how to write a grant how to get funding from outside sources for your classroom

How to Write a GrantHow to Write a Grant

How to get funding from outside How to get funding from outside sources for your classroom.sources for your classroom.

What is a grant?What is a grant?

A grant is money that is provided by a A grant is money that is provided by a foundation or governmental agency for the foundation or governmental agency for the purposes of accomplishing a particular project.purposes of accomplishing a particular project.

Foundations give money to better the world (or Foundations give money to better the world (or to better the image of the corporation).to better the image of the corporation).

Governments give money to allow expansion of Governments give money to allow expansion of services.services.

Grants don’t pay for “bread and butter”—Grants don’t pay for “bread and butter”—electricity or salaries of regular employees.electricity or salaries of regular employees.

Grants pay for special, time-limited projects.Grants pay for special, time-limited projects.

How do I apply?How do I apply?

To apply for a grant, you need to find a To apply for a grant, you need to find a “request for proposals” that fits your “request for proposals” that fits your circumstancescircumstances

Look on the web. Search terms to Look on the web. Search terms to consider: education, grant, arts, consider: education, grant, arts, elementary, foundation. You could also elementary, foundation. You could also describe the characteristics of the school describe the characteristics of the school where you hope to teach—e.g., rural, where you hope to teach—e.g., rural, urban. urban.

Getting an IdeaGetting an Idea

The first thing to do is to think about what you The first thing to do is to think about what you want to accomplish in your classroom. Make a want to accomplish in your classroom. Make a list of possible projects that would benefit your list of possible projects that would benefit your students.students.

Think short term and long term. For example, Think short term and long term. For example, getting a classroom set of musical instruments getting a classroom set of musical instruments would benefit students for a long time (the life of would benefit students for a long time (the life of the instruments). Getting a new special the instruments). Getting a new special computer program would benefit students for 3-4 computer program would benefit students for 3-4 years. Getting funding to go on a special field years. Getting funding to go on a special field trip would benefit one group of students. trip would benefit one group of students.


Are there special events coming up in your Are there special events coming up in your community? A grant could help you and community? A grant could help you and your students learn about your your students learn about your community’s history.community’s history.

Do your students have special needs? Do your students have special needs? For example, if your school has students For example, if your school has students that are often truant, establishing a that are often truant, establishing a drumming group might help with drumming group might help with attendance and attitude.attendance and attitude.


Is there a special program available to Is there a special program available to schools? For example, you could apply schools? For example, you could apply for funds to bring musicians or other artists for funds to bring musicians or other artists into your school for a special project.into your school for a special project.

Does your school have a resource that Does your school have a resource that could be used? For example, you could could be used? For example, you could write a grant to turn a piece of school write a grant to turn a piece of school property into a pond or a special garden.property into a pond or a special garden.


Is there a topic that your students have Is there a topic that your students have really loved studying? Would there be really loved studying? Would there be something extra you could do on that topic something extra you could do on that topic with some extra money? For example, with some extra money? For example, taking a field trip, having a specialist visit, taking a field trip, having a specialist visit, buying some extra resources to have buying some extra resources to have available at the school.available at the school.

Creating a ProgramCreating a Program

Once you have a basic idea, you need to contact Once you have a basic idea, you need to contact others in your school for three reasons. others in your school for three reasons.

First, you need to have permission and First, you need to have permission and cooperation to pursue your idea. cooperation to pursue your idea.

Second, the people you talk to may have some Second, the people you talk to may have some ways of making your idea better. Solicit opinions ways of making your idea better. Solicit opinions and other people’s ideas. and other people’s ideas.

Finally, many grants require letters of Finally, many grants require letters of cooperation from people involved and you will cooperation from people involved and you will need them to be willing to write those.need them to be willing to write those.


Think from several perspectives. For Think from several perspectives. For instance, even if your program is for a instance, even if your program is for a short term event, if you add $500 for short term event, if you add $500 for buying books for the school library about buying books for the school library about the subject, then students will benefit from the subject, then students will benefit from the program for a long time. Therefore, the program for a long time. Therefore, not only will you want money for the not only will you want money for the immediate program, but also for items that immediate program, but also for items that would add to the program in the long run.would add to the program in the long run.


Think about how you can dovetail your Think about how you can dovetail your program with what already exists. For program with what already exists. For example, most schools own computers. example, most schools own computers. You probably won’t have to write a grant You probably won’t have to write a grant for that. But you can write a grant for for that. But you can write a grant for some special software that will enhance some special software that will enhance those computers or special equipment those computers or special equipment (e.g., MIDI keyboards plus software) that (e.g., MIDI keyboards plus software) that increase the usability of the computers.increase the usability of the computers.

Creating a ProgramCreating a Program Also think about exactly how students will benefit Also think about exactly how students will benefit

from the program:from the program: Academic benefits (use benchmarks)Academic benefits (use benchmarks) Attitude/behavior benefitsAttitude/behavior benefits Appreciation for others (e.g., appreciation for a Appreciation for others (e.g., appreciation for a

culture along with relevant social studies culture along with relevant social studies benchmarks)benchmarks)

Safety benefitsSafety benefits Accomplishment benefitsAccomplishment benefits Family benefitsFamily benefits Conflict resolution benefits, getting along with Conflict resolution benefits, getting along with

othersothers


Think about what you will need in order to Think about what you will need in order to do the program:do the program:

Expendable materials—art supplies, Expendable materials—art supplies, computer supplies, cleaning supplies, etc.computer supplies, cleaning supplies, etc.

Permanent materials—computer Permanent materials—computer programs, books, musical instruments, programs, books, musical instruments, etc.etc.

Specialist—visiting specialist to help with Specialist—visiting specialist to help with program—one time or several times.program—one time or several times.

Creating a ProgramCreating a Program Think about how the program will really work: Think about how the program will really work: Is this a one day program or something that Is this a one day program or something that

happens over a long period of time? happens over a long period of time? How is it going to look/feel? How is it going to look/feel? Are there other issues or events that will Are there other issues or events that will

influence your program? influence your program? Use these questions to see if there are more Use these questions to see if there are more

materials you will need. (For younger students, materials you will need. (For younger students, you might need to give them a snack if you you might need to give them a snack if you develop a program that runs after school one develop a program that runs after school one day a week, so you will need to plan for that).day a week, so you will need to plan for that).

Getting Ready to WriteGetting Ready to Write

First off, think about the materials and expertise First off, think about the materials and expertise you need. you need.

Which of these are available locally? Which of these are available locally? Which of these could be donated from local Which of these could be donated from local

businesses? businesses? A grant is a lot more convincing if you can show A grant is a lot more convincing if you can show

that part of what you need has been donated by that part of what you need has been donated by members of the community. This includes members of the community. This includes material items and volunteer time. This type of material items and volunteer time. This type of donation is called “in kind” funding. donation is called “in kind” funding.

Getting Ready to WriteGetting Ready to Write

For your first grant, I recommend writing a For your first grant, I recommend writing a small one (less than $1000). small one (less than $1000).

If you have a huge project in mind that If you have a huge project in mind that would cost more than $1000, consider would cost more than $1000, consider how you could get one usable piece of it how you could get one usable piece of it funded and then try for another piece later funded and then try for another piece later on. If you want several instruments, try for on. If you want several instruments, try for one that you can use and then try for one that you can use and then try for another kind later on. another kind later on.

Getting Ready to WriteGetting Ready to Write Talk to your administrator. This person has to be on Talk to your administrator. This person has to be on

board with your project before you begin writing. If your board with your project before you begin writing. If your administrator is opposed to your project, then you would administrator is opposed to your project, then you would have to turn back the money and that would not be a have to turn back the money and that would not be a good idea. good idea.

Your school system may have a grant writer who can Your school system may have a grant writer who can help you.help you.

Also, your school system may have some requirements Also, your school system may have some requirements about grants, so the appropriate people need to know about grants, so the appropriate people need to know what you are up to.what you are up to.

Grant monies are serious business. You can end up on Grant monies are serious business. You can end up on the 6 p.m. news if you mishandle them. Make sure you the 6 p.m. news if you mishandle them. Make sure you know how your system deals with grants and that you know how your system deals with grants and that you have all the permission you need.have all the permission you need.

Getting Ready to WriteGetting Ready to Write Now, do a little research about the type of kids you are Now, do a little research about the type of kids you are

going to serve and the type of project you are going to going to serve and the type of project you are going to do. What types of programs benefit the population you do. What types of programs benefit the population you have in mind? What are the specific benefits?have in mind? What are the specific benefits?

Do a little research on the type of school where you are Do a little research on the type of school where you are teaching. The Ohio Dept. of Education has statistics on teaching. The Ohio Dept. of Education has statistics on all Ohio schools. Whereever you are teaching, you all Ohio schools. Whereever you are teaching, you should be able to find out information on the kids you are should be able to find out information on the kids you are teaching.teaching.

The purpose of this information is to give your grant an The purpose of this information is to give your grant an air of authority. You didn’t just dream up this project—air of authority. You didn’t just dream up this project—you have some kind of idea that it is going to work just you have some kind of idea that it is going to work just as you said it would because you have done your as you said it would because you have done your homework.homework.

Grant Writing 101Grant Writing 101

Do you remember the teacher who was a Do you remember the teacher who was a stickler for correctness? Your name had stickler for correctness? Your name had to be on the upper right hand corner and to be on the upper right hand corner and everything had to be in the correct format? everything had to be in the correct format? If you had this kind of teacher, then you If you had this kind of teacher, then you have had good training for writing a grant.have had good training for writing a grant.

#1 rule for writing a good grant: FOLLOW #1 rule for writing a good grant: FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS THE DIRECTIONS EXACTLYEXACTLY..

WritingWriting

Think about your audience. The people Think about your audience. The people who read grants are not necessarily who read grants are not necessarily teachers, so they will not know education teachers, so they will not know education jargon (e.g., ESL=English as a Second jargon (e.g., ESL=English as a Second Language). You need to explain what you Language). You need to explain what you are doing very clearly so that a non-are doing very clearly so that a non-educator will understand exactly what you educator will understand exactly what you intend to do and how you intend to do it.intend to do and how you intend to do it.

WritingWriting

Most grant readers are not moved by Most grant readers are not moved by emotional arguments. They ARE moved emotional arguments. They ARE moved by well thought out logical arguments that by well thought out logical arguments that are backed up with research. are backed up with research.

Grant writers appreciate writing that they Grant writers appreciate writing that they can understand and that is not can understand and that is not condescending. They appreciate writing condescending. They appreciate writing that gets to the point.that gets to the point.

WritingWriting

Grant readers appreciate grants that have Grant readers appreciate grants that have detail enough so they know that you have detail enough so they know that you have thought through the program very thought through the program very carefully. Don’t ask for $500 to buy books carefully. Don’t ask for $500 to buy books and supplies. Instead, be specific about and supplies. Instead, be specific about what books and what supplies and what what books and what supplies and what they will cost. they will cost.

WritingWriting

In general, the first thing you should write In general, the first thing you should write when you are doing a grant are the goals when you are doing a grant are the goals and objectives. This is the center of the and objectives. This is the center of the grant and it is your plan for what will be grant and it is your plan for what will be accomplished. accomplished.

WritingWriting

Goals & Objectives

Statement of problem

Proposed program

There is a chain of logic from the Statement of the Problem through the Proposed Program to the Objectives. The Proposed Program needs to be the logical result of the Statement of the Problem and the Objectives need to be the logical result of the Proposed Program.

At risk students are often absent. They are not engaged in school.

The creation of a program for at-risk students that is engaging (e.g., steel drum group).

•Goal: Steel drum group will be created.•Objective: Group will meet during study hall two times a week.•Objective: Twenty students will be able to be involved.•Objective: Students with poor attendance record will be selected & invited.•Goal: Students involved in steel drum group will improve rate of school attendance.•Objective: Students involved in group will attend school at least on the days of rehearsal.

The issues identified in the statement of the problem are addressed in the proposed program. The characteristics of the proposed program are part of the objectives.

Goals and ObjectivesGoals and Objectives

A goal is a statement of what you are A goal is a statement of what you are going to do.going to do.

An objective is a statement about how you An objective is a statement about how you will do it.will do it.

If your goal is to be able to drive a car, If your goal is to be able to drive a car, then your objectives will include passing then your objectives will include passing the written test, taking a certain amount of the written test, taking a certain amount of lessons, and then passing the driving test.lessons, and then passing the driving test.

WritingWriting

After you have written your goals and After you have written your goals and objectives, then you can write the other objectives, then you can write the other parts of the grant narrative. Having written parts of the grant narrative. Having written the goals, you can shape the rest of the the goals, you can shape the rest of the narrative so that it leads logically to the narrative so that it leads logically to the goals you have set.goals you have set.

AssessmentAssessment

Many grants ask you to consider how you will Many grants ask you to consider how you will know if your grant project is a success. Be sure know if your grant project is a success. Be sure you write your goals so that you can collect the you write your goals so that you can collect the right data. right data.

For example, if your project is designed to serve For example, if your project is designed to serve 25 students, promise a few less because it is 25 students, promise a few less because it is better to serve a few extra than a few less. better to serve a few extra than a few less. Remember that kids can be absent or they can Remember that kids can be absent or they can leave the school system. If you were depending leave the school system. If you were depending on that student for fulfillment of your grant, you on that student for fulfillment of your grant, you might be in trouble.might be in trouble.

AssessmentAssessment

Don’t turn data collection into a pain for Don’t turn data collection into a pain for yourself or others. Consider data that is yourself or others. Consider data that is easy to collect when you set your goals. easy to collect when you set your goals. Attendance is easy to collect. Pre-tests Attendance is easy to collect. Pre-tests and post-tests might be more difficult to and post-tests might be more difficult to obtain. obtain.

$$$$$$$$$$

Make a complete list of what things will Make a complete list of what things will cost. What books will you order? How cost. What books will you order? How much does that computer program cost? much does that computer program cost? How much does it cost to take kids to the How much does it cost to take kids to the symphony or to COSI? What will bus symphony or to COSI? What will bus transportation cost? What other costs will transportation cost? What other costs will be associated with a field trip? For be associated with a field trip? For instance, if it is an all day field trip, how will instance, if it is an all day field trip, how will you feed the kids lunch?you feed the kids lunch?

In-kind In-kind

Also list donations that will help your Also list donations that will help your project and how much those are worth. If project and how much those are worth. If the local garden center is giving you seeds the local garden center is giving you seeds and mulch for your class garden, list the and mulch for your class garden, list the name of the donor, what they are giving, name of the donor, what they are giving, and the monetary worth of it.and the monetary worth of it.

Letters of SupportLetters of Support

Many grants will ask you for letters of support Many grants will ask you for letters of support from those who might be involved in your from those who might be involved in your program. For instance, you would need a letter program. For instance, you would need a letter from your principal, from your district, from local from your principal, from your district, from local businesses that are donating items, and maybe businesses that are donating items, and maybe even a parent whose child is involved in your even a parent whose child is involved in your project. (These are not required for the class project. (These are not required for the class assignment, but you need to be aware of them). assignment, but you need to be aware of them). Solicit these as quickly as you can—when you Solicit these as quickly as you can—when you first start to write the grant.first start to write the grant.

RejectionRejection

You may get rejected. Don’t worry about You may get rejected. Don’t worry about that. Look for somewhere else to send that. Look for somewhere else to send your grant and then REWRITE it to meet your grant and then REWRITE it to meet the requirements of that place. the requirements of that place.

SummarySummary

Grants allow you to enrich your classroom, Grants allow you to enrich your classroom, no matter how little money your district no matter how little money your district has.has.

Grant-writing skills allow you to move Grant-writing skills allow you to move around in the school system—they around in the school system—they enhance your professional value. Some enhance your professional value. Some people make a living writing grants and people make a living writing grants and some do it part-time to supplement other some do it part-time to supplement other income.income.

how to write a grant how to get funding from outside sources for your classroom

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