Applying for grants is a skill. Just like any other skill, you must have at least basic knowledge in grant writing and then practice what you have learned again and again. Getting enough practice is easy since you can apply for any number of grants. It is a little more difficult getting that initial knowledge you need to become an effective grant writer.
The key to good grant writing is to fully understand the basic components of winning grant proposals. Then, you have to practice using that core knowledge until you get better and better at painting a picture of the problems your school has and convincing grant readers that you have viable solutions to those problems.
The first and most efficient way to become a good grant writer is to work side-by-side with someone who is already excellent at completing grant proposals. That way you have a personal trainer. You get to see first-hand how that person crafts each paragraph of the grant application and each line of the grant budget. Nothing will teach you faster than sitting by a patient master with the opportunity to ask questions and have every bit of your work reviewed as you complete it. If you have access to a master grant writer, do your very best to get that person to train you.
If you don’t have access to someone who can train you individually, you might want to consider taking a grant-writing course or seminar. These courses and workshops are offered at college campuses and at hotel sites. They can be fairly expensive especially if you have to travel. Be sure that that you get your money’s worth. Check the person’s credentials for teaching such a course. If someone is going to teach you the skill of completing successful grant proposals, I don’t think it’s too much to ask that person to have completed at least ten successful proposals of his/her own. If you are going to just get a presenter that teaches the course from a manual, you might as well do a self-study course. If you are paying tuition, you should be paying for the expertise and success of the presenter.
It has also become quite popular to take classes on the Internet. Once again, if you are going to try that approach, make sure the person running the grant-writing class is a successful and experienced grant writer. You might also want to speak by phone to someone who has already completed the Internet course to see how successful he/she has been in the real world of grant writing since completing the course. These courses are very easy to find by simply using Google. Just type in “grant writing courses” and you’ll find a number of them listed in a variety of formats.
If you have to go the poor person’s route and you have little or no money to spend on formal classes, I recommend that you read a book such as mine: Write Successful Grants for Your School: A Step-by-Step Guide. Read slowly and internalize what you read. When you start to complete applications on your own, use the abundance of links that take you to sample applications that others have successfully completed. You should never copy anything from some other person’s application, but it certainly is helpful to look at several narratives and budgets from similar applications before you complete one on your own. A number of good grant-writing manuals are available. It is helpful, however, to stick to the ones that deal strictly with school grant proposals so that you get very specific information on completing those types of proposals.
If you are not already an experienced grant writer, you have four choices if you want to become a successful grant writer: 1) train side-by-side with an experienced mentor, 2) take a college course or a seminar with an experienced grant writer, 3) take an Internet course from an experienced grant writer, or 4) purchase a step-by-step guide to school grant writing, then read as many sample grants as possible as you complete your first few applications.
Remember, completing grant proposals the right way is a skill. First, get the basic knowledge that you need from a mentor, a live course, an Internet course, or a good manual, then you must practice, practice, practice until you fully develop your own skill as a grant writer.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Check It Out: NEW 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: General Education, Math, Science/Environment, Technology
Recipients: Public School, Private/Charter School, Other
Proposal Deadline: 8/1/11
Average Amount: $9,000.00 - $17,000.00
Contact Person: Laura Cronin, Director
Email: foundation@tai.toshiba.com
Telephone: 212-596-0620
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: General Education, Math, Science/Environment, Technology
Recipients: Public School, Private/Charter School, Other
Proposal Deadline: 8/1/11
Average Amount: $9,000.00 - $17,000.00
Contact Person: Laura Cronin, Director
Email: foundation@tai.toshiba.com
Telephone: 212-596-0620
Website: http://www.taf.toshiba.com
Availability: All States
Check It Out: NEW Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Global Youth Service Day & Semester of Service Lead Agency Grants
Funded by: Youth Service America (YSA) & State Farm
Description: YSA (Youth Service America) and State Farm are proud to support up to 100 Global Youth Service Day & Semester of Service Lead Agencies for GYSD 2012 (April 20-22, 2012). Lead Agencies are local, regional, or statewide organizations across the United States, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario, or New Brunswick that increase the scale, visibility, and impact of Global Youth Service Day by leading GYSD in their city, region, or state. Lead Agencies convene a planning coalition of at least 10 partner organizations that collectively engage at least 600 youth volunteers in service on GYSD, engage local media and elected officials, and plan a high profile signature project or celebration of service. Lead Agencies receive a $2,000 GYSD planning grant sponsored by State Farm, travel support to attend the Youth Service Institute, and ongoing training and technical assistance from Youth Service America to ensure a successful Global Youth Service Day or Semester of Service. Past Lead Agencies have leveraged their position as a GYSD Lead Agency to strengthen their programs, form new partnerships, expand their volunteer base, garner media attention, gain support from local public officials, and secure additional funding.
Program Areas: Community Involvement/Volunteerism
Recipients: Public School, Private/Charter School, Higher Education, Other
Proposal Deadline: 7/15/11
Average amount: $2,000.00
Contact Person: Mike Man
Email: mman@ysa.org
Website: http://www.ysa.org/grants/leadagency
Availability: All States
Funded by: Youth Service America (YSA) & State Farm
Description: YSA (Youth Service America) and State Farm are proud to support up to 100 Global Youth Service Day & Semester of Service Lead Agencies for GYSD 2012 (April 20-22, 2012). Lead Agencies are local, regional, or statewide organizations across the United States, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario, or New Brunswick that increase the scale, visibility, and impact of Global Youth Service Day by leading GYSD in their city, region, or state. Lead Agencies convene a planning coalition of at least 10 partner organizations that collectively engage at least 600 youth volunteers in service on GYSD, engage local media and elected officials, and plan a high profile signature project or celebration of service. Lead Agencies receive a $2,000 GYSD planning grant sponsored by State Farm, travel support to attend the Youth Service Institute, and ongoing training and technical assistance from Youth Service America to ensure a successful Global Youth Service Day or Semester of Service. Past Lead Agencies have leveraged their position as a GYSD Lead Agency to strengthen their programs, form new partnerships, expand their volunteer base, garner media attention, gain support from local public officials, and secure additional funding.
Program Areas: Community Involvement/Volunteerism
Recipients: Public School, Private/Charter School, Higher Education, Other
Proposal Deadline: 7/15/11
Average amount: $2,000.00
Contact Person: Mike Man
Email: mman@ysa.org
Website: http://www.ysa.org/grants/leadagency
Availability: All States
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
7 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Apply for a Grant
It’s not easy to get motivated to fill out grant applications. I know that. I spent twenty years in public schools as a teacher and an administrator. Asking for money shouldn’t be an educator’s job. After all, we signed on to teach children, to bring light into their lives, and to build a love of learning within their hearts. Unfortunately as the years roll by, you may find yourself discouraged, underpaid, and pulling money out of your own pocket to fund the basic needs in your classroom or building.
Try not to be discouraged. I believe teachers are still the most influential people on the planet. I have many conversations with past students, and it still amazes me how much they remember about my class and about me. My wife retired three years ago after teaching first grade for thirty-four years. She still gets more hugs and smiles than the law allows, often from large men a foot taller than she is. They love her. She taught them to love school. She taught them to read.
While teaching is a tremendous vocation, it can still get discouraging when money is not available from your district to fund the activities and projects you know your students need. You need to motivate yourself to write grants to supplement the money in your budget. Here are seven ways to get motivated to write those grants:
1) Write a grant for a very special project that you have personally always wanted to do but could not get the district to fund. This is very motivational because it’s all about you and something you want personally.
2) Write down new skills that your students will be able to develop by using grant money to enhance your budget. You may need to buy special materials or get help in your classroom to make sure students develop these new skills. Think about how these new skills could change your students’ lives.
3) Apply for a grant with a partner. It’s always easier to do a chore when you have some help. You should share the burden of writing the grant and the joy of what you both accomplish with the grant money.
4) Write a grant that will allow you and your students to have a very special experience. You might go on a very unusual field trip, bring in a motivational celebrity to your school, or build something together that your students will never forget.
5) Write a grant to keep from spending money out of your pocket. Then, buy yourself a gift with the money you didn’t have to use for school supplies.
6) Write a grant centered around the bottom few students you’ve had the most trouble reaching. This might be a program to get help from parent volunteers, an after-school tutoring program, or a program to buy computers and software that might help you reach these difficult students.
7) Let others know you intend to apply for a grant. Just like a New Year’s resolution, you’re more likely to complete your grant application if others know you’ve made a commitment to apply for a grant.
Grants shouldn’t really be about the money you’re going to receive. They should be about student achievement and the positive impact that a grant will have on your students. However, sometimes we need a little extra motivation to complete those applications. Maybe one of the above seven motivators will be just what you need to start completing a grant application this week. Don’t delay. Apply for that money you need and stop getting it out of your own pocket.
Try not to be discouraged. I believe teachers are still the most influential people on the planet. I have many conversations with past students, and it still amazes me how much they remember about my class and about me. My wife retired three years ago after teaching first grade for thirty-four years. She still gets more hugs and smiles than the law allows, often from large men a foot taller than she is. They love her. She taught them to love school. She taught them to read.
While teaching is a tremendous vocation, it can still get discouraging when money is not available from your district to fund the activities and projects you know your students need. You need to motivate yourself to write grants to supplement the money in your budget. Here are seven ways to get motivated to write those grants:
1) Write a grant for a very special project that you have personally always wanted to do but could not get the district to fund. This is very motivational because it’s all about you and something you want personally.
2) Write down new skills that your students will be able to develop by using grant money to enhance your budget. You may need to buy special materials or get help in your classroom to make sure students develop these new skills. Think about how these new skills could change your students’ lives.
3) Apply for a grant with a partner. It’s always easier to do a chore when you have some help. You should share the burden of writing the grant and the joy of what you both accomplish with the grant money.
4) Write a grant that will allow you and your students to have a very special experience. You might go on a very unusual field trip, bring in a motivational celebrity to your school, or build something together that your students will never forget.
5) Write a grant to keep from spending money out of your pocket. Then, buy yourself a gift with the money you didn’t have to use for school supplies.
6) Write a grant centered around the bottom few students you’ve had the most trouble reaching. This might be a program to get help from parent volunteers, an after-school tutoring program, or a program to buy computers and software that might help you reach these difficult students.
7) Let others know you intend to apply for a grant. Just like a New Year’s resolution, you’re more likely to complete your grant application if others know you’ve made a commitment to apply for a grant.
Grants shouldn’t really be about the money you’re going to receive. They should be about student achievement and the positive impact that a grant will have on your students. However, sometimes we need a little extra motivation to complete those applications. Maybe one of the above seven motivators will be just what you need to start completing a grant application this week. Don’t delay. Apply for that money you need and stop getting it out of your own pocket.
Check It Out: NEW Grant Opportunity!
Grant Name: Touching Lives Through Theatre Grants
Funded by: Pioneer Drama Service
Description: Pioneer Drama Service is proud to offer Touching Lives Through Theatre™ Grants available for the upcoming 2011-12 school year. Because we believe so strongly in the power of theatre to make a difference in a student's life, we are awarding a total of $5000 of grants in the form of Pioneer Drama credit to qualifying middle and high schools. Each grant is intended to help create a complete drama experience for students in a school and must be used to stage at least one theatrical production. Grants will range from $100 to $500 of credit at Pioneer Drama Service, which is to be used for production materials, royalty fees, texts, DVDs and makeup. Grant funds will be awarded by August 15, 2011 and must be spent in their entirety by June 15, 2012.
Program Areas: Arts
Recipients: Public School
Proposal Deadline: 6/30/11
Average Amount: $100.00 - $500.00
Website: http://www.touchinglivesthroughtheatregrants.com
Availability: All States
Funded by: Pioneer Drama Service
Description: Pioneer Drama Service is proud to offer Touching Lives Through Theatre™ Grants available for the upcoming 2011-12 school year. Because we believe so strongly in the power of theatre to make a difference in a student's life, we are awarding a total of $5000 of grants in the form of Pioneer Drama credit to qualifying middle and high schools. Each grant is intended to help create a complete drama experience for students in a school and must be used to stage at least one theatrical production. Grants will range from $100 to $500 of credit at Pioneer Drama Service, which is to be used for production materials, royalty fees, texts, DVDs and makeup. Grant funds will be awarded by August 15, 2011 and must be spent in their entirety by June 15, 2012.
Program Areas: Arts
Recipients: Public School
Proposal Deadline: 6/30/11
Average Amount: $100.00 - $500.00
Website: http://www.touchinglivesthroughtheatregrants.com
Availability: All States
Check It Out: NEW 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 School, Private/Charter School, Other
Proposal Deadline: 7/10/11
Average amount: $3,500.00 - $5,000.00
Telephone: 303-763-3471
Contact Person: Maureen Bulkley, Community Relations Coordinator
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 School, Private/Charter School, Other
Proposal Deadline: 7/10/11
Average amount: $3,500.00 - $5,000.00
Telephone: 303-763-3471
Contact Person: Maureen Bulkley, Community Relations Coordinator
Email: km_foundation@kindermorgan.com
Website: http://www.kindermorgan.com/community/km_foundation.cfm
Availability: All States
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