Grant Workshop 2017

Agenda Welcome! Who We Are Grant Basics Online Grant Process Review Process Grant Timeline Grant Guidelines Grant Writing Tips Good luck!

Welcome! What schools do we have represented? Who has written a grant before?

Who We Are Mission: The Keller ISD Education Foundation provides strategic financial support to enhance the academic environment of Keller ISD. Vision: To make Keller ISD a district where exceptional opportunities are available to all students History: The Keller ISD Education Foundation was incorporated in 2005. Grants have been major focus from beginning.

Grant Basics Innovative Grants Program provides funding to projects that stimulate student’s creativity and expand the existing curriculum Educational projects that are innovative and creative Programs that affect the most students for the longest span of time are most appealing Consistently given around $50k last several years Last year: 30 grants, 24 educators, $48,928

Online Grant Application Where do I find the application? The application can be found on KCloud

I got an error message… If you’ve never used this application before, you will be prompted to reset your password. Upon your first time using the system, simply click “Lost your password?” and following the instructions. You’ll then be all set to apply for your grant!

Online Grant Application When you click the icon this window will pop up You will see the first page of the grant guidelines

Online Grant Application Read through ALL of the guidelines When you are finished click the box to agree and hit next

Online Grant Application Page two ensures that you know your grant must be submitted in its entirety. Use this slideshow or the linked PDF when working on your draft

Online Grant Application Congrats! You are ready to submit your grant. The next few slides give an overview of the questions and requirements on the application.

Online Grant Application Second part of the application

Online Grant Application Third part of the application

Confirmation Page You will see this message when you have successfully submitted your grant

Checking Grant Status Use this page to check the status of your grants. Status is listed on the right side

Grant Review Step 1: Principal reviews grant using the following rubric:

Grant Review Step 2: Executive Director reviews to ensure it meets all grant guidelines. Looking for Vendor ID numbers and no identifying information in particular. Step 3: Blind Committee Review Committee is composed of: foundation board members, foundation volunteers/committee members and KISD Administration and Curriculum teams All applications are “blinded” which means the committee won’t see any identifying information such as your name or campus. This is how we keep grant selection as fair as possible. Committee will meet in November to review and select top grants. These recommendations will be then be presented at the Keller ISD Education Foundation board meeting for final approval. ALL GRANT WRITERS WILL RECEIVE A RESPONSE AND FEEDBACK

Grant Timeline October 1st: Online grant application opens at 12:01 am October 31st: Online grant application closes at 11:59 pm January 2018: Grant winners announced after holiday break Spring 2018: Grant Implementation

Grant Guidelines • Applicant must be a full time employee (teacher, counselor, librarian, nurse or other full time employee) of Keller ISD. • Application may be submitted by any individual by themselves or on behalf of grade level, subject matter or campus team. • Each applicant must complete and submit online application form and provide all required information. • Project proposals should offer an innovative and creative approach to either an identified classroom need or special student based project and directly impact students and enhance academic environments. • Applications must demonstrate a specific need or specific project. • Project proposals must align with Keller ISD curriculum and strategic plan.

Grant Guidelines • Project proposals will not be considered if funding is available from other sources (district funding, state funding, etc.) • Project proposals may not support an extracurricular activity. • Grants will not fund transportation, salary, stipends or other non-educational expenses. • Each project must be approved by campus principal or administrator. • Previous grant winners are eligible. • Applicants are limited to submission of two grants. • THE NAME OF THE SCHOOL, CAMPUS, MASCOT OR TEACHER SHALL NOT BE PLACED ON ANY PART OF THE APPLICATION OTHER THAN INFORMATION PAGE. APPLICATIONS WHICH INCLUDE THIS INFORMATION WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED.

Grant Writing Tips Start your application in a Word document for word count, editing and spell check. Once you are pleased with your response, cut and paste into the electronic form and submit your application. Be aware: the electronic form will not save your information for later revision. The application must be complete in form at the time of submission. Do your research. Approval from your principal Budget: Costs of items needed to implement your plan Approved vendors from whom you can purchase

Grant Writing Tips Your first paragraph is the “hook” for the grant reader. Write it Well! The more student the grant benefits, the better! Non-consumables are better than consumables. Integrating other subjects is a plus. Using new technology is a plus. If you are not awarded a grant, don’t be upset. Most grant writers apply multiple times before they perfect the process. Keep trying!

Grant Writing Tips Step 1: Brainstorm Step 2: Discuss Your Idea Think of a project or item that will help your students understand a concept or idea better Your project must be innovative, aligned with district goals and doable Talk to other teachers who may be interested in doing a grant together Look for grant ideas online from other education foundations or other various resources Step 2: Discuss Your Idea Talk to others about your idea to see if it is innovative and aligned with the district. Other teachers, leadership and curriculum coordinators could all have good suggestions.

Grant Writing Tips Step 3: Research Step 4: Write! Create a timeline of your project and what it would take to carry out. Research materials and cost (and insure they are an approved vendor) Talk to appropriate people at district if construction or facility use is involved. Step 4: Write! Make a rough draft of your grant in a word document or google doc. Use the PDF of the grant application to guide your writing. Write as if the person reading the grant doesn’t know anything about education! Double and triple check spelling and punctuation Remember each section is limited to 800 characters. Use bullet points if possible

Grant Writing Tips Step 5: Budget Step 6: Proofread Research your budget, looking for the best deals on the items you will need (and that they are an approved vendor) Remember: Grants are not intended to fund transportation, salary, stipends or other non- educational expenses. If you can’t find an approved vendor, you can talk to the person who handles purchasing at your school to fill out a new vendor request Step 6: Proofread Recruit the help of others to help you proofread your grant for spelling, grammar and clarity. Start early to give your readers plenty of time before the deadline Step 7: Turn it in! Copy and paste your final draft into the online application and submit before the deadline

Thank you! Paige Bussey Paige.bussey@kisdfoundation.net 817-744-1050 Thank you for attending today! You can reach out to me with questions about your grant at any point throughout the process. Paige Bussey Paige.bussey@kisdfoundation.net 817-744-1050