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Many
school districts find it more and more difficult to function effectively
on the support received from state and federal funds. Most school
administrators and teachers are aware that grants are available
from both federal agencies and private organizations. However, they
usually do not know the sources of grant funds, and they do not
have the time to research what grants are available and how to obtain
grant funds.
Grantseeking
and grant writing are, in fact, time-consuming endeavors that require
concentrated effort, commitment, and persistence on the part of
the grantseeker and grant writer. Some districts have realized that
these efforts amount to full-time activities that require the support
of a grant development office.
Through
such an office, a district can better coordinate the technical skills
of grant writing with the expertise of program specialists to develop
more effective grant proposals. Office personnel also become knowledgeable
on the types of grants available, the standard application procedures,
and the differing requirements of each grant.
Grants
offices typically collect a variety of information and set up their
own reference library, which includes books, directories, newsletters,
and names of organizations and contacts who can provide current
information on federal, corporate, and foundation grants. Listed
below are the four basic steps in the process of seeking grant funds.
1.
Conduct Needs Assessment
Before
undertaking any grantseeking, a district or campus must first identify
its needs by conducting a thorough needs assessment. Successful
grants are always designed to meet compelling and clearly defined
needs, not just to secure funding. If the needs statement does not
contain substantial, justifiable needs, the proposal will be turned
down.
Furthermore,
the very process of defining needs helps a prospective grantee match
its needs with the requirements of specific grant sources. This
translates, in turn, into more efficient use of time and a greater
likelihood of successful funding.
2.
Investigate Grant Opportunities
The
very best way to start investigating grant opportunities is to visit
one of the regional foundation libraries, which are located at most
major universities. These libraries provide current and comprehensive
information, free of charge, on funding sources and grantsmanship.
With advance notice, library personnel can also compile materials
in your particular area of interest.
Make
an appointment with a librarian to review the available materials
and then decide if you need to purchase additional publications
to inform and assist in the grantseeking process. At the same time,
obtain the names and addresses of corporate grantors and private
foundations that fund organizations similar to yours; later, you
can request in writing to be placed on their mailing lists.
If
you are interested in federal funding, make a habit of reviewing
the Federal Register for Requests for Comments, which are required
of all federal programs. The comment period not only provides an
opportunity to comment on the program but also outlines the preliminary
program priorities of the potential funding source. With this information
you can begin working on your proposal right away instead of waiting
for a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) to be issued.
This
extra time is especially valuable since the period between the announcement
and the deadline is usually too brief to accommodate the typical
in-district approval process, particularly if it involves the local
board of education.
3.
Learn to Write a Grant
After
becoming acquainted with the different aspects of grants, attend
training classes on grant writing. Grant writing is an art that
needs to be developed through continuous practice. Volunteering
to be a reader of grants can increase your writing skills. This
activity will familiarize you with the terms and styles used in
grant writing and with how to address federal agencies, corporations,
and private foundations when you request funding.
4.
Prepare and Submit the Grant Application
Most
grants are designed for institutions rather than individuals, which
means teachers face special challenges when seeking grant funds
to implement innovative ideas in the classroom. In those districts
with established grants departments, teachers should confer with
the campus principal to determine the availability of individual
grants. Depending on district procedure, either the superintendent,
the principal, or the teacher would contact their school district
grants department and request that all available information be
forwarded to the teacher.
In
those districts without such services, the teacher should still
consult with the appropriate administrative personnel, but ultimately
he or she will need to become a campus-level specialist on grants.
Individual teachers would use the process suggested above for acquiring
information on grants and grant writing. Additionally, however,
they would likely have to present their findings to central office
administration in order to secure district-wide support for the
grants process.
Once
the grant process is underway, the applicant must be careful to
meet all the requirements outlined in the RFP or other grant guidelines.
Since these requirements are described in narrative form only, it
might be helpful to devise a checklist to ensure that all necessary
information is included.
Education Grants 101 – Knowing Where to Begin
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