Writing Successful Grants

1. Writing Successful Grants Ria Mastromatteo PBS 45 & 49

2. Before You Write • Have a good idea withmeasurable goals. • Poor: Kids will understand fractions. • Good: Scores on the fractions post-test will show an improvement of 10%. • Need to be able to prove you’ve done what you said you would do.

3. Before You Write • Get support from “the powers-that-be.” • Make sure your plan fits with the mission of the building. • Don’t wait until the last minute.

4. Before You Write • Find a funder that matches your goal. • e.g. From the Jennings Foundation • “Improving learning in mathematics, science, or technology • Improving language literacy • Improving learning in the arts • Supporting the recruitment, retention, and development of teachers • Strengthening teachers' and administrators' leadership skills • Providing other services to students”

5. Before You Write • Make sure the grant will pay for what you want. • e.g. From the Jennings Foundation “Funding for bus transportation, conferences, teacher stipends, field trips/admission fees, substitutes, technology equipment, capital assets, refreshments, storage units, incentives, rewards and T-shirts are not Foundation budget priorities. “

6. Before You Write • Find out the typical range the grant provides. • See if other like organizations have been funded.

7. Before You Write • If you’re not sure if what you are asking for will be paid…CALL!!!!!!

8. Common Sections of a Grant • Cover Letter • Is an overview of the organization • States the purpose and reason for and amount of the funding request • Shows how your proposal furthers the grantmaker's mission, goals and matches the funder's grant application guidelines. • Cover Letters should be printed on letterhead

9. Common Sections of a Grant • Summary Statement—Overview • Generally 2-3 sentences • e.g. Maplewood Schoolsrequests $5,000 for a two-year, $50,000 job training program for homeless women in northeastern Ohio. Training will be offered at four rural shelters and will include basic clerical skills, interview techniques and job seeker support groups.

10. Common Sections of a Grant • Organization Information • Include… • Organization’s history • Your mission • Your track record • Demographics • Core services • Perhaps—budget size, location or report card information

11. Common Sections of a Grant • Explain Problem/Need • Include… • Description of the problem—use statistics if possible. • Description of what you want to do —use statistics if possible. • Show that you have expertise in this area

12. Common Sections of a Grant • Narrative • Include… • Target audience • How many you will serve • What you’re going to do • Describe planning you have already done?

13. Common Sections of a Grant • Narrative, continued • Include… • Your credentials—ability to do what you say you will do • Timeline • Location

14. Common Sections of a Grant • Outcomes • What will change about the situation as a result of your project? • Needs to be MEASURABLE!

15. Common Sections of a Grant • Other Funding Sources • Sustainability • Evaluation—Should come DIRECTLY from the outcomes you stated

16. Common Sections of a Grant • Budget—common elements • Personnel • Direct project expenses • Administrative costs—check if they will pay this—usually 5-15%

17. Common Sections of a Grant • End of the Project Report Explain what quantifiable methods you used to monitor the success of your program. 

18. Tips • Follow the directions completely. • Make sure outcomes are measurable • Give the information that they are asking for • Write the question and then give the answer. • Cite current research if possible • Be creative—Think outside the box

19. Tips • Have a reasonable, detailed budget • Proofread!! • Avoid all grammar or spelling errors • Be clear and concise • Meet the deadlines

20. Tips • Try to create Win-Win situations. • Write a thank-you note whether accepted or rejected

21. Granting Sources • Local Grantshttp://wneo.org/hotlists/grants/localgrants.htm • Ongoing Grantshttp://wneo.org/emailnewsletter/ongoinggrants.htm • Grants by the Month http://wneo.org/emailnewsletter/archive.htm

22. If you need help… • Contact us… • 330-677-4549 • maria@wneo.org • tolbert@wneo.org • good@wneo.org • We’ll be glad to help out!