Over the past several weeks I have shared steps one through four to follow as you attempt to secure grant money for your school. Those first four steps include: 1. Understanding the hurdle(s)/issue(s) your school faces. 2. Developing a solution to address those issues. 3. Finding all possible grants to fund your solution. 4. Matching your needs with likely grant sources. If you missed the information on any of those four steps, you can access past blogs on the right-hand side of this page.
Step five is obtaining the actual grant applications for your top one or two grant matches and gathering all the information you need to complete those applications.
First and foremost, you need to understand a grantor’s application process and obtain an application form far enough in advance of the deadline so you are not rushed when it comes time to fill it out. If you plan ahead, you are much more likely to submit a competitive grant application.
You should be aware that different organizations use different types of grant applications. Quite a few foundations require no more than a letter that details your school's problem, your planned solution, and a budget that details the money you need. That letter takes the place of a formal application. In other cases, some groups of foundations use common grant applications. But most foundations, states, and federal agencies use unique, detailed applications for each grant they sponsor. Grant seekers must obtain the specific application(s) required to apply for each grant.
The type of application required for each grant you seek is typically listed on the grantor’s website. In many cases, you will find, complete, and submit your application without ever leaving the grantor’s site. More often, however, grantors provide applications you can download to your computer and print out at your convenience.
Finally, some grantors require you to submit a request for an application in writing. If the grantor has a website, an email usually meets this requirement, and the application will be mailed or emailed to you. If the grantor does not have a website, both the request for an application and the return of the application will be accomplished using regular mail.
It's important to know all the details of the application process up front so you can plan your time well and not be rushed.
Once you obtain the application, read it thoroughly -- several times. Concentrate on the different kinds of information you will need in order to complete the application. Although quite a bit of the application will require you to supply information in narrative form, you will likely need statistics from several sources to verify your need for help. You will also have to develop a budget for your project.
Before you actually begin completing an application, gather all the reference materials and statistical information you will likely need and find a quiet place to work. Make time so you can complete the application without interruption. You don't want to interrupt your writing every 15 minutes to look for some vital piece of information that you should have at your fingertips. Your writing should flow, and it will only do so if you’ve gathered all the tools and information before you sit down to write.
You will be two steps ahead of your competition if you have carefully read the application and gathered all the materials you will need to complete it without interruption. Good planning is a vital part of the grant application process.
Topics In Early Childhood Education
Find out how to find and win grants! This blog is brought to you by The School Funding Center and Discount School Supply.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Check it Out: NEW 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/Environment, Social Studies, Technology
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter School, Other
Proposal Deadline: 1/15/11
Average Amount: $500.00 - $5,000.00
Email: legochildrensfund@lego.com
Website: http://www.legochildrensfund.org/Guidelines.html
Availability: All States
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/Environment, Social Studies, Technology
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter School, Other
Proposal Deadline: 1/15/11
Average Amount: $500.00 - $5,000.00
Email: legochildrensfund@lego.com
Website: http://www.legochildrensfund.org/Guidelines.html
Availability: All States
Check it Out: NEW Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: NEA Youth Leaders for Literacy
Funded by: Youth Service America
Description: Youth Leaders for Literacy will award 30 young people from across the U.S. each with $500 grants. Successful projects will be youth-led and address an established literacy need in the applicant's school or community. The projects will launch on NEA’s Read Across America Day on March 2nd and culminate on Global Youth Service Day, April 15-17. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are eligible to apply. Youth ages 5-25 are welcome to apply along with an adult ally (an adult ally is a non-controlling mentor who offers support and guidance in the fulfillment of the service project).
Program Areas: Library, Reading
Recipients: Public School, Private/Charter School, Higher Education, Other
Proposal Deadline: 1/5/11
Average Amount: $500.00
Telephone: 202-296-2992
Email: info@ysa.org
Availability: All States
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The 4th Step: Finding Likely Grants & Making the Call
If you want to secure grant money for your school, the first step is to understand in detail the main issues your school faces. The second step is to develop a solution that has the greatest likelihood of solving one of those problems. The third step is to find all possible grants that might fund your solution. And the fourth step -- the subject of this issue's article -- is to narrow down the list of grants to those whose criteria match your needs and then call a contact person to verify that match.
Over the course of a year, hundreds of grants will become available to your school. The tricky part, however, is finding among all those grants the few that might fund your plan and support your goals. That’s why it is so important to employ a comprehensive grant database. A grant database allows you to search quickly and easily for grants that match your needs. Yes, you could use your favorite Internet search engine to locate grants, but you will need to wade through thousands of search results -- many of which won’t apply to your type of school, won't match up with your specific needs, or have deadlines that have already passed. A good grant database allows you to tailor your searches and find likely matches in minutes rather than hours, days, or weeks.
Even when you use a good grant database, you still have additional work to do. In just a few minutes, a database can provide 30 reading grants for private schools in your state or 50 math grants for public schools. Once you've narrowed down and identified those grants, then your real work begins: you must search through those grants to find the ones for which you qualify. You will be able to eliminate some that don't tie in with your goals. You will eliminate others for which you might not qualify because your school doesn't meet one or more of the grant's criteria.
TWO INVALUABLE RESOURCES
Fortunately, good databases provide two essential resources to support your grant research.
The first resource is a live link to the grant's website. Use that link to find every bit of information you can about the grantor and the specific grant. Typically, the website will list more grant restrictions than a short database entry can list. If you find anything that clearly disqualifies your school from receiving a particular grant, simply go on to the next grant on your list. Almost anything you would want to know about grantors or the grants they offer can be found on their websites. Those websites are invaluable tools that will help you determine if you and that grant/grantor are a good match.
The second resource is a phone number or email address so you can communicate directly with the grant's contact person. Once you are quite sure that a grant matches the needs of your school, call or email the contact person. (I prefer calling that person myself.) I never start completing a grant application without first getting in touch with the contact. While that contact person cannot tell you that you will get the grant money you seek, he or she can certainly confirm that you are eligible to apply. You might also pick up from the person's voice a tone that is either encouraging or discouraging. If that tone is particularly negative, I would recommend moving on to the next grant on your list. I would definitely make this call -- even if it is hard for you to do -- because it can save you hours and hours of needless work.
If you don't make use of those two resources, you are wasting valuable time.
IN SUMMARY...
The fourth key to finding lots of grant money for your school is matching your school's specific needs with grants that meet those needs. To find those matches...
Use a good, comprehensive database to narrow down the list of grants for which you might qualify.
Once you find possible matches, use the live links provided in the database to do research on the grantor’s Web site.
After you determine that your school is eligible for a particular grant, call the grant's contact person to verify your eligibility and elicit any tips for applying for that grant.
Check it Out: NEW Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: ING Foundation Educational Grants
Funded by: ING Foundation
Description: The ING Foundation is the charitable giving arm of ING in the Americas. The Foundation awards grants to non-profit organizations addressing a variety of community needs and resources, focusing on 4 primary areas: children's education, financial literacy, diversity, and environmental sustainability.
Program Areas: Arts, Community Involvement/Volunteerism, General Education, Health/PE, Math Reading, Science/Environment, Social Studies, Vocational
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter School, Higher Education
Proposal Deadline: 12/15/2010
Average amount: $2,500.00
Contact Person: Luis Abarca, Jr., Manager of Community Relations
Telephone: 770-980-6580
Email: ingfoundation@us.ing.com
Website: http://ing.us/about-ing/citizenship/ing-foundation-grants
Availability: All States
Funded by: ING Foundation
Description: The ING Foundation is the charitable giving arm of ING in the Americas. The Foundation awards grants to non-profit organizations addressing a variety of community needs and resources, focusing on 4 primary areas: children's education, financial literacy, diversity, and environmental sustainability.
Program Areas: Arts, Community Involvement/Volunteerism, General Education, Health/PE, Math Reading, Science/Environment, Social Studies, Vocational
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter School, Higher Education
Proposal Deadline: 12/15/2010
Average amount: $2,500.00
Contact Person: Luis Abarca, Jr., Manager of Community Relations
Telephone: 770-980-6580
Email: ingfoundation@us.ing.com
Website: http://ing.us/about-ing/citizenship/ing-foundation-grants
Availability: All States
Check it Out: NEW Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Pets in the Classroom Grant
Funded by: Pet Care Trust
Description: Pets in the Classroom is an educational grants program to support school teachers to have aquarium fish or small pets in the classroom. We know many school teachers have very limited resources for the support of classroom animals. That’s why the Pet Care Trust is sponsoring this program to help teachers support pets in the classroom through direct, no-hassle grants. You can obtain a grant or coupon for the purchase of new pets, pet environments or pet food and supplies for existing classroom pets.
Program Areas: Miscellaneous, Science/Environment
Recipients: Public School, Private
Proposal Deadline: None
Average Amount: $50.00 - $150.00
Telephone: 443-640-1060
Email: mailto:nina@ksgroup.org
Website: http://www.petsintheclassroom.org
Availability: All States
Funded by: Pet Care Trust
Description: Pets in the Classroom is an educational grants program to support school teachers to have aquarium fish or small pets in the classroom. We know many school teachers have very limited resources for the support of classroom animals. That’s why the Pet Care Trust is sponsoring this program to help teachers support pets in the classroom through direct, no-hassle grants. You can obtain a grant or coupon for the purchase of new pets, pet environments or pet food and supplies for existing classroom pets.
Program Areas: Miscellaneous, Science/Environment
Recipients: Public School, Private
Proposal Deadline: None
Average Amount: $50.00 - $150.00
Telephone: 443-640-1060
Email: mailto:nina@ksgroup.org
Website: http://www.petsintheclassroom.org
Availability: All States
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The 3rd Step: Finding Possible Grants
If you want to secure grant money for your school, the first step is to understand in detail the main problems/needs your school faces. The second step -- the subject of a previous blog -- is to develop a solution that has the greatest chance to solve that problem. And the third step is to locate all possible grants that might help fund your solution.
Grants available to schools fall into three basic categories: federal grants, state grants, and foundation or corporate grants. Federal and state grants are generally larger, and their applications are longer and more difficult to complete. Foundation and corporate grants typically yield schools less money, but their applications are less complex. That means you can usually fill out several foundation applications in the time it takes to complete one federal or state application.
Many educators attempt to locate grants on the Internet by using search engines or by subscribing to grant newsletters. Those methods tend to be inefficient and end up costing both time and money. The best way to locate potential grants is to use a grant database. The more comprehensive and up-to-date the database, the better it will serve your needs.
Your very best choice for using a grant database is the free one offered by Discount School Supply. It is large, free, and fairly comprehensive. By far the most comprehensive grant database available to educators is the School Funding Center Grant Database. It contains virtually all federal, state, foundation, and corporate grants available to schools in the United States. Old grants are removed and new grants are posted on a daily basis. The one drawback to using this database is the cost -- $397.00 per year. While relatively expensive, it still saves educators both time and money because of its comprehensive nature. First, use the free database provided by Discount School Supply. If you need even more grant information, go the database provided by The School Funding Center.
If you are looking specifically for federal grants, another good database to use is ED.gov Grants. This resource comes directly from the federal government, and it is free. It lists every federal education grant available to schools in the United States. It does not list state, foundation, or corporate grants. If you use this grant resource, you will still want to track down discretionary grants for schools.
If you are specifically looking for state grants, your best bet is to go to your state education agency's website. Some of those sites include good grant databases that will help you locate current state grants. Others are not so good -- or worse than that -- and will take a little more work on your part. Go to ED.gov's Education Resource Organizations Directory page to find your state education agency's website. If your state's site does not have "grants" or "funding" listed in its menu bar, type "grants" into the search box on the site to see if you can find listings that way.
If you are specifically looking for foundation grants, your best bet is to go to the Foundation Center. This organization lists thousands and thousands of foundations in its database. Many of those foundations offer grants to schools. The database is good for finding foundation grants, but the subscription cost ranges from $595.00 - $995.00 per year depending on the number of foundations you want listed in your searches. The more comprehensive the database you wish to search, the more your subscription will cost.
While you can find grant listings in many places, if you want to find all of the grants available to you quickly and easily, you will want to use one or more of the grant databases listed above. Remember, grant writers should use their time to write grants, not look for them. Save both time and money by using a good, established school grant database to locate the funding solutions you need in order to improve student achievement.
Grants available to schools fall into three basic categories: federal grants, state grants, and foundation or corporate grants. Federal and state grants are generally larger, and their applications are longer and more difficult to complete. Foundation and corporate grants typically yield schools less money, but their applications are less complex. That means you can usually fill out several foundation applications in the time it takes to complete one federal or state application.
Many educators attempt to locate grants on the Internet by using search engines or by subscribing to grant newsletters. Those methods tend to be inefficient and end up costing both time and money. The best way to locate potential grants is to use a grant database. The more comprehensive and up-to-date the database, the better it will serve your needs.
Your very best choice for using a grant database is the free one offered by Discount School Supply. It is large, free, and fairly comprehensive. By far the most comprehensive grant database available to educators is the School Funding Center Grant Database. It contains virtually all federal, state, foundation, and corporate grants available to schools in the United States. Old grants are removed and new grants are posted on a daily basis. The one drawback to using this database is the cost -- $397.00 per year. While relatively expensive, it still saves educators both time and money because of its comprehensive nature. First, use the free database provided by Discount School Supply. If you need even more grant information, go the database provided by The School Funding Center.
If you are looking specifically for federal grants, another good database to use is ED.gov Grants. This resource comes directly from the federal government, and it is free. It lists every federal education grant available to schools in the United States. It does not list state, foundation, or corporate grants. If you use this grant resource, you will still want to track down discretionary grants for schools.
If you are specifically looking for state grants, your best bet is to go to your state education agency's website. Some of those sites include good grant databases that will help you locate current state grants. Others are not so good -- or worse than that -- and will take a little more work on your part. Go to ED.gov's Education Resource Organizations Directory page to find your state education agency's website. If your state's site does not have "grants" or "funding" listed in its menu bar, type "grants" into the search box on the site to see if you can find listings that way.
If you are specifically looking for foundation grants, your best bet is to go to the Foundation Center. This organization lists thousands and thousands of foundations in its database. Many of those foundations offer grants to schools. The database is good for finding foundation grants, but the subscription cost ranges from $595.00 - $995.00 per year depending on the number of foundations you want listed in your searches. The more comprehensive the database you wish to search, the more your subscription will cost.
While you can find grant listings in many places, if you want to find all of the grants available to you quickly and easily, you will want to use one or more of the grant databases listed above. Remember, grant writers should use their time to write grants, not look for them. Save both time and money by using a good, established school grant database to locate the funding solutions you need in order to improve student achievement.
Check it Out: New Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Adopt-A-Classroom Educational Grants
Funded By: Adopt-A-Classroom
Description: Teachers who register at the Adopt-a-Classroom web site can be adopted by an individual, a business, or a foundation. Once adopted, teachers will receive credit to purchase items that enrich the learning environment, including classroom technology.
Program Areas: General Education, Science/Environment, Technology
Recipients: Public School
Proposal Deadline: None
Average Amount: $500.00
Telephone: 877-444-7666
Email: info@adoptaclassroom.com
Website: http://www.adoptaclassroom.com/
Availability: All States
Funded By: Adopt-A-Classroom
Description: Teachers who register at the Adopt-a-Classroom web site can be adopted by an individual, a business, or a foundation. Once adopted, teachers will receive credit to purchase items that enrich the learning environment, including classroom technology.
Program Areas: General Education, Science/Environment, Technology
Recipients: Public School
Proposal Deadline: None
Average Amount: $500.00
Telephone: 877-444-7666
Email: info@adoptaclassroom.com
Website: http://www.adoptaclassroom.com/
Availability: All States
Check it Out: New Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: The Fender Music Foundation Grants
Funded by: The Fender Music Foundation
Description: The Fender Music Foundation accepts information from grant candidates through its Grant Candidate Form. Qualifying applicants are established, ongoing and sustainable music programs in the United States, which provide music instruction for people of any age who would not otherwise have the opportunity to make music. The intent of the program must be music instruction, not music appreciation or entertainment, and the participants/students cannot be professional or career musicians. Almost all of the selected programs to which grants are awarded fall into the following categories: In-school music classes, in which the students make music; after-school music programs that are not run by the school; or music therapy programs, in which the participants make the music.
Program Areas: After-School, Arts
Recipients: Public Schools, Other
Proposal Deadline: None
Average amount: $500.00 - $5,000.00
Telephone: 818-706-8742
Email: info@fendermusicfoundation.org
Website: http://www.fendermusicfoundation.org/grants/index.cfm?sec=overview&
Availability: All States
Funded by: The Fender Music Foundation
Description: The Fender Music Foundation accepts information from grant candidates through its Grant Candidate Form. Qualifying applicants are established, ongoing and sustainable music programs in the United States, which provide music instruction for people of any age who would not otherwise have the opportunity to make music. The intent of the program must be music instruction, not music appreciation or entertainment, and the participants/students cannot be professional or career musicians. Almost all of the selected programs to which grants are awarded fall into the following categories: In-school music classes, in which the students make music; after-school music programs that are not run by the school; or music therapy programs, in which the participants make the music.
Program Areas: After-School, Arts
Recipients: Public Schools, Other
Proposal Deadline: None
Average amount: $500.00 - $5,000.00
Telephone: 818-706-8742
Email: info@fendermusicfoundation.org
Website: http://www.fendermusicfoundation.org/grants/index.cfm?sec=overview&
Availability: All States
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The Second Step: Developing a Solution
If you want to secure grant money for your school, the first step is to understand in detail the problems your school faces. Once you have clearly identified those hurdles to student achievement or schoolwide success, the second step is to develop a plan/solution that has the greatest likelihood of achieving your goals.
When I first became a middle school principal, our test scores indicated that we had a reading problem. Overall, our students read about 1.5 grade levels below the national average. We already had a Title I reading program, but we weren’t getting very good results. We did our research and found that:
1) Although we had a serious school-wide reading problem, only our very poorest readers attended reading classes.
2) Although we knew that reading was a skill, we did not provide enough time durng the school day for our students to practice that skill.
3) Monitoring large amounts of independent reading is difficult without enough computers and specialized software.
With that knowledge, we were able to put together a comprehensive plan in which
• all students, regardless of their reading levels, would attend a reading class.
• each student would spend one hour each day in reading practice on appropriate-level materials.
• we would use the STAR reading test to determine the beginning reading levels of students and to measure growth.
• we would use Accelerated Reader software to monitor students' daily reading.
In addition, we would initiate "structural" changes in order to meet the needs of our new program:
• In order to make time in the school day for students to receive an hour of reading practice, we had to change from a 7-period to an 8-period schedule.
• All of our teachers would become reading teachers in order to monitor 30 minutes of reading practice time. The regular reading teachers monitored the other 30 minutes and taught mini-lessons on skills.
• We had to purchase STAR and Accelerated Reader.
• We had to purchase thousands of library books to match the reading levels, interests, and reading volume of our students.
• We had to purchase dozens of computers to monitor the program.
We developed a special budget in order to put our plan into place. While our solution was relatively expensive, we did not consider costs when we developed the plan. We only considered the results we would be likely to achieve. To get the money we needed to fund our plan, we tapped into the regular budget, Title I, and special education funds. But that wasn’t enough. We wrote grants, and we entered into a partnership with the software company to do detailed research as we measured our students’ reading growth.
When your school faces a hurdle to student achievement, the key is to build a plan that directly addresses the problem and has the greatest likelihood of success. When you are developing your plan, don’t worry about costs. That will come later. If you can, find schools with similar demographics that have faced similar problems and made major improvements. Duplicate the best parts of their plans if it’s feasible for you to do so -- without consideration to money.
When your plan is complete -- and you’re sure it is comprehensive and has an excellent chance of success -- then comes the time to start worrying about the budget and finding the money to fund your program. Which brings us to the topic we will cover in my next blog: finding grant money to fund your program.
When I first became a middle school principal, our test scores indicated that we had a reading problem. Overall, our students read about 1.5 grade levels below the national average. We already had a Title I reading program, but we weren’t getting very good results. We did our research and found that:
1) Although we had a serious school-wide reading problem, only our very poorest readers attended reading classes.
2) Although we knew that reading was a skill, we did not provide enough time durng the school day for our students to practice that skill.
3) Monitoring large amounts of independent reading is difficult without enough computers and specialized software.
With that knowledge, we were able to put together a comprehensive plan in which
• all students, regardless of their reading levels, would attend a reading class.
• each student would spend one hour each day in reading practice on appropriate-level materials.
• we would use the STAR reading test to determine the beginning reading levels of students and to measure growth.
• we would use Accelerated Reader software to monitor students' daily reading.
In addition, we would initiate "structural" changes in order to meet the needs of our new program:
• In order to make time in the school day for students to receive an hour of reading practice, we had to change from a 7-period to an 8-period schedule.
• All of our teachers would become reading teachers in order to monitor 30 minutes of reading practice time. The regular reading teachers monitored the other 30 minutes and taught mini-lessons on skills.
• We had to purchase STAR and Accelerated Reader.
• We had to purchase thousands of library books to match the reading levels, interests, and reading volume of our students.
• We had to purchase dozens of computers to monitor the program.
We developed a special budget in order to put our plan into place. While our solution was relatively expensive, we did not consider costs when we developed the plan. We only considered the results we would be likely to achieve. To get the money we needed to fund our plan, we tapped into the regular budget, Title I, and special education funds. But that wasn’t enough. We wrote grants, and we entered into a partnership with the software company to do detailed research as we measured our students’ reading growth.
When your school faces a hurdle to student achievement, the key is to build a plan that directly addresses the problem and has the greatest likelihood of success. When you are developing your plan, don’t worry about costs. That will come later. If you can, find schools with similar demographics that have faced similar problems and made major improvements. Duplicate the best parts of their plans if it’s feasible for you to do so -- without consideration to money.
When your plan is complete -- and you’re sure it is comprehensive and has an excellent chance of success -- then comes the time to start worrying about the budget and finding the money to fund your program. Which brings us to the topic we will cover in my next blog: finding grant money to fund your program.
Check it Out: NEW Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: It's All About The Fruit Program
Funded by: National Gardening Association and Jamba Juice
Description: The National Gardening Association is accepting applications from U.S. schools for Jamba Juice "It's All About the Fruit" grants, which will provide selected schools with fruit trees to create engaging nutrition and gardening experiences. The grant is open to schools and community garden programs in the United States with at least fifteen children between the ages of 3 and 18. Applications will be evaluated based on plans to promote nutrition education, ideas for incorporating fruit tree activities into the curriculum, and the ability to sustain the program over multiple years. Twenty recipients will be selected to receive fruit trees valued at $500. Trees will be selected based on recommended varieties for each area.
Program Areas: Health/PE, Science/Environment
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools
Proposal Deadline: 11/29/10
Average Amount: $500.00
Website: http://www.kidsgardening.org/grants/jamba.asp
Availability: All States
Funded by: National Gardening Association and Jamba Juice
Description: The National Gardening Association is accepting applications from U.S. schools for Jamba Juice "It's All About the Fruit" grants, which will provide selected schools with fruit trees to create engaging nutrition and gardening experiences. The grant is open to schools and community garden programs in the United States with at least fifteen children between the ages of 3 and 18. Applications will be evaluated based on plans to promote nutrition education, ideas for incorporating fruit tree activities into the curriculum, and the ability to sustain the program over multiple years. Twenty recipients will be selected to receive fruit trees valued at $500. Trees will be selected based on recommended varieties for each area.
Program Areas: Health/PE, Science/Environment
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools
Proposal Deadline: 11/29/10
Average Amount: $500.00
Website: http://www.kidsgardening.org/grants/jamba.asp
Availability: All States
Check it Out: NEW Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Bob Costas Grants for the Teaching of Writing
Funded by: College Board
Description: Each year the College Board recognizes exceptional teachers of grades 6 through 12 for the innovative methods they use to develop their students' writing skills. Grants of $3,000 each will be awarded to teachers who are doing an inspiring job of teaching their students to write and who will benefit most from a grant to enhance a successful project. The award was named for Bob Costas, the Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and author, for his dedication to the craft of writing and his generous public service work on behalf of the National Commission on Writing.
Program Areas: Journalism, Reading
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools
Proposal Deadline: 11/19/10
Average Amount: $3,000.00
Website: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/k-12/awards/costas
Availability: All States
Funded by: College Board
Description: Each year the College Board recognizes exceptional teachers of grades 6 through 12 for the innovative methods they use to develop their students' writing skills. Grants of $3,000 each will be awarded to teachers who are doing an inspiring job of teaching their students to write and who will benefit most from a grant to enhance a successful project. The award was named for Bob Costas, the Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and author, for his dedication to the craft of writing and his generous public service work on behalf of the National Commission on Writing.
Program Areas: Journalism, Reading
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools
Proposal Deadline: 11/19/10
Average Amount: $3,000.00
Website: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/k-12/awards/costas
Availability: All States
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The First Step: Understanding Your Needs
If you aim to secure grant money for your school, your very first step must be understanding -- in detail -- the needs your school faces. To understand the true depth of those needs, you must consistently perform needs assessments. A good needs assessment measures the difference between what you expect of students in your classroom, school, or district, and what actually happens. The wider the gap between expectations and actual outcomes, the larger the need you have.
The easiest way to do a quick needs assessment is to look at the goals you set for the year and see if you met them. The end of the school year is the ideal time to assess your progress. By that time you should have state tests, nationally-normed tests, and locally developed tests to help you determine the actual growth of your students. If you do not currently have assessment tools in place, proper assessment should definitely be your first goal for next year.
As you begin to fill out grant applications, you will need to include details gathered from your needs assessments. Remember, a needs assessment is any instrument that measures the difference in current conditions and desired conditions. Typically, most of the information you need for grant applications can be gleaned from testing instruments, but you might also need to use student, teacher, or parent surveys.
In addition, your disciplinary and attendance records might be used you as needs-assessment instruments. For example, I often talk of schools where students perform 1.5 to 2 years behind in math or reading. You might determine from your attendance records that the at-risk students who score low in reading and math are the ones who have the poorest attendance. Maybe the problem is not class size or the instructional programs you currently use. Maybe the problem is that students are not learning what you’re teaching because they don’t attend school regularly enough to master the skills they need to perform on grade level.
Good needs-assessment instruments help you to examine a wide range of problems and programs from many different angles and to determine exactly what problems you face. Failure to review those assessment tools at the end of each school year, simply put, is a mistake. In fact, your grant program should be built around those needs assessments. You should perform your needs assessments, use them to determine the largest problems you face, and then determine if you have local money to fix them. If you do not have enough money locally, then you should use a grants database to explore the many opportunities for grant money that can be used to address -- and solve -- those problems.
From time to time, new needs surface in a district, school, or classroom -- needs that have not been part of your regular needs assessments. You may be seeing gang activity in your school for the first time, a larger percentage of dropouts than you have experienced before, or an influx into your community of a sizeable number of students who cannot speak English. Those issues are excellent candidates for grant writing because you have not experienced them before, so it is unlikely you have built money into your budget to address them.
As you are surely aware, the end of the school year does not mean that you lock up the doors and head off on vacation. If you write grants for your school, this is the time to study the results provided by your needs-assessment tools to discover the problems that need to be addressed through your grant-writing program. If you didn’t get that done during the summer, you need to do it now. Needs assessments are the starting point of any good school grant program. Be sure you use them to your advantage.
The easiest way to do a quick needs assessment is to look at the goals you set for the year and see if you met them. The end of the school year is the ideal time to assess your progress. By that time you should have state tests, nationally-normed tests, and locally developed tests to help you determine the actual growth of your students. If you do not currently have assessment tools in place, proper assessment should definitely be your first goal for next year.
As you begin to fill out grant applications, you will need to include details gathered from your needs assessments. Remember, a needs assessment is any instrument that measures the difference in current conditions and desired conditions. Typically, most of the information you need for grant applications can be gleaned from testing instruments, but you might also need to use student, teacher, or parent surveys.
In addition, your disciplinary and attendance records might be used you as needs-assessment instruments. For example, I often talk of schools where students perform 1.5 to 2 years behind in math or reading. You might determine from your attendance records that the at-risk students who score low in reading and math are the ones who have the poorest attendance. Maybe the problem is not class size or the instructional programs you currently use. Maybe the problem is that students are not learning what you’re teaching because they don’t attend school regularly enough to master the skills they need to perform on grade level.
Good needs-assessment instruments help you to examine a wide range of problems and programs from many different angles and to determine exactly what problems you face. Failure to review those assessment tools at the end of each school year, simply put, is a mistake. In fact, your grant program should be built around those needs assessments. You should perform your needs assessments, use them to determine the largest problems you face, and then determine if you have local money to fix them. If you do not have enough money locally, then you should use a grants database to explore the many opportunities for grant money that can be used to address -- and solve -- those problems.
From time to time, new needs surface in a district, school, or classroom -- needs that have not been part of your regular needs assessments. You may be seeing gang activity in your school for the first time, a larger percentage of dropouts than you have experienced before, or an influx into your community of a sizeable number of students who cannot speak English. Those issues are excellent candidates for grant writing because you have not experienced them before, so it is unlikely you have built money into your budget to address them.
As you are surely aware, the end of the school year does not mean that you lock up the doors and head off on vacation. If you write grants for your school, this is the time to study the results provided by your needs-assessment tools to discover the problems that need to be addressed through your grant-writing program. If you didn’t get that done during the summer, you need to do it now. Needs assessments are the starting point of any good school grant program. Be sure you use them to your advantage.
Check it Out: NEW Grant Opportunity
Grant Name: CVS Community Grants for Public Schools – Creating Inclusive School Settings
Funded by: CVS
Description: To ensure that we make a positive impact, the 2010 Community Grants Program will focus on a few key areas. One area is on public schools for children with disabilities that promote a greater level of inclusion in student activities and extracurricular programs. CVS is devoted to supporting organizations that enrich the lives of children with disabilities through inclusive programs. Through the Community Grants Program, CVS works to ensure that students are not left behind in school. Proposed programs must be fully inclusive where children with disabilities are full participants in an early childhood, adolescent or teenage program alongside their typically developing peers.
Program Areas: After-School, Disabilities, General Education
Recipients: Public Schools
Proposal Deadline: 10/31/10
Website: http://www.cvscaremark.com/community/our-impact/community-grants/public-schools
Availability: All States
Funded by: CVS
Description: To ensure that we make a positive impact, the 2010 Community Grants Program will focus on a few key areas. One area is on public schools for children with disabilities that promote a greater level of inclusion in student activities and extracurricular programs. CVS is devoted to supporting organizations that enrich the lives of children with disabilities through inclusive programs. Through the Community Grants Program, CVS works to ensure that students are not left behind in school. Proposed programs must be fully inclusive where children with disabilities are full participants in an early childhood, adolescent or teenage program alongside their typically developing peers.
Program Areas: After-School, Disabilities, General Education
Recipients: Public Schools
Proposal Deadline: 10/31/10
Website: http://www.cvscaremark.com/community/our-impact/community-grants/public-schools
Availability: All States
Check it Out: NEW Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Education, Literacy, and Health Grants
Funded by: Verizon Foundation
Description: The purpose of this program is to assist programs to increase their literacy and educational success; avoid being an abuser or a victim of domestic violence; and achieve and sustain their health and safety.
Program Areas: Adult Literacy, At-Risk/Character, Disabilities, Family Services, General Education, Math, Reading, Science/Environment, Social Studies
Recipients: Public School, Private/Charter School, Higher Education, Other
Proposal Deadline: 10/31/2010
Average Amount: $500.00 - $4,000,000.00
Telephone: 800-360-7955
Email: verizon.foundation@verizon.com
Website: http://foundation.verizon.com/grant/guidelines.shtml
Availability: All States
Funded by: Verizon Foundation
Description: The purpose of this program is to assist programs to increase their literacy and educational success; avoid being an abuser or a victim of domestic violence; and achieve and sustain their health and safety.
Program Areas: Adult Literacy, At-Risk/Character, Disabilities, Family Services, General Education, Math, Reading, Science/Environment, Social Studies
Recipients: Public School, Private/Charter School, Higher Education, Other
Proposal Deadline: 10/31/2010
Average Amount: $500.00 - $4,000,000.00
Telephone: 800-360-7955
Email: verizon.foundation@verizon.com
Website: http://foundation.verizon.com/grant/guidelines.shtml
Availability: All States
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Get All the Grant Money You Need: 7 Steps
There are no secrets to getting grant money for your school. You can get your share of grants provided you follow the proper steps persistently and consistently. Most of the schools that don't win grant money either don’t apply for grants or do so in a haphazard way. Below I offer a list of seven critical steps that I believe you need to follow and apply in order to secure grant money for your school. I will break down each of these steps in more detail in future blogs, but please don’t wait for those blogs to start using this information: you should be applying for grants right now for the fall and spring semesters.
1. Understand in detail the problems your school faces. If you want to secure grant money for your school, the first step is to understand in detail the problems your school faces. To understand the problems and their severity, you must consistently perform needs assessments. A good needs assessment will measure the difference between what you expect to happen in your classroom, school, or district and what actually happens. The wider the gap between expectations and actual outcomes, the larger the problem you have.
2. Develop a solution that has the greatest chance of solving the problem. Once you have identified your greatest problem, the second step toward obtaining grant money is to develop the solution that has the greatest chance of solving your problem. That solution will entail details about personnel, programs, time, and materials that will be needed to accomplish your goal. For example: What will it take to get your students reading on grade level rather than 1.5 years behind the national average? You must develop a plan and have every expectation that it will work. As a part of the plan development process, you must develop a reasonable budget that details what it will cost to implement your plan.
3. Begin looking for grant money to pay for your program. Assuming that you do not have the money in your regular budget to finance your plan, step three is to begin looking for grant money to pay for your program. Since your time writing grants is more valuable than your time looking for them, I strongly recommend that you use a comprehensive school-grant database to match your needs with a grant from the federal government, your state government, a corporation, or a foundation. It is vitally important that you match your needs as closely as possible with a granting entity that uses its grant money to help schools solve the type of problem you are experiencing.
4. Verify that your school is eligible for the grants you will seek. The match between your needs and the granting agency's requirements is so important that it leads directly to step number four: always call the person listed as the contact for the grant(s) you seek and verify that your school is eligible for that grant (those grants). If you are not eligible, or you sense a negative response from the contact person, you should immediately go back to step three and start the matching process again. If you are going to be successful in getting grant money, you must have good, verified matches.
5. Obtain the grant application and read it carefully. Step five involves gathering information. Once you know you have a match between your needs and a grantor, you should obtain a copy of the grant application, read it carefully, and gather all the statistics and other information you will need about your school and your needs in order to complete the grant application.
6. Complete the application. Write clearly and concisely. Follow all directions to the letter, including the font style and type size that you use to prepare the application. Complete every section of the application. To be sure you do a quality job, complete each section as if it is the only section on the application. You will be competing for this money with other schools. A quality application is essential.
7. Get your application in the mail a week before the deadline. The final step is to complete your application and get it in the mail at least one week before the deadline. Overnight delivery does not always mean your package will be delivered the next day. If your package is late, you may be able to reclaim the postage paid; but if you've missed the grant deadline, the granting entity will not consider your application.
That’s it. Follow those seven steps and you will get more than your share of grant money. For more detail on these steps, watch the next seven blogs to make this seven-step process work even better for you.
1. Understand in detail the problems your school faces. If you want to secure grant money for your school, the first step is to understand in detail the problems your school faces. To understand the problems and their severity, you must consistently perform needs assessments. A good needs assessment will measure the difference between what you expect to happen in your classroom, school, or district and what actually happens. The wider the gap between expectations and actual outcomes, the larger the problem you have.
2. Develop a solution that has the greatest chance of solving the problem. Once you have identified your greatest problem, the second step toward obtaining grant money is to develop the solution that has the greatest chance of solving your problem. That solution will entail details about personnel, programs, time, and materials that will be needed to accomplish your goal. For example: What will it take to get your students reading on grade level rather than 1.5 years behind the national average? You must develop a plan and have every expectation that it will work. As a part of the plan development process, you must develop a reasonable budget that details what it will cost to implement your plan.
3. Begin looking for grant money to pay for your program. Assuming that you do not have the money in your regular budget to finance your plan, step three is to begin looking for grant money to pay for your program. Since your time writing grants is more valuable than your time looking for them, I strongly recommend that you use a comprehensive school-grant database to match your needs with a grant from the federal government, your state government, a corporation, or a foundation. It is vitally important that you match your needs as closely as possible with a granting entity that uses its grant money to help schools solve the type of problem you are experiencing.
4. Verify that your school is eligible for the grants you will seek. The match between your needs and the granting agency's requirements is so important that it leads directly to step number four: always call the person listed as the contact for the grant(s) you seek and verify that your school is eligible for that grant (those grants). If you are not eligible, or you sense a negative response from the contact person, you should immediately go back to step three and start the matching process again. If you are going to be successful in getting grant money, you must have good, verified matches.
5. Obtain the grant application and read it carefully. Step five involves gathering information. Once you know you have a match between your needs and a grantor, you should obtain a copy of the grant application, read it carefully, and gather all the statistics and other information you will need about your school and your needs in order to complete the grant application.
6. Complete the application. Write clearly and concisely. Follow all directions to the letter, including the font style and type size that you use to prepare the application. Complete every section of the application. To be sure you do a quality job, complete each section as if it is the only section on the application. You will be competing for this money with other schools. A quality application is essential.
7. Get your application in the mail a week before the deadline. The final step is to complete your application and get it in the mail at least one week before the deadline. Overnight delivery does not always mean your package will be delivered the next day. If your package is late, you may be able to reclaim the postage paid; but if you've missed the grant deadline, the granting entity will not consider your application.
That’s it. Follow those seven steps and you will get more than your share of grant money. For more detail on these steps, watch the next seven blogs to make this seven-step process work even better for you.
Check it Out: NEW Grant Opportunity
Grant Name: Company Grants
Funded by: State Farm Companies Foundation
Description: State Farm is committed to meeting the needs of our communities by focusing our giving in three areas: Safe Neighbors (safety), Strong Neighborhoods (community development), and Education Excellence (education).
Program Areas: Adult Literacy, After-School, Arts, At-Risk/Character, Community Involvement/Volunteerism, Disabilities, Early Childhood, Family Services, General Education, Health/PE, Homeless, Math, Professional Development, Reading, Safe/Drug Free Schools, Science/Environmental, Social Studies, Special Education.
Recipients: Public School, Private/Charter School, Higher Education, Other
Proposal Deadline: 10/31/10
Average Amount: $10,000.00
Website: http://www.statefarm.com/about/part_spos/grants/cogrants.asp
Availability: All States
Funded by: State Farm Companies Foundation
Description: State Farm is committed to meeting the needs of our communities by focusing our giving in three areas: Safe Neighbors (safety), Strong Neighborhoods (community development), and Education Excellence (education).
Program Areas: Adult Literacy, After-School, Arts, At-Risk/Character, Community Involvement/Volunteerism, Disabilities, Early Childhood, Family Services, General Education, Health/PE, Homeless, Math, Professional Development, Reading, Safe/Drug Free Schools, Science/Environmental, Social Studies, Special Education.
Recipients: Public School, Private/Charter School, Higher Education, Other
Proposal Deadline: 10/31/10
Average Amount: $10,000.00
Website: http://www.statefarm.com/about/part_spos/grants/cogrants.asp
Availability: All States
Check it Out: NEW Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: The Lawrence Foundation Grants
Funded by: The Lawrence Foundation
Description: The foundation is focused on making grants to support environmental, education, human services and other causes although our interests are fairly diverse and may lead us into other areas on an occasional basis. We make both program and operating grants and do not have any geographic restrictions on our grants.
Program Areas: After School, Arts, Community Involvement/Volunteerism, General Education, Math, Miscellaneous, Reading, Safe/Drug-Free Schools, Science/Environment, Social Studies
Recipients: Public School, Other
Proposal Deadline: 10/31/2010
Average Amount: $5,000.00 - $100,000.00
Phone: 970-870-9456
Email: info@thelawrencefoundaiton.org
Website: http://www.thelawrencefoundation.org/
Availability: All States
Funded by: The Lawrence Foundation
Description: The foundation is focused on making grants to support environmental, education, human services and other causes although our interests are fairly diverse and may lead us into other areas on an occasional basis. We make both program and operating grants and do not have any geographic restrictions on our grants.
Program Areas: After School, Arts, Community Involvement/Volunteerism, General Education, Math, Miscellaneous, Reading, Safe/Drug-Free Schools, Science/Environment, Social Studies
Recipients: Public School, Other
Proposal Deadline: 10/31/2010
Average Amount: $5,000.00 - $100,000.00
Phone: 970-870-9456
Email: info@thelawrencefoundaiton.org
Website: http://www.thelawrencefoundation.org/
Availability: All States
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Reading in Your School -- How Important Is It?
I have to admit it. After spending 37 years teaching school, providing leadership as a principal, training teachers, and helping schools find the grant money they need, I’ve developed a few hot buttons. I don’t just care about these issues. I am passionate about them.
I firmly believe every child should be taught to read well, that students should be taught to give back to their school and community, that every program worth having should be assessed annually for its effectiveness, and that every principal should be well-trained and provide effective leadership – or find another job.
When I started teaching in 1973, I was 20 years old. I taught social studies in a middle school. Correction. I tried to teach social studies in middle school. The average reading level of our students was two grades below the national average. The textbook I was given to use was approximately one year above an 8th-grade level. That left a 3-year gap between my students' reading abilities and the level of the text.
In 1974, I began teaching Title I reading. I still believe reading is the most important skill we teach and that reading instruction and practice should continue throughout middle and high school. So much reading is involved in science, social studies, math, geography, health, psychology, and almost every other subject we choose to teach, reading should be a prominent subject in every school.
Granting agencies must agree with me. More grant money is available to schools to improve reading programs than any other single category. That's right. More grant money is available to help you to improve your students' reading skills than anything else. Not only is the dollar amount more, but there are more grants available from more sources for reading than any other category.
Reading money is needed in kindergarten and first grade to make sure every child gets a solid foundation in reading. Grant money needs to be spent in most schools to provide programs that will keep all students at an appropriate reading level as they progress from primary school all the way through high school.
As we get into this new school year, ask yourself this question: "Should our school be applying for grant money to improve the reading levels of the students in our school?” The Discount School Supply free grant database lists hundreds of reading grants for both public and private schools. Take advantage of that free resource. Find the grant money you need to make your reading programs absolutely the best you can make them.
I firmly believe every child should be taught to read well, that students should be taught to give back to their school and community, that every program worth having should be assessed annually for its effectiveness, and that every principal should be well-trained and provide effective leadership – or find another job.
When I started teaching in 1973, I was 20 years old. I taught social studies in a middle school. Correction. I tried to teach social studies in middle school. The average reading level of our students was two grades below the national average. The textbook I was given to use was approximately one year above an 8th-grade level. That left a 3-year gap between my students' reading abilities and the level of the text.
In 1974, I began teaching Title I reading. I still believe reading is the most important skill we teach and that reading instruction and practice should continue throughout middle and high school. So much reading is involved in science, social studies, math, geography, health, psychology, and almost every other subject we choose to teach, reading should be a prominent subject in every school.
Granting agencies must agree with me. More grant money is available to schools to improve reading programs than any other single category. That's right. More grant money is available to help you to improve your students' reading skills than anything else. Not only is the dollar amount more, but there are more grants available from more sources for reading than any other category.
Reading money is needed in kindergarten and first grade to make sure every child gets a solid foundation in reading. Grant money needs to be spent in most schools to provide programs that will keep all students at an appropriate reading level as they progress from primary school all the way through high school.
As we get into this new school year, ask yourself this question: "Should our school be applying for grant money to improve the reading levels of the students in our school?” The Discount School Supply free grant database lists hundreds of reading grants for both public and private schools. Take advantage of that free resource. Find the grant money you need to make your reading programs absolutely the best you can make them.
Grant Opportunity for Youth Gardening!
Grant Name: 2010 Subaru Healthy Sprouts Awards
Funded by: National Gardening Association & Subaru
Description: The Subaru Healthy Sprouts Award recognizes and supports youth gardening programs focused on teaching about our environment, nutrition, and hunger issues in the United States. Through winning programs, youth will learn the skills necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle compatible with environmental stewardship and gain an understanding of how their actions can positively impact the well being of their community.
Program Areas: Science/Environment
Recipients: Public School, Private School, Other
Proposal Deadline: 10/1/2010
Average Amount: $500.00
Website: http://www.kidsgardening.com/grants/healthysprouts.asp
Availability: All States
Funded by: National Gardening Association & Subaru
Description: The Subaru Healthy Sprouts Award recognizes and supports youth gardening programs focused on teaching about our environment, nutrition, and hunger issues in the United States. Through winning programs, youth will learn the skills necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle compatible with environmental stewardship and gain an understanding of how their actions can positively impact the well being of their community.
Program Areas: Science/Environment
Recipients: Public School, Private School, Other
Proposal Deadline: 10/1/2010
Average Amount: $500.00
Website: http://www.kidsgardening.com/grants/healthysprouts.asp
Availability: All States
Grant Opportunity from Lowe's!
Grant Name: Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation Grants
Funded by: Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation
Description: This foundation provides grants on a national basis in communities where Lowe's operates stores and distribution centers. Primary focus areas are community improvement projects and public education, with priority given to K-12 public schools. No grants to individuals or families, religious organizations, and church or denomination-sponsored programs. In addition, no grants are provided for events or special events; sponsorship of fundraising events; advertising or marketing; athletic events or athletic programs; arts-based programs; travel-related events; book, film, video, or television program development or production; capital campaigns, endowments, or endowed chairs; continuing education for teachers and staff; institutional overhead and/or indirect costs; memorial campaigns; continuing support; international programs; or tickets to events. No grants for stipends or salaries.
Program Areas: Community Involvement/Volunteerism, General Education, Math, Reading, Science/Environment, Social Studies, Vocational
Recipients: Public School
Proposal Deadline: October 15, 2010
Average Amount: $5,000.00
Telephone: 704-758-2831
Email: Cindy.l.williams@lowes.com
Website: http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/
Availability: All States
Funded by: Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation
Description: This foundation provides grants on a national basis in communities where Lowe's operates stores and distribution centers. Primary focus areas are community improvement projects and public education, with priority given to K-12 public schools. No grants to individuals or families, religious organizations, and church or denomination-sponsored programs. In addition, no grants are provided for events or special events; sponsorship of fundraising events; advertising or marketing; athletic events or athletic programs; arts-based programs; travel-related events; book, film, video, or television program development or production; capital campaigns, endowments, or endowed chairs; continuing education for teachers and staff; institutional overhead and/or indirect costs; memorial campaigns; continuing support; international programs; or tickets to events. No grants for stipends or salaries.
Program Areas: Community Involvement/Volunteerism, General Education, Math, Reading, Science/Environment, Social Studies, Vocational
Recipients: Public School
Proposal Deadline: October 15, 2010
Average Amount: $5,000.00
Telephone: 704-758-2831
Email: Cindy.l.williams@lowes.com
Website: http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/
Availability: All States
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Will Your School Need Grants This Year?
The faltering economy will likely make it another tough year for schools financially. Home values throughout most of the nation are still far down from where they once were. With property values down, less taxes will be collected. Some property owners will not be able to pay their property taxes because they haven't even been able to make their house payments.
Add to the property value problems the fact that cities and states aren't collecting as much sales tax or any other tax from businesses and corporations because of the slowdown in the economy. As a result many schools will collect even less money than they did last year while prices for fuel and many supplies stay relatively high.
The question is not whether you should write grants for your school this year. The question is can you write and receive enough grants to offset the shortfall that is almost surely coming. What can you do about it?
I suggest you do three things:
First, if you are not already using the free Discount School Supply grant database, you need to begin using it today. The database will allow you to spend a maximum of your time filling out grant applications and a minimum of your time actually looking for grants that are a fit for your school.
Second, recruit and train several people to write grants at your school. You need to be working on a grant application at all times--in fact, several of them. A person cannot write his/her second grant until he/she writes the first one. Get other people involved so you can get enough grant applications out there that it will really make a difference.
Third, consider using The School Funding Center's grant writers. We write on contingency, so you will only risk a $500 up-front fee in order for us to write any grant for you. If you get grant money, you will owe us a percentage based on the amount of money you receive. If you don't receive the grant money, you won't owe us anything else.
There are just two keys to getting large amounts of grant money for your school. You have to make sure the grants for which you apply match up well with the needs of your school. And, you have to fill out enough grant applications, so that if you only get 25-30% of them funded, you'll still have plenty of money to cover your needs.
The bad news is that tough economic times are here to stay for awhile for most schools. The good news is that you can help address this problem in a positive manner with the number and quality of grant applications
you submit this year.
Add to the property value problems the fact that cities and states aren't collecting as much sales tax or any other tax from businesses and corporations because of the slowdown in the economy. As a result many schools will collect even less money than they did last year while prices for fuel and many supplies stay relatively high.
The question is not whether you should write grants for your school this year. The question is can you write and receive enough grants to offset the shortfall that is almost surely coming. What can you do about it?
I suggest you do three things:
First, if you are not already using the free Discount School Supply grant database, you need to begin using it today. The database will allow you to spend a maximum of your time filling out grant applications and a minimum of your time actually looking for grants that are a fit for your school.
Second, recruit and train several people to write grants at your school. You need to be working on a grant application at all times--in fact, several of them. A person cannot write his/her second grant until he/she writes the first one. Get other people involved so you can get enough grant applications out there that it will really make a difference.
Third, consider using The School Funding Center's grant writers. We write on contingency, so you will only risk a $500 up-front fee in order for us to write any grant for you. If you get grant money, you will owe us a percentage based on the amount of money you receive. If you don't receive the grant money, you won't owe us anything else.
There are just two keys to getting large amounts of grant money for your school. You have to make sure the grants for which you apply match up well with the needs of your school. And, you have to fill out enough grant applications, so that if you only get 25-30% of them funded, you'll still have plenty of money to cover your needs.
The bad news is that tough economic times are here to stay for awhile for most schools. The good news is that you can help address this problem in a positive manner with the number and quality of grant applications
you submit this year.
New Grant Opportunity for Teachers!
Grant Name: Teacher Grants
Funded by: The Kids in Need Foundation
Description: Kids In Need Teacher Grants provide K-12 educators with funding to provide innovative learning opportunities for their students. The Kids In Need Foundation helps to engage students in the learning process by supporting our most creative and important educational resource our nation's teachers. All certified K-12 teachers in the U.S. are eligible.
Program Areas: Math, Reading, Science/Environment, Technology, All Other
Recipients: Public School, Private/Charter School
Proposal Deadline: 9/30/10
Average Amount: $100.00 - $500.00
Telephone: 877-296-1231
Email: info@kidsinneed.net
Website: http://www.kidsinneed.net/grants/index.php
Availability: All States
Funded by: The Kids in Need Foundation
Description: Kids In Need Teacher Grants provide K-12 educators with funding to provide innovative learning opportunities for their students. The Kids In Need Foundation helps to engage students in the learning process by supporting our most creative and important educational resource our nation's teachers. All certified K-12 teachers in the U.S. are eligible.
Program Areas: Math, Reading, Science/Environment, Technology, All Other
Recipients: Public School, Private/Charter School
Proposal Deadline: 9/30/10
Average Amount: $100.00 - $500.00
Telephone: 877-296-1231
Email: info@kidsinneed.net
Website: http://www.kidsinneed.net/grants/index.php
Availability: All States
New Grant Opportunity for Field Trips!
Grant Name: Field Trip Grants
Funded by: Target
Description: Good news—registration’s open for the Target Field Trip Grants program. We’ll be awarding 5,000 grants of $700 each to schools for the upcoming school year. Teachers can use a grant to fund a school field trip that connects their curriculum to out-of-school experiences. It’s a great way to engage and inspire students. You can apply any time before September 30, 2010. Best of luck and happy learning.
Program Areas: General Education, Math, Reading, Science/Environment, Social Studies
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools
Proposal Deadline: 9/30/2010
Average Amount: $700.00
Website: http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031880
Availability: All States
Funded by: Target
Description: Good news—registration’s open for the Target Field Trip Grants program. We’ll be awarding 5,000 grants of $700 each to schools for the upcoming school year. Teachers can use a grant to fund a school field trip that connects their curriculum to out-of-school experiences. It’s a great way to engage and inspire students. You can apply any time before September 30, 2010. Best of luck and happy learning.
Program Areas: General Education, Math, Reading, Science/Environment, Social Studies
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools
Proposal Deadline: 9/30/2010
Average Amount: $700.00
Website: http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031880
Availability: All States
Monday, August 16, 2010
It’s Grant-Writing Time
It’s always a good time to apply for grants for your school. Several grants are always available regardless of the time of the year. If I were picking out the very best time to write grants, however, it would be at the beginning of the school year. Here are several reasons why:
1) You have all the data from last school year to determine what problems you had and what needs to be corrected. Why run the same programs and get the same poor results this year? If your math program fell further behind, if your reading levels were not up to par, if your minority students did not perform as well as your other students---all of these are reasons to change your programs and apply for grant money to fund them. You know if you have these problems by scanning last year's data. Use that data to get the grant money you need.
2) More grants are available this time of year than any other. Fall is when a majority of state and federal grants are announced. You should be scouring the Discount School Supply grant database to see what grants are newly available at least on a weekly basis.
Yes, it's true, many, many grants are available throughout the year as I said above, but it is also true that more grants are available in August, September, and October than at any other time of the year. Apply for several of these grants. You increase your chances of getting grant money by applying for multiple grants.
3) The beginning of school is usually hectic, but get past the first week or two, and blocking out time to write a grant or two will be easier now than later when things begin to pile up. Write grants before school starts or after things have settled down a little – after the first couple of weeks.
4) You can apply for grant money for the remainder of the fall semester, the spring semester, or even for next summer. You will never have as much flexibility as you do in the fall to apply for money, and, yes, there's still time to get money for the fall semester.
I've listed 4 solid reasons that NOW is the time to write grants for your school. Start by spending some time in the Discount School Supply grant database. Find the grants that match your problem areas and write several grants early in the fall semester. There is simply no better time to go after grant money for your school.
1) You have all the data from last school year to determine what problems you had and what needs to be corrected. Why run the same programs and get the same poor results this year? If your math program fell further behind, if your reading levels were not up to par, if your minority students did not perform as well as your other students---all of these are reasons to change your programs and apply for grant money to fund them. You know if you have these problems by scanning last year's data. Use that data to get the grant money you need.
2) More grants are available this time of year than any other. Fall is when a majority of state and federal grants are announced. You should be scouring the Discount School Supply grant database to see what grants are newly available at least on a weekly basis.
Yes, it's true, many, many grants are available throughout the year as I said above, but it is also true that more grants are available in August, September, and October than at any other time of the year. Apply for several of these grants. You increase your chances of getting grant money by applying for multiple grants.
3) The beginning of school is usually hectic, but get past the first week or two, and blocking out time to write a grant or two will be easier now than later when things begin to pile up. Write grants before school starts or after things have settled down a little – after the first couple of weeks.
4) You can apply for grant money for the remainder of the fall semester, the spring semester, or even for next summer. You will never have as much flexibility as you do in the fall to apply for money, and, yes, there's still time to get money for the fall semester.
I've listed 4 solid reasons that NOW is the time to write grants for your school. Start by spending some time in the Discount School Supply grant database. Find the grants that match your problem areas and write several grants early in the fall semester. There is simply no better time to go after grant money for your school.
Check it Out: NEW Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Ezra Jack Keats Minigrant Program
Funded by: Ezra Jack Keats Foundation
Description: The grants support programs that encourage literacy and creativity in children and may be used for activities such as: bringing in guest authors, illustrators, or storytellers; puppet making, book making, or other projects; book writing contests, etc. The application is online and must be printed and mailed to the address listed below.
Program Areas: Arts, Library, Reading, All Other
Recipients: Public Schools
Proposal Deadline: 9/15/2010
Average Amount: $500.00
Address: Ezra Jack Keats Minigrant Program, 450 14th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Website: http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/
Availability: All States
Funded by: Ezra Jack Keats Foundation
Description: The grants support programs that encourage literacy and creativity in children and may be used for activities such as: bringing in guest authors, illustrators, or storytellers; puppet making, book making, or other projects; book writing contests, etc. The application is online and must be printed and mailed to the address listed below.
Program Areas: Arts, Library, Reading, All Other
Recipients: Public Schools
Proposal Deadline: 9/15/2010
Average Amount: $500.00
Address: Ezra Jack Keats Minigrant Program, 450 14th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Website: http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/
Availability: All States
Check it Out: NEW Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Grants for Technology Improvements in Rural Schools
Funded by: Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative (RTFC)
Description: As the role of technology in classrooms grows, it becomes a powerful tool to improve both teaching and learning. Many schools are incorporating new, innovative technology in an effort to help motivate and inspire their students. Their goals include bringing modern computers to every classroom, connecting every classroom to the information superhighway, and making sure that effective and engaging software and online resources will be an integral part of every school curriculum. Many public schools in rural areas lack the resources to obtain new technologies and cannot meet those goals. The Foundation for Rural Education and Development (FRED) in cooperation with the Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative (RTFC) created the Technology Grants for Rural Schools program to help meet the growing need for innovative technology in the classroom. This grant program provides funding for projects that advance technology and foster cooperation among the telco, school, and community. Technol ogy Grants are available to public schools that are working in cooperation with their telcos to enhance learning by increasing the use of technology in the classroom. This includes adding new programs and curriculum for technology education and purchasing new equipment.
Program Areas: Technology
Recipients: Public School
Proposal Deadline: 9/17/10
Average Amount: $1,000.00 - $10,000.00
Telephone: 202-659-5990
Email: fred@opastco.org
Website: http://www.fred.org/tech.html
Availability: Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Georgia Hawaii Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Wisconsin Wyoming
Funded by: Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative (RTFC)
Description: As the role of technology in classrooms grows, it becomes a powerful tool to improve both teaching and learning. Many schools are incorporating new, innovative technology in an effort to help motivate and inspire their students. Their goals include bringing modern computers to every classroom, connecting every classroom to the information superhighway, and making sure that effective and engaging software and online resources will be an integral part of every school curriculum. Many public schools in rural areas lack the resources to obtain new technologies and cannot meet those goals. The Foundation for Rural Education and Development (FRED) in cooperation with the Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative (RTFC) created the Technology Grants for Rural Schools program to help meet the growing need for innovative technology in the classroom. This grant program provides funding for projects that advance technology and foster cooperation among the telco, school, and community. Technol ogy Grants are available to public schools that are working in cooperation with their telcos to enhance learning by increasing the use of technology in the classroom. This includes adding new programs and curriculum for technology education and purchasing new equipment.
Program Areas: Technology
Recipients: Public School
Proposal Deadline: 9/17/10
Average Amount: $1,000.00 - $10,000.00
Telephone: 202-659-5990
Email: fred@opastco.org
Website: http://www.fred.org/tech.html
Availability: Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Georgia Hawaii Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Wisconsin Wyoming
Thursday, July 29, 2010
If You Are Going To Do a Job…..
Do it right. It's what your parents told you, and by now, you know your parents were right about 90+% of the time.
When you're writing a grant, I can't think of a maxim that would fit better. For most people, completing a grant application is not fun. It gets easier the more of them you submit, but it will never be a pleasurable experience. The fun is getting all that money!
Just because writing a grant is not going to bring you all that much pleasure, it doesn't mean that you should put less than 100% effort into that application. When you're submitting competitive grant applications, it may take that 100% and then some.
Here are a few things you need to make sure you do:
1) Research the grant being offered. Make sure your situation and your problem matches very closely with the purpose for which the grant is being offered. I can't overemphasize this one. People waste a huge amount of time submitting applications to organizations that would never fund a grant for their particular needs.
2) Follow the directions of the grantor. If they say submit a letter before you apply, submit one. If the deadline is on August 15th, don't mail it on August 16th. If they say use 12-point type, make sure your word processor is set on 12-point type. If you can't follow the simple directions that grantors give you, chances are you won't be receiving their grant money.
3) No fluff. Grant applications are not about impressing anyone. Your application doesn't have to be boring. It can express your enthusiasm for starting a new program or solving a problem, but stay focused. Lay out your needs, support your case with statistical information if you have it, and address how you’ll put your plan into operation if you get the money you need to fund it.
4) Don't leave any part of an application blank. If you don't understand parts of the application or what information is being sought, pick up the phone and get clarification. People from granting agencies would much rather answer your questions than read an inappropriate application.
5) Proofread, proofread, get someone else to read your application, and then proofread it again. Typos and downright mistakes are distracting when you read grant applications. It's easy to tell when an application is completed and proofed appropriately.
It's time to start writing those applications for fall grant money. Take your time and do an excellent job when you apply for grants. You will be rewarded for your extra effort.
When you're writing a grant, I can't think of a maxim that would fit better. For most people, completing a grant application is not fun. It gets easier the more of them you submit, but it will never be a pleasurable experience. The fun is getting all that money!
Just because writing a grant is not going to bring you all that much pleasure, it doesn't mean that you should put less than 100% effort into that application. When you're submitting competitive grant applications, it may take that 100% and then some.
Here are a few things you need to make sure you do:
1) Research the grant being offered. Make sure your situation and your problem matches very closely with the purpose for which the grant is being offered. I can't overemphasize this one. People waste a huge amount of time submitting applications to organizations that would never fund a grant for their particular needs.
2) Follow the directions of the grantor. If they say submit a letter before you apply, submit one. If the deadline is on August 15th, don't mail it on August 16th. If they say use 12-point type, make sure your word processor is set on 12-point type. If you can't follow the simple directions that grantors give you, chances are you won't be receiving their grant money.
3) No fluff. Grant applications are not about impressing anyone. Your application doesn't have to be boring. It can express your enthusiasm for starting a new program or solving a problem, but stay focused. Lay out your needs, support your case with statistical information if you have it, and address how you’ll put your plan into operation if you get the money you need to fund it.
4) Don't leave any part of an application blank. If you don't understand parts of the application or what information is being sought, pick up the phone and get clarification. People from granting agencies would much rather answer your questions than read an inappropriate application.
5) Proofread, proofread, get someone else to read your application, and then proofread it again. Typos and downright mistakes are distracting when you read grant applications. It's easy to tell when an application is completed and proofed appropriately.
It's time to start writing those applications for fall grant money. Take your time and do an excellent job when you apply for grants. You will be rewarded for your extra effort.
Check it Out: New Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: PTA Healthy Lifestyles Grants
Funded by: PTA
Description: PTA Healthy Lifestyles promotes good nutrition and regular physical activity in order to address the nation’s childhood obesity epidemic. One-third of American children and youth are either obese or at risk of becoming obese. Increased access to high-calorie good-tasting, inexpensive foods, along with increasingly sedentary lifestyles, has contributed to the rise in childhood obesity. In addition, the reduction and elimination of recess in as many as 40 percent of U.S. school districts has limited students’ physical activity during the school day. The obesity epidemic may not only decrease quality of life with the onset of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic diseases but also reduce the life expectancy of today’s children. Further, consistent findings show that obesity is often associated with poor levels of academic achievement.
Program Areas: Health/PE
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools
Proposal Deadline: 9/10/10
Average Amount: $1,000.00
Telephone: 800-307-4782
Email: HealthyLifestyles@PTA.org
Website: http://www.pta.org/pta_healthy_lifestyles_award.asp
Availability: All States
Funded by: PTA
Description: PTA Healthy Lifestyles promotes good nutrition and regular physical activity in order to address the nation’s childhood obesity epidemic. One-third of American children and youth are either obese or at risk of becoming obese. Increased access to high-calorie good-tasting, inexpensive foods, along with increasingly sedentary lifestyles, has contributed to the rise in childhood obesity. In addition, the reduction and elimination of recess in as many as 40 percent of U.S. school districts has limited students’ physical activity during the school day. The obesity epidemic may not only decrease quality of life with the onset of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic diseases but also reduce the life expectancy of today’s children. Further, consistent findings show that obesity is often associated with poor levels of academic achievement.
Program Areas: Health/PE
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools
Proposal Deadline: 9/10/10
Average Amount: $1,000.00
Telephone: 800-307-4782
Email: HealthyLifestyles@PTA.org
Website: http://www.pta.org/pta_healthy_lifestyles_award.asp
Availability: All States
Check it Out: New Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: National Grant Program
Funded by: Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
Description: The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy is pleased to announce our 2011 National Grant competition. The Foundation's grant-making program seeks to develop or expand projects designed to support the development of literacy skills for adult primary care givers and their children. A total of approximately $650,000 will be awarded; no grant request should exceed $65,000
Program Areas: Library, Reading
Recipients: Public Schools, Higher Education, Other
Proposal Deadline: 9/10/10
Average Amount: $6,500.00
Telephone: 202-955-5890
Website: http://www.barbarabushfoundation.com/site/c.jhLSK2PALmF/b.4344681/k.66AC/National_Grant_Program.htm
Availability: All States
Funded by: Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
Description: The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy is pleased to announce our 2011 National Grant competition. The Foundation's grant-making program seeks to develop or expand projects designed to support the development of literacy skills for adult primary care givers and their children. A total of approximately $650,000 will be awarded; no grant request should exceed $65,000
Program Areas: Library, Reading
Recipients: Public Schools, Higher Education, Other
Proposal Deadline: 9/10/10
Average Amount: $6,500.00
Telephone: 202-955-5890
Website: http://www.barbarabushfoundation.com/site/c.jhLSK2PALmF/b.4344681/k.66AC/National_Grant_Program.htm
Availability: All States
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Do You Research Your Grant Opportunities?
Most grants are competitive. That means you may have to beat someone else out to get the grant money you need. When you play the grant game, there are winners and losers. One of the very best ways to make sure you get your grant funded is to do research on both the grant itself and the grantor involved.
Whether you get your initial information about a grant in a grant database like the one provided for you by Discount School Supply, a newsletter, or a blog such as this one, you never get complete information about the grant in the brief glimpse that’s typically given. You have to do some research. The better your research, the better your chance of getting grant money.
Your very best source of information about an individual grant is the grantor’s website. Almost all of the organizations that give grants these days have a website. Most of them are very good about giving pertinent information about their organization and the individual grant or grants they give.
Your research should start by focusing on a few key points. You must make absolutely sure that your school or organization is eligible for the grant you’re researching. You might not be in the right region, state, area, or city to qualify for the grant. Some grants are very restrictive. Being a public school might disqualify you. Being a private school might disqualify you. You might have to be a 501(c)(3) organization to qualify for the grant (even though schools often still qualify when grantors post this qualification – call or email the grantor to be sure).
Once you’re sure you qualify for a grant, you need to make absolutely sure you know the deadline for submitting your application. Sometimes grantors require you to submit a letter of intent or have you take a qualification quiz weeks before the application is due. If you miss the deadline for those types of pre-qualifiers, the actual grant deadline date is unimportant because your application will not be considered anyway. Read all of the information on a grantor’s website to make sure you do not miss any type of deadline that might be posted.
You should next do research to see how closely your reasons for needing grant money and the grantor’s reason for giving grant money match up. If the grantor gives money for quality after-school programs, but you have a reading problem, the question then becomes can you tailor an after-school reading program that will benefit your students and raise their test scores. If you can, you probably have a match. If you can’t work the reading program you need into a quality after-school program, you should just look for another grantor.
Finally, make sure you jot down the contact information for the grantor, especially the grant contact person. Get both the email address and phone number if they are available. I would never write a grant without having a conversation with that contact person first. That exchange itself is an important piece of research. You should be able to get some type of indication from the contact person whether or not you should submit an application. The contact person will not tell you whether or not you will get grant money, but you can often tell from that person’s responses if it is worth your time to actually apply for the grant.
So, after you use the Discount School Supply free grant database, you still have some work to do. If you find a grant that looks like a good fit for your school or organization, it is then time to put on your researcher’s hat and start digging on the grantor’s website. It’s absolutely worth your time to do this research before starting to write any grant application.
Whether you get your initial information about a grant in a grant database like the one provided for you by Discount School Supply, a newsletter, or a blog such as this one, you never get complete information about the grant in the brief glimpse that’s typically given. You have to do some research. The better your research, the better your chance of getting grant money.
Your very best source of information about an individual grant is the grantor’s website. Almost all of the organizations that give grants these days have a website. Most of them are very good about giving pertinent information about their organization and the individual grant or grants they give.
Your research should start by focusing on a few key points. You must make absolutely sure that your school or organization is eligible for the grant you’re researching. You might not be in the right region, state, area, or city to qualify for the grant. Some grants are very restrictive. Being a public school might disqualify you. Being a private school might disqualify you. You might have to be a 501(c)(3) organization to qualify for the grant (even though schools often still qualify when grantors post this qualification – call or email the grantor to be sure).
Once you’re sure you qualify for a grant, you need to make absolutely sure you know the deadline for submitting your application. Sometimes grantors require you to submit a letter of intent or have you take a qualification quiz weeks before the application is due. If you miss the deadline for those types of pre-qualifiers, the actual grant deadline date is unimportant because your application will not be considered anyway. Read all of the information on a grantor’s website to make sure you do not miss any type of deadline that might be posted.
You should next do research to see how closely your reasons for needing grant money and the grantor’s reason for giving grant money match up. If the grantor gives money for quality after-school programs, but you have a reading problem, the question then becomes can you tailor an after-school reading program that will benefit your students and raise their test scores. If you can, you probably have a match. If you can’t work the reading program you need into a quality after-school program, you should just look for another grantor.
Finally, make sure you jot down the contact information for the grantor, especially the grant contact person. Get both the email address and phone number if they are available. I would never write a grant without having a conversation with that contact person first. That exchange itself is an important piece of research. You should be able to get some type of indication from the contact person whether or not you should submit an application. The contact person will not tell you whether or not you will get grant money, but you can often tell from that person’s responses if it is worth your time to actually apply for the grant.
So, after you use the Discount School Supply free grant database, you still have some work to do. If you find a grant that looks like a good fit for your school or organization, it is then time to put on your researcher’s hat and start digging on the grantor’s website. It’s absolutely worth your time to do this research before starting to write any grant application.
Science and Technology 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/Environment, Technology, TAG
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter School, Higher Education, Other
Proposal Deadline: 8/1/10
Telephone: 310-781-4090
Website: http://corporate.honda.com/images/banners/america/AHF_brochure.pdf
Availability: All States
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/Environment, Technology, TAG
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter School, Higher Education, Other
Proposal Deadline: 8/1/10
Telephone: 310-781-4090
Website: http://corporate.honda.com/images/banners/america/AHF_brochure.pdf
Availability: All States
Math & Science Grant Opportunity
Grant Name: 7-12 Math and Science Grants
Funded by: Toshiba America Foundation
Description: The mission of Toshiba America Foundation is to promote quality science and mathematics education in U.S. schools. Grants are made for programs and activities that improve teaching and learning in science and mathematics, grades K-12. The Foundation focuses its grant making on inquiry-based projects designed by individual teachers, and small teams of teachers, for use in their own classrooms.
Program Areas: Science/Environment, General Education, Math, Technology
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools, Other
Proposal Deadline: 8/1/10
Average Amount: $9,500.00 - $17,000.00
Contact Person: Laura Cronin, Director
Email: foundation@tai.toshiba.com
Website: http://www.taf.toshiba.com
Availability: All States
Funded by: Toshiba America Foundation
Description: The mission of Toshiba America Foundation is to promote quality science and mathematics education in U.S. schools. Grants are made for programs and activities that improve teaching and learning in science and mathematics, grades K-12. The Foundation focuses its grant making on inquiry-based projects designed by individual teachers, and small teams of teachers, for use in their own classrooms.
Program Areas: Science/Environment, General Education, Math, Technology
Recipients: Public Schools, Private/Charter Schools, Other
Proposal Deadline: 8/1/10
Average Amount: $9,500.00 - $17,000.00
Contact Person: Laura Cronin, Director
Email: foundation@tai.toshiba.com
Website: http://www.taf.toshiba.com
Availability: All States
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Quick Tips for Getting More Grant Money
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.
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.
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
Monday, May 17, 2010
Corporate Grants
There are two kinds of corporate grants that schools should consider. The first is typically a fairly low-dollar type of grant, usually somewhere between $250.00 and $3000.00. These grants are often given by what are known as big-box stores such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Best Buy.
These grants are unique in that they are given to schools and other non-profit organizations within the community of these stores. In other words, money is given back to these schools and organizations because they are customers of those stores.
These “store” grants are a tremendous way to get money for a low-budget project in a district, campus, or even a classroom. Never overlook these grants when you are searching for money. It is easy to apply for these grants, and you usually get the money or materials you need very quickly.
The other type of corporate grant is very much like a foundation grant except that the money comes directly from the corporation rather than its foundation. The application is going to be longer and more detailed than the store grant application, but should be very similar to a foundation application.
Also like the foundation grant, you will need to match your problem area very closely to the corporation’s reason for giving. They, too, have a philosophy behind the giving they do, and as with a foundation, you will need to thoroughly understand that philosophy and match your needs closely to it.
Always remember these two types of corporate grants when you’re looking for money. Even though you won’t get a great deal of money, the first type of corporate grant mentioned above is possibly the quickest, easiest grant money available to schools.
These grants are unique in that they are given to schools and other non-profit organizations within the community of these stores. In other words, money is given back to these schools and organizations because they are customers of those stores.
These “store” grants are a tremendous way to get money for a low-budget project in a district, campus, or even a classroom. Never overlook these grants when you are searching for money. It is easy to apply for these grants, and you usually get the money or materials you need very quickly.
The other type of corporate grant is very much like a foundation grant except that the money comes directly from the corporation rather than its foundation. The application is going to be longer and more detailed than the store grant application, but should be very similar to a foundation application.
Also like the foundation grant, you will need to match your problem area very closely to the corporation’s reason for giving. They, too, have a philosophy behind the giving they do, and as with a foundation, you will need to thoroughly understand that philosophy and match your needs closely to it.
Always remember these two types of corporate grants when you’re looking for money. Even though you won’t get a great deal of money, the first type of corporate grant mentioned above is possibly the quickest, easiest grant money available to schools.
Check it Out: Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Braitmayer Foundation Education Grants
Funded by: Braitmayer Foundation
Description: The Foundation is interested in K-12 education throughout the United States. Of particular interest are: 1) Curricular and school reform initiatives. 2) Preparation of and professional development opportunities for teachers, particularly those which encourage people of high ability and diverse background to enter and remain in K-12 teaching. The Foundation is pleased to have its grants used as seed money, challenge grants, or to match other grants to the recipient organizations. The Foundation does not make grants to individuals, multi year grants, nor grants for endowment purposes or building programs. Unless a small percentage of the total amount requested, normally the Foundation does not make grants for childcare, pre-kindergarten, or after school programs nor for equipment including hardware, software, and books.
Program Areas: General Education, Math, Professional Development, Reading, Science/Environment, Social Studies, Other
Recipients: Public Schools, Private Schools, Other
Proposal Deadline: 6/1/10
Average Amount: $500.00 - $35,000.00
Contact Person: Sabina Taj, Advisor
Telephone: 410-480-2799
Website: http://www.braitmayerfoundation.org/
Availability: All States
Funded by: Braitmayer Foundation
Description: The Foundation is interested in K-12 education throughout the United States. Of particular interest are: 1) Curricular and school reform initiatives. 2) Preparation of and professional development opportunities for teachers, particularly those which encourage people of high ability and diverse background to enter and remain in K-12 teaching. The Foundation is pleased to have its grants used as seed money, challenge grants, or to match other grants to the recipient organizations. The Foundation does not make grants to individuals, multi year grants, nor grants for endowment purposes or building programs. Unless a small percentage of the total amount requested, normally the Foundation does not make grants for childcare, pre-kindergarten, or after school programs nor for equipment including hardware, software, and books.
Program Areas: General Education, Math, Professional Development, Reading, Science/Environment, Social Studies, Other
Recipients: Public Schools, Private Schools, Other
Proposal Deadline: 6/1/10
Average Amount: $500.00 - $35,000.00
Contact Person: Sabina Taj, Advisor
Telephone: 410-480-2799
Website: http://www.braitmayerfoundation.org/
Availability: All States
Check it Out: Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Literacy and Education Grants
Funded by: Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation
Description: Literacy and education applications to help children are accepted beginning in March for specific programs with measurable outcomes. We desire to provide support for children in literacy and education programs such as summer reading programs, early childhood education programs and literacy programs for children with special needs. Applicants are typically notified within 90 days by email.
Program Areas: After-School, Disabilities, Early Childhood, Reading, Special Education
Recipients: Public Schools, Higher Education, Other
Proposal Deadline: Beginning March 1st and throughout the year
Average Amount: $1,000.00 - $10,000. Typically about $1,500.00.
Website: http://www.buildabear.com/aboutus/community/grants/
Availability: All States
Funded by: Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation
Description: Literacy and education applications to help children are accepted beginning in March for specific programs with measurable outcomes. We desire to provide support for children in literacy and education programs such as summer reading programs, early childhood education programs and literacy programs for children with special needs. Applicants are typically notified within 90 days by email.
Program Areas: After-School, Disabilities, Early Childhood, Reading, Special Education
Recipients: Public Schools, Higher Education, Other
Proposal Deadline: Beginning March 1st and throughout the year
Average Amount: $1,000.00 - $10,000. Typically about $1,500.00.
Website: http://www.buildabear.com/aboutus/community/grants/
Availability: All States
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.
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
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
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.
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.