The document provides an overview of a 5-session grant writing workshop. It outlines the key topics covered in each session, including brainstorming potential grant ideas and needs, organizing grant components like statements of need and project descriptions, creating budgets, and workshopping draft proposals. The final session involves small groups sharing their grant proposals and reflecting on the grant writing process. The document serves as an interactive guide for participants to work through each grant writing element.

1. Grant writing:
Session 1
An Introduction

2. Before We Begin…
• If you did not yet fill out the pre-training
survey please do so ASAP
• It has been e-mailed to you
• http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9MSTR8B

3. Let’s Brainstorm…
• What are some general reasons to apply for
grants?
• Example: Funding got cut off

4. Reasons People Apply for Grants
• (I would type these reasons in as they are
suggested. This would make the program
more interactive)

5. Overview
• In our school, you must contact Principal
Stevens before applying to a grant
• We do not have a designated grant writer
• Mrs. Smith, the business administrator, will
assist you when possible

6. Overview
• Every grant is different
• I will give you the tools to fill out most grants
• If you need further assistance on particular
grants, contact me
• The workbook will help you formulate your
grant proposal
• You are encouraged, but not required, to
submit your grant to possible funders

7. Let’s Brainstorm…
• What are some Dos for grantwriting?
• Example: DO proofread all of your work
• What are some Don’ts for grantwriting?
• Example: DON’T apply for a need-based grant
if our district’s finances do not qualify

8. DOs
• (I’d type responses to make this more
interactive. I’d make sure the ideas of
stakeholders, timelines, and organization were
brought up with leading questions)

9. DON’Ts
• (Again, I’d type responses to make this more
interactive. I’d make sure the ideas of
plagiarism, sloppiness, and incompleteness
were mentioned)

10. Complete the Sentences
See Page 3
1. I would want my child to attend this
school because…
2. Washington Middle School is great
because…
3. The area that I’ve seen the most
improvement in is…
4. The best program at this school is…
*Share your responses with 2 colleagues*

11. Complete the Sentences
See Page 4
1. I love my job, but…
2. I could be a better teacher if I had…
3. If there was more money…
4. The area that needs the most improvement
is..
*Share your responses with
2 different colleagues*

12. Let’s Brainstorm…
• If you could be awarded a grant, what kind of
grant would you want? What kind of project
would you implement?
• You can be general- You’ll iron out details later
• Example: Our school needs better after-school
programs. I would work on a project that
provides academics and recreation after-school.

13. Possible Grant Proposals
• (Again, I’d type in some responses)

14. Looking Forward…
• If you have not completed the survey, please do so
• Continue to think about a project that you think would
improve the school
• Do not worry about budgets yet- we’re focusing on
concept
• It can be related to your classroom, subject matter,
grade, or the whole school
• Consider the NJCCCS- how would this project help you
teach the standards?
• Feel free to confer with colleagues- you can work in
teams

15. Grant writing:
Session 2

16. Today’s Plan
• Last meeting we discussed:
– Why people need grants
– Dos and don’ts of grant writing
– Possible grant proposals
• Today we will discuss:
– Organization Information
– Statement of Need

17. Organization Information
• Introduce funder to the school
• Keep it clear and concise
– Location of school
– Brief history of school
– Basic information about students served and
faculty
– Describe community
– Include information of awards/honors

18. Organizational Information
• With a partner, create a rough copy of this
section (Page 5)
• You can leave blanks for specific figures and
research later
Take 5 minutes to work on this
(I’d allow them to share)

19. Statement of Need
• Think about your proposal idea and consider
the following:
– Why do our students NEED this program?
– Why is the funding urgent?
– Keep the focus on the students
– Be specific: Keep asking yourself “why?” and
“how?”

20. Statement of Need
• “Statement A. Students at ABC Elementary have standardized
reading scores that are 15% lower than the reading scores of
demographically similar students at XYZ Elementary. We
‘need’ to purchase the new, improved Literati Reading
Accompaniments.
• Statement B. Students at ABC Elementary have standardized
reading scores that are 15% lower than the reading scores of
demographically similar students at XYZ Elementary. We
‘need’ to raise these scores at ABC.”
Education Minnesota Lesson 3: Your statement of need. (n.d.). Education Minnesota . Retrieved
March 18, 2010, from
http://www.educationminnesota.org/en/events/foundation/tips/lesson3.aspx
*Take 2 minutes to discuss the differences with a partner.*

21. Statement of Need
• Support with evidence
– Statistics: Lower than average standardized test
scores or dropout rates
– Relative studies: Cite cases where the proposed
solution worked in comparable settings
– Anecdotal: Relevant story about the urgency of
the proposed program

22. Statement of Need
• Sample Statement of Need
• Take 5 minutes to discuss with a partner:
• What kind of evidence could support your proposal?
• What would happen without the funding?

23. Looking Forward…
• Before the next session, complete a Statement
of Need (page 6)
• Begin to consider a budget
• Our next 2 sessions are online
• PowerPoint presentations will be e-mailed to
you
• You can choose to work alone or in small
groups

24. Grant writing:
Session 3

25. Today’s Plan
• Last meeting we discussed:
– Organization Information
– Statement of Need
• This meeting will focus on:
– Project Description
– Budget
– Evaluation Outcomes and Indicators of Success

26. Project Description
• This section paints a complete picture of the
proposed project
• There are 5 components of this section:
1. Objectives
2. Methods
3. Staffing
4. Evaluation
5. Sustainability

27. Project Description
Objectives: List tangible goals that can be
measured
–Behavioral - A human action is anticipated.
–Performance - A specific time frame within
which a behavior will occur
–Process - The manner in which something
occurs is an end
–Product - A tangible item is created
Proposal Writing Short Course. (n.d.). Foundation Center - Knowledge to Build On. Retrieved
March 18, 2010, from
http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/project.html

28. Project Description
Methods:
• How: Detailed description of what will occur
from the time the beginning to the end
• When: Provide a timetable so the funder can
follow the sequence
• Why: Explain your chosen methods. You can
include expert testimony and cite similar
methods that have worked for others
Proposal Writing Short Course. (n.d.). Foundation Center - Knowledge to Build On. Retrieved
March 18, 2010, from
http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/methods.html

29. Project Description
Staffing
–Discuss the number of staff members
needed to implement the project
–Explain their qualifications
–Discuss the number of volunteers needed
Proposal Writing Short Course. (n.d.). Foundation Center - Knowledge to Build On. Retrieved
March 18, 2010, from
http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/staff.html

30. Project Description
Evaluation
–Describe how you will measure the progress
made
–Describe how you will collect and measure
data
–These should match the objectives
Proposal Writing Short Course. (n.d.). Foundation Center - Knowledge to Build On. Retrieved
March 18, 2010, from
http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/eval.html)

31. Project Description
Sustainability
– How will you continue the proposed program after
the initial funding?
• Other funding opportunities
• Self-sufficiency
Proposal Writing Short Course. (n.d.). Foundation Center - Knowledge to Build On.
Retrieved March 18, 2010, from
http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/sustain.html

32. Project Description
Before moving on, fill out the outline on page 7
Remember- You are trying to convince funders
that you are organized and deserving of their
money. Be thorough.

33. Evaluation Outcomes/
Indicators of Success
• Consider your evaluation methods from your
project description
• Evaluation of Success- How you will measure
the progress
– Students will know how to create a Podcast
• Evaluation of Change- The observable changes
that allow you to measure the progress
– 90% of students will create and upload a Podcast
without teacher’s assistance

34. Evaluation Outcomes/
Indicators of Success
• For each of your objectives, consider
appropriate evaluation outcomes and
indicators of success
• Fill out the chart on Page 9

35. Budget
• Some grants require you to propose a budget
• Consider these points:
– Be REALISTIC. Be SPECIFC.
– Are there costs for staff training?
– Will the teachers be paid for any extra work?
– Will you need to cover any travel expenses?
– What equipment and supplies would you need?
– Do you need to hire consultants?

36. Budget
• In-Kind Contributions
– Has anybody already agreed to donate time or
products? Include this in the budget
• Matching Funds
– If your grant requires you to put in as much
money as they do, how can you come up with the
money?

37. Budget
• Create a list of ALL expenses (Page 10)
• Using the internet, find reasonable prices for
all products/services
• Sample Budgets

38. Checking In
Please fill out this survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9M5WM65

39. Grant writing:
Session 4

40. Today’s Plan
• Last session we discussed:
– Project Description
– Evaluative Outcomes/Indicators of Success
– Budget
• This meeting will focus on:
– Conclusion
– Executive Summary

41. Conclusion
• Your chance to make a final impression
• Briefly state a vision for the future after your
proposed project took place
• Briefly reiterate why you need the funding for
your project
• Be gracious and thank the funder for their
consideration
*Fill out the conclusion on Page 11*

42. Executive Summary
• This is actually the first part of the proposal,
but since it combines all the different sections,
it makes sense to do last
• Like a sales pitch- outlines important points
and try to make a strong first impression
• About 1-2 pages unless otherwise noted

43. Executive Summary
• Include
– A description of the school- location, number of
students, grades served
– The problem you want to solve
– Description of the proposed program
– Description of the evaluation
– Cost of project and amount of the request
Fox, A. S., & Karsh, E. (2009). The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need: Top Grant
Writers and Grant Givers Share Their Secrets. New York: Basic Books.

44. Executive Summary
• When writing this, do not just copy and paste
• Have somebody who is unfamiliar with your
proposal read it- see if they understand it

45. Looking Forward
• Before the next session, fill out executive
summary (Page 12)
• Our next session will take place in the media
center at 2:45
• We will share our grant proposals
• We will reflect on the grant-writing process
• We will use the internet to begin to search for
grants to apply to (optional)

46. Grant writing:
Session 5

47. Today’s Plan
• Your whole grant should be completed
• We will share our grants in small groups and
give feedback
• We will reflect on the grant-writing process
• We will review how to use Google Docs
• You will have time to either type up your grant
funders or begin searching for appropriate
grants

48. Sharing
• In small groups (3-4 people), please take 30
minutes to share your proposals
• Give one another feedback
– 2 things you liked and 1 item that can be improved
– Ask questions about anything unclear- if it’s
unclear to you, it will be unclear to the funders

49. Reflection
• We got through the whole process: What are
your thoughts?
• With a partner, discuss what you liked and
disliked about the process (5 minutes)
• We will share our thoughts with the whole
group

50. For More Resources…
• http://tinyurl.com/Antokalgrants
I would demonstrate how to update this page.

51. Moving Forward…
• Please fill out the final survey within the next
week:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9X7L2TJ
• If you would like, take this time to:
– Type your proposal
– Begin researching possible funders (you can use
links on Resources Page)
– Continue to confer with your colleagues and make
changes to your proposal