Successful grant-writing strategies: sources of alternative funding are more important now than ever before. Seeking grants is not as complicated or time-consuming as many believe

Leadership, March-April, 2003 by Susan Van Zant

Activities to support objectives

Applications frequently ask what activities will be put into place to achieve the objectives. Activities should be directly tied to and supportive of the objectives. Depending upon the application format, each activity should be described within a timeline. Activities should be in a logical order, clearly identified by person and responsibility. Finally, they should be listed in short phrases and usually begin with a verb.

Students will....

* Read relevant literature based on science themes.

* Participate in hand on science experiences.

* Record information in science journals.

* Reflect on learnings in discussion groups.

* Participate in reinforcement activities such as ...

* Demonstrate skill and knowledge through ...

Writing a strong evaluation

The evaluation section provides information that helps agency readers to determine if the project goals can and will be achieved. The trick to writing a strong evaluation section is to refer directly back to the objectives. An evaluation measure should be identified for each objective. The method and specific measure and/or procedures for gathering data to evaluate the success of the project should be carefully delineated. When possible, use standard, nationally validated assessment tools or absolute measures of success. Applications will often ask for summative and formative evaluations.

Summative evaluation

A summative evaluation measures how well the target population achieved the project goals and is typically monitored throughout the project and fully evaluated at the end of the project. Measures would include methods such as:

* Comparison of district competency scores in identified content areas.

* Standardized assessment data.

* Authentic assessments.

* Attainments of benchmarks such as attendance rates.

* Logs that indicate participation rates of parents, students and teachers.

* Rating scales to assess specific behaviors.

* Portfolio assessments that use rubrics to demonstrate skill levels.

Formative evaluation

Formative evaluation procedures provide data during the course of the project that can be used to improve the design of the project. Formative evaluation techniques would include:

* Teacher comparison of student assignments focusing on quality in improvement.

* Review of daily or weekly journals by staff and students.

* Teacher observations.

* Program Quality Review information.

* WASC accreditation feedback.

* Attitude surveys about the project by students, parents and staff.

Depending upon the policies of the granting agency; the use of an outside evaluator may he required. When an outside evaluator is part of the project, it is standard business procedure to ask the professional evaluator to write the evaluation section of the proposal. If the grant is funded, the evaluator is hired. More typically the evaluation is internal, and the project director and/or site administrator manage the evaluation.

Proposed budget

The budget should describe what financial resources are necessary to achieve the project goals. The proposed budget and any matching funds must be directly related to proposed program activities. Administrators should be very specific. The readers want to know exactly what supplies and equipment will be purchased, and who will be paid. It is important to remember to add in taxes for the purchase of supplies and equipment, and it is essential to include fringe benefit costs when calculating salaries.