Grant WritingELED 318

Goals for this Session• What does it take to create a successful

educational technology grant proposal?• What are some general rules for grant and

proposal writing?• Where can one find proposal-writing

resources and funding information?• Others?

Key Items for a Successful Grant Proposal• A technology plan with clear curriculum-

based goals and objectives is the #1 key to a successful funding request.

• The plan ties your funding request into the big picture of what technology means in your school or district.

• What do you know about your school’s educational technology plan??

Technology Grants• There are no easy answers to finding funds

for technology...• The majority funding is for curriculum and

staff development• Most funders expect you to have your

infrastructure in place• “Computers” are routine whereas good use

of that hardware is innovative• Funders support innovation

What is Innovative?• Curriculum mappings• Staff development models• Innovative technologies• Combinations of all of the above

Common Definitions That Are Used in Application Packages

Eligible Entities:• Applicant means a party requesting a grant or

subgrant under a program of the Department.• Community-Based Organization - The term

community-based organization' means a public or private nonprofit organization of demonstrated effectiveness that:• is representative of a community or

significant segments of a community; and• provides educational or related services to

individuals in the community.

Common Definitions That Are Used in Application Packages (Contd.)

Eligible Entities: (Contd.)• Local educational agency (or LEA) means The term local

educational agency' means a public board of education or other public authority legally constituted within a State for either administrative control or direction of, or to perform a service function for, public elementary schools or secondary schools in a city, county, township, school district, or other political subdivision of a State, or of or for a combination of school districts or counties that is recognized in a State as an administrative agency for its public elementary schools or secondary schools.:

• Commonly referred to as “school district”

• State Educational Agency - The term State educational agency' means the agency primarily responsible for the State supervision of public elementary schools and secondary schools.

Common Definitions That Are Used in Application Packages (Contd.)

Application Terms:• Budget is the recipient's financial plan for carrying

out the project or program.

• Grantee means the legal entity that has been awarded financial assistance under one of ED’s discretionary grants or cooperative agreements.

• Project means the activity described in an application.

Hallmarks of a Well-Written Technology ProposalClear and documented links to a strategic

technology planClearly defined teaching and learning goals

which build upon proven practiceThe project involves more than one teacher

and/or classroom (although focus on one is fine)The project has matching funds and support

from other sourcesA strong evaluation component

Bottom Line?• Over the long run, the best source for funding is the

local initiative• Your community must come to believe in the value

of technology tools• No amount of grant funds will continually and

constantly support the use and integration of technology tools

Tips for Proposal-Writers• 10 Tips for Proposal-Writers

• www.sun-associates.com/resources/10tips.html• Read the Request for Proposals!!

• It’s surprising how many people miss this basic point

• The RFP should serve as your proposal’s blueprint and virtually the table of contents

• Organize the proposal in the same order as the sections of the RFP

Con’t• Follow the rules, regulations, and/or guidelines

• Adhere to page limits, budget limitations, IRS rules, deadlines, etc..

• Be concise, but don’t leave out important points• Obviously, this is the key to “good writing”

Things to Think About...• Involve other people in your search for funders and in

the proposal-writing process• Don’t overlook local funding sources• Think broadly! Do not limit yourself to seeking a

particular type of grant or to a particular funding source

• Ground your proposal in relevant literature

Does Your Proposal Answer These Questions?• How will this project positively impact student

learning?• How will the funds we are requesting create a

ultimately self-sustaining project?• How does this request fit into our local

educational technology plan?• How does this proposal address particular

funding priorities?• e.g.., areas of poverty, empowerment zones, gender equity, etc.

Application Organization Tips 

• Getting Started:• Allow plenty of time to prepare. Approximately 25-

40 hours is needed.• Read the application package in its entirety.• If you have any questions, contact the competition

manager or refer to the application package.• Competition manager is the key program

contact that is responsible for answering inquiries regarding the application process, as well as overseeing all aspects of the grant program through the award phase.

Application Organization Tips  (Contd.)

• Preparing Your Proposal:• Follow the suggested formatting guidelines.• Structure your narrative according to the

selection criteria (make it easy for peer reviewers to evaluate your proposal).

• Pay careful attention to the language that you use - be clear, concise, and specific.

• Justify your funding request according to the proposed project activities, and check all budget figures for accuracy (keep in mind that costs must be both reasonable and necessary).

• Proofread your proposal.

Application Organization Tips  (Contd.)

• Submitting Your Proposal:• Do NOT wait until the last minute to submit your application.• If you are submitting an e-application, know the specific

deadline date and time.• If a competition does not require electronic submission and

you experience technical problems in submitting an electronic application that can’t be quickly resolved, print your application and submit in hard copy before the application deadline.

• Have a fresh pair of eyes read your proposal before submission.

• Make certain that all required forms and signatures are included in your application.

Common Proposal Mistakes

• Proposals not written to the guidelines• too long, requests for non-allowed expenses,

etc.• Proposals that attempt to do too much

• No singular grant will cover all your technology needs.

• Proposals that are written by only one person• A good proposal needs the ideas and

contributions of several people. Proposal writing is a collaborative effort!

Common Mistakes• Failing to allow enough time to submit via

mail or electronically.• Not reading the application package in its

entirety.• Not following formatting guidelines• Not obtaining required signatures on

required forms.• Failing to proofread.

Con’t• Proposals that do not directly address student

outcomes• Funders want to fund technology for children, not

teachers (as hard as this may be to understand...)• Funders want to know that that their funds have

had some impact.• How will your project demonstrate this

impact?

Evaluation• All proposals should have an evaluation

component…even if the RFP does not mandate one!

• Formative vs. Summative • Allocating sufficient resources for evaluation

Developing evaluation questions

• Evaluation questions must tie back to project goals and objectives

• Ideally, your actual proposal will define…• Evaluation questions• Data collection and analysis

methodologies• Stonger proposals will detail this information

even if an outside evaluator will conduct the actual evaluation

Internet Resources for Funding Information• www.ed.gov/funding.html

• The US Department of Education’s on-line grant information resource

• fdncenter.org• The Foundation Center. An excellent source for

information on foundation and private grants• www.eschoolnews.com/funding/

• eSchool News is an electronic newsletter with information on a wide variety of funding opportunities

and a few more...• www.sun-associates.com/grantwriting.htm

l• Tips for proposal-writers, example proposals, etc.

• www.learner.org/sami/pages/fund-l.php3• www.nsf.gov/home/grants.htm• myweb.magicnet.net/~gwest/grant.htm

MTTS #7 Performance Task Mrs. Smith, the technology coordinator in your new school, is going to apply for a grant from the Milken Foundation.  The focus of this new grant opportunity is use of emerging technology to improve student achievement.  Mrs. Smith has asked faculty to send her their ideas for which technology to include in this grant proposal.  Write a letter to Mrs. Smith identifying the emerging technology that you would like her to spotlight in this grant proposal.  Include a description of the technology and meaningful ways that you would use this technology in your classroom.  Include the benefits that this technology will provide for student achievement.  Cite at least one resource that Mrs. Smith can use to learn more about the technology and how to integrate the technology effectively.   Look at the rubric before you start. You will only have problems with this assignment if you leave out required information. You can talk about what you saw during your classroom visit, something from the text, or something that you have encountered in your professional experience. Use an approved style (e.g., American Psychological Association (APA) for your citation.