Grant Writing 101

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Grant Writing 101

• A grant application guide

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Grant Information

• Where to Start
• Idea Sources
• Needs
• Goals
• Objectives
• Methods and Activities

• Evaluations
• Budget
• Timeline
• Abstract
• Writing Tips

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Where Do You Start?

• Read the grant carefully
• Form a committee
• Gather information
• Decide how to use the purpose of the grant to
  meet needs
• Investigate the research
• Write using the rubric

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Establish a Team

• Good researcher or librarian
• Good writer
• Good proof reader
• Good word processor
• Good accountant
• Stakeholders who will be involved

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Idea Sources

• Brainstorm with other inventive people
• Develop wish lists
• Identify needs
• Target funding sources
• Examine currently funded programs
• Adapt existing innovations
• Review professional journals
• Attend professional conferences

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The Hook

• Tailors the description of the idea to the
  interest of the grant
• Aligns the project with the purpose and goals of
  the grant
• Compels the reviewers to see the proposal as
  deserving funding

Activity
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Activity Grant Reader

• Need K-1 Technology Grant for Teacher and
  Learning RFP (request for proposal)
• Grant for School A
• Grant for School B
• Rubric
• Record sheet

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Components of a Grant

• Cover page
• Abstract/summary of project
• Background information
• Problem statement
• Project objectives
• Methods and activities

• Professional development
• Evaluation
• Partnership
• Time line
• GEPA
• Budget

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The Gap is the Need

• Who has the need?
• What need do they have?
• How was the need determined?
• Why is the need critical?
• Is there data to support the need?

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Tips for Need Statements

• Accentuate the positive
• Emphasize the opportunity
• State the action plan
• State the problem to solve
• Base the request on needs not wants or things

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Goals

• Outline the expected benefit
• Focus on the needs
• Provide a clear outcome of the project

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Measurable Objectives

• Content - what do you want?
• Process - action verb
• Product - what will be completed or used to
  evaluate
• Measure of assessment - percent of students
  meeting level of acceptable performance

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Examples of Objectives

• Vague Students will be able to identify
  beginning and ending sounds of single syllable
  words.
• Measurable 80 of students will be able to
  follow text from left to right, top to bottom,
  and identify simple c-v-c words. Gains will be
  shown using the Title 1 K Early Childhood
  Assessment in Reading.

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Methods and Activities

• Define what is being done to meet the objective
• Describe how, when, where, why and who
• Include academic standards addressed
• Correlate with students development
• Link to evaluation

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Formative Evaluation

• Provides data during the course of the project.
  This can help to improve the design of the
  project.
• Examples Surveys, journals, feedback from
  discussions, focus groups

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Summative Evaluation

• Measures how well the population achieves the
  goal. Usually administered at the end of the
  project.
• Examples Standardized tests, authentic
  assessments, attainment of benchmarks

Activity
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Activity Evaluating the Flow

• Need grants for Schools A and B
• Examine objectives, activities, standards, and
  evaluations
• Complete the flow grid
• Critique

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Budget Errors

• Addition and multiplication mistakes
• Correlation mistakes not noted in activities
• Something not allowed
• Budget didnt match grant
• Unrealistic price
• Required percentage not met

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Estimate the Budget

• Determine what needs to be paid with the grant
  funds.
• Personnel
• Benefits
• Staff development
• Material/Supplies
• Equipment

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Budget Tips

• Keep a running budget page while writing the
  grant.
• Talk with the business manager before obligating
  any funding from the school district.
• Become friends with the bookkeeper and keep
  him/her informed.

Activity
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Activity Budget

• Examine the budget for School E
• Look for errors

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Timeline

• Is it reasonable?
• What are the activities and critical tasks?
• Who will initiate and follow through?
• When will this happen?

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Abstract

• Clear and concise summary of the proposal
• Write after proposal is completed

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Writing Tips

• Adhere to the RFP rules sequence
• Make sure to complete all sections
• Use the required font size
• Write in third person
• Make sure each activity ties to an objective

• Include the correct number of pages
• Budget only for authorized expenses
• Use realistic prices
• Meet the deadline

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Polishing the Document

• Read the document again in one sitting to check
  the flow
• Check to make certain all requested items are
  included
• Engage an outside reader for critique
• Make several copies and submit
• Secure original signatures

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If Unsuccessful

• Contact agency to get evaluators notes
• Save grant for other opportunities
• Be encouraged not every application is funded
• Try again!

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Grant Writing 101

• By
• Kathy Keck kkeck_at_chs.cville.k12.in.us
• Dr. Kathy Steele ksteele_at_admin.cville.k12.in.us