Grant Writing Tips #3 and #4

It's time for the Sunday edition of grant writing tips! Add these to your collection from last week for some practical pointers on writing grants!

#3 Remember your audience.
Those reading your grant and distributing funds are most likely not teachers, especially if the funding is coming from a company or non-profit organization. They are usually business professionals who aren’t familiar with educational terms and lingo. You have to step into their world and write clearly and persuasively. Keep the education jargon to a minimum - especially acronyms (IEP, ESL, and RTI aren't going to ring a bell to them unless you explain what they stand for). Help them “see” your classroom by describing life with your students on a daily basis - in plain English.

When it comes down to it, grants are good PR for the organziations that fund and award them. It's school–business partnership at its finest where both parties benefit. That being said, those project proposals that stand out, that best represent the mission of the company or funding source, are going to become front runners. Learn about the organization awarding the funds. What do they produce or support? What types of projects have they funded in the past? Do your homework and apply it to your writing - and you can make them want you to represent them as a grant recipient!

#4 Don't complain. Ever.
Yes, those reading your grant have heard that classrooms are overcrowded, there isn’t enough money for resources, and teachers are strapped to provide the best for their students. Otherwise they wouldn’t be funding classroom projects. Don’t waste valuable space telling them the obvious. There's a difference between describing your students' needs and just...well, complaining. State what you do to promote student learning in spite of the circumstances. Come across as someone who has a solution to improve your students’ learning environment, not one who dwells on the problems.

Tune in next Sunday for more tips!