How to Write Grants: Tips and Strategies
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- Last Updated: Thursday, 19 June 2014 19:43
Grants for Visual Art Education: Why, Where and How
A Three Part Series by Linda W. Kieling, Art Educator
Rosemont Ridge Middle School, Oregon
NAEA Middle Level Director-Elect
Now that you have decided you need a grant and you have located funding sources, you must actually write it. You do need to know that even the best written proposals can be turned down. To increase your chances of receiving monies for your creative, innovative program for students, follow a few basic guidelines.
Consider developing a grant writing team at your school or in your district. A group of individuals with strengths for writing, proof reading and readability would be beneficial. Survey your parent community. You may find that someone has expertise writing grants.
Grant writer and supervisor, Marylee Boales, has developed two forms that can help in the process. The Blank Overview and the Grant Consideration Rubric are both found on the SchoolGrants site. http://www.k12grants.org/tips/tools.htm#Blank Overview
Make sure that your program is in line with what the grantor wants to fund. You may have an amazing proposal, but if it does not fit their goals they will not fund it. Read the guidelines and requirements thoroughly. Follow them exactly and include everything requested in a clear and concise manner.
Go easy on the educational jargon. When “buzz words” are included, be sure to explain each so that they are easy to comprehend and the meaning is clear. It is a good idea to have someone from outside the field read the proposal for understanding.
This is really important. You need to develop a realistic and detailed budget. Most grants do not cover operating costs. Generally they want to supplement those costs with funds that help to start and implement the program along with mandatory supplies and equipment.
Presentation is vital. As visual art educators we would be tempted to present the proposal with all kinds of flourishes and embellishments. Don’t. Foundations and other grant sources are looking for professional proposals that presented in a logical manner.
With increasing expectations and decreasing budgets it is imperative to look to other funding sources. Grants can provide the perfect opportunity for providing even basics for your program. Keeping these strategies in mind will hopefully prove beneficial in successfully securing a grant for you and your students.