GRANTS GALORE!!

Ginger EastmanALSDE

SCHOOL GRANT TEAM

•5 – 7 faculty members•A good researcher/librarian, writer, English “proofer”, typist/word processor•Two heads are better than one•Spreads out the work load and responsibility•Shows collaboration

REMEMBER!•Ideas should be innovative, creative and educational. Try to have a hook (something different)!.•Believe that your idea is a winner.•Do not worry about being rejected – try again.•Keep your goals realistic. Can 100% of students achieve?•Is your project replicable?•Have a reasonable budget.

•Cite research.•Clarity is important in communicating your ideas. Be direct, specific, accurate and clear.•Proofread!•Follow instructions to the letter!!!!•It is not your grant; the funding source owns the grant.•Don’t worry about being original (but do not copy). Borrow and adapt innovative ideas.

•Design the program for your students/teachers.•The trick is to match the requirements; concepts that closely fit the grant.•Inform major stakeholders; do not surprise anyone in your system; include them in the process.•Do not make the grant “tech heavy” or pad the budget.•Include staff development.•Have a review team.

•Do not forget your mission statement.•Do not waste words. Watch educational jargon. •Include a timeline.•Evaluation! How? What are the tools used?•Where else can you send this grant?•READ THE GRANT APPLICATION/DIRECTIONS! “Up to 1/3 of all grants do not follow the directions and are thrown out.” November, A. Writing Winning Grants (2005)

THE THREE P’SAdvice from grant writers:Begin your search for a grant with

a: 1.Project – have your project in

mind then search for a grant.2.Permission- Who, how, what?3.Plan – as soon as you have a

project and permission, begin to formulate your plan. Do not wait/put off. Writing is much harder if you do not have a plan! http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev039.shtml

Where do I find a grant?

•Grants are everywhere!!! •Check out the Internet. •Published books.•Local businesses.•List of grants in handout.

ELEMENTS OF A GRANT

•Before you begin to write, gather the documentation that you will need. Data gathering makes the writing easier. Asking questions and involving key people at your school adds value to your project.

I. Cover letter• Should have a clear

overview of your organization, purpose for and amount of the funding request.

• Include how your project promotes the mission and goals of the application guidelines.

• Use letterhead.

II. Narrative:A. Needs Assessment: •Identify/define the need/problem. Tell the readers the problem that you are trying to solve.•Gives a clear picture of who has the need and what the need is.•Develop a core need statement. •Needs assessment(s).•Description of population.

Answering several key questions creates the Needs Statement

1.What is the problem that requires a solution? 2. What will happen if this need is not addressed? 3. What evidence is available to document this need? 4. What is the desired state of things? 5. Why must this problem be addressed now? 6. What unique qualities does your organization possess that will enable you to address this need? http://www.paservicelearning.org/PSLA/grantWriting2.html

Components of a Need Statement:State your need… Our students need

computers.Ask Why? Our students need Restate the Need… computers because

they need to learn word processing.

Ask Why? Our students need toRestate the Need… be able to edit and

revise their work.Ask Why? Our students need to be Restate the Need… able to communicate clearly.…Continue until you reach the true need.

Write Your “Need Statement”

Ask, “What problem is being solved?”

"The proposal provides a program for students involved in primary and sheltered language instruction to access the core curriculum in science. We will use technology tools including HyperStudio. Students will create projects which emphasize the use of rich visual images and the ability to structure their learning around graphic organizers by making HyperStudio presentations. This approach has been selected to provide interesting and meaningful ways for students to master core curriculum. All students receive the core and all learners will participate in their science classrooms. The project relies heavily on staff development, the training and deployment of student technology aides and parent volunteers."(Scholastic, website: http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/grants/devstate.htm

B. Program Goals:•Describes the outcomes of the project.•Rewrites the Need Statement into specific and measurable outcomes.•Can be written as percentages.•Do not promise what can not be attained.•One (minimum) goal for each problem or need.Ex: Our after-school program will help children read better.

C. Objectives:•Take each of the goals and list them as major headings for activities. •Each of the goal statements is rewritten as an action heading or objective.•Divide complex goals into two or more objectives.•Include every aspect of the needs and goals into the objectives.

Ex: Our after-school remedial program will assist 50 children in improving their reading scores by one grade level as demonstrated by standardized reading tests administered after participating in the program for six months.

D.ACTIVITIES/METHODOLOGY

• Clear description and explanation of project.

• Activities may be described within a timeline.

• Time frame.• Who will carry out the activities.• One activity can support more than one

objective.• Activities should be organized to build on

prior skills and knowledge.• How will this benefit your school?• Long term strategies.

E.QUALIFICATIONS:

• Establish credibility.• Brief history, mission, goals of

school.• Evidence of accomplishments.• Evidence of system support/

involvement.• Key staff members’ qualifications

and administrative competence.• Long-range goals and current

programs and activities.

F. EVALUATION:• Provides information that measures

whether the goals were met.• Can make your grant more competitive and

provide information to improve your design.

• Summative evaluation: measures how well the goals were achieved and is done at the end.

• Formative evaluation: provides data during the implementation.

• If possible, use nationally validated assessment tools.

G. Detailed Budget:

• Do not obligate your school to spend money in order to receive a grant.

• Include benefits if salaries are to be paid.• Set up a separate account.• Renegotiate your budget if needed after

you receive the grant. You may have other funds that come in from other sources.

• If possible, include a budget narrative to describe how the expenses support the project.

• Show financial support from your school. You can show in-kind dollars.

•Matching funds can strengthen your grant by showing others have invested in your project.•List donated services/volunteers.

H. Write the Narrative:

•Some grants ask for this before now.•It is easier to write after you have gone through the other sections.•Tie together the needs, goals, objectives and evaluation with the budget.•The beginning sentence of the narrative should establish that there is a solid history of your school working together on this problem for a period of time.

III. Conclusion:Write a brief summary of your proposal that restates your case, problem, solution and uses of funds.

Appendices:•Verification of tax-exempt status•List of administration/board members•Biographies of key personnel or resumes•Support letters or endorsements•Commitment letters from applicable people

http://www.grants.gov/

www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev039.shtml

http://foundationcenter.org

www.techlearning.com

http://www.technologygrantnews.com/grant-index-by-type/library-grants-funding.html

http://www.schoolgrants.org/

http://www.paservicelearning.org/PSLA/grantWriting2.html

http://www.itcompany.com/inforetriever/grant.htm

Library Grants

http://www.scholastic.com/librarians/programs/grants.htm

Scholastic Library Grant Page

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/name.shtm

The Institute of Museum and Library Services

http://professional.us.acer.com/edu/LibraryMakeover/index.htm

Win a school library makeover from Acer & Intel – Ended- Winners announced April 5, 2010

http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf/

A total of 4,000 public and school (K-12) libraries will be selected to receive the "A More Perfect Union" Bookshelf. Online applications were accepted September 8, 2009 through January 29, 2010. Awards will be announced in April 2010.

http://www.neafoundation.org/pages/educators/grant-programs/grant-application/books-across-america/

Books Across AmericaThe NEA Foundation supports public school libraries serving economically disadvantaged through periodic donations of books, grants and facility improvements

http://www.toshiba.com/tafpub/jsp/home/default.jsp

Toshiba America Foundation –Math and Science GrantsToshiba America Foundation (TAF) is currently accepting applications for grants to support innovative projects designed by math and science teachers to make their own classrooms more exciting and successful for students. Deadline – August 2, 2010

http://www.neafoundation.org/pages/educators/grant-programs/grant-application/learning-and-leadership/

Learning & Leadership Grants: Our Learning & Leadership grants support public school teachers, public education support professionals, and/or faculty and staff in public institutions of higher education.

http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=2FLqL0ldvgYrnk24ybcnCgPbbNLkzbYGXynzhY7hQhlvYrrK1WhG!-868834516?oppId=51982&mode=VIEW

Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program CFDA 84.364A

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=cTJXL0nSXhbKy4h5QB2Sk8XJCBMTygqR6GFXqbRCcT8Fn2SphwyJ!-868834516?oppId=51480&mode=VIEW

Technology and Media Services for Individuals With Disabilities CFDA 84.327A

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=cTJXL0nSXhbKy4h5QB2Sk8XJCBMTygqR6GFXqbRCcT8Fn2SphwyJ!-868834516?oppId=51873&mode=VIEW

School Leadership Grant Program CFDA 84.363A

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslawards/aaslawards.cfmGrantsAASL Research Grant ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant Beyond Words Innovative Reading Grant Spectrum Scholar Travel Grant

http://www.librifoundation.org/

The Libri Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization whichdonates new, quality, hardcover children's booksto small, rural public libraries in the United States through itsBOOKS FOR CHILDREN program.

http://www.galeschools.com/grantgoldmine/grants.htm?state=AL

Grant Goldmine

http://loislenskicovey.org/

THE LOIS LENSKI COVEY FOUNDATION, INC.