Writing Grants to Obtain Technology for Schools with Large Minority Populations

1. Writing Grants to Obtain Technology for Schools withLarge Minority Populations Developed by Dr. Barry M. Bishop University of Houston-Clear Lake Adjunct

2. Objectives • At the end of this module, the participant will have an awareness of • TYPES of grants • TIPS for writing grants • RESOURCES for where to find grants

3. Types of grants • To reward individuals for accomplishments • To encourage individuals to try something new • To individuals for doing something special related to an institution

4. To reward individuals for accomplishments – for example • The Schools of Distinction Award, sponsored by Intel and Scholastic, Inc. and administered by the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Foundation, recognizes outstanding K-12 schools for achievement in a range of academic and technology categories. Twenty elementary and high schools will receive grants of $10,000. Two of them will receive $25,000 "Best of the Best" awards. Further information is available at www.schoolsofdistinction.com.

5. To encourage individuals to try something new- for example • Milagro Foundation: Grants are available to support community-based, grassroots organizations that work with children and youth at risk for illiteracy, health or poor educational and cultural opportunities. Grants range from $2,500 to $5,000. Applications are reviewed year-round. • www.milagrofoundation.org/apply.asp

6. To individuals for doing something special related to an institution – for example • Do you know an educator who has done a single extraordinary act or who is involved in an ongoing project that significantly improves the safety, quality of life, or environment of others? If so he or she may be eligible for recognition for a Volvo for Life Award, sponsored by Volvo Cars of North America. • http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/cgi-bin/iowa/english/home/index.html

7. Grants usually come from 3 sources • Government • Philanthropic groups • Corporations

8. Tips for writing grants • Understand why the grant is being offered • (to extend best practices, to further a philanthropic cause, to promote the company,) • Understand the requirements of the grant • Only apply for grants for which you qualify

9. Tips for writing grants – cont. 2 • Once you qualify, do not spend time explaining why you qualify • Understand the goal of the grant • Have a very clear action plan that usually includes a needs assessment and an evaluation plan • Make sure you connect your action plan to the grant goal.

10. Tips for writing grants – cont. 3 • Have someone not in your field read the grant for clarity • Send the grant application in such a way that requires a signature on the receiving end • Start the grant application in enough time to collect all needed data and all signatures • Involve as many departments in the writing of the grant as possible • Many grants want inter agency cooperation. Find a public institution to collaborate with your school district (like a Public Library or Health Services organization)

11. Tips for writing grants – cont. 4 • One well written grant application can be submitted for several grants with minor modifications. So spend time on your first. • Before you begin to write your grant, you need to collect data such as student demographics, achievement test scores, continuous improvement plans, and information about community partnerships • Organize a project team to write and manage the grant. The team should be made up of individuals who have expertise in curriculum, technology, research, and evaluation and should also include a member of the community. Ideally, each team member should write one section, with one person assembling the grant in the proper format.

12. Tips for writing grants – cont. 5 • The needs section of the grant should be data driven and descriptive of the school. • The grant should support an existing Continuous Improvement Plan • The grant should demonstrate the Capacity to Implement • Clearly refer to the research that supports your vision • Articulate what Professional Development will be carried out

13. Tips for writing grants – cont. 6 • The Budget needs to be accurate and in accordance with the grant application guidelines • Have a realistic timeline—you will have to live by it • Explain the sustainability of your project after the grant goes away • Use your access to Online Subscription Resources to look up articles on grant writing

14. Resources 1 • techLEARNING.com in the left margin choose Resources then Grants database. You may have to register (free) • http://www.nationalgeographic.com/foundation/grants_teacher.html National Geographic • http://www.reading.org/association/awards/index.html International Reading Association

15. Resources 2 • http://www.hud.gov/grants/index.cfm U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Hispanic serving institutions (and in Spanish) • http://www.neh.gov/grants/index.html National endowment for the Humanities • http://www.cpb.org/grants/historyandcivics/ American History and Civics Initiative

16. Resources 3 • http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=AboutLowes/Community Lowe's stores (scroll down) • http://www.heb.com/aboutHEB/HH-excellenceIntro.jsp HEB grocery • http://www.eschoolnews.com/tsc/ Click on “Funding” in the welcome section

17. Resources 4 • http://www.technologygrantnews.com/ some free resources or paid subscription • http://www.thejournal.com/the/topics/funding/ The Journal, with articles about funding

18. Resources 5 • The US Government Education Grants site: • http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml Look for “Grants” in the bottom right box. • Title I-A: Improving the Basic Programs Operated by Local Education Agencies • Title I-B1: Reading First State Grants • Title I-B3: William F. Goodling Even Start Family Programs • Title I-B4: Improving Literacy through School Libraries

19. Resources 6 - US Govt.- cont. • Title I-F: Comprehensive School Reform • Title II-A: Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund • Title II-D: Enhancing Education through Technology State Grants • Title III: Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students. Some District hire personnel, but do not overlook the opportunity for Spanish language materials. • Title IV-B: 21st Century Community Learning Centers

20. Resources 7 – US Govt. – cont. • Title V-A: Innovative Programs State Grants • Title V-D: Community Technology Centers • Title VI-B: Rural Education Initiative • Title VII: Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education • PT3: Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology • IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Grants

21. Collaboration • Stay in contact with local Universities, Public Libraries and other institutions that may write grants. • The University of Houston-Clear lake grant CSLT is an excellent example of a University grant that also benefits campus Libraries with staff development and materials development (like this module)http://b3308-adm.uhcl.edu/School_of_Education/SoE/CSLT/index.asp

22. Conclusion • Librarians are supposed to collaborate • Collaborate with your Bilingual Department to write grants • It demonstrates your attempt to meet the needs of common clients • Sometimes they have sources you may not know about

23. Congratulations! • The End