Course 15: Grant Writing

1 Grant WritingCURRICULUM GUIDE: Grant 15: Grant WritingCURRICULUM GUIDE: Grant Standard F: Perform administrative functionsSkill Standard J: Perform program management functionsKey Activities: F6/J6: Research and assist with Writing and implementing grants andtargeting financial Writing Course DESCRIPTION:Instructor-learners research and identify potential Grant sources and develop the attitude andfortitude needed to write competitive Grant proposals successfully. By Writing and reviewingproposals, instructor-learners will gain competence in Writing typical Grant components,including a statement of need/ rationale, implementation strategies, outcomes, personnel,evaluation, budget, attachments, and an executive summary.

2 This class is especiallyappropriate for teachers and others interested in education-related OUTCOMES: The instructor-learner will: Research potential Grant sources to address personal, programmatic, and institutionalneeds. Write competitive Grant proposals, including a statement of need/rationale,implementation strategies, outcomes, personnel, evaluation, budget, attachments, and anexecutive summary, as applicable. Review and assess Grant proposals according to specified ASSESSMENTS: Identify at least 5 potential Grant sources that meet programmatic and institutional needs. Write up an interview with a Grant writer to learn additional techniques and perspectives.

3 Write the components of a typical competitive Grant proposal, a statement of need/rationale, implementation strategies, outcomes, personnel, evaluation, budget,attachments, and an executive summary. Submit a recommendation letter for a fellow student s Grant INDICATORS: Appropriate campus personnel and resources are accessed to investigate grantopportunities. Necessary data is procured or provided as requested. Necessary forms and/or documents and reports are completed within establishedguidelines. Grant proposal presentations to appropriate personnel are made as necessary. grants are AND SKILLS: The instructor-learner will: Research information and write proposals in accordance with Grant guidelines.

4 Develop a long-range project plan with accompanying budget. Write a statement of need/rationale, implementation strategies, outcomes, personnel,evaluation, attachments, and an executive summary. Organize and interpret information and think creatively. Develop a list of education-related funding WritingCURRICULUM GUIDE: Grant Writing Grant PROPOSALSE ssential Content Discussion Topics and Key PointsMatching Project Ideas Which comes first, the idea or the funding source?with Potential Grant Sources The importance of fit Differences between public and private grants Researching potential Grant sources See Determining the Fit, Different Types of Foundations, andScenarios Formats and Criteria Each Grant application has its own format.

5 Follow their rules to make your ideas clear to reviewers; make iteasy for them. See What Makes for a Successful Proposal?, Common ReasonsWhy Proposals Are Declined, What Can I Do To Improve MyChances for Success?, Review Being a reviewer will help instructor-learners understand whatreviewers will look for in evaluating their the Statement of Need May also be called Problem Statement or Rationale for the Project Should be clear, compelling, and supported by evidence Don t use circular reasoning ( the problem is we lack X, so weneed the money to buy X instead, what problems does the lackof X create, and for whom?)

6 See Opportunity/Problem Statement and Scenarios: Statement ofNeed, attached. Also, a variety of possible scenarios are attachedthat could be used for subsequent Writing activities, in lieu of realproject the Implementation Strategies May also be called Activities or Methods Should include specific timelines showing who will do whatWriting the Outcomes May also be called Performance Indicators or Objectives Should be measurable Should focus on impact rather than process ( 85% ofparticipants will pass certification test, rather than 5 trainingsessions will be delivered )

7 See Goals and Objectives, the Key Personnel May also be called Qualifications or Staffing Should include resumes for any project-related people already onstaff Should include job descriptions for positions that would be hired ifthe project is fundedWriting the Evaluation Should include review of both product and process Should describe evaluation methods and criteria, as well as howthe data will be usedWriting the Budget Be detailed in your own planning, even if the funder does notrequire all the details. Matching funds, including cash and in-kind resourcesLetters of Recommendation and May also be called Letters of Support or CommitmentOther Attachments Involve people early so they can contribute to the projectCURRICULUM GUIDE: Grant Letters of Recommendation and Different people may want different levels of information about theOther Attachments (continued)project before agreeing to write a letter.

8 The more specific, the better Other attachments may include data, promotional materials:anything that helps prove your case but is too long to put in thebody of the the Executive Summary May also be called an Abstract Although it goes at the beginning, it s easiest to write it last, oncethe proposal is ACTIVITIES: These activities are for facilitating-instructors to use withinstructor-learners: Instructor-learners access the Internet and other resources to research potential grantsources. Instructor-learners conduct an interview with a Grant writer. Instructor-learners work through scenarios and/or their own project ideas to developstatements of need and other Grant proposal components.

9 Instructor-learners review and evaluate simulations and fellow students MATERIALS: Determining the Fit Between Your Organization and a Funding Agency Different Types of Foundations Scenarios: Potential Targets Activity What Makes for a Successful Proposal? Common Reasons Why Proposals Are Declined What Can I Do To Improve My Chances for Success? Opportunity/Problem Statement: Selection from the Washington DevelopmentNetwork (WDN) Application Scenarios: Statement of Need, Dislocated Workers, Defense Conversion, Appren-ticeship and School to Work, Non-Traditional Programs, Applied Academics, andCriteria).

10 Goals and Objectives: Selection from the WDN ApplicationPRIMARY TEXTS/RESOURCES:The Grantsmanship Center. Program Planning and Proposal Writing : ExpandedVersion. The Grantsmanship Center Reprint Series on Program Planning and ProposalWriting, READINGS AND RESOURCES: Bauer, David G. The How To grants Manual, Fourth Edition: SuccessfulGrantseeking Techniques for Obtaining Public and Private grants . New York:American Council on Education/Oryx Press, 1999. Writing Grant PROPOSALSE ssential Content Discussion Topics and Key PointsGrant WritingCURRICULUM GUIDE: Grant Blum, Laurie.