There is no magic formula for winning grant money. I wish it were that easy! Finding and securing grant money can be a slow and tedious process. You have to work hard at it and have a lot of patience if you are truly going to be successful.
I can, however, provide you with some quick tips that, if you follow them carefully, will steam-line your efforts and will help you acquire a lot more grant money than those who don’t follow them.
· Determine your school’s most pressing problems that could be helped by grant money.
· Develop a program to address your main problem that is measurable and replicable.
· Spend your valuable time writing grants, not finding them – use a grant database.
· Make absolutely sure the grant criteria match the needs of your school.
· Before you write any grant, visit the grantor’s website.
· Before you write any grant, call the grant contact person.
· Planning is extremely important in grant writing. Plan first, then write.
· Don’t focus on money; focus on student achievement.
· Follow application directions carefully – all of them.
· Complete each section of the application as if it were the only section.
· Use statistics to be convincing about your need for grant money.
· Make sure your application is of the highest quality because competition can be fierce.
· Be persistent. Complete more applications to increase your chances of getting money.
· Use your computer to check for errors. Get a colleague to proofread your application.
· Don’t give up! Thousands of grants are available. Keep applying until you’re successful.
Again, these short tips won’t make you a successful grant writer overnight, but if you consistently apply them to your grant writing, you will be more successful given a little time and practice.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Check It Out - Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Green Across America Grants
Funded by: National Education Association and Target
Description: Engage and inspire your K-12 students to increase sustainable, earth-friendly behavior in their neighborhoods and communities. NEA’s Green Across America grants of up to $1,000 are available to help you implement your innovative education program, activity, lesson or event to excite students about going green, caring for the earth and creating a sustainable future.
Program Areas: Science/Environment
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools
Proposal Deadline: 7/30/10
Average Amount: $1,000
Website: http://neagreenschools.groupsite.com/link/go/71883534
Availability: All States
Funded by: National Education Association and Target
Description: Engage and inspire your K-12 students to increase sustainable, earth-friendly behavior in their neighborhoods and communities. NEA’s Green Across America grants of up to $1,000 are available to help you implement your innovative education program, activity, lesson or event to excite students about going green, caring for the earth and creating a sustainable future.
Program Areas: Science/Environment
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools
Proposal Deadline: 7/30/10
Average Amount: $1,000
Website: http://neagreenschools.groupsite.com/link/go/71883534
Availability: All States
Check It Out - Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Carol M. White Physical Education Program
Funded by: U.S. Department of Education
Description: The Carol M. White Physical Education Program provides grants to LEAs and community-based organizations (CBOs) to initiate, expand, or enhance physical education programs, including after-school programs, for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Grant recipients must implement programs that help students make progress toward meeting state standards.
Program Areas: After-School, Health/P.E.
Recipients: Public Schools, Other
Proposal Deadline: 7/19/10
Contact Person: Carlette Huntley
Telephone: 202-245-7871
Email: Carlette.Huntley@ed.gov
Website: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/whitephysed/index.html
Availability: All States
Funded by: U.S. Department of Education
Description: The Carol M. White Physical Education Program provides grants to LEAs and community-based organizations (CBOs) to initiate, expand, or enhance physical education programs, including after-school programs, for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Grant recipients must implement programs that help students make progress toward meeting state standards.
Program Areas: After-School, Health/P.E.
Recipients: Public Schools, Other
Proposal Deadline: 7/19/10
Contact Person: Carlette Huntley
Telephone: 202-245-7871
Email: Carlette.Huntley@ed.gov
Website: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/whitephysed/index.html
Availability: All States
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Completing Foundation Applications – The Right Way!
You will be asked to apply for foundation grants in one of several ways:
1) A foundation may have its own on-line application.
2) A foundation may have its own paper application.
3) A foundation may use one of several standard applications.
4) A foundation may have no application and simply want you to write a letter.
More and more granting entities provide on-line applications. You simply go to their individual sites on the Internet and fill out the application while you’re on line. Normally, you can print these applications out to work on your narrative and budget, but you will actually submit the application with the information you fill out on line. This type of application certainly helps when dealing with deadlines. You won’t need to worry about getting a certain postmark or the grant application getting to the foundation on time.
Many foundations have their own paper applications. You can usually download the application from the foundation’s website and print it out. When the application is complete, you simply mail it or FedEx it to the foundation. Be sure to allow plenty of time for the foundation to receive your proposal before the deadline. Overnight mail does not always reach its destination when promised. You may get your money back from the post office, but your grant won’t be considered if it does not meet the foundation’s deadline.
Many foundations use a common grant application. The problem is that a host of these common applications exist, and you need to be sure to use the right one for the organization to which you are applying.
You can find a list of many of these common applications at:
http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/cga.html
or by Googling “common grant applications”.
Finally, some foundations don’t even use an application. You have to write a letter to them requesting funds. When you write that letter, however, I recommend that you include most of the information you would have had you completed a regular application. You’ll just put it in the form of a letter.
Foundation applications are usually the shortest and simplest. You should be able to complete several in just a few days if you have all your information gathered and organized.
1) A foundation may have its own on-line application.
2) A foundation may have its own paper application.
3) A foundation may use one of several standard applications.
4) A foundation may have no application and simply want you to write a letter.
More and more granting entities provide on-line applications. You simply go to their individual sites on the Internet and fill out the application while you’re on line. Normally, you can print these applications out to work on your narrative and budget, but you will actually submit the application with the information you fill out on line. This type of application certainly helps when dealing with deadlines. You won’t need to worry about getting a certain postmark or the grant application getting to the foundation on time.
Many foundations have their own paper applications. You can usually download the application from the foundation’s website and print it out. When the application is complete, you simply mail it or FedEx it to the foundation. Be sure to allow plenty of time for the foundation to receive your proposal before the deadline. Overnight mail does not always reach its destination when promised. You may get your money back from the post office, but your grant won’t be considered if it does not meet the foundation’s deadline.
Many foundations use a common grant application. The problem is that a host of these common applications exist, and you need to be sure to use the right one for the organization to which you are applying.
You can find a list of many of these common applications at:
http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/cga.html
or by Googling “common grant applications”.
Finally, some foundations don’t even use an application. You have to write a letter to them requesting funds. When you write that letter, however, I recommend that you include most of the information you would have had you completed a regular application. You’ll just put it in the form of a letter.
Foundation applications are usually the shortest and simplest. You should be able to complete several in just a few days if you have all your information gathered and organized.
Check it Out: Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Classroom Earth Professional Development Grants
Funded by: National Environmental Education Foundation
Description: Environmental education benefits students - increasing their understanding of how earth's resources and natural systems work, offering opportunities for hands-on activities and inquiry-based learning and providing practical information about how to succeed in the green economy.In order for students to receive meaningful environmental education, it is critical that their teachers have the necessary skills and knowledge. Essential to a teacher’s ability to serve in this role as environmental educator is not only an understanding of environmental concepts and issues, but familiarity with the newest strategies and best practices for integrating these concepts into their established cirriculum. Whether a teacher focuses on science, math or social studies, environmental education can provide experiences that link what they are learning to their local environment. Classroom Earth supports teachers around the country who want to make environmental education part of their curriculum. Classroom Earth's 2010 Professional Development Grants enable applicants to take two online courses, creating a strong foundation in environmental education. These courses are offered by the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point through the Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP). With these courses, teachers are better equipped to bring the environment into the classroom and connect students with their natural surroundings.
Program Areas: Professional Development, Science/Environmental
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools
Proposal Deadline: 7/9/10
Address: 4301 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 160, Washington, D.C. 20008
Website: http://classroomearth.org/professional-development-grant-2010
Availability: All States
Funded by: National Environmental Education Foundation
Description: Environmental education benefits students - increasing their understanding of how earth's resources and natural systems work, offering opportunities for hands-on activities and inquiry-based learning and providing practical information about how to succeed in the green economy.In order for students to receive meaningful environmental education, it is critical that their teachers have the necessary skills and knowledge. Essential to a teacher’s ability to serve in this role as environmental educator is not only an understanding of environmental concepts and issues, but familiarity with the newest strategies and best practices for integrating these concepts into their established cirriculum. Whether a teacher focuses on science, math or social studies, environmental education can provide experiences that link what they are learning to their local environment. Classroom Earth supports teachers around the country who want to make environmental education part of their curriculum. Classroom Earth's 2010 Professional Development Grants enable applicants to take two online courses, creating a strong foundation in environmental education. These courses are offered by the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point through the Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP). With these courses, teachers are better equipped to bring the environment into the classroom and connect students with their natural surroundings.
Program Areas: Professional Development, Science/Environmental
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools
Proposal Deadline: 7/9/10
Address: 4301 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 160, Washington, D.C. 20008
Website: http://classroomearth.org/professional-development-grant-2010
Availability: All States
Check it Out: Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Kinder Morgan Foundation Education Grants
Funded by: Kinder Morgan Foundation
Description: Grants are primarily directed to educational programs for youth in grades K-12. Funding is provided to local, state, provincial and regional educational institutions, libraries and programs that provide ongoing support, such as Junior Achievement. The foundation also supports youth programs provided by local arts organizations, symphony orchestras, museums and others. Initial approach is to contact the foundation for application form, which is required.
Program Areas: Arts, Community Involvement/Volunteerism, General Education, Library, Math, Reading, Science/Environment, Social Studies
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools, Other
Proposal Deadline: 7/10/10
Average Amount: $3,500.00 - $5,000.00
Email: km_foundation@kindermorgan.com
Website: http://www.kindermorgan.com/community/km_foundation.cfm
Availability: All States
Funded by: Kinder Morgan Foundation
Description: Grants are primarily directed to educational programs for youth in grades K-12. Funding is provided to local, state, provincial and regional educational institutions, libraries and programs that provide ongoing support, such as Junior Achievement. The foundation also supports youth programs provided by local arts organizations, symphony orchestras, museums and others. Initial approach is to contact the foundation for application form, which is required.
Program Areas: Arts, Community Involvement/Volunteerism, General Education, Library, Math, Reading, Science/Environment, Social Studies
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools, Other
Proposal Deadline: 7/10/10
Average Amount: $3,500.00 - $5,000.00
Email: km_foundation@kindermorgan.com
Website: http://www.kindermorgan.com/community/km_foundation.cfm
Availability: All States
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Do You Know Your Grant Categories?
One major way to categorize grants is by the type of problem the grant addresses. If a grant is designated as a reading grant, obviously you aren’t going to be able to get money to fix a problem you are having in math, unless, of course, the math problem you have is directly related to your students’ inability to read well enough to work any type of stated problem in math.
Obviously, there is great overlap in these categories. An after-school program funded by grant money may involve extra instruction in science and social studies. That is why you need to fully understand the types of problems you have. The overlap in categories can often lead you to additional grant money.
Basically, the main categories of grants for schools include the following:
adult literacy library
after-school math
arts professional development
at-risk/character reading
community involvement/volunteerism
safe/drug-free schools
disabilities science/environment
early childhood
social studies
ESL/bilingual/foreign language
special education
facilities/maintenance
technology
family services transportation
health/PE vocational
Of course, there are other grant topics, but generally these will fit under one of those listed above. Also, it is possible to have quite a bit of overlap. You may have a reading problem that is strongly impacting student performance in social studies and science, and you need considerable professional development in reading in the content areas to correct the problem. You might find grant money under any one of those categories or all of them.
Always try to approach the problems you are experiencing from as many angles as possible. When you do, your solution is likely to be more complete, and it consistently opens up more funding sources.
Grants can be categorized in many different ways. Once you have determined the problem that you have at your school, develop a plan for fixing that problem, and determine the cost of the program, you are ready to start looking in the different grant categories to find grants that match your needs.
Obviously, there is great overlap in these categories. An after-school program funded by grant money may involve extra instruction in science and social studies. That is why you need to fully understand the types of problems you have. The overlap in categories can often lead you to additional grant money.
Basically, the main categories of grants for schools include the following:
adult literacy library
after-school math
arts professional development
at-risk/character reading
community involvement/volunteerism
safe/drug-free schools
disabilities science/environment
early childhood
social studies
ESL/bilingual/foreign language
special education
facilities/maintenance
technology
family services transportation
health/PE vocational
Of course, there are other grant topics, but generally these will fit under one of those listed above. Also, it is possible to have quite a bit of overlap. You may have a reading problem that is strongly impacting student performance in social studies and science, and you need considerable professional development in reading in the content areas to correct the problem. You might find grant money under any one of those categories or all of them.
Always try to approach the problems you are experiencing from as many angles as possible. When you do, your solution is likely to be more complete, and it consistently opens up more funding sources.
Grants can be categorized in many different ways. Once you have determined the problem that you have at your school, develop a plan for fixing that problem, and determine the cost of the program, you are ready to start looking in the different grant categories to find grants that match your needs.
Check it Out: Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Baseball Tomorrow Fund Grant
Funded by: Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association
Description: Baseball Tomorrow Fund will review all grant applications and will be most interested in projects that help: Increase the number of youth participating in baseball and softball programs; Improve the quality of youth baseball and softball programs; Create new or innovative ways of expanding and improving baseball or softball programs; Generate matching funds for programs; Address programs for children aged 10-16; Support existing programs which have demonstrated success in providing a quality baseball/softball experience for youth; Address opportunities for minorities and women. General Requirements: All Baseball Tomorrow Fund grant applications must meet the following requirements: Projects should significantly expand baseball or softball programs in a measurable way. Projects must correspond to a demonstrated need. Projects must have measurable objectives that are achievable within a specific time frame. Projects must include a plan-of-action detailing how the stated goals will be achieved. Project proposals must be complete and submitted to Baseball Tomorrow Fund by the beginning of any of the four grant review cycles. Projects must be evaluated in relation to their stated objectives. Evaluation reports must be submitted within timelines established by Baseball Tomorrow Fund. Projects must acknowledge Baseball Tomorrow Fund support on all public documents, press materials, and public statements. Projects must be audited as required by Baseball Tomorrow Fund. Projects must comply with all Baseball Tomorrow Fund Terms and Conditions.
Program Areas: Facilities/Maintenance, Health/PE
Recipients: Public Schools, Other
Proposal Deadline: 7/1/10
Average Amount: $50,000.00
Email: btf@mlb.com
Website: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/community/btf.jsp?content=grant_process
Availability: All States
Funded by: Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association
Description: Baseball Tomorrow Fund will review all grant applications and will be most interested in projects that help: Increase the number of youth participating in baseball and softball programs; Improve the quality of youth baseball and softball programs; Create new or innovative ways of expanding and improving baseball or softball programs; Generate matching funds for programs; Address programs for children aged 10-16; Support existing programs which have demonstrated success in providing a quality baseball/softball experience for youth; Address opportunities for minorities and women. General Requirements: All Baseball Tomorrow Fund grant applications must meet the following requirements: Projects should significantly expand baseball or softball programs in a measurable way. Projects must correspond to a demonstrated need. Projects must have measurable objectives that are achievable within a specific time frame. Projects must include a plan-of-action detailing how the stated goals will be achieved. Project proposals must be complete and submitted to Baseball Tomorrow Fund by the beginning of any of the four grant review cycles. Projects must be evaluated in relation to their stated objectives. Evaluation reports must be submitted within timelines established by Baseball Tomorrow Fund. Projects must acknowledge Baseball Tomorrow Fund support on all public documents, press materials, and public statements. Projects must be audited as required by Baseball Tomorrow Fund. Projects must comply with all Baseball Tomorrow Fund Terms and Conditions.
Program Areas: Facilities/Maintenance, Health/PE
Recipients: Public Schools, Other
Proposal Deadline: 7/1/10
Average Amount: $50,000.00
Email: btf@mlb.com
Website: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/community/btf.jsp?content=grant_process
Availability: All States
Check it Out: Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Apps for Healthy Kids
Funded by: ChallengePost, Inc. & USDA
Description: The Apps for Healthy Kids competition is a part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign to end childhood obesity within a generation. Apps for Healthy Kids challenges software developers, game designers, students, and other innovators to develop fun and engaging software tools and games that drive children, especially “tweens” (ages 9-12) – directly or through their parents – to eat better and be more physically active. Childhood obesity or excess weight threatens the healthy future of one third of American children. We spend approximately $150 billion every year to treat obesity-related conditions, and that number is growing. Obesity rates tripled in the past 30 years, a trend that means, for the first time in our history, American children may face a shorter expected lifespan than their parents. We need to get moving! Tools and games should be built using the USDA nutrition dataset recently made available to the public through the Open Government Initiative. The dataset provides information on total calories, calories from “extras” (solid fats and added sugars), and MyPyramid food groups for over 1,000 commonly eaten foods. We are seeking innovative and creative tools and games that use the USDA dataset to deliver nutrition and health concepts in a fun and engaging way.
Program Areas: Health/PE, Technology
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools, Higher Education, Other
Proposal Deadline: 6/30/10
Average Amount: $1,000 - $10,000
Email: info@appsforhealthykids.com
Website: http://www.appsforhealthykids.com
Availability: All States
Funded by: ChallengePost, Inc. & USDA
Description: The Apps for Healthy Kids competition is a part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign to end childhood obesity within a generation. Apps for Healthy Kids challenges software developers, game designers, students, and other innovators to develop fun and engaging software tools and games that drive children, especially “tweens” (ages 9-12) – directly or through their parents – to eat better and be more physically active. Childhood obesity or excess weight threatens the healthy future of one third of American children. We spend approximately $150 billion every year to treat obesity-related conditions, and that number is growing. Obesity rates tripled in the past 30 years, a trend that means, for the first time in our history, American children may face a shorter expected lifespan than their parents. We need to get moving! Tools and games should be built using the USDA nutrition dataset recently made available to the public through the Open Government Initiative. The dataset provides information on total calories, calories from “extras” (solid fats and added sugars), and MyPyramid food groups for over 1,000 commonly eaten foods. We are seeking innovative and creative tools and games that use the USDA dataset to deliver nutrition and health concepts in a fun and engaging way.
Program Areas: Health/PE, Technology
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools, Higher Education, Other
Proposal Deadline: 6/30/10
Average Amount: $1,000 - $10,000
Email: info@appsforhealthykids.com
Website: http://www.appsforhealthykids.com
Availability: All States
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