Classroom grants mini course
- 2. Agenda How to plan your proposal How to write a compelling proposal Grant sources
- 5. What problem do you want to solve? Think of the problem from their side. Every grantor has their own business goals and mission. Why do they fund classroom grants? Design your proposal to meet their needs as well as yours. Use backward design just as you do in your lesson design: What does it look like now, and what will it look like if you succeed? What data will you use to measure your success?
- 6. What problem do you want to solve? Do not say I need books for my library, or I need calculators for my math class. Look for the underlying problem and state it in positive terms: To develop life-long learners by providing greater access to high quality literature To improve achievement in mathematics by ensuring students have access to consistent and high quality classroom tools
- 7. How to Write a Compelling Proposal Define focus of project. Create a list of problems. Decide which is most worthy. Define problem, needs, and success. Find funding sources. Define scope of project. Must have value and impact focus on results Must be manageable and focused in key goals Must have a cohesive project plan
- 8. How to Write a Compelling Proposal Define impact. Who will this impact? (students, staff, duration) What do they need? What is your capacity? How does this project align with goals and mission? How will you plan to sustain after grant ends. Gather information: Basic school information from website and school publications. Costs of proposed purchases Determine timelines and get approvals.
- 9. How to Write a Compelling Proposal Review the grant sources to see which might be the best match. Review any published winners to see what type of projects they have awarded recently. Review their requirements to be sure your qualify for this grant. Use their rubric or guidelines to organize your proposal.
- 10. How to Write a Compelling Proposal Develop proposal. Plan Budget Evaluation Narrative Use language that matches the tone of the grantors website (formal/informal, jargon, buzzwords, words that you see often, etc.) Edit, check rubric, and edit again.
- 11. AAE Who? Association of American Educators (AAE) All full-time educators who have not received a scholarship or grant from AAE in the past two years Why? A variety of purposes, including but not limited to books, software, calculators, math manipulatives, art supplies, audio-visual equipment, and lab materials How Much? Maximum award of $500 Requires teacher to purchase approved items and submit for reimbursement When? Due October 1, March 1 Where? https://www.aaeteachers.org/index.php/classroom-grant-application
- 12. Donors Choose Who? Full-time teachers who work with students at least 75% of the time Why? Request books, technology, field tripsanything youve been dreaming of for your students. How Much? Any amount can be requested campaign will last up to 4 months If not funded, then donations can be redirected to your next campaign When? Any time Where? https://www.donorschoose.org/teachers
- 13. Go Fund Me Who? Anyone Consider team fundraising Why? Education How Much? Any amount can be requested all funds go directly to you When? Any time Where? https://www.gofundme.com/
- 14. Other Sources Teach.com https://teach.com/what/teachers-change- lives/grants-for-teachers/ Grants4teachers.com http://www.grants4teachers.com/ GetEdFunding.com https://www.getedfunding.com/
- 15. Other Sources Scholastic.com https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/t eaching-content/teachers-get-grant/ Boredteachers.com https://boredteachers.com/blogs/the-faculty- room/funds-grants-for-teachers
- 16. Other Sources Grantsalert.com https://grantsalert.com/grants/ Corporate Grants for Teachers http://teaching.monster.com/benefits/articles/ 3069-corporate-grants-for-teachers
- 17. Every grant helps! Whether we are granted $500 for a set of books or $40,000 for zSpace licenses, every successful grant: Helps to fill our school with needed resources. Shows future donors that we are successful in gaining support from funders. Helps us use public funds responsibly by securing private donations to support our programs. Builds the schools visibility and credibility.
- 18. Contactme Peggy Downs is a freelance writer with a focus on charter schools. Mission: to help you create and lead the charter schools you envision www.peggydowns.com Are you a charter school leader? Check out this blog just for you! www.peggydowns.com/blog Join our community on Facebook. www.facebook.com/peggydownsweb/ Do you have questions? Ask me! peggydowns@gmail.com
Editor's Notes
- #2: Welcome to Classroom Grants for Teachers, a mini course to help teachers write winning grant proposals.
- #3: I am Peggy Downs, an experienced teacher, administrator and grant-writer. In this course, you will learn how to plan your proposal and write a compelling application. I will also show you a wide variety of grant donors and websites to help you in your search. Prepare to take notes as we go, and feel free to pause the video at any time. Lets get started!
- #4: Lets start with the basics. What is a classroom grant and how is it different from other grants? Classroom Grants Are donated directly to the teacher and/or classroom Are generally smaller in total dollars Are meant to directly impact student learning in a single classroom Other Grants: Are donated to the school Are often larger dollar amounts that impact the overall budget Are meant to impact a program or larger school population