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Grant Writing An Introduction

Grant Writing An Introduction. Dr. Dale Baker Dr. Louise Vitiello. Overview. PART I: Grant Writing Basics Getting Started The Competitive Edge Anatomy of a Grant Proposal Grant-Writing Task Continuity. Overview. PART II: Grants Available to Districts Wellness Technology

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Grant Writing An Introduction

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  1. Grant WritingAn Introduction Dr. Dale Baker Dr. Louise Vitiello

  2. Overview • PART I: Grant Writing Basics • Getting Started • The Competitive Edge • Anatomy of a Grant Proposal • Grant-Writing Task Continuity

  3. Overview • PART II: Grants Available to Districts • Wellness • Technology • Best Practices / Innovative Programs • Professional Development • PDE Grants Web-Site • U.S. Department of Education

  4. PART I • Grant Writing Basics • Getting Started • #1: Reflection • #2: Research • #3: Selection

  5. Getting Started • #1: Reflection • What does your school/district NEED? • What are your STRATEGIC PRIORITIES? • Search for funding for solutions to your data-based needs/problems.

  6. Getting Started • #1: Reflection (cont’d) • NOTE: Never write a grant solely for funding purposes! • A grant is valuable only if it supports the mission and goals of your institution. • At its best, grant writing is an extension of the strategic planning process.

  7. Getting Started • #2: Research • Select a grant that addresses your needs. • Thoroughly analyze grant guidelines and requirements. • Be sure the purpose of the grant program is consistent with your identified need(s), problem(s), and solutions(s). • NOTE: This is essential to development of a high quality grant proposal.

  8. Getting Started • #3: Selection • Does the grant fit: • District/School Mission, Goals and Objectives? • Administration Priorities? • Existing School Programs/Other Grants?

  9. Getting Started • #3: Selection (cont’d) • Does your program design have the support of: • Administration/teachers/relevant personnel? • Parents/Students/Community? • District/School Infrastructure/Expertise?

  10. Getting Started • #3: Selection(cont’d) • Is writing this proposal worth the time based on: • Sustainability after the grant period? • Odds for funding? • Preparation costs and timeline? • Time needed to acquire any required signatures (e.g., Board resolution, proposed partners/collaborators)?

  11. Getting Started • #3: Selection(cont’d) • Extent of grant program reporting requirements? • NOTE: There are many grant opportunities to choose from so try not to waste time writing for a grant that is not right for you.

  12. The Competitive Edge • GRANT APPLICATION NOTICE (RFP) is primary tool for writing proposal • Read the RFP THOROUGHLY with an eye to: • Applicant eligibility - who can apply? • Application deadline - NEVER miss a deadline! • Award amount per grant - will determine project scope.

  13. The Competitive Edge • Read the RFP THOROUGHLY(cont’d): • How many projects will be funded? • Proposal format details (page length, spacing, and font) and standard forms required (signed institutional assurance, required/allowable attachments). • Submission requirements (electronic or paper, # copies, delivery methods).

  14. The Competitive Edge • Understand the SELECTION CRITERIA! • Study performance standards, measures and indicators required by funder. • If possible, attend application workshop. • When in doubt, call grant office! • Use the SELECTION CRITERIA as the outline for your proposal narrative. • Address all SELECTION CRITERIA clearly.

  15. The Competitive Edge • Form a PLANNING / WRITING TEAM • Team may include: grant writer, parent, principal, teacher, curriculum supervisor, counselor, board member, and/or business community member. • Agree on a team leader & time frames. • Give assignments for portions of proposal. • Appoint someone to read for continuity and completeness.

  16. The Competitive Edge • Have TEAM identify/create: • Specific needs related to attaining standards of excellence. • Problem(s) and related solution(s). • Research to support proposed design. • A mental model for the project with diagram flow charts.

  17. The Competitive Edge • Make connections to already-existing program planning efforts, such as: • Curriculum Committee Meetings • Technology Coordinator Meetings • School-Based Improvement Team Meetings • NOTE:Success of grant funded program will depend on the school community’s buy-in!

  18. The Competitive Edge • Grant Writing Process flow chart (www.epa.gov): • 1. Identify the Project • 2. Research Available Grants • 3. Match Grant and Project • 4. Review Grant Guidelines and Application • 5. Compile Grant Application • 6. Assemble the Finishing Touches • 7. Conduct Quality Review and Evaluation • 8. Package and Submit • 9. Follow Up After Award or Rejection

  19. Anatomy of a Grant Proposal • Typical application selection criteria: • Grant Program Statute • Novice Eligibility • Need for the Project • Quality of Project Design • Quality of Management Plan • Quality of Project Personnel • Adequacy of Resources • Quality of Project Evaluation • Budget

  20. Anatomy of a Grant Proposal • Use selection criteria as headings. • Address each criterion specifically and thoroughly!

  21. Anatomy of a Grant Proposal • Need for the Project (= foundation of your proposal) • Decide which RESEARCH - facts or statistics - best support rationale for the project. • Use Local, State and National DATA to substantiate need. • Utilize National and Regional census data (www.census.gov) through the American Fact Finder for statistics on population, education, income.

  22. Anatomy of a Grant Proposal • Need for the Project (cont’d) • Administer attitudinal surveys to assess valuable perceptions data. • Analyze students’ academic achievement levels using PSSA scores for all students and relevant sub-groups; grades; district measures, etc. • Indicate level of services available at school and in community.

  23. Anatomy of a Grant Proposal • Need for the Project (cont’d) • State your proposed solutions to the problems identified. • State anticipated consequences of your proposed project as related to improving achievement, improving teaching, improving community activities, etc. • The need statement should be COMPELLING and leave the reader sympathetic toward your problem and convinced of the need for this solution.

  24. Anatomy of a Grant Proposal • Project Design • State Project Goals and Objectives. • Address Stated Needs. • Specify: • Who? • What? • When? • Where? • How Much?

  25. Anatomy of a Grant Proposal • Management Plan • Timeline • Management team • Likelihood of project success based on institutional and/or partners’ expertise/capacity to manage project

  26. Anatomy of a Grant Proposal • Project Evaluation • Clear, measurable performance goals • Quantitative and qualitative measures • Process to collect/report data to funding agency • Process to report to local stake-holders • Formative and summative assessments • Measurement/reporting timelines

  27. Anatomy of a Grant Proposal Project Evaluation

  28. Anatomy of a Grant Proposal • Budget • Adequate to support proposed activities • Reasonable costs • NOTE: All costs must be tied to project objectives and activities that are all described in application narrative.

  29. Grant Task Continuity • How will grant-writing tasks be picked up when someone leaves? • Team Approach to grant proposal development • Clear project management plan • True buy-in by school administrators and other stakeholders

  30. PART II • Grants Available to Districts

  31. Wellness Grants • PANA Mini-Grants • Pennsylvania Advocacy for Nutrition and Activity recognizes and rewards schools for making a commitment to improve nutrition and physical activity. Provides resources, templates, trainings, and mini-grant funding for schools to make healthy changes. http://www.panaonline.org/

  32. Wellness Grants • PDE Food & Nutrition Grants • Afterschool Snack Program; Child and Adult Care Food Program; Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program; National School Lunch Program; School Breakfast Program; Special Milk Program; Summer Food Service Program. • Contact: Vonda Fekete1-800-331-0129, Ext. 33538; vfekete@state.pa.us • See: http://www.pde.state.pa.us/food_nutrition/site/default.asp

  33. Technology Grants • Classrooms for the Future • This integral part of the commonwealth’s high school reform agenda is designed to modernize teaching and learning through use of advanced technology. Contact: Holly Jobe at c-hjobe@state.pa.usor by phone at (717) 214-9393 • http://www.edportal.ed.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=475&&level=1&css=L1&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true

  34. Technology Grants • Department of Community & Economic Development • Some DCED programs apply to schools engaged in community education efforts. • For information about specific programs, contact: 866-466-3972 or check the “funding & program finder” at http://www.newpa.com/default.aspx?id=15.

  35. Technology Grants • E-Fund School Grant Program (Act 183 of 2004) • Apply via the e-Grant system. • http://www.pde.state.pa.us/ed_tech/cwp/view.asp?Q=110337&A=169 • See also: www.newpa.com/broadband • Due: October 24, 2008

  36. Technology Grants • E-Rate • Discounts for eligible schools and libraries for telecommunication services, Internet access, and internal connections. Contact Julie Tritt Schell at jtschell@comcast.net and/or see the PA E-Rate website: http://www.e-ratepa.org/

  37. Technology Resources • Technology Plan is required for most state/federal funding for technology. See: • E-Tech Planner - http://www.etechplanner.org/ • Keystone Technology Integrators - http://www.edportal.ed.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=431&&level=1&css=L1&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true • Getting to One - http://www.gettingtoone.org/

  38. Best Practices / Programs • Teaching and Learning grants (on PDE e-Grant system): All are closed to new applicants for the 2008-09 school year. • Science: It’s Elementary- Contact Geri Miller gerimiller@state.pa.us(717) 783-6746 • College and Career Counseling Program – Lee Burket lburket@state.pa.us (717) 787-5530 • Project 720 – Pennsylvania’s High School Reform Initiative - Edward Vollbrecht edvollbrec@state.pa.us (717) 787-8913

  39. Best Practices / Programs • Accountability Block Grant (ABG) • Funds effective educational practices and initiatives to improve student achievement. • Supports in-depth implementation of improvement strategies and allows districts to select from a breadth of programs to meet the specific learning needs of their students. • www.pde.state.pa.us/abg

  40. Best Practices / Programs • 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program • Academic, artistic, cultural enrichment for children • Broad array of activities to complement regular academic programs • Literacy and other educational services to families of participating children • Carmen Medina,cmedina@state.pa.us • Bureau of Community & Student Services • (717) 783-6464

  41. Best Practices / Programs • E-Grants System enables submission of grant applications & reports via Internet : • Adult Basic & Literacy Education • Career and Technical Education • Major Federal Programs • Special Education/Early Intervention • Safe and Drug Free Schools • Call (717) 783-6686 or e-mail ra-egrantshelp@state.pa.us for help

  42. Best Practices / Programs • PDE Grants list • PDE presents information on various types of grants from across the agency by program area • State and federal grants available to the Commonwealth are also presented • Many program descriptions include hot-links to other important related areas of the PDE web site. • http://www.pde.state.pa.us/k12/cwp/view.asp?a=85&q=112507&pde_internetNav=|&pp=12&n=1

  43. Best Practices / Programs • PDE Grants include: • Adult Basic & Literacy Education • Alternative Education • Assessment and Accountability • Career and Technical Education • Charter Schools • Commonwealth Libraries • Dropout Prevention • Education Mentoring

  44. Best Practices / Programs • PDE Grants include: • Educational Technology • ELECT (Education Leading to Employment/Career Training) • Food and Nutrition • Health, Safety, and Physical Education • Homeless Children and Youth • Learn and Serve America • Major Federal Programs (Title I through Title V) • Migrant Education

  45. Best Practices / Programs • PDE Grants include: • Postsecondary/Higher Education • Pregnant and Parenting Teen • Refugee Students • Regional Summer Schools of Excellence • Safe Schools • School Improvement • Special Education

  46. Best Practices / Programs • Other Education Related Grants and Funding Information • This site lists links to a wide range of grant opportunities for grants of all sizes and on many topics relating to education. • http://www.pde.state.pa.us/k12/cwp/view.asp?A=85&Q=78592

  47. Professional Development • Governor's Institutes • A series of summer professional education programs sponsored by PDE • Designed to insure creation of challenging learning environments in the Commonwealth’s public, private and non-public schools • Contact Becky McHugh (717-783-9260) or see http://www.teaching.state.pa.us/teaching/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=102406

  48. U.S. Department of Education • Forecast of Funding Opportunities • Recent & anticipated program competitions • Actual or estimated submission deadlines • In form of charts organized according to the Department's principal program offices • http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/find/edlite-forecast.html

  49. U.S. Department of Education • Principal Program Offices: • English Language Acquisition… • Education Sciences • Elementary and Secondary Education • Safe and Drug Free Schools • Innovation and Improvement • Postsecondary Education • Special Education and Rehabilitative Services • Vocational and Adult Education

  50. Other Resources • SchoolGrants has links to • Grant Opportunities, Grant Writing Tips and Links, News, Sample Successful Proposals, Links to other online resources. See: www.schoolgrants.org/ • Through the Eyes of the Grant Reviewer • What happens to your proposal after you submit it to the grantor? What kinds of simple things can you do that will help make your proposal more competitive? http://www.schoolgrants.org/newsletter2.htm

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