award program, Best Buy will present $3.5 million in total awards to more than fifteen hundred schools in the United States.

• The Best Buy Teach Award program recognizes creative uses of interactive technology in K-12 classrooms. Winning Teach Award programs focus on kids using technology to learn standards-based curriculum, rather than on teaching students to use technology or educators using technology that children are not able to use hands-on. The purpose of the Best Buy Teach Award program is to reward schools for the successful interactive programs they have launched using available technology.

• K-12 public, private, parochial, magnet, and charter schools in the U.S. using interactive technology in classrooms are eligible to apply. Schools must be located within fifty miles of a Best Buy store to apply. Applications must be completed by educators who have been at the school for a minimum of one full academic year, and the program or project must have been in existence for at least one full school year.

• Up to fifteen hundred schools will receive Best Buy Teach Awards of $2,000 each, up to fifty schools will receive $10,000 each, and eight school districts will receive $100,000 each.

• Visit the Best Buy Web site for complete program information and a store locator.

• Contact:• Link to Complete RFP

• Primary Subject: Education• Secondary Subject(s): Science/Technology

•Geographic Funding Area: National

Rewarding Schools that Use Technology

Rewarding Schools for Engaging Students At Best Buy we believe technology can excite and engage students, creating a more

valuable educational experience. Through Best Buy Teach Awards we provide gift cards to schools so they can purchase technology for their students.

Highlights:• * Since 2004, the Best Buy Teach Award program has awarded nearly $14 million to over 5,000 K-12 schools.• * This year Best Buy will present awards to more than 1,500 schools• o $2,000 Best Buy Teach Awards for up to 1,500 schools*• o $10,000 will be awarded to up to 50 schools*• o $100,000 will be awarded to 8 school districts*• * K-12 public, private and parochial schools using interactive technology in classrooms are eligible to apply.• * Schools must be within 50 miles of a Best Buy store to apply.• * Educators must apply between July 1 and September 30.• * The 2008 Teach Award Winners will be announced on February 18, 2008.

• Educators click here to apply for a 2008 Best Buy Teach Award.

I Like the Best Buy RFP, How Do I Start?

• Carefully review the RFP & Program Announcement, then ask yourself:

• Is our school eligible?

• Can our school meet the purpose of the grant?

• Can my team meet the writing deadline to submit the grant?

• How much competition will there be for the awards (# of awards)?

The Next Step …• The best place to start after reading the RFP

and the Program Announcement is to see if there are any samples of previous grant recipients on the grantor’s website.

• Read all the samples, analyze them as to the

• topics they addressed, • what they had in common,• what made them “appealing”, • and what was ultimately done or

accomplished.

Best Buy Previous Award Winner 1• Students Reach Out to the Belmont Community• Educator Isabel Morales ignited interest and ambition in her 12th grade Government class

when she revealed the dismal graduation and college attendance rates of their school, Belmont High School. Their reactions ranged from shock to outrage and fueled intense conversations regarding the problems facing urban communities. The students felt driven to do something to draw attention to the problem and thus, the Belmont Community Outreach project was created. A Belmont Community Outreach event was organized entirely by students, with the intention of informing and inspiring their peers and the surrounding community. Through music, art, photography, documentaries and educational resources, the students focused attention on the current problems affecting local youth by addressing topics such as education, health and violence.

• The Belmont Community Outreach project was an important learning opportunity for the students. Along with experiencing the power of uniting for a common goal, the students were also exposed to technology. As the program continues to grow and merge with other classes, such as the senior English class, upgrading the quality and quantity of technological tools is pertinent to its progression. Morales said, “This project successfully empowered students, enabling them to see themselves as active citizens with the power

to change lives.”

Best Buy Previous Award Winner 2

• High School Seniors Conduct Meaningful Neuroscience Research, Collaborate with Leading Universities

• The extraordinary students, staff and faculty at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, a science magnet school in Alexandria, VA, have made significant contributions to the academic community – something that’s undoubtedly rare for a high school. Driven by a hunger for knowledge, especially if it’s obtained in a hands-on manner, TJHS students are about to overcome one of their biggest obstacles in conducting neuroscience research – insufficient computer systems. A Best Buy Teach Award is about to take students’ research projects to the next level.

• Starting next year, seniors will have the option to address complex problems in neuroscience as their senior research project. Working with professors at Penn State University, George Mason University, and the University of Virginia, students will have the assistance of outstanding neuroscientists as they complete their studies. The new equipment will allow students to conduct reliable, valid research that will potentially impact the neuroscience community as a whole.

Now Your Ready …

• Once you have identified an appropriate RFP and looked at previous award recipients :

• The next step is to request or download (from the grantor’s website) the:

• Grant “Application Kit”

Application Kit

An application kit will usually include:

• Grant application forms

• Detailed instructions

• Requirements for coordination with

planning agencies

Obtaining RFPs

The Foundation Center• The Foundation Center's mission is to strengthen the nonprofit sector by

advancing knowledge about U.S. philanthropy.

• Established in 1956, and today supported by more than 600 foundations, the Foundation Center is the nation's leading authority on philanthropy, connecting nonprofits and the grantmakers supporting them to tools they can use and information they can trust. The Center maintains the most comprehensive database on U.S. grantmakers and their grants — a robust, accessible knowledge bank for the sector.

• It also operates research, education, and training programs designed to advance philanthropy at every level. The Center's web site receives more than 47,000 visits each day, and thousands of people gain access to free resources in its five regional library/learning centers and its national network of more than 325 Cooperating Collections.

Foundation Center• http://foundationcenter.org/

• 79 Fifth Avenue/16th Street• New York, NY 10003-3076• Tel: 212-620-4230• foundationcenter.org/newyork

• New Visitors:http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/newvisitors/

Philanthropic News Digest

• Philanthropy News Digest (PND), a weekly news service of the Foundation Center, is a compendium, in digest form, of philanthropy-related articles and features culled from print and electronic media outlets nationwide.

• Published every Tuesday, each PND abstract summarizes the content of, or from, an original article, press or news release, or grantmaker Web site. Each abstract includes a citation of the original news source, which readers of the Digest can use to read the original Web site, or to find a copy of the original article (if abstracted from a print source) through a library or a document delivery service.

• http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/

RFP Bulletin• The RFP (Request for Proposals) Bulletin is

published every Friday afternoon. Each RFP listing provides a brief overview of a current funding opportunity offered by a foundation or other grantmaking organization. Interested applicants should read the full RFP at the grantmaker's Web site or contact the grantmaker directly for complete program guidelines and eligibility requirements before submitting a proposal to that grantmaker.

• http://foundationcenter.org/newsletters/

The Foundation Center’s Newsletter Sign Up

Foundation Center’s Free Tutorials On-Line

• These free tutorials will introduce you to the world of foundations, proposal writing, and more.

Guide to Funding Research• A basic primer on the grantseeking process and an

introduction to the available resources.

Proposal Writing Short Course• Describes how to prepare a funding proposal,

including the planning, research, and cultivation of foundation and corporate donors.

• http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/training/online/index.jhtml

Foundation Center’sFree Courses

• These basic courses are recommended for those new to the grantseeking process:

• Grantseeking Basics• An overview of the funding research process for those

seeking grants from foundations, corporations, and grantmaking public charities.

• 90 minutes • Free

• Finding Foundation Support for Your Education• Demonstrates the tools and techniques for individuals

seeking finanical support for education.• 60 minutes • Free

Foundation Center’s TRAINING OPPORTUNIES

Free RegistrationGRANTSEEKING BASICS

• Learn how the Center's resources can help you become a more effective grantseeker! For beginners, this introduction to the library provides instruction in foundation research and identification of potential funders. The formal presentation is followed by a tour of the library

• You can register online, in person, or by calling (212) 620-4230.

• Where: The Foundation Center• New York Library• 79 Fifth Ave., 2nd floor• New York, NY 10003

• Please Note: This course is also offered in Spanish.

Foundation Center’sTRAINING OPPORTUNITY

• Proposal Writing Basics Free 60 minutes• Learn about the basics of writing a proposal for your nonprofit organization.

• If you are new to proposal writing, you may be wondering:

• What are the key components of a proposal to a foundation or corporation?• Who should sign a grant request?• How should the proposal be packaged?• Should you contact a funder if your proposal is turned down?• Where can you find more information on proposal writing, including sample proposals?

• Proposal Writing Basics, an introductory overview of the process for new proposal writers, will give you some answers!

Foundation Center’s e-Learning Courses• Interactive online training courses

• detailed guided courses that reinforce lessons with interactivity, assignments, and self-tests.

• Foundations and Their Role in Philanthropy• A detailed overview of the world of private foundations. Free

• Finding Foundation Support for Your Education• Guides students through the process of seeking financial support from

foundations to pursue their studies. Free

• Getting Ready for Foundation Fundraising• An overview of the first steps nonprofits need to take to become viable,

effective organizations in preparation for fundraising. Free

• http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/training/online/index.jhtml

Can the NYCDoE Website Help?

• http://schools.nyc.gov/science

Takes us to the Department of Science

Click on “Links”.

Click on “Grants”.

This now brings you the GRANTS page

Do You like One of the Grants?• Read the Grant RFP

Does it interest you?

Is it something that fits you/school/community?

• Check the deadline

How much time do you have to write

the grant?

• Click on the link for the grant that interests you

Sample Grant RFP• Starbucks Foundation Offers Funding for Youth

Literacy Programshttp://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/3498/starbucksDeadline: September 1 and March 1, annually (Letters of Inquiry)Through its Giving Voice program, the Starbucks Foundation, a philanthropic vehicle of the Starbucks Coffee Company, will fund programs for youth, ages 6-18, that integrate literacy with personal and civic action in the communities where they live.Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000.Visit the Starbucks Foundation Web site for program information, application procedures, and eligibility questions.

Where am I?The link didn’t get me there!

Try Looking For Words Like:• Community Relations• Social Responsibility• Students and Educators: K-12 Educators• Home: Grants• Home: Community: Foundation Programs• Home: Solicitations• Home: Responsibility: Community• Education Foundation: Apply for a Grant

Can the State Ed Website help to find

grants?

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/

• http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/

CI-IT E-Blast

Click E-Blast for News and UpdatesSign up for E-Blast email notifications

From the Desk of Anne Schiano, Assistant Director

E-BLASTFUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

2007 Summer Training for Teachers in Engineers of the Future Programs

• State funds in the amount of $5 million are available from the State Education Department (SED) for grants to colleges and universities in New York State for the costs of providing college or university-based summer training for teachers necessary to implement rigorous pre-engineering curricula in the middle and high school levels. New York State college or university applicants must partner with public school district(s), charter school(s) and /or nonpublic schools and serve teachers that are or will be implementing rigorous pre-engineering programs at the middle and high school levels. Consortiums of colleges and universities may not apply. To view the RFP and read frequent grant application Q&A, please visit http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/funding/currentapps.htm

GOVERNMENT GRANTS

• Government grants are issued through a – Request for Proposals (RFP) or – Requests for Applications (RFA).

• An RFP solicits bids for contracts

• RFA solicits proposals for grants.

Contracts and Grants

• Grants - funding awarded for experimental, demonstration or research projects in which success is uncertain. Most grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations.

• Contracts - money allocated to supply specified services to a funding agency. Contracts are usually awarded for programs that originate with the funding source.

Grants vs. Contracts• The main difference between grants and

contracts is that grants allow more creativity and freedom in a particular project.

• A contract will have a specific set of deliverables and very little room for flexibility.

New York State Library:Info on State and Local Funding

• The New York State Library• Cultural Education Center• Humanities Reference Service• Albany, NY 12230

• (518) 474-5355

• Web site at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov

New York State Register• State and local RFPs and RFAs appear in the New York State Register. • May be available at your public library.

• To obtain further information, write or call the:

• New York State Register• Department of State• 41 State Street• Albany, NY 12231

• (518) 474-6957

• Web at http://www.dos.state.ny.us/info/register.htm.

New York State Citizens Guide

http://www.nysegov.com/citguide.cfm

• Click on Government

• Click on Grants

NYS Citizens Guide: Grant

• Centers for Advanced Technology (CAT) Program

•

• Centers for Advanced Technology Development Program

•

• Commonly asked questions about NYSTAR

•

• Grant Opportunities

•

• News from the NYS Office of Science, Technology & Academic Research

•

• Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Grants

•

• Regional Technology Development Centers

•

• Scientific research and development opportunities

•

• Strategic Plan of the NYS Office of Science, Technology & Academic Research

•

• Technology Transfer Incentive Program

Federal Register

• Federal RFPs and RFAs are published in the Federal Register.

• May be available in your public library.

• http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html

THE FEDERAL WEB LOCATOR• The Villanova Center for Information Law and

Policy

• "Federal Government information at your fingertips" (tm)

• The Federal Web Locator is a service provided by the Villanova Center for Information Law and Policy and is intended to be the one stop shopping point for federal government information on the World Wide Web. This list is maintained to bring the cyber citizen to the federal government's doorstep.

• http://www.lib.auburn.edu/madd/docs/fedloc.html

FedWorldThe FedWorld.gov web site is a gateway to government information. This site is managed by the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) as part of it's information management mandate.

• FedWorld's History• In 1992, FedWorld was established by

The National Technical Information Service (NTIS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, to serve as the online locator service for a comprehensive inventory of information disseminated by the Federal Government. This service assisted agencies and the public in electronically locating Federal Government information, both information housed within the NTIS repository and outside of NTIS.

• http://www.fedworld.gov/

Federal Grants• www.grants.gov

• Grants.gov is your source to FIND and APPLY for federal government grants. There are over 1,000 grant programs offered by all federal grant making agencies. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is proud to be the managing partner for Grants.gov, an initiative that is having an unparalleled impact on the grant community. Grants.gov allows organizations to electronically find and apply for more than $400 billion in federal grants.

Federal Grant Categories• More than 1,000 grant programs are offered by the 26 federal grant-

making agencies, and these programs fall into 21 categories. Select any of the categories below to learn more about specific grants and agencies. Some agencies may be listed in multiple grant categories.

• Agriculture• Arts• Education• Energy• Environmental Quality• Food and Nutrition• Health• Natural Resources• Science and Technology• Transportation

Federal Agencies that Provide GrantsDepartment of Education

• The Department of Education ensures equal access to education and promotes educational excellence through coordination, management and accountability in federal education programs. The Department works to supplement and complement educational efforts on all levels, encouraging increased involvement by the public, parents and students.

Department of Energy

• The Department of Energy’s goal is to advance national, economic and energy security in the U.S.; to promote scientific and technological innovation in support of that goal; and to ensure environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapons complex.

National Science Foundation

• The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency created to promote the progress of science, to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare and to secure the national defense. The NSF annually funds approximately 20 percent of basic, federally-supported college and university research.

National Science Foundation (NSF)

Directorate forEducation and Human Resources Page (HER)

ToolBar: Funding DDM

Find Funding Preparing a Proposal

• http://www.nsf.gov/index.jsp

NSF Home Page “Green Box”Looking for Funding?• For the Research & Education Community• Find Funding Opportunities• Upcoming Due Dates Program Areas DDM

select one: Biology, Engineering, Environmental Research,

Geosciences, Math, Physical Science

Quick Links DDM

select one: Proposal & Award Guide: Introduction, Grant Proposal

Guide, Grants.gov Guide, Award Admin Guide

Specialized Information for DDM

select one: K-12

Three Approaches to Funding Research• The Subject Approach• Identifies foundations that have expressed an interest in funding

programs in a specific subject field.

• The Geographic Approach• Identifies foundations that fund programs in a particular city, state, or

region. Although some give nationally and even internationally, most funders limit their giving to specific geographic areas.

• The Types of Support Approach• Should be used in conjunction with the two approaches described

above. Using a type of support qualifier can help you focus on foundations that provide specific types of support such as building funds, seed money, operating support, or endowment funds.

FoundationCenter.org

NSF PROGRAMS AREAS

• Biology• Computer and Information Science and

Engineering• Education• Engineering• Environmental Research & Education Program• Geosciences• Math, Physical Sciences• Social, Behavioral, Economic Sciences

NSF Quick LinksProposals and Awards • Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide• Introduction• Proposal Preparation and Submission• Grant Proposal Guide• Grants.gov Application Guide• Award Administration• Award Administration Guide• Award Conditions• Other Types of Proposals• NSF Outreach• Policy Office Website

NSF Grant Proposal Guide: Table of Contents

Introduction• 1. About the National Science Foundation

• 2. Foreword

• 3. Listing of Acronyms

• 4. Definitions & NSF-Grantee Relationships

• 5. NSF Organizations

• 6. NSF Organizational Chart

• Part I - Proposal Preparation & Submission Guidelines

• 1. Grant Proposal Guide

• 2. Grants.gov Application Guide (to be incorporated into the NSF Proposal

& Award Policies and Procedures Guide at a later date

• Part II - Award & Administration Guide

• A. About the National Science Foundation

FastLaneActivities Overview

• FastLane covers the full range of transactions between a research organization, its researchers, and NSF. Below are the major activities you can conduct in FastLane, depending upon your role and objective.

• For the Public and First-Time User• • Search NSF Awards and Funding Trends• • Apply for Graduate Research Fellowships

• For the Researcher and Educator• • Prepare a letter of intent in response to an NSF solicitation• • Prepare and update a proposal• • Check on proposal status

• • https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/fastlane.jsp

http://www.ed.gov/funding.html.

U.S. Department of EducationThe U.S. Department of Education administers about 200 programs. Below are

some helpful links at the site:

• Grantmaking at ED provides a general overview of the grant process at the Department.

• Programs web page lists all programs organized by subject, title, who is eligible to apply, and more.

• Discretionary Grant Applications lists the application packages that are currently available.

• Forecast of Funding Opportunities for ED Discretionary Grant Programs forecasts when grant competitions are expected to open. These are the dates to begin watching for the application materials. Contact information for each grant is also provided.

• Federal Register lists announcements of grant competitions.

• Guide to Education Programs is an annual publication that provides information on financial assistance offered to state and local education agencies, institutions of higher education, other postsecondary institutions, public and

private nonprofit organizations, and individuals.

That’s All for Now…

Stay Tuned for Part 2:

Writing the Proposal