Got Ideas? Get A Grant!

1. Got Ideas? Get A Grant! Presented by: Jacqueline Lampley, NBCT,Ed.S jbecklamp@yahoo.com www.bunchesofbugbytes.wikispaces.com

2. Before you start • Understand what you want to fund. Be able to state why you want the grant in ten words-who needs it and why. Using the money is HOW you will do the job; it is not the need.

4. You should always seek grant opportunities that match your program's goals and objectives rather than the other way around.  If you change your program based on a funder's giving guidelines, you may end up with a project or program that is a mere shell of the original plan.  The goal of grant writing is not simply to bring more money in for your agency; the goal is to fund programs that will meet the needs of your population .  

6. Obtain as much information as possible about a prospective grantor!   Understand the mission of the grantor, look at past-funded programs, and determine the range of grant awards typically given by the agency.  Be sure you make a note of any geographical preferences and/or limitations.  Save yourself some time and look at "funding exclusions" and/or "eligible applicants" first - make sure your institution and/or project fits within the guidelines of the funding agency. 

8. Most funding agencies publish grant guidelines or requirements.  Be certain you understand them and follow them to the letter.  Note the deadline and whether the proposal must be received or postmarked by the deadline.  Don't have your proposal thrown away because you didn't follow the guidelines exactly as written.  Exceptions are rarely made; regardless of the circumstances.  Some funders have special requirements; follow them!

10. Your "needs statement" drives your entire grant proposal.  The proposed program should revolve around the problems faced by your clients.  The purpose of the grant is to meet the specific needs you have identified.  If you have not adequately described the reason you need the program, including the use of statistics and other research data when possible, the funder will see no reason to invest in your project.

12. Most proposals, particularly foundation and corporation proposals, should include a short project abstract.  The abstract defines your entire project - needs, goals, objectives, and budget - within a paragraph or, at most, one page.  As always, follow the guidelines of the grantor with regard to the program summary requirements.  • Consider writing the abstract last to ensure that the project is adequately described. This may be the only part of the entire proposal that ever gets read.

14. Every proposal will require a section(s) that describes the broad goals and measurable objectives of your project.  Detail the activities that will be implemented to accomplish the program's goals and objectives.  Your budget and budget narrative must closely match the described activities.  Your evaluation should carefully measure whether the stated project objectives are being met on a timely basis.Foundation and corporate funders generally expect this section to be no longer than five to ten pages.  Federal grants may allow up to 50 pages or more for a thorough discussion of your project.  Again, follow the guidelines of the prospective funder.

16. Include a one-page cover letter if not specifically prohibited by the funding agency.  The cover letter should briefly introduce your organization and describe your project, including the funding request.  The cover letter should be signed by your school's or district's executive officer and should be written on school/district letterhead.  

18. Use a reasonable font type and size (no smaller than 10- point; preferably 12-point).  Leave plenty of white space - use margins of at least 1"; double-space if space limitations allow it.  If possible, include graphs, photographs, or sidebars occasionally.  Bold headings and sub-headings help break up the proposal and also make it easier for the reviewer to find sections within your proposal.  Grammar and spelling errors show a lack of concern on the part of the applicant.  Do not submit a proposal if you are not proud of its appearance.  

20. Even if your proposal is not funded, always send a thank you note to the grantor for the opportunity to submit your proposal.  Ask if it is possible to receive reviewer comments so that you can see why your proposal was not funded.  Use the reviewer comments to improve upon your future proposal-writing techniques.And remember, even the most well-written proposals for the most super projects are not always funded.  Do not get discouraged because your proposal was not selected for funding by a particular agency at this time. 

22. If you are fortunate enough to have your proposal funded, send a thank you note for the grant.  Next, keep the funding agency informed about your activities, progress and accomplishments.  Invite them to come see your program in operation.  Send photographs of the program in action.  Send quarterly or semi-annual reports that tell how you've used the funds.  In short, make the grantor proud to be your partner.

23. Remember that grantors are NOT GIVING MONEY AWAY! They are buying something they want. • Know the giver’s goals and what THEY want to accomplish. • Does the grantor’s goals match your goals?

24. Grantors serve a particular population. • Grantors want to see their money go a long way. • You must prove that you can use their money to get more done than anyone else. • Match as much as you can with local money • Show that you can give the most service for the dollar

25. Read between the lines. • Look for key words and phrases such as “disadvantaged,” “middle school,” etc. that give clues about where they want to spend their money. • Look at the grant forms. How detailed are they? Does the grantor want you to cover everything, or give a broad picture? • One rule of thumb: the more unasked for details you give, the more questions you raise.

26. Gather The Information • Get the statistics. Find out about the local demographics. • Get proof of credibility if necessary, such as pictures of activities, etc.

27. Develop a Hook or Title • The title may spring from the manufacturer’s description. • Include the title of your grant at every opportunity. • When writing your objectives- use your hook! • When writing your introduction- use your hook • When writing your expanded description of your program- use your hook • When writing your evaluation- use your hook

28. Organize the Grant Layout • Follow their instruction! • The usual format is in this order: • A summary of your proposal, no more than half a page typed double spaced. Make it easy to read. This can make or break your proposal! • State the problem. Be specific. Use numbers and tell who else is working on the problem, if anyone. • Lay out your plan of action. • Step by step with a time line • Tell who will be involved • Tell what actions will be taken • Tell how and when evaluations will be made

29. Writing • Be short, but informative • Get to the point quickly. • Avoid nonspecific words like “very,” “increase,” etc. • Organize with headings and subheadings so the grant readers can scan. • Remember that the readers will have stacks of grants to read! MAKE your grant to stand out. • Make sure it’s on time.

30. Parts of a Grant • Introduction • Expanded description • Objectives • Need for Funding/statement of need • Time Frame • Evaluation

31. Introduction • Advertise! This is where you will use your bait and hook. Sell your program. Make the program appear before the eyes of the reader! But remember to be concise and to the point. Grants go through several readers. If the first readers do not find your program interesting, the grant will most likely not make it to the second level of readers. Watch the word limit.

32. Expanded description • Plan your program. Using that guideline, write an expanded description of your program in detail. Tell who, what, when, where, why, and how your program will work. Use generic terms for your school and teachers such as “Sixth grade teachers will…”

33. Objectives • What do you plan to achieve by implementing your program? You will need at least three or four concise and simple objectives. • Describe the major ways the project is expected to impact your goals and the organization's needs. Objectives should be stated in measurable terms.

34. Need for Funding • Why does your school need this money? Tell them about everything-free lunches, special education, Title One, etc. • Use facts to describe the needs that your organization has, and how the proposed project will address these needs.

35. Time Frame • Tell the reader when your program will begin and end. If the program is to be ongoing, simply state that.

36. Evaluation • How will you evaluate your program? These methods may include pre- and post- testing, expository evaluations by teachers and administrators, checklists, surveys, test scores, etc. • What quantifiable methods will you have in place to monitor the success of your program? [On-going monitoring of the program is required to determine that objectives are being achieved. Frequent self-evaluations enable timely corrections and adjustments if parts of the program are proving to be ineffective.] • The evaluation is very important. Some readers will read the introduction and evaluation to determine if the grant is worth funding.

37. Let’s Plan a Grant Program • If you can answer the following questions, you will be well on your way to both solid program development and successful fund development.

38. What's the problem we are addressing?  Remember - the problem is not YOUR need - it's the community's need!  Who else is addressing, and what are the gaps in how it is being addressed?

39. Gaps are the reason that you have a need! • Gaps can be programmatic, population, time/seasonal, or material. How are you proposing to address the problem?

40. Paint a clear and specific picture of your program! Can your prospect “see” it in action in their mind?  How will things be different? Will the problem be solved or improved? When are you done?

41. How will you know that you are succeeding? What will you measure in order to understand how you are doing? What needs to change or be adjusted?  What do you need in order to try to solve the problem?

42. This must tie to the approach you have described earlier. It's an opportunity to once again paint a picture of what you want to do!  What resources do you already have? From whom?

43. Don't forget volunteers, donations and in kind services. Show any community participation in your project. Project the image that the funder is joining a winning team, not boarding a sinking boat!  What are the qualifications and experiences that make your program the right one to take on this work?

44. History, key accomplishments, qualifications of staff and volunteers, relationships in the community....as they relate to this project. Are there problems or barriers that you foresee? Also, how will you overcome them?

45. We all run into roadblocks when we try something new. Think through what you are going to do carefully. What's likely to trip you up? How can you anticipate these problems? Who will you turn to for help? Recognizing the possibility of problems is the sign of a sophisticated and professional program.

46. Some final thoughts • Remember that proposal review is a subjective process.  You should always provide as much information in as clear and concise manner as possible to help the reader understand your agency and your program.  Refrain from using acronyms common to your area of expertise.  Many readers are not going to be familiar with their meaning.

47. Never Give Up! • Rewrite and resubmit old grants. Just because a grant is not funded does not mean it won’t be funded in the future. • Contact the foundation or corporation that is funding the grant and ask for feedback on your proposal.

48. When your grant is funded! • Bid your equipment list. • Never accept the listed price. Most companies will give you a discount if they are asked before the order is made.

49. Grant Sources for Schools & Teachers Favorite Websites • Resource Guide to Federal Funding For Technology in Education • Grantseeking and grants management publications and newsletters with information on submitting grant proposals; identifying fun • GPMN.com - Global Investment Network featuring project database, venture capital, project finance, venture capital firm, invest • COS Funding Opportunities - World's Largest and Most Comprehensive Database of Funding Opportunities • What Are the Issues • Congressional Panel Urges Increased Educational Research Funding Under Title I (Research Policy News, June 1999) • Bureau of Educational Research Publications and Forms • Department of Education, National Educational Research Policy and Priorities Board, March 18, 1999

50. Grant Sources for Schools & Teachers Favorite Websites • ENC Curriculum Resources ENC-018987 (Full Record) • ENC Curriculum Resources Free Stuff ENC Focus Magazine • ENC Curriculum Resources Free Stuff Search the Collection • AsstSecy • aprERote • Research Resources • Thomas Keith Glennan - Comment - Brookings Papers on Education Policy 2000