Grant Writing for

Grant Writing for Educators

While you may not want it to be the case, you may need to find money elsewhere to fund projects or ideas that will best support your students. Here is a guideline, to help you write a successful grant.

Is Your Project Feasible?

Before you even apply for any grant, you need to ask yourself this important question-can I really make this project happen? Organizations that give out grants expect progress reports and you will need to show how your funding is being used, so you need to make sure your project is doable in the grant time frame and the work is relevant to your students’ ability and grade level.

Read and Follow Guidelines Precisely

This sounds like an easy one, however your grant could be denied simply because you didn’t follow the directions properly. Make sure you’re adhering to any and all guidelines outlined in the process. Answer all questions, but don’t add extra items. Remember, organizations receive a lot of grant requests, so you want to keep your proposal concise and clear.

Create A Timeline For Your Grant Writing

You already have a job, so writing this grant is MORE work. Keep yourself organized and create a timeline for the writing process. You will likely need to write and re-write and proofread. Build in time to have a colleague go over your proposal and time for any recommendations, letters or signatures from administration that could be necessary. You don’t want to miss the deadline to file the grant because you waited too long to get a signature from your principal. There will be delays, build that into your timeline.

Write Clearly

Remember to use your own voice in your writing and be clear with your request. Your audience may not understand local jargon or acronyms so keep that specific type of language out of your proposal. Depending on who you are requesting grant monies from, they may know nothing about education at all so keep your audience in mind and adjust your language accordingly. Take a non-specialist approach to your writing,

focusing on the need for the money and the students it will benefit.

Develop A Budget

All grant applications will ask you to provide a budget. In your budget, make sure you’re asking for items that are directly linked to the learning objectives in the grant request. Be specific with what you need but don’t box yourself in with your proposal. For example, don’t write: $1,000 technology supplies. Instead, write $1,000 for 2 iPads. Don’t ask for more money than you need and make sure you’re asking only for

things that fulfill the mission of your project.

Proofread

Another no brainer—but read, re-read and read again everything you’ve written. Make sure you have all the signatures where they need to be, you’ve attached any needed documents and you’ve answered every question properly. Then, send it off and be patient!