Latest & Greatest in Grant Discussions

This thread features discussions on grants for the classroom, where to find them, how to write them, and what to do when you win one.

I have successfully written 23 classroom grants for a total earnings of $181,675 over 20 years. I have also unsuccessfully written 8 classroom grants for a total earnings of $0.00. There is certainly an opportunity for reward and the risk of failure with each grant you chose to write. However there is never wasted time in not getting a grant. "Failure, the greatest teacher is," Yoda Episode VII. Deciding to write a grant is somewhat like being a teenager building up the nerve to ask someone out on a date. The fact is you will not get the date or the grant unless you provide a compelling pitch. You will also never win a grant or go on that date if you never ask in the first place.

My method to winning grants is founded in Walt Disney's "keep moving forward" attitude and plan to pursue success. First I like to keep a list of grant links that I have won in the past in a folder in my internet browser, and keep up with sites that collect grant information, specifically ones that focus on science grants. Also beware of your local businesses as they are often a source of grants. Second, I like to keep a list of classroom supplies and technology I would like to add to my class. These two steps are foundational to the genesis of grant ideas as your potential funding avenues are already known.

When I become inspired to write a grant I look through the list of links and search Google for new grants ideas until I find a fit. I look for grants that have reasonable expectations, and a mission to fund goals that reasonably match some of the items in my wish list. If I can live with the grant expectations, while also getting the funding for the materials I want, then I go for it and write the grant. I have found the $500-5,000 grants often fit my tolerance for grant expectations. Note, I will reject %75 or more of the grants I evaluate on the basis of the grant expectations failing to be in alignment with my goals or being too high for me to bother with.

Nearly all grants that I write have the same core features. 1) Describe you school, where is it at, what students does it serve, percentage on free and reduced lunch etc. 2) Provide a budget that describe a clear student-centered plan for the using the grant award. 3) Be sure to mention how many students the grant will serve, and how many educational hours they will receive due to implementation of the grant, (especially important for requested funding for after school events.) 4) Write a compelling case for how the goals of the grant company will be met through your grant implementation plan. Use confident, thoughtful, and persuasive language as this is the most critical part to winning a grant. The grant company must be convinced your actions are in alignment with their agenda. 5) Provide a clear plan for how you will document the progression of the grant and provide evidence of its implementation. Include a time-line for submitting material back to the company, including pictures/videos of the grant money in action with the students.

When you win the grant make sure you follow through on your implementation plan and your post grant reporting, Your professional name is associated with this grant and it is prudent to keep it in good standing by following through in accordance to the plan you submitted. Lastly, be sure to keep your principal in the loop throughout the process. This includes getting the support of your administration. I find that support is easy to gain if over time you listen to and record your administration's goals. Then when its time to write or implement the grant you relate the grant idea to the achievement of the administrations goals. In this way the grant becomes a win-win for all stakeholders.

Please comment below with grant questions, successes, and grant links.