Beginning Grant Writing for Student Branches

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Beginning Grant Writing for Student Branches

• Amy M. Langhals
• The Ohio State University at Lima

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Getting Started!! The Journey Begins!!

• Identify a need or problem in the community your
  branch would like to solve.
• Starting a tutoring program, cleaning up a park,
  etc
• You cant start anything else until you know what
  you want to do.

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Getting Started!! The Journey Begins!!

• Find a mentor (Community member, college
  professor/advisor, school faculty)
• This is vital as a beginning grant writer. It is
  very beneficial to have someone experienced in
  grant writing to proofread your proposal and give
  you tips.
• Take a class (either through your school or
  another agency such as The Environmental
  Protection Agency that may offer classes)

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Getting Started!! The Journey Begins!!

• Do a needs assessment.
• How will you show the funder that there is a need
  for your project in the community?
• Surveys
• School Report Cards
• Census Bureau info of your community
• Economic Status of your community

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Getting Started!! The Journey Begins!!

• Identify the outcomes.
• How will you know the project was a success?
• Surveys (pre post program)
• Formal Assessment of skills (pre post program)
• You should have measurable outcomes

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Getting Started!! The Journey Begins!!

• Identify fund raising resources.
• Most funding agencies will not fund an entire
  project.
• Your group needs to find matching funds for the
  project (i.e. community donations, sponsors, if
  someone is doing this as part of a job you can
  count their salary as part of the matching
  funds).
• Hold a fundraiser for the project

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Finding the right Grant for your Project

• 4 types of Grants
• Federal
• NASA
• National Science Foundation
• State
• State Department of Education
• State Council of Elementary Schools
• Foundations
• Corporations (i.e. First Energy or the ATT
  Foundation
• Charitable Trust (Martha Holden Jennings
  Foundation or the Bill Melinda Gates
  Foundation)
• Family Foundations
• Educational Associations
• District
• NEA
• ACEI

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Find the right Grant

• Talk with other agencies and other grant writers
  in your area to find out what types of grants
  they typically apply for. Many foundations only
  serve a specific area so if you are from that
  area you have a great opportunity to apply.

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Terms to Know

• Grant Funding that requires a written proposal
  for a particular purpose, following specific
  guidelines, over a specific period of time. The
  grant can be newly awarded or provide continuous
  funding from year to year. Grants can be awarded
  on a competitive or non-competitive basis.
• Request for Proposal (RFP) A document which is
  distributed by the granting agency or that
  solicits a written proposal for fund. A RFP
  typically provides guidance on the preparation
  and content of the response.

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Terms to Know

• Direct Cost The costs which are related to a
  proposed project. Examples include materials
  required for the project and salaries of the
  project staff.
• Indirect Costs The cost of a school not directly
  associated with the project, but necessary to the
  operation of the building. Examples include the
  operation and maintenance of the building,
  equipment, and salaries for project staff.

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Terms to Know

• Project Coordinator/Director/Manager Typically,
  the person whose name is on the application and
  who will be responsible for over-seeing the
  project from application to final report.
• Program Officer The individual who oversees and
  manages the project for the funding agency.
• Matching/In Kind Funding/Cost Sharing The amount
  of money which the applicant (school or ACEI) is
  prepared to spend on the project.

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Helpful Websites

• Youth Service America
• http//ysa.org/
• Government Grants
• http//www.grants.gov/index.jsp
• Grants per State (www.firstbook.org)
• http//www.firstbook.org/site/c.lmL4KlN0LvH/b.1867
  571/k.7D39/Grants__Listed_by_State.htm

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Recommended ReadingHow to Write a
Grant Proposal by Cheryl Carter New James
Aaron Quick ISBN 0471212202Grant Writing for
DummiesISBN 0764584162Special Thanks to Dr.
Lynn Sametz for being my mentor!