Grant Writing 101 Richmond Public Schools November 3, 2015 Presenters: Cheryl Bostick, RPS Grant Manager Audrey Vosburg, RPS Grant Writer

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT introductions Ice Breaker

Richmond Public Schools Office of Grants Management Cheryl P. Bostick, Grants Manager Karen Blake, Grants Technical Assistant Audrey Vosburg, Grant Writer

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Grant Writing 101: The basic Pre-requisites for successful grant writing are: Grant Readiness and Project Development. These considerations, along with a Snapshot of a basic grant proposal template: Introduction, Need Statement, Project Design, Sustainability, Key Personnel, Collaborations and/or Partnerships, Evaluation, and Budget (Summary & Detailed) will be provided. Come join us to de-mystify grant writing and increase your chances of obtaining grant funding for your classroom and school.

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT What is a grant? A grant is a monetary award to eligible organizations for a variety of reasons. The purpose of a grant varies depending upon the grant maker’s priorities. Categories of funding include: Education, Arts & Culture, Social Services, Health, Housing, Community Development, Scholarships for tuition, Religion, Youth and many more. Most grants are made to fund a specific project and require some level of compliance and reporting. The grant writing process involves an applicant submitting a proposal to a potential funder, either on the applicant's own initiative or in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) from the funder.

Grant-makers, Funders, Grantors, Donors $$$$ OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Grant-makers, Funders, Grantors, Donors $$$$ Corporate/ Business Private foundations Public foundations Federal Government State Government Local Government

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Why do they give? Private foundations (Independent or Family; Company sponsored; corporate) further the causes established by family, trustee priorities Public foundations (Community; Operating; other) address community or regional needs, specific populations, needs or issues Federal Government makes awards based on congressional priorities and appropriations. State Government makes awards based on the governor’s priorities and appropriations; federal allocations for pass through grant programs

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Types of Grants Program grants Start-up/Seed grants Capital grants Research grants Scholarships & fellowships Challenge or matching grants Endowments

Pre-Requisite for Grant Writing OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Pre-Requisite for Grant Writing Readiness State of preparedness of persons, systems, or organizations to meet a situation and carry out a planned sequence of actions. The state of being fully prepared The capacity to receive Being willingly disposed

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT READINESS Project vs. Proposal Questions to Ask Yourself? 1. Why do we need a Grant? Why is this project important to our school? 2. How does this project fit with already existing projects & plans? 3. Is there adequate time to develop a project and grant proposal? 4. What is unique & innovative about the project? 5. What will change as a result of this project? 6. Is it possible to obtain the desired change without a grant? 7. What will happen to the project after the grant ends? 8. Do I have the necessary team collaborations and/or partnerships? 9. Do I have permissions? Principal Approval District Approval In most cases, a “good idea” gets developed in a proposal according to the application requirements. Like a recipe. This approach has the potential to be problematic if it takes you off course and does not reflect your true purpose or need. A competitive proposal will describe a well-planned project in a compelling way that addresses both the applicant and the funder’s interest.

“Readiness” Group Break- Out OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT “Readiness” Group Break- Out Take 5 (mins). Choose a project from the list and discuss necessary steps that might be necessary prior to starting the actual project. If you can, try to come up with steps that aren’t commonly known. Retirement Marriage Building a House Looking for a new job Planting a garden Hiring a babysitter Weight loss Career change Vacation Relocation

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT “All work is project work. And You are Your Projects” Tom Peters  best known as co-author of In Search of Excellence

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Project 1. a “planned undertaking” with a “specific plan or design” 2. “ a series of activities designed to achieve a specific outcome within a set budget and time frame” 3. an assignment of fixed duration with a scheduled beginning and ending point, designed to integrate various activities towards accomplishing a single, often narrowly focused objective”

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Project 4. A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service 5. A work assignment that has specific outcomes, definite start and end dates, and established resource budgets 6. A sequence of tasks with a beginning and an end that uses time and resources to produce specific results. A project has a specific, desired outcome, a deadline or target date when the project must be done, and a budget that limits the amount of people, supplies, and money that can be used to complete the project.

Your Projects- Break out OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Your Projects- Break out Please share with us: Three projects you have developed or you are developing -- (Small or Medium or Large) (RPS or Non- RPS)

A Funder’s Perspective OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT A Funder’s Perspective “It’s important to note that Virginia Health Care Foundation does not fund projects that are just good ideas, it funds projects that are Great ideas backed by well thought out plans of action. Applications are scrutinized thoroughly to ensure strong project leadership, a well-articulated vision, a solid operating plan, community support, and long term financial viability.”

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT . What is a GREAT Idea? Originality/ Creativity/ Innovative Problem solving Timeliness Responds to a Compelling need Impact--Game Changer, Transformative

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT To the extent that your project focus and the focus of the grant program overlap… Grant Program Focus Your Project Focus

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT … is a strong indicator of whether you are applying for the right grant (readiness, capacity, sustainability).

Demystify…. Grant Writing OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Demystify…. Grant Writing

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT TIE Grant Criteria All teachers in Richmond Public Schools are eligible, including former TIE Grant recipients Requests are considered for one-time projects of up to $1000 Teachers should avoid asking for funds that could be obtained through other sources or that require a continuing commitment of funds beyond the original proposal Grant funds must support classroom instructional or enrichment activities

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT TIE Grant Application Requirements Limit one application per teacher Maximum grant request of $1000 per applicant Applicants must: Complete the TIE grant application and budget form All budgeted items should be based on pricing from RPS approved vendors. Details on RPS purchasing guidelines can be found at: http://web.richmond.k12.va.us/Departments/Purchasing/Purchasing.aspx Applications must be approved by school principal Applicant teachers must provide their signature verifying the accuracy of information included in the application Submit the TIE grant applications by no later than November 13, 2015

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT TIE Grant Awards The TIE Selection Committee will review applications during November/ December and grants will be awarded in January/ February. Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation will highlight the work of grantees

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT TIE Selection Criteria A committee will review applications and make selections. Applications will be evaluated based on: Quality of project Educational benefits -- academics, enrichment, student engagement Integration of proposed project with school curriculum Number of students who will benefit

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Submitting Your TIE Grant Application: Applications are due November 13, 2015 There are 2 ways to submit your TIE Grant Application: 1. Electronically: Complete the on-line form available at: www.RPSeducationfoundation.org/?page_id=241 You are permitted to submit up to two additional documents with your application, not to exceed five pages in total. Materials may include items such as; photocopies of web pages, images of supplies listed, order forms, photographs, excel budget documentation. Applicants can send supplemental printed materials via US Postal Service Mail or email attachments to: forms4RPSeducationfoundation@gmail.com. SUBJECT: TIE GRANT MATERIALS_your name 2. U.S. Postal Service Mail or Email: Download the Word version of the grant application provided at: www.RPSeducationfoundation.org/?page_id=241 Type your responses, and save the document as a PDF. You are permitted to submit up to two additional documents with your application, not to exceed five pages in total. Materials may include items such as; photocopies of web pages, images of supplies listed, order forms, photographs, excel budget documentation. Completed applications may be printed and mailed to the address listed below or emailed as pdf attachments to forms4RPSeducationfoundation@gmail.com.

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT TIE Grant Evaluation (Post Award) Teachers receiving funds will submit a brief progress report and outcomes evaluation at the completion of their project This year's grant recipients will also be required to provide RPS Education Foundation with a short video, poster, or PowerPoint presentation that demonstrates how the funds were used and results of their project.  Evaluation of the TIE Grants Program may include random monitoring of funded grants, a midway update, and/or site visits Expectations and deadlines for submission of these materials will be outlined in grant award letters.

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Questions and Submissions Adele Johnson Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation 301 North 9th Street, 17th Floor Richmond, VA 23219 Adele.johnson@richmond.k12.va.us 804.780.8623 Electronic Submissions: forms4RPSeducationfoundation@gmail.com

Basic Grant Proposal Components OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Basic Grant Proposal Components Introduction Need Statement Project Design Management Plan Evaluation Plan Budget (Summary & Detailed) Sustainability Collaborations and/or Partnerships

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Keep in Mind! Grants are selected through the process of a Grant Competition. Always be mindful of the points linked to each proposal component (selection criteria). This will tell you where to put your very, best effort.

Introduction; Abstract; or Summary OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Introduction; Abstract; or Summary Summary of the Proposal that clearly & concisely describes the proposal request. Usually only one page or a specific word limit. This is best written last, after the proposal is completed. Include information and major points from other proposal components. Stress the project outcomes.

Need (for Project) Statement OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Need (for Project) Statement This may be the most important component since it represents the reason for the project Documents the problem(s) to be solved by the proposed project Should establish significance, relevance, and timeliness. References made to relevant research. Statistical data (school, local, regional, national); depending on requirements of the grant program

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Project Design Includes project activities, measurable objectives, and a description of how these will address the needs of the target population. Logic Models are often used to convey all of the required information in the allotted space This section is not always called Project Design. Let’s see what you have.

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Management Plan Sometimes called an Implementation Plan Plan should include: how the objectives of the proposed project will be achieved on time and within budget, including clearly defined staff responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing project tasks. Key Project Staff (grant & non grant funded) should be described.

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Evaluation Plan State the purpose of the evaluation, type of information to be collected, details on instruments, data collection, analysis; how results will be reported. Evaluative criteria should be provided for each objective.

Budget and Budget Narrative OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Budget and Budget Narrative Cost of the project (inkind and requested, divided into categories such as personnel, supplies and materials, travel etc.. Very important that the budget costs are linked to proposal activities All costs must be “eligible” grant expenses

Successful Proposal Writing OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Successful Proposal Writing Clear Concise Compelling 36

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT OGM Support Adequate Lead Time Days Required for Obtaining Approval Grants over $500 require the principal’s signature Grants over $1,000 require district level approval Cabinet Member(s) Superintendent Board Chair Implementation Spend-down Reporting Celebrations Accreditation Vision

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT

OFFICE OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT Thank you! YOU CAN DO IT!!