Tips for Grant Writers Paula Roop, Program Manager

1. Know the organization to which you are applying.  Check the web:  Click on “About Us” to see “Mission and Goals”  Check the web:  Click on “About Us” to see “Mission and Goals”

2. Every successful grant begins with a great idea.  Original  Solves a significant problem  Meets needs of today’s classrooms  Original  Solves a significant problem  Meets needs of today’s classrooms

3. Do your research.  Target useful background on the problem with statistics, if applicable  Consider ways to expand the # impacted  Be able to describe the project in clear, concise terms  Discuss the idea with your principal  Locate and connect with multiple funding sources  Target useful background on the problem with statistics, if applicable  Consider ways to expand the # impacted  Be able to describe the project in clear, concise terms  Discuss the idea with your principal  Locate and connect with multiple funding sources

4. Write the grant.  Follow all instructions completely  Proofread, proofread, and proofread  Have all involved personnel edit the draft  Attach a copy of your professional resume  Follow all instructions completely  Proofread, proofread, and proofread  Have all involved personnel edit the draft  Attach a copy of your professional resume

Worksheet for Grant Writing: This exercise will enable you to discover if your idea is grant- worthy. 1) Write a one-sentence description of your project. 2) What problem or need are you addressing? 3) How do you know it is a problem or need? 4) What are you going to do ? 5) How much will it cost? 6) How will you evaluate the success of your project? 1) Write a one-sentence description of your project. 2) What problem or need are you addressing? 3) How do you know it is a problem or need? 4) What are you going to do ? 5) How much will it cost? 6) How will you evaluate the success of your project?

What insures a successful proposal? The centerpiece of the proposal is an innovative instructional project Will benefit many students, teachers, potentially the entire school Well-written, easy to follow narrative with compelling evidence The centerpiece of the proposal is an innovative instructional project Will benefit many students, teachers, potentially the entire school Well-written, easy to follow narrative with compelling evidence

What insures a successful proposal? Includes a strong evaluation component Other funding sources are already committed Includes a strong evaluation component Other funding sources are already committed

Why are proposals NOT funded? Did not adequately define or document the need Requested support for something the Foundation does not fund ex:”bricks and mortar” projects; “consumables”;projects outside HEF’s focus area Did not adequately define or document the need Requested support for something the Foundation does not fund ex:”bricks and mortar” projects; “consumables”;projects outside HEF’s focus area

Why are proposals NOT funded? Limited/narrow student audience Inadequate evaluation procedures Poorly written, rambling, hard to understand Did not follow directions Not mailed or delivered by the deadline Limited/narrow student audience Inadequate evaluation procedures Poorly written, rambling, hard to understand Did not follow directions Not mailed or delivered by the deadline

Tips for Grant Writers Paula Roop, Program Manager