The ABCs of Successful Grant Writing

1
The ABCs of Successful Grant
Writing
2
The slides that follow show the procedures that I
use when grant writing. There are many different
ways to write a grant, this is my method. If you
have any other suggestions, please email them to
me so that we can update this PowerPoint to make
it the powerful, helpful tool it can be.Best of
luck.
3
Todays Objectives

• You will realize the importance of aligning your
  grant with the Districts Improvement Plan as
  well as your Campus Improvement Plan.
• You will understand the format and
  timeline applicable for NEF
  grants.

4

• You will be enriched with tips and ideas that
  will ensure a more successful grant
  writing experience.
• You will be informed of
  the critiquing standards used by the
  NEF grant approval committee.

5
Grant Format and Timeline

• Grants are found on the district intranet under
  the NEF link
• You may retype the grant, but keep it in the same
  format and order, with all the same terms in the
  same place
• Use one inch margins, and 12 inch font only

6

• Use easy to read fonts (Times New Roman or Arial)
• Fill in ALL blanks with the appropriate
  information
• Deadline November 12, 430 pm

7
Steps for Writing Successful Grants
8
Step 1
Your project must be innovative, aligned with the
DIP and/or CIP, TEKS, and actually doable
Idea Think of a project or item that will help
your students better understand a concept or idea
Think of special populations, alternative
presentations and assessments.
Talk to other teachers that may be interested in
doing a grant with you to help their students as
well.
Look for ideas from other grants on the internet
and improve on their ideas
9
Step 2
Principal
Discussion Talk to others about your idea to see
if it is innovative and aligns with the DIP
and/or the CIP. They may also have some good
suggestions to add to your idea.
CIT (Campus Instructional Teacher)
Curriculum Specialists Technology Specialists
Other teachers
10
Step 3
TEA Web site or subject/grade level TEKS Scope
and Sequence
Research Make a rough draft and timeline to help
you figure out what it will take to carry out
this project. Consider every step to make sure
it is all doable, cost efficient, and will
actually help your students.
Internet Research for materials and costs
Talk to the appropriate people in the district
if construction or facilities utilization is
involved.
11
Step 4
Fill in ALL blanks appropriately.
Write as if the person reading the grant does not
know anything about education. Remember they may
not be the expert in your field.
Write the Grant Make a rough draft of your grant
making sure to follow ALL of the guidelines
listed on NEFs web site. More grants are thrown
out each year due to not following the guidelines.
Mak sur yur spelin and punkuaton iz corect. It
speks vollumes abot yul.
Ensure you answer each question accordingly. Do
not ramble on. Get to the point.
Alignment with TEKS, DIP, CIP
Use bullets if possible
12
Step 5
Very seldom will salaries for people involved be
approved.
Budget Research your budget, looking for good
deals on the items you will need.
Very seldom will grants requesting items the
school district should be supplying be approved.
A grant should be written for an idea or project,
not for a shopping spree.
DO NOT INFLATE YOUR BUDGET.
Try to use school approved vendors. If you
cant, then talk to your supervisor for steps for
approval of a vendor.
Ensure that you do the math correctly. Add in
shipping costs.
13
Step 6
You need to walk away from the grant for a few
days. Then go back and reread it with fresh eyes
to make sure it is all about your idea.
Proofreading Ensure the help of people you know
that are good writers and spellers to read over
your grant for mistakes and clarity.
Give your proofreaders plenty of time to help
you. Remember they are busy too.
Write a final copy following ALL guidelines.
14
Step 7
Deadline November 12, 430pm
Get to know the people in the NEF officethey
can help you.
Turn it in! Hand deliver your very best finished
copy to the NEF office. Get to know the people
in the officethey can help you.
No pictures or names in the actual grant, except
on the front page.
One copy, no staples
Whether you get the grant or not, send a thank
you note to all that helped you, including the
NEF board.
15
Idea
Discussion
Research
Write the grant
Budget
Proofreading
Turn it in!
16
Other fast tips

• Your first paragraph is the HOOK for the grant
  readers..write it well. Give it an interesting
  title as well. It is an attention grabber.
• The more students the grant can help, the better.
• Non-consumables are better than consumables.
• Integrating subjects is a plus.
• Using technology is a plus as well.

17

• Integrating WOW concepts, Thinking Maps, Blooms
  Taxonomy, Multiple Intelligences all great
  ideas!
• If you dont get your first grant, dont be
  upset. Most good grant writers start out not
  getting their first few grant attempts. Practice
  makes perfect!

18
Questionsand Answers
If you still have questions, please contact the
grant office for more information. Wishing you
the best of luck!