Grant Writer's Workshop

Teachers.Net July 22, 1998 Focus Grant Writer's Workshop

Grant Writing Tips - Evelyn Kelley http://www.scott.net/~ekelley/grants/ Writing Grant Proposals http://www.teachers.net/archive/grants.html

Kathleen - Hello, Mary, thank you for doing this session about writing grant proposals :-)
Kathy/5/IA - Hello girls, I'm here to learn!! :0)
Mary K&1 - Kathy have you ever written for a grant?
Kathy/5/IA - No, I haven't. My school is in desperate need of computers, etc...and I thought I'd learn something about grant writing.
Kathy/5/IA - How do you find who is "granting" money out there for things like books, computers, etc??
Mary K&1 - There are losts of sites on the web and there are some good sources in the pub Libraries
Mary K&1 - The Foundation Directory Paperbound: $185 Hardbound: $215
Kathy/5/IA - Your 11 parts are a great help. I didn't even know what to include in a grant proposal.
Mary K&1 - That's why you should go to the Lib. too expensive to buy
Kathy/5/IA - What is the Foundation Directory? A list of grants?
Kathleen - Mary, is that a periodical, issued each year, month or ??
Mary K&1 - Every year, I think - with updates mid-way through the year
Evelyn -Alabama - Good evening - I'm a winning grant writer - can I offer some suggestions
Mary K&1 - It's a great big book that lists all the available grant granting foundations
Kathy/5/IA - Excellent, Evelyn - tell us about your grant!
Evelyn -Alabama - When you want to get some specific materials - computers, internet connection - you must have an idea like a lesson plan with a topic
Kathy/5/IA - I'll check the lib. (I'd need a grant just to purchase the book! LOL)
Mary K&1 - I thought that we could discuss the 11 parts of the typical grant
Mary K&1 - Want to start with the Cover Letter?
Evelyn -Alabama - Fine I will add suggestions as we go along
Kathy/5/IA - Sure Mary...
Kathy G. - I hope another Kathy won't confuse
Mary K&1 - Evelyn, what would you like to say about the Cover Letter?
Evelyn -Alabama - The cover letter can be the last thing you write unless you have to submit a proposal to get an application.
Kathleen - Audience, for professional development sessions such as this, there is no need to greet each person who logs on...the screen is better used for the information being presented :-).
Kathy/5/IA - What needs to be in the cover letter - a summary of your proposal?
Evelyn -Alabama - Your project proposal is the meat of your project in 50-75 words or less.
Mary K&1 - I've been told that it has to short and to the point and contain no educational jargon
Evelyn -Alabama - Exactly. If you can describe your project in twenty-five words or less you are on track. Practice describing your project verbally and you can get to the exact description pretty quickly.
Kathy/5/IA - What part of the 11 parts would the project proposal fit under?
Mary K&1 - I think that would be the Summary/Abstract
Evelyn -Alabama - The project proposal is usually at the beginning of the grant application. They read this first. Then they ask tell me how.
Kathy/5/IA - In the 11 parts you gave on the main board, mary, what is the difference between the Summary/Abstract and the Intro?
Evelyn -Alabama - I would say the summary and abstract are pretty much like the proposal. You are usually limited in the number of words on all of these descriptions. You tell them what you want to do without how you are going to do it.
Mary K&1 - The Summary puts it all together the intro give background about your group and your project and why it's needed
Kathy/5/IA - So if you put the background and the need in the Intro, what goes in the Problem/need statement part?
Evelyn -Alabama - Good question. If you wait to give this information in the problem and need, you can keep you answer focused with specific numbers, gender, economic level, etc. If you tell too much, you are repeating yourself.
Mary K&1 - That's more detailed you have to back up the need with data
Evelyn -Alabama - Can we go on into the other parts of the grant, and maybe this will relate.
Mary K&1 - Problem/Need Statement describes the need for this kind of project nationally or regionally. Outline the portion of this larger problem you plan to deal with. Supply statistical documentation of this specific or local problem (fewer statistics convincingly presented are better than many explained weakly). statistics convincingly presented are better than many explained weakly).
Kathy/5/IA - Yes, continue on....:0)
Kathy/5/IA - I haven't done much with statistics lately, what types of things are they looking for...I'm sure it depends on the grant, right!
Mary K&1 - more - Problem/Need Statements of community leaders. Expert opinions (including quotes).Government studies.Survey results. Show this granting agency why it is the best source of support for this project (relate problem/need to their interests).
Evelyn -Alabama - The problem/need statement will focus on your school's need if you are writing for your school. Also at this point, it is good to know how many students will be served by your grant. Your class? grade level? or school? the more students served for the money, the better.
Evelyn -Alabama - Statements of community leaders can be quotes from your local newspapers, your school mission, board of education mission, or shall i say it, "test scores."
Mary K&1 - Good point, Evelyn - the more served the better
Evelyn -Alabama - One must consider can the money serve the number of students you are wanting to serve. A small grant of $1200 could only support possilby a grade level while $5000 could support the school. One has to be realistic in the figures.
Kathy/5/IA - So if a district stated they would like to raise reading test score, growth, etc... this would be good to include in a grant for something like books, or accelerated reader, etc..
Mary K&1 - Do not editorialize - state facts. Too often proposals are submitted on emotional and political rather than on rational terms.
Evelyn -Alabama - Exactly. However, you would want to include the specific problems at your school. Remediation, Reading Recovery, Take home books, Library, Accerlerated Reader for example.
Kathy/5/IA - Could you just include the newspaper article. We had one in the paper today!
Mary K&1 - The Need must match the proposal's request and objectives
Kathleen - When you apply for a grant, is the amount usually the applicant's figure, not an amount stated as available by the grantor?
Mary K&1 - Not the whole artical, just a quote
Mary K&1 - Kathleen, You have to submitt a detailed budget
Mary K&1 - Every penny has to accounted for
Evelyn -Alabama - Most grants that I have applied for have a set limit. You can apply for the total amount or a portion. I have always been honest and quoted the exact figures to the penny. They do not want to know the vendor on your budget only the items and a total at the end.
Kathy/5/IA - How many objectives are needed? I'm guessing not many...right.
Mary K&1 - Usually two or three objectives
Kathleen - So the amount applied for could be something like $2035.17..preferable to even amount of 2,000?
Kathy/5/IA - What types of grants have you applied for, Evelyn?
Mary K&1 - They must be measurable (objectives)
Evelyn -Alabama - Accounting can be done with copies of your purchase orders. If someone funds the same grant, do you turn it down? No, call them and ask if you can substitute. If not, we can all use two of items can't we, sharing them with the school.
Mary K&1 - Kathleen, However your budget comes out - that's what you need to say
Evelyn -Alabama - The amount you apply for cannot be over their amount. Just don't inflate your budget items if you do not need them. They do look at the prices of items.
Mary K&1 - Should we talk more about objectives?
Kathleen - Okay, I understand about accounting for the money request
Kathleen - Yes, next item..
Evelyn -Alabama - I have won two grants last year from a bank foundation and utility company foundation. The bank covered a four state area and utility company two state area. The total for both equaled $10,000, a small amount compated to many grant writers.
Kathy/5/IA - Yes, that would be good, Mary.
Mary K&1 - Objectives should be stated with action-oriented verbs such as demonstrate, test, develop, etc.
Kathy/5/IA - That's wonderful, Evelyn!
Kathleen - Evelyn, how did you become aware of the availability of the money?
Mary K&1 - An objective must succeed in communicating its intent.
J@Va - Does anyone know of any great foundations or organizations that have grants for Kindergarten teachers?
Evelyn -Alabama - Objectives should be written like objectives for your lesson plan book. Thank you. The grant was a multicultural grant. The utility company has offered there grant yearly for about ten years. The bank did the same for about 12 years, however, ended their program unfortunately this year.
Mary K&1 - In writing objectives, use concreteness, clarity and preciseness, not ambiguity.
Mary K&1 - I haven't see any limited to kindergarten
Evelyn -Alabama - The objectives must address your problems. Have many problems do you have in your need?
Mary K&1 - There are many mini grants offered from places like McDonald's
Mary K&1 - A teacher I know got manipulatives that way
Mary K&1 - Objectives are considered precise outcomes that can be measured in some manner to determine actual accomplishments.
Evelyn -Alabama - Mary, did she have a catchy title? Often when one writes a grant it needs a catchey title. Then, use the title in your grant proposal. Ex: Grandma' Attic will provide hours of interactive play with multicultural props from trunks.
JT/1/VA - Doesn't NEA offer grants to classroom teachers
Kathy/5/IA - Do places that give grants specify how they want the grants to be used? Or do they basically say they have $ available and want to see the best place for it?
Evelyn -Alabama - Outcome can be measurable by teacher observation, programs, festivals, art displays, etc.
J@Va - Yes. I think NEA does offer a yearly grant., JT.
Mary K&1 - I don't know about the catchy title - I'm told that the mini grants aren't that particular
Mary K&1 - But I could have been told wrongly
Mary K&1 - The objectives are the basis for determining the procedural aspects of the program, and therefore must be carefully planned.
Evelyn -Alabama - Usually grants specify where the money can be used. Examples would be language arts, technology, science, math. They are not specific, that is where you come in. You want to get their attention with your creative idea of how to use their money.
Mary K&1 - Different Foundations will tell you what it is they will fund
Mary K&1 - You have to decide what you want to do and then seek out the foundation that is interested in a project like that
Evelyn -Alabama - In an application showing objectives, right under it I listed Achievement method.
Kathy/5/IA - and these different foundations would be in the book you mentioned earlier, right, Mary.
J@Va - There are some great websites on grants and how to write them on the web. I just picked an engine and typed in Grants in Education or Educational Grants
Mary K&1 - Kathy, yes and many are found on the Web these days
Kathy/5/IA - Good idea, J@Va.
Kathleen - Evelyn mentions an application..does every grant have an application to be filled out, or for some does one write up a proposal such as you are describing here tonight?
Kathleen - I mean, do some grants come without an application to fill out?
J@Va - What was the name of the book that was mentioned earlier. I logged on late?
Evelyn -Alabama - The National Music foundation has a grant available now on their web site for music in education. The web site is http://www.nmc.org/amei_gateway.html This may help some of you.
AltonS - We have a thunderstorm alert in effect at this time. If it gets too bad, I will log off. Glad to be here though.
Kathy/5/IA - I'm looking for grants for technology, reading materials, or science materials.
Mary K&1 - Both, Kathleen - I'm told that you should have a lot of prepared info done before you submitt the proposal - they may want addition info and won't wait for you to gather it, so it's best to have a lot of other information gathered to enable you to reply swiftly
Evelyn -Alabama - The evaluation is usually at the end of some applications. This is a culimating paragraph of what you are going to do with the materials and how you are going to measure it effectiveness.
Kathy/5/IA - The book Mary refered to was called The Foundation Directory. It costs a lot, so check the library.
JT/1/VA - Nat. Gov. also has a page listing grants for educ. purposes.
Kathleen - For evaluation, is there a requirement following use of the $grant to supply doucmentation of evaluation?
Evelyn -Alabama - A grant application will usually have a form that you have to fill out for the top page. However, the contents of the grant can be typed on your computer without the form. Just be sure that the number of pages you have do not exceed their limit. Most say a specific number of pages. I recenly faxed a grant application and it did not require their form. I typed in their questions and answered them.\
AltonS - NEA Today and Teacher's Magazine also include sections of available grants. Both can be found online if you don't subscribe.
Mary K&1 - Yes, Kathleen - Some foundations even come and visit you to see how you're coming along with meeting your objectives
Evelyn -Alabama - Also, call the people if you have a legitmate question. I was needing to fax an application at a last minute and had to call about the time zone where I was faxing it. Kathleen, I have a web page with many grants pages for grant resources. May I give it to you later to post with the archive. I do not wish to post it here, but it has many web sites for researching for grant applications.
Kathleen - So, the level of accountability (after receipt of grant) varies?
Kathleen - Yes, Evelyn, that would be helpful, thank you.
Evelyn -Alabama - I suggest always keeping a log of expenditures and what is going on with the project. I had to sign an agreement that says that I would have this. It is only fair.
J@Va - There is also a grant workshop strictly for teachers given by National Education Institute . It cost about $119. And a friend told me that the Polaris in Greensville, S.C. does great workshops. E-mail me for the phone numbers, if you are interested.
Kathy/5/IA - Once you submit a grant proposal, how long does it take before you know if you got it?
AltonS - On our grant, the participating teachers are asked to keep a diary to record what was done, when, and with what outcomes.
JT/1/VA - Aren't many grants very specific about format and typing?
Kathy/5/IA - What type of grant did you receive, AltonS?
Mary K&1 - JT, that's what I've been told
AltonS - Reply time may be indicated in the application for the grant. Otherwise, you can ask.
AltonS - Kathy, we received a $50,000 grant to implement Accelerated Reader at our Title 1 school from the Phoenix Think Tank. Hello Julie 3/CO
Kathy/5/IA - I'm sure once I get started with this...I'll have a lot more questions.
Kathleen - One could do a lot of work writing a grant proposal, then not be selected..how can we select the best prospects?
Kathy/5/IA - WOW, Alton, that's wonderful!!!
JT/1/VA - Thank you for the information!
Mary K&1 - Kathy, I'll include a lot of sites that can help
Kathy/5/IA - I was wondering the same thing, Kathleen. This seems like a lot of work, and there is the possiblity of being turned down. Teachers already have tons to do, and I'm sure all this writing is done on the teacher's own time.
Mary K&1 - Kathleen, research! And hard work
Evelyn -Alabama - I would suggest keep writing. Rewrite the grant proposal until it gets funded. You never know. Sometimes you can get a good proposal but your wording needs a different strategy. Don't throw it away, try, try again.
julie 3/CO - Mary, I'm trying to write my first grant, Colo. Council of Math Teachers, they asked what kinds of funds were matching. I was asking for 1200, have a very specific wish list. My school budget was 350 or, but I have no other $$$. How much do matching funds affect whether or not a grant is accepted?
Kathleen - Are grants from larger organizations/businesses more difficult to obtain than those from smaller, less publicized groups?
Kathy/5/IA - Would it be best to start looking a state funded grants, rather than big national ones?
AltonS - Kathleen, I believe the answer lies in understanding the application and expectations then working like a dog to adhere to those with the best need out of the applicants. I wish I were in the Pacific time zone. Maybe I am.
Evelyn -Alabama - Be honest with your grant request. If you do not have funds, how about including volunteers, community leaders, etc in your grant. Most grants want parents and community invovled.
JT/1/VA - Kahty, I had good luck with state grant.
Mary K&1 - julie, that's a good question, I know that some foundations require matching funds - you have to meet their requirements or look for another foundation, I guess
AltonS - Kathy/5/LA, go local first, then state. If you have a smashing idea and the ability or team to put together a great proposal, go Federal.
Evelyn -Alabama - I have not attacked those big foundations, only smaller ones. However, as my needs increase, so will my time dedicated to seeking funds. I would write those that I think I have a chance. competing with teachers in school systems in three southeastern states would say to be highly competive. Nationally, it is not impossible, but does my grant stand out. That is where the name of the grant is important. However, name the grant after you have written the proposal.
Mary K&1 - Oh, Kathy, One very improtant thing I forgot to mention - Don't try to do this alone - get a small group - a team to help put it all together
Kathy/5/IA - WIll the list of sites you include, Mary, help us to find "state" grants?
Mary K&1 - No, unless I find some more - I've collected sites that aren't limited to any particular state
AltonS - Kathy, I agree with Mary. That was the source of our good fortune. We had, and still have, an amazing team. All of little people rather than the Big Man on Campus types.
julie 3/CO - Mary, does WHEN you send a grant in do anything in your favor? Is it better to turn it in early, or close to the deadline?
Evelyn -Alabama - A team approach is great if you have the ability. If you do not have a team, have your spouse read it to see if they can understand what it is you want and why.
Mary K&1 - julie, I don't know - maybe Alton or Evelyn can answere that one
julie 3/CO - Another question, maybe kind of odd-but this is my first grant. Do I put a cover letter in, or do I stick with only what they've asked for, a cover page with name, address, etc and 2 page proposal?
Mary K&1 - Evelyn, that's another good thing to do even if you have a team. Get someone not in the field to read it and see if they can easily understand what you want and what you are going to do
AltonS - Julie, I believe time is really unimportant in comparison to the quality of the grant format, idea, and language. Unless of course you know what your competitors have submitted, then the deadline might be best. We barely made the deadline.
Evelyn -Alabama - By the deadline is usually when I send it. I tend to take it to the last minute. It did not make any difference in my case. However, I had to be sure that I had the exact number of copies of the application they wanted and the envelope postmarked with the required mailing date. I do not think they look at them until everyone's application is in has been my experience. If you send it in early, you can have a piece of mind that you are finished, but be sure you are finished with it, you do not get it back even after the grant is awarded.
Mary K&1 - Stick with what they ask
Mary K&1 - They don't want a lot of extra stuff to shuffle through
J@Va - What is the one thing that makes a grant proposal stand out from all the rest?
Evelyn -Alabama - Julie - stick with what they ask for. Be sure you have followed instructions to the letter. I also could not put my school name past a certain page.
Kathleen - What about asking for a grant from a group that is not advertising grant money?
Mary K&1 - Kathleen, that's when you need a good cover letter to get the ball rolling
julie 3/CO - I've heard that WalMart will do small grants, but have never seen anything advertised. Any comments?
JT/1/VA - Julie, be sure to keep a copy of your grant to use if you need to send it a second time.
Kathy/5/IA - Can you use the same topic on a few smaller grants?
AltonS - J@Va, I believe consistency, clarity, sticking to the criteria, and reasonableness all contribute to success.
Mary K&1 - Those 11 items that I listed are kind of like home work - you gather the info so that it's handy when needed
J@Va - Yes, Wal-Mart does give grants -- they do not adveritse you have to submit it to a manager through the help desk. It's called Education something ... Check out the banner that flies at the ceiling in many of the stores. It will let you know.
Mary K&1 - Kathy, if they are not exactly the same
julie 3/CO - Thanks, Java!
AltonS - Our Wal-Mart grant here consists of a fund-raiser with Wal-mart giving funds to match the money raised up to $2000 total.
Kathy/5/IA - So the WalMart grant would be a local thing depending on the store/area, right?
Mary K&1 - You may want to get part of what you seek from one place and another part from a different place, I'm told that they talk to one another and it's not good if you're asking for the same thing from different sources
AltonS - Target also has regional teacher grants in which applicants compete with other teachers within a district of stores. Yeah, Wal-Mart, like Target would be local. Those are generally easier to get, however.
julie 3/CO - Wow! I'm a little intimidated by asking for money, even though it's worthwhile. Maybe if I get some, I'll feel more confident!
Kathy/5/IA - I'll be checking Walmart and Target soon...how about KMart? :0)
julie 3/CO - Mary, is it OK to say the you're also seek money from so and so for xyz? Or do you get one grant before you ask for another.
Evelyn -Alabama - A good way to start a grant project is to get your books together. Like making a wish list for Christmas. This is often a good way to get started. Sometimes this leads into a grant title too.
Kathy/5/IA - I'm the same way, Julie!
Mary K&1 - It is not an easy task - you are competing with people who do this for a living! But it's not impossible
AltonS - A grant isn't really asking for money. It is just putting our your hand to collect what someone has offered according to their criteria. No one needs to be embarassed because it helps the provider to give it.
julie 3/CO - So glad I caught the tail end of the conversation. Thanks!
J@Va - It has been fun and very helpful. Maybe we could have a link on Teacher Net that list interesting grant ideas and funding sources.
Kathy/5/IA - Good luck to you all! :0) This has been very educational!
Mary K&1 - If what you are trying to get from one place is needed to carry out your objectives in the other, that would be not acceptable - it's like getting the cart before the horse
Kathy/5/IA - I'm going to go search for some "Iowa" grants!
AltonS - If you have something like a wish list or a book list or even a list of supplies, there is nothing wrong with approaching a business or individual in your area and asking them for a one time grant or a matching fund grant. No. You don't have to tell anyone that you have other grants in the works.
Evelyn -Alabama - If you get more money, more supplies. Share...
Mary K&1 - I'm told that there are Millions of dollars that go unclamed each year because nobody requested it
Kathy/5/IA - Does a grant have to be used in the classroom, or can it be for something needed at home that would assist the educational process?
Kathy/5/IA - Thanks for all the information, everyone! :0)
AltonS - Depends upon the grant. If you acquire something portable, why not? Unless specified items acquired with the grant belong to the person or school receiving the grant.
Mary K&1 - Kathy - a very poor district in NJ got a huge grant to put a computer in every student's home
J@Va - Good Night , Everyone. I really enjoyed it. Thanks!!:)
Kathleen - Kathy and all, thank you for attending this Teachers.Net professional development activity..watch for more (much more!)
Kathy/5/IA - WOW! That's neat, Mary!
Kathleen - Mary, Evelyn, Alton, thank you for sharing your experiences and expertise tonight. This information will be very valuable to those who access it in our Teachers.Net Archive.
Kathleen - Goodnight and thank you very much!
Evelyn -Alabama - I enjoyed this myself. Thank you for sponsoring this. I wished this was around when I wanted to write a grant. Thanks to all.
Mary K&1 - Thank you Evelyn and Alton you've been a great source of information for us tonight!
Kathy/5/IA - GOODNIGHT ALL! Let's all go surfing now!
AltonS - I apologize for the late arrival. Glad to help.
Mary K&1 - Kathy - I like that idea!
Kathleen - I have another session on grant writing scheduled for Oct. 1..perhaps people in the process, or those with questions after reviewing the transcript in the Archive will come.
Mary K&1 - Good Night All
AltonS - Sounds good to me. Thanks for the invitation. Good Night. Good Luck to all.
Mary K&1 - Good idea Kathleen, I'll put that at the top of this archive