Keys to Writing a Winning Grant

Proposal

CMS Education Foundation

3 Key Questions…...

1. What is the CMS Education Foundation?

2. What are the Grant Application Guidelines?

3. How do you complete the application?

What is the CMS Foundation?

1. What is the mission of the Foundation?2. What are the goals of the Foundation?3. What is the Foundation? What is the

relationship between the Foundation and the school district?

4. Who benefits from the Foundation?5. What does the CMS Foundation Fund?

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What is the mission of the Foundation?

The Clovis Municipal Schools Foundation will provide resources to enrich teaching, inspire learning, and enhance opportunities for all students

enrolled in the Clovis Municipal School District.

What are the goals of the Foundation?

*Encourage all students to work to their highest potential

*Support staff for innovative efforts *Recognize staff for exemplary teaching *Build community awareness of the Clovis

Municipal Schools Foundation *Inspire parents and the community to

participate with the school district to enrich education

What is the CMS Foundation?What is the relationship between the Foundation and the school district?

A 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, tax-exempt, philanthropic organization of citizens

Shares a vision of enhancing education in the Clovis Municipal School District

Works to increase private support for educational activities in the Clovis Municipal School District

Benefits Clovis Municipal School District students and staff by supporting activities not funded by tax dollars

Fosters creative approaches to education through private grants and involvement

Awards Foundation funds through a volunteer Board of Directors consisting of business, community, and educational leaders

Separate entities working together toward the same goals

Who benefits from the Foundation?

School District Community

Homeowner Local Business

STUDENTS

•Students are stimulated and imaginations are sparked

• School district is able to enhance its quality of education

•Great school districts add value to a community

•Business revenues go up

•Property values increase

What does the CMS Foundation fund?

Innovative Teaching GrantsTechnologyStaff DevelopmentEconomic/Special Needs of StudentsInteractive Learning Experiences for StudentsSchool/Community Partnership Programs/ProjectsStudent/Teacher Recognition ProgramsAuthor/Artist in Residence ProgramsPermanent Endowment FundEndowed Scholarship Programs for Students

What are the Grant Application Guidelines?

Eligible Proposals Types of Grants Eligible Applicants Required Signatures Selection Criteria Selection Process

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Eligible Proposals

All proposals MUST directly involve the instruction of students and MUST offer an innovative and creative approach to student achievement.

Instructional approaches or projects should be designed to begin and end during the current school year and meet the selection criteria.

Types of Grants

1. Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to individual teacher initiated programs or projects. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to campus teams, departments, and district initiated programs or projects.

2. Only one grant per school will be awarded per grant cycle.

3. The number of awards will depend on funds available from the Clovis Municipal Schools Foundation.

Eligible Applicants

Individuals or teams of individuals employed by the Clovis Municipal Schools who are involved in the instruction of students or related support services benefiting students

Required Signatures

1. Signatures by all grant applicants1. Signatures by all grant applicants

2. All proposals require an approval2. All proposals require an approval

signature from the campus principal.signature from the campus principal.

Selection Criteria

• Purpose:The purpose is clearly stated.

• Rationale:Improves student learning (It is broadly applicable and replicable.) Directly relates to the CMS District Strategic Plan and the goals of the CMS FoundationSpecifically aligns with NM Standards and Benchmarks and is supported by research

• Objectives:Objectives are specifically stated and are measurable. Objectives are feasible (time, resources, etc.)

• Activities:Activities/procedures are specifically stated and directly relate to the purpose and objectives.

A specific budget has been included and is justified. • Evaluation:

Measurable criteria are used.

Measures directly relate to objectives and activities.

Selection Process

Signed applications are due to the Deputy Superintendent of Instruction who will annotate on the front of the application the date grant was received.

Applications will be reviewed and commented on by the Grant Application Review Committee made up of the following members:a. A minimum of five Foundation directors appointed by the President of

the Foundation Board of Directorsb. Deputy Superintendent for Instructionc. Others as determined by the Foundation Board of Directors

Grant Committee will meet in person and discuss each application. Upon review of all grant requests, the Grant Committee will select winning packages based on meeting selection criteria, quality of package, and availability of funds.

If recommended for approval, the application is presented to the Foundation Board of Directors in summary form for review and formal approval.

Applicants will be notified of the Foundation’s decisions.

How do you complete the application?

Important Questions Completing the Application

-Cover Page-Abstract-Purpose-Need/Rationale-Work Plan (Objectives, Instructional Procedures,

& Evaluation Procedures)-Partners in Project-Budget

Tips for writing a successful grant Final thoughts

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Completing the ApplicationImportant Questions

To determine if the project is appropriate for this grant process, you must be able to answer ‘yes’ to following questions:

Is it important to learning? Is it research-based? Are the results measurable? Are the objectives clear? Does the project address the NM Standards & Benchmarks

and Foundation goals? Can it be done? Is it practical? Is it new for you? (If you are seeking recognition for

something already completed, it is inappropriate.)

Completing the ApplicationCover Page

Title: Keep as short as possible but descriptive of the project.

Names & Signatures: All printed and signature names of applicants and principal’s signature signifying review and approval of application

School(s), Grade(s), Subject(s): List all that will benefit from the request.

Primary target population: Mark with an “X” and indicate number served.

Implementation/Ending dates: Be sure to provide dates.

Completing the Application

Completing the Application Abstract

Provide a brief statement (less than 100 words) about the project or program you wish to implement.

What do you hope to achieve?How will this project enhance the education

of students? Ensure this is a stand-alone commentary that

accurately and succinctly describes your request. This paragraph is the “HOOK” for the grant

reader…write it well!

Completing the Application Purpose

Tell what you hope to achieve. (e.g. what will be different or better if the project is successful)

State only what you can reasonably expect to achieve.

Keep the statement simple and straightforward. Avoid the use of educational jargon or acronyms.

Completing the ApplicationNeed/Rationale

Explain the specific need(s) that this project addresses.The problem or issue addressed

How will the project improve student learningand support the purpose?

Discuss the NM Standards & Benchmarks that will be addressed by this proposal.

Completing the Application Objectives

Limit the number of objectives.List the main objective of your project.List in terms of “students will…”Objectives should be clear and measurable.Link objectives to instructional activities and

evaluation procedures.Write SMART objectives: Specific, Measurable,

Achievable, Results–oriented, Time-bound (or relative)

Completing the ApplicationInstructional Procedures

Describe proposed activities and tasks.What actions will you take to meet the objectives?How will the project be implemented?Provide details so that the evaluation committee can

distinguish innovative ideas.Link the instructional activities to purpose, objectives,

and evaluation procedures.Be specific.List steps.

Completing the Application Evaluation Procedures

Describe how you will measure the success of your project. (outside of standardized testing)

How will you know that this project was successful? Link the evaluation procedures to objectives and instructional

procedures. Be specific.Think About….

o What information do I need to collect? o What is the best way to collect my information? o What are my conclusions? o How do I communicate my results?o Summary due to the CMS Foundation Board of Directors within 30 days

of concluding the program/project.

Sample Work Plan (Simplified)

Objective Instructional Activity

Evaluation Procedure

Anticipated Result

Students will

increase their Memorization

of 0-12

multiplication

facts to 100%.

Multiplication Music

Readers’ Theatre

three days per week.

Pre and post

multiplication timed test given

at the beginning, mid-term and

end of year.

100% of targeted

population will

have learned

multiplication

facts 0-12.

Completing the ApplicationPartners in Project

If other schools, businesses, or community agencies will be included in project or program, state which agencies or schools will be involved

Provide information as to how partners will be involved in project or program.

Will you be requesting matching/supplemental funding for this project?

Completing the ApplicationBudget

What do you need to make this project happen? List detailed information on how the grant funds will be spent. Do NOT guess at prices. (Every school has catalogs.) Do not forget to include shipping and handling costs. This is one of the more important sections of the application.

Ensure it is complete and accurate. Provide specific name for each item, name of vendor, quantity

requested, total cost of each item. Provide total cost for overall program or project at end of

individual list. If possible, get a quote that is good for 90 days to ensure that

your costs will be the same at the actual time of purchase.

Budget

EXAMPLE:

Budget Item Vendor Quantity Budget Amt. Total Cost

20 Gallon Wal-Mart 1 $102.36 $102.36

Aquarium Each

Microscopes Discover 6 $ 39.99 $239.94

This Each

S&H 20% $68.46

TOTAL $410.76

Tips for Submitting a Successful Grant Application

Be SMARTSpecific Measurable Achievable

Reasonable and Timely!

Let everyone you know read your application.Fill in all sections appropriately.Write as if the person reading the grant does not

know anything about education.  Remember...not all reviewers may be an expert in your field.

Mak sur yur spelin, gramer, and punkuaton iz correct.  It speks vollumes abor yul.

Do not ramble on.  Get to the point.Use bullets if possible.

Final Thoughts (one more time)

o Use clear, concise, simple language.o Keep your audience in mind when writing.o Projects must have an ending.o Use test readers to review your application.o Double-check and Triple-check your finished

application.o Avoid using unexplained acronyms.o Original with signatures must be received in the

office of the Deputy Superintendent for Instruction by October 3, 2013.

o If you have any further questions, please email Jan Cox at jan.cox@clovis-schools.org