Thursday, April 29, 2010

Grants from Wealthy Individuals

Wealthy individuals give millions of dollars to schools each year. This is a type of grant that schools often overlook. Some wealthy people set up foundations to give a portion of their money to schools and other non-profit organizations. Others do not go through the formality of setting up a foundation. They give money to non-profits as a tax benefit or simply because they are generous human beings.

I have seen from hundreds of dollars to millions of dollars donated to schools by wealthy individuals. Most of the time these wealthy folks who donate money to schools have close ties with the school or the school’s community.

They may have attended the school and have fond memories of their time there. They often see their school as one that either had high standards and needs additional money to maintain those standards or a school that has let its standards slip over the years and needs money to revitalize itself. Perhaps their children or grandchildren attend the school or live in the community.

If these wealthy individuals did not attend your particular school, they may still take an active part in the community, and schools are a very large part of any community. Maybe their company is a large employer in the area, and it is vital to them that the schools continue to produce a quality work force.

Most of the time a very direct link needs to be established between that wealthy person and the school or organization seeking funds. Once it is, grant money may be sought just once for a special project, or you may wish to establish an ongoing relationship for projects that may be especially meaningful to the donor.

Either way, wealthy people in your community should never be overlooked as a source of grant money. It’s true that some wouldn’t give you a penny regardless of the cause. Others are very generous, however, and they get a good feeling by giving something back to their schools and communities.

Check it Out: Grant Opportunity!

Grant Name: Service-Learning Partnership Grants

Funded by: Habitat for Humanity and State Farm

Description: Thanks to the generous support of State Farm, the Service-Learning Partnership grant provides funds for teachers and schools to develop and implement service-learning projects in partnership with their local Habitat affiliate. For the 20010–2011 school year, teachers and local Habitat affiliates can jointly apply for a one-year grant of up to $7,000 to cover educational expenses associated with the service-learning project.

Program Areas: Community Involvement/Volunteerism

Recipients: Public Schools

Proposal Deadline: 5/15/10

Average Amount: $7,000.00

Website: http://www.habitat.org/youthprograms/parent_teacher_leader/grants.aspx

Availability: All States

Check it Out: Grant Opportunity!

Grant Name: Aetna Foundation Grants

Funded by: Aetna Foundation

Description: We focus our grant-making on issues that improve health and the health care system in the following three areas: Obesity: Addressing the rising rate of obesity among U.S. adults and children Racial and Ethnic Health Care Equity: Promoting equity in health and health care for common chronic conditions and infant mortality Integrated Health Care: Advancing high-quality health care by improving care coordination and communications among health care professionals; creating informed and involved patients; and promoting cost-effective, affordable care.

Program Areas: Health/PE

Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools, Higher Education, Other

Proposal Deadline: 5/15/10

Average Amount: $5000.00 - $50,000.00

Email: aetnafoundation@aetna.com

Website: http://www.aetna.com/about-aetna-insurance/aetna-foundation/aetna-grants/grants-for-2010-and-beyond.html

Availability: All States

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Why Even Write Grants?

Why would you want to be a grant writer? It's a lot of work to pull together a grant application. And it's even more work if you're fortunate enough to receive the grant. You have to keep records, prove that you've spent the money properly, and record the results of your program -- even if those results are not positive. So why even put yourself through the grant-writing process?

The most immediate and seemingly logical answer to that question is, "For the money, of course."

But don't be too hasty with that response.

The best, most successful grants are not usually written with just the money in mind. True, money can help move the change process along, but if your purpose for writing grants is truly to better the lives of students and teachers, the chance for success in doing that improves dramatically when you have a positive, well-defined grant program in place.

What challenges are your students facing? What do they need help learning in your school? What behaviors are they exhibiting that might get in the way of achievement? Can your students read at grade level? Are they proficient enough in math to make major purchases without being ripped off? Can they speak English well enough to live productively in American society? Are your teachers trained well enough to truly educate every child in their classrooms?

Get passionate! You should write grants to change lives. That passion and determination will come across in your grant applications, and it will show up in the results you eventually achieve. That’s why you as a grant writer should apply for grants

But why do most schools in the United States apply for grants? Unfortunately, it’s usually just because they need the grant money. Grant writers should never apply for grant money just because their schools need additional money. They should apply for grants primarily to improve their schools.

Schools should apply for grants to enable them to correct problems and deficiencies they have in order to give their students a better education. A school’s focus should always be on student achievement. That’s why we have schools. That’s why we have grants.

Check it Out: Grant Opportunity!

Grant Name: Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grants for National Leadership Activities

Funded by: U.S. Department of Education

Description: The purpose of the CSP is to increase national understanding of the charter school model and to expand the number of high-quality charter schools available to students across the Nation by providing financial assistance for the planning, program design, and initial implementation of charter schools, and to evaluate the effects of charter schools, including their effects on students, student academic achievement, staff, and parents. Section 5205 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, (ESEA) (20 U.S.C.7221d), authorizes the Secretary to award grants under the CSP to carry out national activities.

Program Areas: Facilities/Maintenance, General Education

Recipients: Public School, Private/Charter School

Proposal Deadline: 5/14/2010

Address: 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Room 4W225, Washington, DC 20202-5970

Telephone: 202-453-7698

Email: richard.payton@ed.gov

Website: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-6378.htm

Availability: All States

Check it Out: Grant Opportunity!

Grant Name: American Honda Foundation Grants

Funded by: The American Honda Foundation

Description: Organizations working in the areas of youth and scientific education may be eligible for grants from the American Honda Foundation. Our policy is to seek out those programs and organizations with a well-defined sense of purpose, demonstrated commitment to making the best use of available resources and a reputation for accomplishing their objectives. The American Honda Foundation will make grants in the field of youth and scientific education to: Educational institutions, K-12. Accredited higher education institutions (colleges and universities). Community colleges and vocational or trade schools. Scholarship and fellowship programs at selected colleges and/or universities or through selected national, non-profit organizations. Other scientific and education-related non-profit, tax-exempt organizations. Gifted student programs. Youth educational or scientific programs or institutions. Educational radio and/or television stations or networks. Films, movies, film strips, slides and/or short subjects concerning youth and/or scientific education. College, university or other non-profit laboratories engaged in scientific education. Private, non-profit scientific and/or youth education projects. Other non-profit, tax-exempt institutions in the fields of youth and scientific education. Programs pertaining to academic or curriculum development that emphasize innovative educational methods and techniques.

Program Areas: General Education, Science/Environmental, TAG, Technology

Recipients: Public School, Private/Charter School, Higher Education, Other

Proposal Deadline: 5/1/2010

Average Amount: $40,000.00 - $80,000.00

Address: Honda Foundation, Attn: Grant Application Request, PO Box 2205, Torrance, CA 90509

Telephone: 310-781-4090

Website: http://corporate.honda.com/images/banners/america/AHF_brochure.pdf

Availability: All States

Check it Out: Grant Opportunity!

Grant Name: LEGO Children's Fund Grants

Funded by: LEGO Children's Fund

Description: The LEGO Children's Fund will provide quarterly grants for programs, either in part or in total, with a special interest paid to collaborative efforts and in providing matching funds to leverage new dollars into the receiving organization. We will give priority consideration to programs that both meet our goals and are supported in volunteer time and effort by our employees.

Program Areas: After-School, At-Risk/Character, General Education, Health/PE, Math, Reading, Science/Environmental, Social Studies, Technology

Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools, Higher Education, Other

Proposal Deadline: 5/1/2010

Average Amount: $500.00 - $5,000.00

Email: legochildrensfund@lego.com

Website: http://www.legochildrensfund.org/Guidelines.html

Availability: All States