Grants Tips and Tricks

Presented By: Dr. Nan Williams

Session Goals

This presentation will provide you tips and tricks on writing and receiving grants. Particular attention will be given to assisting you with strategies for making  your next grant stand out to the grant readers and help you make your next one the that will be funded!

 

Agenda

1. Parts of a Grant 2. Tips and Tricks3. Time to Plan4. Questions

Parts of a Grant

Parts of a grant

1. Summary2. Goals and Objectives3. Timeline4. Budget5. Evaluation

Summary

Summary

• The first impressions gained from the summaries are important

• Tight and descriptive as possible• Highlight what makes your project

stand out

Summary

• Be easy to read, interesting and comprehensive

• Why your project is unique, its impact, and what your goals for the project are.

• Avoid jargon, generalities and cliches• Sell your proposal

Goals and Objectives

Goals and Objectives

• Clearly stated goals and objectives aligned to purchases

• Have focused achievable goals and expectations

• Student centered and that you have a solid plan to show evidence of the success of the project

Timeline

Timeline

• Is realistic• Takes into account pre-planning,

implementation, and assessment

Budget

Budget

• Budget amounts that are realistic and clearly relate to items mentioned in the body of the proposal

• Clearly state what you are going to do with the equipment you are purchasing

Evaluation

Evaluation

• How will you measure success?• How will disseminate your

success?

Tips and Tricks

Carefully Follow the Directions Provided

Look for:• Missing signatures• Missing components• Exceeding the page limit• Missing the deadline• Necessary signatures before

mailing your proposal

Things You Might Include

• A letter indicating active support from your administration

• Community outreach, involving parents, and local people in a problem unique to your area

• Letter of support from an official of that organization that shows evidence of the involvement and contribution of that organization

Things to Keep in Mind

• The legal rights to do whatever you are proposing

• Do not assume outcomes. You must clearly show how the project will be implemented and what direct assistance you will receive.

• Gaining strong administrative support from your school and district

Successful proposals may include ...

* Novel instructional strategies * Curriculum development and

implementation * Creative uses of technology * Involvement with the community or

industry * Collaborative programs among

students and teachers

Successful proposals may include ...

* Professional and staff development * Innovative uses of educational

equipment * Involvement of at-risk or minority

students * Multidisciplinary or interdepartmental

participation * In-class or extracurricular activities

Successful proposals may include ...

* Demonstrate creativity * Involve risk taking * Possess visionary quality * Model a novel way of presenting

content * Promote exciting and innovative

activities to motivate students

Once you have completed and fine-tuned your

proposal• Set it aside for a few days• Come back, read it with fresh eyes

and look for ways to improve it• Have an uninvolved colleague read

your proposal and give their suggestions

After SubmittingDon't be discouraged if you aren't selected for a grant the first time you submit a proposal

The most successful grant writer often have many rejection letters in their files.

You might re-work your proposal for different grant programs, or for re-submission the following year.

Other Grants/Awards for TechnologyDiscovery Education 21st Century Classroom

www.discoveryeducation.com/cdwg

HP Technology for Teaching Grant Initiative http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants/us/programs/tech_teaching/index.html

Lowe’s Toolbox for Educationhttp://www.toolboxforeducation.com/

SMARTer Kids Product Grants http://www.smarttech.com/us/Resources/SMART+education+programs/Grants+and+fundraising/Grant+information

TOSHIBA AMERICA FOUNDATIONhttp://www.toshiba.com/tafpub/jsp/home/default.jsp

Other Grants/Awards for TechnologyKids in Need

http://www.kinf.org/grants/

Donors Choosehttps://www.donorschoose.org/

American Express Philanthropyhttp://home3.americanexpress.com/corp/gb/howto.asp

Next Generation Learning Challengeshttp://nextgenlearning.org/the-grants/learn-more

Grant Databasehttp://hmheducation.com/grantsfunding/search.php