BY PENNY SCHUCKMAN
DOES YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT have an initiative or program awaiting financial support that you just know would help students succeed? I’ve discovered more money is available in the form of grants than most school districts have the time, energy or desire to secure. Some 23,600 grant-giving foundations operate nationwide with $4.8 billion of assets available as grants. Fewer than 7 percent of foundation funds currently go to K-12 education. Why? Because educators don’t ask for it.
As someone who has brought in more than half a million dollars in external support to our 4,500 student school district over the past two years, I’ve developed 10 suggestions for
what it takes to write a successful grant application.
Tip No.1— Start With a Great
Idea!
A proposal for a program that will help children achieve is half the battle in successful grant writing. Once you have your idea, search the web for grants or foundations with your same goal.
Tip No.2— Work as a
T.E.A.M.
As suggested by the slogan: Together Everyone Achieves More—volunteers can be recruited within the district to write particular sections of the grant proposal. One staffer should be assigned to proofread the application and to ensure clarity and consistency in the writing owing to the array of writers. Give team members a submission deadline two weeks in advance of the submission due date to allow time to wrap up loose ends.
Tip No.3— Address All Aspects of the RFP
A Request For Proposal will outline everything to include in your proposal. Typically an RFP will require an abstract, a needs statement, goals/objectives/outcomes, assessment of goals, a budget with a narrative and plans for how you will disseminate to others what you have learned from the funded project.
Tip No.4—Show True Budgets
Budgets are a window into how the project will be implemented. Be sure to answer these questions: Can the project
be accomplished with this budget? Are costs reasonable? Is the budget consistent with the proposed activities? Your
budget should show actual costs and detailed calculations.
Tip No.5—Demonstrate How You Will Sustain The Program
Your proposal evaluators will ask themselves this question: “What happens when the money runs out?”
Provide a clear strategy for supporting the program when the grant money is gone.
Tip No.6—Follow the Directions
This sounds simple, but it is the major reason grants do not get funded. Use the most current version of the application and have all the
required signatures. Follow guidelines specifying proposal content, length and documentation.
Tip No.7—Contact the Funding Source
Questions will arise as you work your way through the grant proposal. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone to direct your questions to the funding source. This is a terrific way for funders to put a voice with your name and humanize your grant proposal in their
minds.
Tip No.8—Be
a Grant Reader
Reviewing grant applications is a terrific way to polish your grant writing skills. You will glean project ideas and gain exposure to various writing styles.
Tip No.9—Apply For The Right Reason
Write for the students instead of the money and you will get funded. It also helps to keep in mind that money isn’t every-thing. Sometimes foundations can provide volunteers, technical assistance, etc.
Tip No.10—Don’t Give Up!
I remember being at a national conference listening to a professional grant writer wax eloquent about how easy it
was to write a grant. I thought, “Yeah right!” I started writing grant applications in July 2006 and have secured $700,000 for students in our district. Novice applicants can be
successful! The key is to not take rejection personally and to keep trying. Years ago I thought the most rewarding part of grant writing would be receiving the money. I have since learned that the chief reward is in seeing your idea to help students come to fruition. 
This article was previously published in The School Administrator, October 2007.
Penny Schuckman is Director of The Learning Center in Haysville, Kansas. Contact her at info@psi-solutions.org.