Grant writing for monies is not as difficult as one might think. The key here is to keep things simple, yet to the point. Lose all the mumbo jumbo that clouds your perfectly hand crafted proposal. Use any resource means that you can get your hands on to validate your "Needs." Your "Needs" is one of your most crucial parts of your Grant request. A "Need" is the core or main focus of your grant-funding request, short and sweet and to the point.
Many of you are wondering, "What do I do first? I have never written a grant before." The suggestion here is to do as much research as you can before applying. Just like any good student, "Do your homework!"
1. Take a Grant writing workshop to help you familiarize yourself with the in's and out's of the Grant Funding World.
Teaching yourself in how to write a successful grant will help you create a successful program. There are many Grant Workshops that are offered to teachers to aid them in their request. I highly suggest that a course be taken. They are short, and to the point studies usually around a week in length. These classes give the basic nuts and bolts to writing a hopefully successful grant. Learning is such a powerful tool.
2. Research your area of request in full detail, the more the better. Libraries, Internet, conferences, and discussions with successful people.
Research, research, and more research! One can never get enough. Once you have understood how to write a grant, one must now know what information to put into it, and how to get funding. Gather as much information as you can on the subject, competition, source funding, benefits, budget. There are numerous areas where one can search for information. The most obvious one is the library. Books, magazines, and news articles will help you validate your "Needs." Annual reports of funding corporations and/or foundations can be pulled for your viewing pleasure. Another powerful tool is the Internet. Literally thousands of pieces of information are right at your fingertips. E-mail various successful grant recipients, search for a large assortment of funding sources, and visit an array of websites designed to help aid you in your grant search.
3. Sift through the garbage. There are a lot of funding agencies out there; it is your job to shrink the playing field down to a select few.
Once you have found a listing of Grantors, it is now your job to narrow down the playing field to a select few. The Grantor that best fits your "Needs." Which one is more directly related to your request? This could be as simple as, common program interests and goals, or even a local funding agency. Ask yourself, "Does it help their cause? Is it within budget guidelines?" Always ask for annual reports and the number of funded proposals to see if the monies fit into your budgeted program. There is no sense in pursuing a Grantor if the matches are not there.
4. Understand your Grantor.
After narrowing down the field of thousands, one must familiarize themselves with the Grantor. Understand what guidelines they have? Are there any deadlines for requests? Research past recipients and replicate their style. Try to talk to someone on the inside, someone who could give you some helpful hints. Get as much information about the Grantor and their past funding as possible, you can never have enough of a good thing.
5. Believe in yourself and your project.
If you don't have faith in yourself or your project, then no one else will. A positive approach and a winning attitude make a world of difference in a grant request. Even if you are rejected, don't let that discourage you. Many of our famous historians have failed several times before making an impact. Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Dr. Jekyll just to name a few. No one is asking you to become president of the United States or discover the Laws of Physics or even turn into Mr. Hyde, just to do the best you can. Remember, if first you don't succeed, try, try, and try, again.
There are many different types of grants one can apply for. Search out the ones that best suits your funding needs. Try using different approaches to fill your request. Be creative in your endeavors. Ask for help from other teachers and get different opinions on your funding request. Talk to as many people as you can, it is always nice to hear from someone outside the box. Student involvement is another possibility for a positive out come in your search. Looking at things from a student's point of view may help you redirect your approach into something more meaningful. Expand your request down every possible avenue you can think of. This could be using different technology, improving an existing curriculum, and learning through different means. Whatever method works for you, use it to the fullest potential.
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