Grantwriting Workshop

Grant writing:Session 1

An Introduction

Before We Begin…

• If you did not yet fill out the pre-training survey please do so ASAP

• It has been e-mailed to you

• http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9MSTR8B

Let’s Brainstorm…

• What are some general reasons to apply for grants?

• Example: Funding got cut off

Reasons People Apply for Grants

• (I would type these reasons in as they are suggested. This would make the program more interactive)

Overview

• In our school, you must contact Principal Stevens before applying to a grant

• We do not have a designated grant writer

• Mrs. Smith, the business administrator, will assist you when possible

Overview

• Every grant is different

• I will give you the tools to fill out most grants

• If you need further assistance on particular grants, contact me

• The workbook will help you formulate your grant proposal

• You are encouraged, but not required, to submit your grant to possible funders

Let’s Brainstorm…

• What are some Dos for grantwriting?

• Example: DO proofread all of your work

• What are some Don’ts for grantwriting?

• Example: DON’T apply for a need-based grant if our district’s finances do not qualify

DOs

• (I’d type responses to make this more interactive. I’d make sure the ideas of stakeholders, timelines, and organization were brought up with leading questions)

DON’Ts

• (Again, I’d type responses to make this more interactive. I’d make sure the ideas of plagiarism, sloppiness, and incompleteness were mentioned)

Complete the Sentences

See Page 3

1. I would want my child to attend this school because…

2. Washington Middle School is great because…

3. The area that I’ve seen the most improvement in is…

4. The best program at this school is…*Share your responses with 2 colleagues*

Complete the Sentences

See Page 4

1. I love my job, but…

2. I could be a better teacher if I had…

3. If there was more money…

4. The area that needs the most improvement is..

*Share your responses with

2 different colleagues*

Let’s Brainstorm…

• If you could be awarded a grant, what kind of grant would you want? What kind of project would you implement?

• You can be general- You’ll iron out details later

• Example: Our school needs better after-school programs. I would work on a project that provides academics and recreation after-school.

Possible Grant Proposals

• (Again, I’d type in some responses)

Looking Forward…

• If you have not completed the survey, please do so• Continue to think about a project that you think would

improve the school• Do not worry about budgets yet- we’re focusing on

concept• It can be related to your classroom, subject matter,

grade, or the whole school• Consider the NJCCCS- how would this project help you

teach the standards?• Feel free to confer with colleagues- you can work in

teams

Grant writing:Session 2

Today’s Plan

• Last meeting we discussed:

– Why people need grants

– Dos and don’ts of grant writing

– Possible grant proposals

• Today we will discuss:

– Organization Information

– Statement of Need

Organization Information

• Introduce funder to the school

• Keep it clear and concise

– Location of school

– Brief history of school

– Basic information about students served and faculty

– Describe community

– Include information of awards/honors

Organizational Information

• With a partner, create a rough copy of this section (Page 5)

• You can leave blanks for specific figures and research later

Take 5 minutes to work on this

(I’d allow them to share)

Statement of Need

• Think about your proposal idea and consider the following:

– Why do our students NEED this program?

– Why is the funding urgent?

– Keep the focus on the students

– Be specific: Keep asking yourself “why?” and “how?”

Statement of Need

• “Statement A. Students at ABC Elementary have standardized reading scores that are 15% lower than the reading scores of demographically similar students at XYZ Elementary. We ‘need’ to purchase the new, improved Literati Reading Accompaniments.

• Statement B. Students at ABC Elementary have standardized reading scores that are 15% lower than the reading scores of demographically similar students at XYZ Elementary. We ‘need’ to raise these scores at ABC.”

Education Minnesota Lesson 3: Your statement of need. (n.d.). Education Minnesota . Retrieved March 18, 2010, from http://www.educationminnesota.org/en/events/foundation/tips/lesson3.aspx

*Take 2 minutes to discuss the differences with a partner.*

Statement of Need

• Support with evidence

– Statistics: Lower than average standardized test scores or dropout rates

– Relative studies: Cite cases where the proposed solution worked in comparable settings

– Anecdotal: Relevant story about the urgency of the proposed program

Statement of Need

• Sample Statement of Need

• Take 5 minutes to discuss with a partner:

• What kind of evidence could support your proposal?

• What would happen without the funding?

Looking Forward…

• Before the next session, complete a Statement of Need (page 6)

• Begin to consider a budget

• Our next 2 sessions are online

• PowerPoint presentations will be e-mailed to you

• You can choose to work alone or in small groups

Grant writing:Session 3

Today’s Plan

• Last meeting we discussed:

– Organization Information

– Statement of Need

• This meeting will focus on:

– Project Description

– Budget

– Evaluation Outcomes and Indicators of Success

Project Description

• This section paints a complete picture of the proposed project

• There are 5 components of this section:

1. Objectives

2. Methods

3. Staffing

4. Evaluation

5. Sustainability

Project Description

Objectives: List tangible goals that can be measured

–Behavioral - A human action is anticipated.

–Performance - A specific time frame within which a behavior will occur

–Process - The manner in which something occurs is an end

–Product - A tangible item is createdProposal Writing Short Course. (n.d.). Foundation Center - Knowledge to Build On. Retrieved

March 18, 2010, from http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/project.html

Project Description

Methods:

• How: Detailed description of what will occur from the time the beginning to the end

• When: Provide a timetable so the funder can follow the sequence

• Why: Explain your chosen methods. You can include expert testimony and cite similar methods that have worked for others

Proposal Writing Short Course. (n.d.). Foundation Center - Knowledge to Build On. Retrieved March 18, 2010, from http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/methods.html

Project Description

Staffing

–Discuss the number of staff members needed to implement the project

– Explain their qualifications

–Discuss the number of volunteers neededProposal Writing Short Course. (n.d.). Foundation Center - Knowledge to Build On. Retrieved

March 18, 2010, from http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/staff.html

Project Description

Evaluation

–Describe how you will measure the progress made

–Describe how you will collect and measure data

– These should match the objectivesProposal Writing Short Course. (n.d.). Foundation Center - Knowledge to Build On. Retrieved

March 18, 2010, from http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/eval.html)

Project Description

Sustainability

– How will you continue the proposed program after the initial funding?

• Other funding opportunities

• Self-sufficiency

Proposal Writing Short Course. (n.d.). Foundation Center - Knowledge to Build On. Retrieved March 18, 2010, from http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/sustain.html

Project Description

Before moving on, fill out the outline on page 7

Remember- You are trying to convince funders that you are organized and deserving of their money. Be thorough.

Evaluation Outcomes/Indicators of Success

• Consider your evaluation methods from your project description

• Evaluation of Success- How you will measure the progress

– Students will know how to create a Podcast

• Evaluation of Change- The observable changes that allow you to measure the progress

– 90% of students will create and upload a Podcast without teacher’s assistance

Evaluation Outcomes/Indicators of Success

• For each of your objectives, consider appropriate evaluation outcomes and indicators of success

• Fill out the chart on Page 9

Budget

• Some grants require you to propose a budget

• Consider these points:

– Be REALISTIC. Be SPECIFC.

– Are there costs for staff training?

– Will the teachers be paid for any extra work?

– Will you need to cover any travel expenses?

– What equipment and supplies would you need?

– Do you need to hire consultants?

Budget

• In-Kind Contributions

– Has anybody already agreed to donate time or products? Include this in the budget

• Matching Funds

– If your grant requires you to put in as much money as they do, how can you come up with the money?

Budget

• Create a list of ALL expenses (Page 10)

• Using the internet, find reasonable prices for all products/services

• Sample Budgets

Checking In

Please fill out this survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9M5WM65

Grant writing:Session 4

Today’s Plan

• Last session we discussed:

– Project Description

– Evaluative Outcomes/Indicators of Success

– Budget

• This meeting will focus on:

– Conclusion

– Executive Summary

Conclusion

• Your chance to make a final impression

• Briefly state a vision for the future after your proposed project took place

• Briefly reiterate why you need the funding for your project

• Be gracious and thank the funder for their consideration

*Fill out the conclusion on Page 11*

Executive Summary

• This is actually the first part of the proposal, but since it combines all the different sections, it makes sense to do last

• Like a sales pitch- outlines important points and try to make a strong first impression

• About 1-2 pages unless otherwise noted

Executive Summary

• Include

– A description of the school- location, number of students, grades served

– The problem you want to solve

– Description of the proposed program

– Description of the evaluation

– Cost of project and amount of the requestFox, A. S., & Karsh, E. (2009). The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need: Top Grant

Writers and Grant Givers Share Their Secrets. New York: Basic Books.

Executive Summary

• When writing this, do not just copy and paste

• Have somebody who is unfamiliar with your proposal read it- see if they understand it

Looking Forward

• Before the next session, fill out executive summary (Page 12)

• Our next session will take place in the media center at 2:45

• We will share our grant proposals

• We will reflect on the grant-writing process

• We will use the internet to begin to search for grants to apply to (optional)

Grant writing:Session 5

Today’s Plan

• Your whole grant should be completed

• We will share our grants in small groups and give feedback

• We will reflect on the grant-writing process

• We will review how to use Google Docs

• You will have time to either type up your grant funders or begin searching for appropriate grants

Sharing

• In small groups (3-4 people), please take 30 minutes to share your proposals

• Give one another feedback

– 2 things you liked and 1 item that can be improved

– Ask questions about anything unclear- if it’s unclear to you, it will be unclear to the funders

Reflection

• We got through the whole process: What are your thoughts?

• With a partner, discuss what you liked and disliked about the process (5 minutes)

• We will share our thoughts with the whole group

For More Resources…

• http://tinyurl.com/Antokalgrants

I would demonstrate how to update this page.

Moving Forward…

• Please fill out the final survey within the next week: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9X7L2TJ

• If you would like, take this time to:

– Type your proposal

– Begin researching possible funders (you can use links on Resources Page)

– Continue to confer with your colleagues and make changes to your proposal