grant writing made easy
TRANSCRIPT
Grant Writing Made Easy
Grant Writing Made Easy
Dr. Douglas M. Brooks Ph.D.Professor, Miami University
Director, Partners In Learningwww.performancepyramid.com
Ronetta BanksExecutive Director of Instructional Technology
Mansfield City Schools2009 SOITA Conference
Dayton, Ohio
Dr. Douglas M. Brooks Ph.D.Professor, Miami University
Director, Partners In Learningwww.performancepyramid.com
Ronetta BanksExecutive Director of Instructional Technology
Mansfield City Schools2009 SOITA Conference
Dayton, Ohio
Columbus EETT GrantsColumbus EETT Grants
26 Schools Received Funding$2.5 Million in FundingMost Grants Among Ohio Urban
DistrictsEmbedded Grant Writing TeamsSystems Approach to Grant ApplicationsProfessional Development for TeachersLearning Opportunities for Students
26 Schools Received Funding$2.5 Million in FundingMost Grants Among Ohio Urban
DistrictsEmbedded Grant Writing TeamsSystems Approach to Grant ApplicationsProfessional Development for TeachersLearning Opportunities for Students
Obstacles To SuccessfulGrant Applications
Obstacles To SuccessfulGrant Applications
No Training in Grant WritingComplicated RFPsShort Application TimelinesNo Dedicated Grant PersonnelNo Systems for Grant Writing
No Training in Grant WritingComplicated RFPsShort Application TimelinesNo Dedicated Grant PersonnelNo Systems for Grant Writing
Significant ProblemsFor School DistrictsSignificant ProblemsFor School Districts
Identifying External Sources of Funding Building Level Application Requirements No Systems for Grant Writing Finding Individuals to Write Grants Finding Time to Write Grants High Failure Rate Rich Get Richer
Identifying External Sources of Funding Building Level Application Requirements No Systems for Grant Writing Finding Individuals to Write Grants Finding Time to Write Grants High Failure Rate Rich Get Richer
Mansfield Story…Mansfield Story… Simplify grant writing process Introduce team-based authorship Provide grant writing guide Provide onsite & online support for grant
development Increase probability for funding success Increase motivation to author grants Apply grants to new opportunities Create a grant writing culture within a district
Simplify grant writing process Introduce team-based authorship Provide grant writing guide Provide onsite & online support for grant
development Increase probability for funding success Increase motivation to author grants Apply grants to new opportunities Create a grant writing culture within a district
A Four Stage Modelfor
Writing SuccessfulGrant Applications
“Grant Success”
A Four Stage Modelfor
Writing SuccessfulGrant Applications
“Grant Success”
School-Based Grant Writing School-Based Grant Writing
Four Stages to Successful Grant Applications
Four Stages to Successful Grant Applications
Stage One: Prewriting Tool DevelopmentStage Two: Team and Vision BuildingStage Three: Writing and EditingStage Four: Budget, Assurances,
Signatures and Submission
Stage One: Prewriting Tool DevelopmentStage Two: Team and Vision BuildingStage Three: Writing and EditingStage Four: Budget, Assurances,
Signatures and Submission
Stage One: Prewriting Tool Development
Stage One: Prewriting Tool Development
1. Create RFP Action Summary Page2. Create Grant Writing Guide3. Create Vocabulary Highlight Page 4. Post Grant Writing Guide online
1. Create RFP Action Summary Page2. Create Grant Writing Guide3. Create Vocabulary Highlight Page 4. Post Grant Writing Guide online
Action Summary PageAction Summary Page
Include due dateCountdown to submissionGoals of grantApplication style requirementsGrant funding contacts and emailsCheck for prior notification requirementList restrictions on funding
View an example online
Include due dateCountdown to submissionGoals of grantApplication style requirementsGrant funding contacts and emailsCheck for prior notification requirementList restrictions on funding
View an example online
Grant Writing GuideGrant Writing GuideCreate a Word documentOrganize template like RFP sectionsUse the same Sections and HeadingsInclude all RFP demands for content in
appropriate SectionInclude all evaluation criteria for each
Section next to appropriate SectionPost Guide in online culture
Create a Word documentOrganize template like RFP sectionsUse the same Sections and HeadingsInclude all RFP demands for content in
appropriate SectionInclude all evaluation criteria for each
Section next to appropriate SectionPost Guide in online culture
Vocabulary Highlight PageVocabulary Highlight PageIdentify key terms from the RFP
Goal Statements Individual Section Text Evaluation Criteria/Rubrics
Enlarge terms, boldface, print and paste near computer screen.
When in doubt, use the RFP vocabulary
Identify key terms from the RFP Goal Statements Individual Section Text Evaluation Criteria/Rubrics
Enlarge terms, boldface, print and paste near computer screen.
When in doubt, use the RFP vocabulary
Stage Two: Team and Vision Building
Stage Two: Team and Vision Building
5. What is your team’s vision for the grant?6. Who needs to be involved and when? 7. Is the grant something that is desirable
and can be done?8. What are current resources and needs?9. Does the grant support district and
building Continuous Improvement Plans?
5. What is your team’s vision for the grant?6. Who needs to be involved and when? 7. Is the grant something that is desirable
and can be done?8. What are current resources and needs?9. Does the grant support district and
building Continuous Improvement Plans?
Stage Three: Writing and Editing
Stage Three: Writing and Editing
10. Assign the grant a name: Project Inspire
11. Write using the “Grant Guide”12. Align people with grant sections12. Use “Vocabulary Highlight” page13. Post “Action Summary Page”14. Consider learning styles of evaluators
10. Assign the grant a name: Project Inspire
11. Write using the “Grant Guide”12. Align people with grant sections12. Use “Vocabulary Highlight” page13. Post “Action Summary Page”14. Consider learning styles of evaluators
Writing and Editing Writing and Editing
15. Link the goals to objectives16. Link objectives to actions17. Embed graphics in text (if you can)18. Be creative with names and features19. Organize actions into timelines
15. Link the goals to objectives16. Link objectives to actions17. Embed graphics in text (if you can)18. Be creative with names and features19. Organize actions into timelines
Writing and EditingWriting and Editing
20. Use Action Plan for Evaluation Plan21. Use Action Plan for Budget and
Budget Narrative22. Group edit using large screen
projection and laser pointers23. Shorten sentences for clarity
20. Use Action Plan for Evaluation Plan21. Use Action Plan for Budget and
Budget Narrative22. Group edit using large screen
projection and laser pointers23. Shorten sentences for clarity
Writing and EditingWriting and Editing
24. Constantly check grant text against evaluation criteria in Grant Template
25. Create Abstract or Summary from cut and paste grant text
26. Remove section requirements from grant template document
27. Make final text attractive and easy to read
24. Constantly check grant text against evaluation criteria in Grant Template
25. Create Abstract or Summary from cut and paste grant text
26. Remove section requirements from grant template document
27. Make final text attractive and easy to read
Stage Four: Budget, Assurances, Signatures and
Submission
Stage Four: Budget, Assurances, Signatures and
Submission
28. Assign budget to “budget skilled” team member
29. “Ghost write” letters of support30. Create a “false floor “ due date31. Request feedback if not funded32. Submit improved grant somewhere else
28. Assign budget to “budget skilled” team member
29. “Ghost write” letters of support30. Create a “false floor “ due date31. Request feedback if not funded32. Submit improved grant somewhere else
More Writing TipsMore Writing Tips
Avoid personal pronounsUse numbering/listing style: 1);2);3)Create white space for clarity and
emphasisIndent for emphasisComb old text to align with new textLet the document “rest” to catch errors
Avoid personal pronounsUse numbering/listing style: 1);2);3)Create white space for clarity and
emphasisIndent for emphasisComb old text to align with new textLet the document “rest” to catch errors
More Writing TipsMore Writing TipsGroup edit with your best word
processor team member running the computer
Use “Phases” to describe implementation strategy: Phase One: Infrastructure
Widen grant appeal with “features”Link vision with goals with strategies
with actions with budget with evaluation (one goal at a time all the way through)
Group edit with your best word processor team member running the computer
Use “Phases” to describe implementation strategy: Phase One: Infrastructure
Widen grant appeal with “features”Link vision with goals with strategies
with actions with budget with evaluation (one goal at a time all the way through)
Gaining Consensus Gaining Consensus
Create a PowerPoint from the Grant Action Summary and Guide
Show PowerPoint to colleaguesDiscuss RFP goals, grant goals, funding
opportunities and limitsShow the same PowerPoint again after
funding is approved
Create a PowerPoint from the Grant Action Summary and Guide
Show PowerPoint to colleaguesDiscuss RFP goals, grant goals, funding
opportunities and limitsShow the same PowerPoint again after
funding is approved
CIM Tech SolutionsCIM Tech SolutionsDebbie Delaney
Educational [email protected]
419-651-3630JR Suppes
Educational [email protected]
330-284-6659
Debbie DelaneyEducational Consultant
JR SuppesEducational Consultant
Mansfield Success Story
Mansfield Success Story
Ronetta BanksExecutive Director of Instructional Technology
Ronetta BanksExecutive Director of Instructional Technology
Grant Writing Made Easy
Grant Writing Made Easy
Dr. Douglas Brooks, Ph.D. Miami University
Director, Partners In Learning www.performancepyramid.com
Dr. Douglas Brooks, Ph.D. Miami University
Director, Partners In Learning www.performancepyramid.com