So You Want to Write a Grant? Grant Writing Tips

“It’s easier to find funding for a great idea than to find an idea for great funding” - Author Unknown Grant Writing Tips

Need: an underlying deficiency, something that students or a community are lacking. Eg. Low achievement scores, access to technology, etc. Solution: the program or materials that will be used to address the underlying need. Eg. Enhanced curriculum, computers, etc. Need v. Solution Grant Writing Tips

Analyze Your Data: District/School/Classroom-level Data - Test Scores, Student Growth, Attendance, Free/Reduced Lunch Eligibility, etc Surveys of Students/Families/Teachers Student Behavior Parent/Guardian Education Level Census Data Don’t just assume you know the root need Be sure to save your data so you can document it in an application Identifying Need Grant Writing Tips

After identifying your need, brainstorm what programs, projects, or materials would help you address that need? Look to where the need is pointing, not just what you want to do or is the latest and greatest fad in education. Ideas to Meet the Need Grant Writing Tips

Concept: How does this program align with the District Strategic Plan and/or School Annual Goals? Narrative: Outline a brief description of the project, anticipated goals /evaluative pieces, and staffing/volunteer needs. Budget: Sketch out a rough budget estimating total project costs. Project Preparation Grant Writing Tips

A grant is support, generally financial, that helps an individual, group, agency, or entity carry out projects that promote the priorities of the funder. The grantseeker’s job is to find the funder whose vision for helping the world matches their project. What is a Grant? Grant Writing Tips

The man with the “gold” makes the rules. Remember, if your goals do not match the priorities and vision of the funder, your project is unlikely to get funded. Golden Rule of Grants Grant Writing Tips

Finding funding for a project can be time- consuming. Look carefully and be flexible. Check out the TPS Grant Opportunities.TPS Grant Opportunities Web search for “classroom grants.” Funding Research Grant Writing Tips

Once a funding source has been identified and you plan to prepare an application, be sure to secure approval from your principal/supervisor and the TPS Grant Development Coordinator. District policy states that you must submit a signed Grant Application Approval Form to the TPS Grant Development Office for every application.Grant Application Approval Form Grant Writing Tips

Statement of Need: Describe the facts and data about your program/school/classroom that demonstrate your need for this project. Organization Background Information: District/school/classroom demographics, annual budgets, partners, etc. Project Description: Tell the story of exactly what your project will look like with as much detail as possible. How many students? What will they do? Components of a Grant Proposal Grant Writing Tips

Objectives/Goals: How much will your students improve their academic/physical/ artistic, etc achievement? How many more hours will they spend in project activity? Evaluation: Specifically identify what data you will collect and analyze to measure achievement of your objectives/goals. Grant Writing Tips Components of a Grant Proposal

Budget: Tell them in detail how you will spend every cent of their money. e.g.,10 boxes of $1.00 = $ packs of $0.50 = $ packs of $0.50 = $2.50 Total = $15.00 Be as accurate as possible. Many funders will not allow you to make changes. Be sure to check for items/services that they will not fund. Be sure to include incidental charges such as shipping/handling, employee benefits, etc. Grant Writing Tips Components of a Grant Proposal

TPS Grant Development OfficeTPS Grant Development Office – contact for free grant writing workshops (basic and advanced) The Eighth Floor The Eighth Floor – check the schedule for free grant writing courses (basic and advanced) eHow Grants For Teachers Grant Writing for Dummies SchoolGrants Non-Profit Guides Grant Writing Resources Grant Writing Tips

Notify TPS Grant Development Coordinator Send copies of all award notifications and official funder correspondence to the TPS Grant Development Coordinator Do NOT spend any money until a TPS Budget Analyst has been assigned to the grant and they have approved the purchase Work closely with the assigned Budget Analyst to ensure proper expenditures and required reporting Send a thank you note to foundational funders, with a copy sent to the TPS Grant Development Coordinator – required by TPS Board Policy 5803 Post-Award Processes Grant Writing Tips

Rochelle Klein, Grant Development Coordinator Tulsa Public Schools Education Service Center, Room S. New Haven Ave. Tulsa, OK Twitter TPS Grant Development Office Subscribe to the Grant Development Office newsletter TPS Grant Development Office Grant Writing Tips