The Basic Recipe for Grant Writing
5 Steps
Step 1 Get the Support You Need
If you identify a grant opportunity from an external funding source and are interested in submitting a proposal, you should always discuss this idea with your principal or appropriate administrator and obtain approval. Make sure the idea supports your school improvement plan and/or district goals.
- Funding other than the School Board is considered external funding. School Board approval to accept external funding is necessary, therefore an important part of the process requires approval prior to submitting a proposal and may be acquired through the building principal/appropriate administrator.
- All technology proposals should be reviewed by the Director of Information Technology as the district has invested heavily to insure that technology is compatible, meets the needs of the students and is able to be supported within the current system.
Step 2 Start Early
Planning may begin when you identify a need, much of what will eventually become basis of a good grant proposal can be in place before you apply for a specific grant. Grant proposals are plans for change and not just requests for money. Proposals should be based on quantifiable needs. You may want to conduct a school or district assessment.
Step 3 Follow Guidelines
Follow the given guidelines of the application. Your project must support the funders" organizational goals. Don"t be afraid to contact the organization if you have questions.
Step 4 Collaboration Get Funded
Build partnerships and collaborations within the district and/or community. Funders are looking for collaborations. The more stakeholders involved, the project has a better possibility of success. Building partnerships makes your project more fundable.
Step 5 Have a Goal
Grantmanship is much more than putting together a grammatically clean sentence or paragraph and following an outline. Grant writing is a process that includes having a "goal", understanding your mission, articulating your needs, collaborating with community, planning, and understanding the funding agency.
