How to Write Grants By: Dom Corcuera

Does this sound familiar?  “I would really like to help you obtain new computers for the science department…but we just don’t have the money for it.”

 “Free” money is available!  You just have to look in the right places.  Paraphrased from Business Dictionary: A grant is a gift (cash) by a government or other organization (called the grantor) for specified purposes to an eligible recipient. Conditions must met for use of the funds! Did you know?

 1) It will take a lot of time  The process will not be overnight. Grant opportunities must be researched, awarded, and executed. This may take several months! Maybe a year!  2) It will require a lot of paperwork to and from the grantor and to and from your school district administrative team.  3) Research, research, research! Find a grant that suits your needs! Preparing to Write a Grant

 To be able to write the following parts of a grant:  Executive Summary  The Statement of Need  Project Description  Budget  Organization Information  Evaluation Outcomes  Indicators of success  Conclusion Today’s objectives:

 1) Know the requirements  (e.g. a 1-page summary means only 1 full page – no more, no less)  2) Target a grantor that meets YOUR needs  (e.g. apply for a Texas Instruments grant to obtain funds to increase student achievement with the use of graphing calculators)  3) The purpose of the funds is NOT to buy equipment, but to improve the quality of education for your students. General Tips to Writing a Grant

 4) Know your mission statement!  Grantors will want to know your school’s objectives.  5) Use your writing skills wisely  i.e. Check grammar, spelling, and punctuation  Write as clear and concise as possible. Make every word count!  Use professional language. General Tips to Writing a Grant

 To be able to write the following parts of a grant:  Executive Summary  The Statement of Need  Project Description  Budget  Organization Information  Evaluation Outcomes  Indicators of success  Conclusion Today’s objectives:

Executive Summary  While this is the FIRST part to a grant proposal, this should be written LAST.  It describes who you are, the problem you face, and how the grant can assist.  The summary may be your only chance to be convincing!  It should adhere to the following criteria…

 One page in length (be brief!)  Describe yourself, your school, and the mission statement  Explain your project (how you will use your funds)  Justify the reasons why you should be chosen for the grant.  What will you expect the results to be?  How much are you requesting?  Always thank the funder for their time! Executive Summary

 To be able to write the following parts of a grant:  Executive Summary  The Statement of Need  Project Description  Budget  Organization Information  Evaluation Outcomes  Indicators of success  Conclusion Today’s objectives:

 How will the grant money be used to fulfill your mission?  Focus on the needs of the students, not the needs of your school.  Can this grant realistically solve your problem? Be hopeful!  This statement follows four steps… The Statement of Need

 Step 1) Explain the need using objective evidence, statistics, and testimony.  E.g. HSPA Math Scores are lower than the state average, as evidenced by the N.J. State Report Card.  Step 2) Explain how you determined these needs.  E.g. The HSPA is given to first time 11 th graders in March and their results are calculated by early June. The Statement of Need

 Step 3) Explain the method for solving your problem  What are the steps that you will be taking?  Has your proposed project been done before? If so, what were those results?  Do you have the resources available to proceed?  Step 4) Explain the benefits  What outcomes do you expect?  Why would these outcomes be good for your school? The Statement of Need

 To be able to write the following parts of a grant:  Executive Summary  The Statement of Need  Project Description  Budget  Organization Information  Evaluation Outcomes  Indicators of success  Conclusion Today’s objectives:

 This section has five parts:  Part I. Objective  Part II. Methods  Part III. Staffing  Part IV. Evaluation  Part V. Sustainability Project Description

 I. Objective – Describe the desired outcomes of your project. The results must be tangible and measurable in a given time period.  II. Methods – Describe the activities that you will conduct that will help you fulfill the objective. Answer the questions, how, when, why? Defend your activities with expert testimony or other similar successful projects. Project Description

 III. Staffing – Describe the qualification of those who will implement the activities. Also, describe their specific assignments and responsibilities. The grantor may ask for salary information as well.  IV. Evaluation – Explain how your project will be monitored during the length of the project. Describe how you might obtain both qualitative and quantitative data. Also, designate the people who will be collecting the data. Grantors may prefer outside consultants, as opposed to project staff. Project Description

 V. Sustainability – Grantors seek projects that have long-term effects. Specifically, how will your project build upon itself? In this section, describe how the project will affect the future of the students during and after the grant period. Can the results continue to be positive beyond the conclusion of the project? Project Description

 To be able to write the following parts of a grant:  Executive Summary  The Statement of Need  Project Description  Budget  Organization Information  Evaluation Outcomes  Indicators of success  Conclusion Today’s objectives:

 Can be 1-page document, as long as it provides the following:  Expense Budget  Budget Narrative  Costs must correspond with the grantors expectations! The Budget

 The Expense Budget can include (in worksheet form):  Personnel costs  including professional development/training and travel  Consulting costs  Equipment costs  including purchase and maintenance  Overhead  Some grantors may set a limit The Budget

 The Budget Narrative  It is mainly used to justify all costs associated with the project budget.  Also include additional funding used for the project.  Note: Grantors are more likely to award money to projects that have multiple sources of funding  The grantor may request additional documentation to support the expenses. The Budget

 To be able to write the following parts of a grant:  Executive Summary  The Statement of Need  Project Description  Budget  Organization Information  Evaluation Outcomes  Indicators of success  Conclusion Today’s objectives:

 This section should be between 1-2 pages in length.  Describe the organization (in this case, your school and school district).  Include the following information:  A brief history of your school and district  The mission statement and how it relates to your project.  Roles and history (as it relates to the project) of the staff, supervisors, and administrators involved.  The members of the board and their qualifications Organization Information

 To be able to write the following parts of a grant:  Executive Summary  The Statement of Need  Project Description  Budget  Organization Information  Evaluation Outcomes  Indicators of success  Conclusion Today’s objectives:

 Evaluation – Determines if your project objectives are currently or on course of being met.  This can be conducted by a person within the organization or an outside consultant. The figure below outlines pros and cons of both: Evaluation / Indicators of Success

 Indicator of Success – what is the evidence that your project is leading to your intended outcomes?  e.g. If the intended outcome is to increase HSPA math scores, observe the HSPA Math Scores of the year that the program took place.  Recommended to use measureable and tangible indicators.  e.g. 80% of the Class of 2014 will be “proficient” on the math portion of the HSPA. Evaluation / Indicators of Success

 To be able to write the following parts of a grant:  Executive Summary  The Statement of Need  Project Description  Budget  Organization Information  Evaluation Outcomes  Indicators of success  Conclusion Today’s objectives:

 In 1-2 paragraphs, revisit the reasons for funding your project.  Why is it important for the students?  In addition, explain how the project can continue on, even after the grant period has passed.  Provide follow-up activities  Make an emotional appeal or provide a story. If possible, refer again to similar projects. This could be your last chance to be convincing! Conclusion

 Grant Writing II: Writing the Proposal. (2004). Retrieved July 27, 2012, from Metropolitan State College of Denver, Colorado website:  McNamara, C. (2012, June 8). Overview of Non-Profit Program Planning. Retrieved July 29, 2012, from Ohio Literacy Resource Center website: overviewprogplan.html  Proposal Writing Short Course. (2012). Retrieved July 29, 2012, from The Foundation Center website: ndex.html  Stanton, R. (Presenter). (n.d.). Developing Effective Grant Proposals. Lecture presented at Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ.  What is a grant? (n.d.). Retrieved July 29, 2012, from grant.html  Writing Tools for Non-Profit Organizations. (n.d.). Retrieved July 29, 2012, from Non-Profit Guides website: References