Do you have a dream project that you want to try with your students? Have you always wanted to make an impact in your school or community? What are you waiting for? There’s more grant money out there than you have time to write for. And in today’s world we need a little more than textbooks and chalkboards to adequately prepare and successfully engage our students. Here’s some of the best grant writing tips from the International Society for Technology in Education 2010 Conference.
Become an educational entrepreneur.
Winning grants takes time, effort, diligence, teamwork and perseverance. Build a team approach to your grant writing. Research each grant’s history – including who, what, and where they have funded in the past. Call the funders to find out more than just what they put on their site. Get support and commitment from as many important people as possible. Funders need to feel a sense of commitment not just from the grant writers, but from those that support you as well.
Volunteer to be a grant reader.
Grant reader’s help funders select winning grants. Seek out volunteer opportunities with local organizations. The more experience you have reading and evaluating grants, the better grant writer you will become. You will also have better insight on what grant funders are looking for by accessing sample grant rubrics.
Alignment, Alignment, Alignment.
Every aspect of your grant should be aligned to grant goals and tied to your schools mission statement, improvement plans, and high standards. Also, find a way to link all methodologies and practices to sound research.
DO NOT seem desperate.
If you have nothing and have done nothing with what you have then you will not be viewed as a go-getter. Write about what you have done with what the limited resources available. Show that you take what you have and do the best you can with it. Give assurance that you will do the most you can with what are given.
Be clear and specific. Over-explain.
Even if the grant doesn’t require explanation or even include money for the following, be sure to touch on these topics somewhere in the grant: process management, professional development (especially if writing for a tech grant), student achievement, expected outcomes, and evaluation techniques. Grant writing is all about trust. The funder needs to trust that you have thought everything through and that you will use the money to make a positive impact in your school or community.
Demonstrate the community connection.
Tie the grant to local needs. Does the initiative have the potential to be replicated or outreached to the larger community? A far-reaching impact is more likely to be funded. Demonstrate how your proposal will benefit many more than just your classroom or school. Show how your ideas can serve as a pilot and may be easily replicated with appropriate funding or materials. Remember, funders want to make a difference. Be the change they wish to see in their communities.
Think innovatively.
You will never receive a grant for textbooks. Your grant should be at the forefront of 21st century education. Think different! Link your ideas to research, but don’t be afraid to take risks. Be sure to include very specific success indicators and outcomes. As stressed before, over-explain. Include all the ways you will assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the project.
Invest in and enhance in your grant.
Funders want to see that you have something invested in your grant also, be it time or resources. What will u do to enhance, support, and demonstrate a personal commitment to the grant? Put yourself and your heart in the grant. Demonstrate a strong commitment and dedication to positively impacting students.
Clearly define your budget proposal.
Do not goof up the budget! If so, you will not be viewed as detail-oriented, focused, or deliberate. Check and recheck your work. Budget mistakes will be a deal breaker.
Never give up; never surrender!
Upon rejection, continue to resubmit your proposals. Try new funding sources, or resubmit your revised proposal each year. Rework and rethink your proposal over and over until it is successful. Research all the possible sources to submit your grant and do so. Last, continue to view webinars, attend workshops, and inform yourself on grant writing to increase your chances.
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