Grant Writing Made Easy

Obstacles To SuccessfulGrant Applications

No Training in Grant Writing Complicated RFPs Short Application Timelines No Dedicated Grant Personnel No Systems for Grant Writing

Significant ProblemsFor School Districts

Identifying External Sources of Funding Building Level Application

Requirements No Systems for Grant Writing Finding Individuals to Write Grants Finding Time to Write Grants High Failure Rate Rich Get Richer

A Four Stage Modelfor

Writing SuccessfulGrant Applications

“Grant Success”

School-Based Grant Writing

Four Stages to Successful Grant Applications

Stage One: Prewriting Tool Development

Stage Two: Team and Vision Building Stage Three: Writing and Editing Stage Four: Budget, Assurances,

Signatures and Submission

Stage One: Prewriting Tool Development

1. Create RFP Action Summary Page2. Create Grant Writing Guide3. Create Vocabulary Highlight Page 4. Post Grant Writing Guide online

Action Summary Page

Include due date Countdown to submission Goals of grant Application style requirements Grant funding contacts and emails Check for prior notification

requirement List restrictions on funding

Grant Writing Guide

Create a Word document Organize template like RFP sections Use the same Sections and Headings Include all RFP demands for content

in appropriate Section Include all evaluation criteria for

each Section next to appropriate Section

Post Guide in online culture

Vocabulary Highlight Page

Identify key terms from the RFP Goal Statements Individual Section Text Evaluation Criteria/Rubrics

Enlarge terms, boldface, print and paste near computer screen.

When in doubt, use the RFP vocabulary

Stage Two: Team and Vision Building

5. What is your team’s vision for the grant?

6. Who needs to be involved and when?

7. Is the grant something that is desirable and can be done?

8. What are current resources and needs?

9. Does the grant support district and building Continuous Improvement Plans?

Stage Three: Writing and Editing

10. Assign the grant a name: Project Inspire

11. Write using the “Grant Guide”12. Align people with grant sections12. Use “Vocabulary Highlight” page13. Post “Action Summary Page”14. Consider learning styles of

evaluators

Writing and Editing

15. Link the goals to objectives16. Link objectives to actions17. Embed graphics in text (if you can)18. Be creative with names and

features19. Organize actions into timelines

Writing and Editing

20. Use Action Plan for Evaluation Plan

21. Use Action Plan for Budget and Budget Narrative

22. Group edit using large screen projection and laser pointers

23. Shorten sentences for clarity

Writing and Editing

24. Constantly check grant text against evaluation criteria in Grant Template

25. Create Abstract or Summary from cut and paste grant text

26. Remove section requirements from grant template document

27. Make final text attractive and easy to read

Stage Four: Budget, Assurances, Signatures and

Submission 28. Assign budget to “budget skilled” team member

29. “Ghost write” letters of support30.Create a “false floor “ due date31.Request feedback if not funded32.Submit improved grant somewhere

else

More Writing Tips

Avoid personal pronouns Use numbering/listing style: 1);2);3) Create white space for clarity and

emphasis Indent for emphasis Let the document “rest” to catch

errors

More Writing Tips

Group edit with your best word processor team member running the computer

Use “Phases” to describe implementation strategy: Phase One: Infrastructure

Widen grant appeal with “features” Link vision with goals with strategies

with actions with budget with evaluation (one goal at a time all the way through)

Gaining Consensus

Create a PowerPoint from the Grant Action Summary and Guide

Show PowerPoint to colleagues Discuss RFP goals, grant goals,

funding opportunities and limits Show the same PowerPoint again

after funding is approved

ADAPTED FROM:

GRANT WRITING MADE EASY

Dr. Douglas Brooks, Ph.D. Miami UniversityDirector, Partners In Learning www.performancepyramid.combrooksdm@muohio.edu