No Money? No Problem! Getting Grants for Great Technology

1. No Money? No Problem!Getting Grants for Great Technology Samantha & Richard Jeter

2. Make a Classroom Needs Assessment • Ask yourself the following questions: • What teaching tools is my classroom lacking? • What are some items that could be used over and over again? • What are some new and innovative ways I can teach the same old content?

3. Have Permission! • Major grants need the support of administration • Districts are limited to government funds, so be sure to have permission for government grants (no matter how small)

4. Create a Catchy Title • Try to come up with a unique grant title that will set your grant apart from the rest. Here are some ideas: • Rhyming and Alliteration • Acronyms • Puns • Action-Packed Verbs

5. Some Past Winning Grant Titles: • Tools for Success for Scores in Distress  • I’ve Got the Whole Word in My Hand • It’s All Fun and Games • Perfectly Pleasing Poetry • Q.U.A.C.K! Quirky, Unique and Creative Knowledge • Extra, Extra, Write all About It!

6. Keep it Student-Centered • Grant committees like projects that directly impact kids • Let the kids lead the project, whether it be hands-on, inquiry learning or creating a project

7. Keep it Simple! • Once you have a catchy title, it’s time to write your project description. Keep your description concise and easy to understand! • Remember, most judges aren’t in the educational field. They won’t understand jargon, abbreviations, acronyms, etc. • Ask a friend or relative not in education to read your application to make sure it’s written in “layman’s terms.”

8. Be Positive • Committees don’t want to read proposal after proposal that complain about the lack of funding. • Establish your need but be positive!

9. Increase Your Odds • Lower cost grants may be more likely to be approved with limited funds. Don’t be afraid to ask for a small amount of money for one unit or project. • Fill out multiple applications for completely different projects. If one isn’t funded, the other might be.

10. Proofread • Check for spelling and grammatical errors. • Double check to make sure someone that isn’t in the education field will understand your project and description.

11. Be Punctual! Follow Directions! • Make sure your application is turned in on time! • If your grant is awarded, be certain to fill out all needed paperwork by the deadline(s).

12. Insider Tips • See if you can gain access to winning grant applications that the company has already funded • Know the mission and goal of the granter’s organization • Find out what kind of projects the granter will not fund • Make the project stand out…not the technology

13. Make Those Grant Dollars Go Farther! • Talk to supply distributors to see if they will give you a bulk discount, or a discount because you’re a teacher using grant funds. • Contact local business to see if they would be interested in matching grant money or becoming a business partner. • Think of items you’re requesting that can be used year after year, for multiple projects and can be shared with other teachers at your school.

14. Apply During the “Dry Period” • Seek out grants and apply for them during May-July. • During this time, most teachers aren’t thinking about their classroom! • Less applications = Better odds!

15. Say Thanks! • Contact the foundation to receive a list of grant contributors. Send them a thank you note. • Take pictures of your class using the teaching tools or completing the project that your grant was for. Share the pictures with the foundation. • Spread the word about how useful and important classroom grants for teachers are!

17. Ask Local Organizations • Kiwanis • Rotary Club • Moose Lodge • Lion’s Club • Chamber of Commerce • Google list of “Service Organizations”

18. If At First You Don’t Succeed… try, try again! • If you didn’t receive a grant the first time you applied, don’t be discouraged to apply next year. • In the meantime, seek out other funding opportunities through your school PTSO, local businesses or search the internet for more grant opportunities.

19. Donors Choose • www.donorschoose.com • Non-profit • Has funded nearly 200,000 projects since 2000 • Donors choose the projects they would like to fund (in whole or in part)

20. Donors Choose: How it Works • Think of an idea • Submit a project • Choose materials from Donors Choose database • Donors contribute money • You send a thank you package in return

21. Donors Choose Tips • Ask for funds between $100-$400 • Write the project for future use (give yourself 3-6 months to collect donations) • Speak from the heart • Be clear about the need for your project • Spread the word

22. Digital Wish • www.digitalwish.com • Non-profit • Has granted over 20,000 “wishes” • Includes a searchable library of grants • Includes a vast array of ideas for fundraising • See tech lesson plans from teachers all over the country

23. Digital Wish • Teachers submit a lesson plan for a chance to win over 50 technology grants • Grants are awarded on the 15th of each month • Lesson plans will be evaluated each month, there’s no need to resubmit the same plan!

24. Target Grants • Go to Target.com • Click on “Community Outreach” • Click on “Grants” • There are three types of grants: • Field Trip Grants • Early Childhood Reading Grants • Arts grants

25. Target Field Trip Grants • Registration Opens August 1, 2011 • The site includes a field trip idea generator • Each grant is valued up to $700

26. Target Early Childhood Reading Grants • Registration Opens March 1, 2011 • PreK- 3rd Grade • Reading Events and Book Clubs • Funds up to $2,000 • Notifications in September

27. Target Arts Grants • Registration Opens March 1, 2011 • Available for K-12 • Must have a curriculum and arts component • Grants up to $2,000 • Notifications in September

28. FPL “N.E.E.D.” Grant • Go to www.fpl.com/community/learning • Works in cooperation with the National Energy Education Development Project • Grants are limited to teachers that live in the Florida FPL Service Territory • Grants based on solar technology • Spring submissions will open “soon”

29. W.K. Kellogg Foundation • http://www.wkkf.org/grants • Grants are accepted for their “educated kids” initative “to help kids succeed at school and life.” • There are no deadlines, grants are constantly funded. • You’ll receive notification 45 days after submitting the application

30. National Education Association (NEA) Grants • http://www.neafoundation.org • Look for Student Achievement Grants • Grants are awarded up to $5,000 • Proposals with low-income and minority students are encouraged • Rotating deadlines include: February 1st, June 1st and October 15th

31. Kids in Need Foundation Grant • http://www.kinf.org/grants • Open to all United States K-12 Teachers • $100-$500 for creative classroom projects • 2011 will be available from July 15th to September 30th

32. Adopt a Classroom • www.adoptaclassroom.org • Register your classroom to be listed on the website • Donors “adopt a classroom” to provide financial and moral support to a teacher • Teachers shop for supplies within a “network” of vendors • Great way to advertise your need to local organizations

33. Grant Wrangler • www.grantwrangler.com • Large list of grants and grant writing resources, you can opt-in for a bi-weekly newsletter that shares upcoming grant deadlines

34. Teachers Count • www.teacherscount.org/teacher/grant • Lists grants by subject, also has lists of teacher discounts and other information

35. Grants Alert • www.grantsalert.com • Lists grants by the date they were posted and shows deadline date. Includes grants and scholarships for students.

36. Grants.gov • www.grants.gov • This comprehensive source includes all federal grant making agencies. • This site can be overwhelming. • Consider doing a specific search.

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