betsynorris

1. http://betsynorris.com

2. The Grant Writing Questionsto 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?

3. Step 1: The Great Idea (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?

4. 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.

5. So you found a grant. Before you even plan, get familiar with the grant proposal. • Is it an online proposal? • An RFP (Request for Proposal) • Use grant language • Read it all • FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS!

6. Get Organized and Plan Jo’s Step By Step Grantwriting Method 8. Get started!!! 7. Locate & connect with funding sources. 6. Prepare a budget (start with a wish list). 5. Identify evaluation techniques. 4. Describe the project in clear concise terms. 3. Prepare the project goals & objectives. 2. Set the focus of the project. 1. Identify the problem and the need.

7. 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

8. Possible Components of a Proposal • Abstract • Statement of Need • Goals and Objectives • Activity/ Operational Plan • Budget • Evaluation • District Responsibilities • Statement of Assurances

9. Abstract The 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.

10. Statement of Need The 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…..”

11. Goals and Objectives A 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.

12. Operational Plan/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

13. Evaluation The 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.

14. Budget The 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!

15. Responsibilities Always 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.

16. Statement of Assurances 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!

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

19. http://www.petsintheclassroom.org/

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

21. Start Small http://www.teateachers.org/grants Space grant January 27 – February 2, 2013 – space week http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/grants http://www.toolfactory.com/olympus_contest/

22. Information to know before applying

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

24. Math and Science Grantshttp://www.nctm.org/resources/content.aspx?id=198

25. http://www.mgaef.org/grants.htmlEnvironmental Science grant

26. http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031880http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031880 Applications open Aug. 1 for field trips.

27. http://www.k-12schoolgrants.com/GrantSeeker/Grants-for-Teachers/grantseeker_1.aspxhttp://www.k-12schoolgrants.com/GrantSeeker/Grants-for-Teachers/grantseeker_1.aspx

28. Tips for Seeking Funding 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.

29. To review: FOLLOW DIRECTIONS!Regurgitate what they want! Tell a storyInject excitement - Find the “Wow”!ProofreadProofread again!

30. 12 Things Great Grants Have in Common Winning 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.

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. Successful grants address project sustainability! Funders want to know if your project is successful, it will be continued even after their financial support has ended. Successful grants are neat and easy to read. Proofread! Pay attention to spelling and grammar errors. Charts always help!

34. Things to Remember 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.

35. Suggestion for a School • 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

36. Last tip…………… Nothing Ventured – Nothing Gained!

37. Managing the Grant Your 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.

39. http://www.techlearning.com/portals/0/Dell_Grants_Calendar_2012-13.pdfhttp://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.php http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/listserv.htm http://tennessee.grantwatch.com/archives.php

40. Build your Reputation Remember: 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 grant.