Grant Writing Basics Workshop Innovative Grant Application Q&A Presented by: Washington County Public Schools Education Foundation Thursday, January 25, 2018

Beginning Considerations Writing a grant proposal is not easy! Time, Research, Concentration, Team Effort Grants should be written for projects you know very well It is difficult to write on a new concept or newly created program Competition is stiff - many people are applying Stand out!

Elements of a Proposal Summary or Abstract Introduction Statement of Need or Problem Objectives Methods, Design Evaluation Future Funding Budget Management Plan/Key Personnel Conclusion

Summary or Abstract This section should be written last Brief description of applicant Definition of problem to be solved State of objectives to be achieved Outline of activities Statement of cost to the funding agency

Statement of Need or Problem Describe the problem State the needs of the target population How will your services impact the population or take care of the problem State the solution that your services will provide

Objectives Important to clearly state the objectives Must be SMART - specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time sensitive Examples: To increase the reading level of 20 youth, ages 5-10 by 20% by year end of 2019 Warning: Do not write to many objectives - more does not necessarily mean better Some grants will ask you for broader goals

Evaluation How will you know your project is accomplishing its stated objectives? Quantitative vs. Qualitative Methods Create measures and state it in your proposal How will you measure Who will you measure When will you measure

Methods and Design State how you will achieve your objectives What will your service provide Be specific and descriptive Who will do what When will it be done Where will it take place How will it be done Support your methods and design with supportive research

Future Funding State how you will support your project after funding period ends

Budget Detailed budget must include all needs for which you want support Program staff, operational expenses, overhead

Management Plan and Key Personnel Provide a review of who will manage the program and staffing that will support it Must include all staff working on program even if not supported by the funds you are applying for

Conclusion Brief paragraph to restate why you need funds and what it will do

Grant Writing Basics Put your grant in a notebook This makes it easier to work on different parts of the grant Organizes you as you write Provides a place for your literature review Provides a place for you to add important documents needed to support your proposal

Do’s Dont’s Do make contact with grant officer if you have questions Do develop a template proposal for repeat use Do read the entire proposal before beginning to write Tackle each section separately Don’t guess on anything you don’t understand - this could be detrimental to your grant Don’t copy someone else’s grant - even though it’s similar Don’t submit grant without letters of support unless you are not in partnership Don’t make up lies of things you are not doing!!

Innovative Grant Application

Questions from the Application with Additional Insight Number of Students Anticipated to Participate  For the upcoming year & future use Cost Per Student Total grant request divided by student participants Description of Project (100 words or less)  Anticipated Project Outcomes/Expectations (RESULTS!)  Timeline of Project  What is the amount of your request?  Proposed Project Budget Grant funds may not be used for salaries, childcare, snacks and/or refreshments, or county funded text books. Include details of how you will spend the funding List the actual products & the cost Describe the Impact on Students  Include teaching objectives

Additional Information Projects should reflect specific areas of need and should include one or more of the following: Literacy, financial literacy, college & career readiness, encouragement of student participation in science/math (STEM), interdisciplinary instruction, at-risk students, support for the arts, multicultural education, and/or digital learning. Projects should be innovative, directly impact WCPS students, and should be aligned with the school system’s goals, procedures, and curriculum and not technology alone. Any technology requested to meet the goals of your project must be supported, approved, and purchased through WCPS Technology Department. Interdisciplinary or team teaching projects are accepted. A detailed budget which includes a total amount of grant funds requested is an essential component of the grant application. All materials and equipment purchased with grant funds become the property of the school, not the individual teacher or grade level. Request for funding projects costing more than $1,000 will be rejected unless the budget includes details about how the balance will be funded, or the applicant is applying for the $5,000 Maxi-grant.

Reminders Approval by the applicant’s principal before submitting the grant application. This is the responsibility of the applicant. Applications are evaluated by the WCPS Education Foundation’s Innovative Grant Committee on the basis of the project’s creativity, its benefit to students, the efficient use of funds, and the potential to be replicated in other schools. Application Due Date: Friday, March 23, 2018 Awards will be presented: Friday, May 18, 2018 Grant funds are awarded to the school for the identified project on behalf of the applicant. If for any reason the project is not implemented by the end of the 2018/2019 school year, the grant funds must be returned to the WCPS Education Foundation.

Tips & Tricks from Prior Winners Tom Mazzone – Hancock Middle/High – Agriculture Teacher Ashley Vascik – Boonsboro High - Social Studies Teacher & We the People Coach Be sure that what you’re asking for ties directly to student-centered learning and/or the Essential Curriculum. I encourage you to have at least two individuals proofread your plan and I also recommend one of those be your principal or team/department leader. Think BIG!  The more students your grant request will impact, the more likely you will be to get approved.  I recommend you discuss ideas with your team/department and come up with a request that would benefit all students that everyone in your team/department come into contact with on a daily basis. Don’t assume you MUST have technology as part of your request.  Grants are approved for all kinds of projects, so choose something that will be most beneficial to your teaching and ultimately your students. Remember, you don’t have to ask for the maximum amount of $1,000 or $5,000.  Ask for the amount that you need to purchase the resources you need or to complete the activity you seek.  Requesting less than the maximum amount can sometimes appeal to the committee, because you are asking for exactly what you need rather than just requesting the maximum amount of money. 

Q & A Christina Williams Manager, WCPS Education Foundation Phone: 301-766-2925 Email: wcpsedfoundation@gmail.com Website: wcpseducationfoundation.org Facebook & Twitter: @wcpseducfound