Our Education group here at Datadesk is dedicated to helping you help your students and your school in providing the best technology available for learning.

If we can be of assistance to you in any way, don’t hesitate to ask! We’re here to help!

Rick Feutz
VP, Education
Datadesk Technologies, Inc.


Grants are an extremely powerful tool to help you fund the critical technology needs for your school. Here are some helpful techniques that can help you write a winning grant.

Let us know how you make out with your grant proposals. Send us any other helpful techniques and we’ll post them here for others to improve their grant success.

Know Your Grant

Read the grant very carefully. Be sure you understand the directions and follow them all. A good technique is to read it through completely 3 to 4 times before you begin.
Know the deadlines. They won’t change it for you.
If you aren’t sure about something, call the person in charge. They often give a contact person and it can be very informative to talk with them.

Find out who the readers are if possible. Knowing your audience helps in the writing.

Talk to a past winner if possible. They know what it takes to win the grant.


Key Ideas for Successful Grant Writing

Your ideas need to be innovative, creative, clear and educational in nature.
Set realistic goals.
Show how the proposed grant monies will benefit your students. The more students that can benefit, the better. If have an assembly or invite other students to your classroom, include that in your proposal. For example, "This project involves 30 students firsthand but will eventually impact 600 students through an all-school assembly."
Can this project/product be used again the following year? There is nothing better than a gift that goes on giving. Consumable gifts are not as popular to give.
Have a reasonable budget. List prices, venders, and show you have thoroughly researched your needs.
Prove that you are unable to obtain the materials any other way. Show the need.
Don’t whine. Speak to how it will benefit your kids.
Do your research! Cite research if possible.
Talk about national trends in education and technology. Show how you think beyond your classroom.

The clarity of your ideas is very important. Have someone read the grant who is not involved in any way.
Proof read carefully. Have someone else proof read for grammar and spelling.

Where to Find Grants

Principals receive many grant requests. Let him or her know you are interested in reviewing whatever comes in over the transom that may pertain to technology.
Call your district and ask who is in charge of grants or receives grant proposals. Many districts have foundations for grants.
Look in educational magazines. Read them with an eye for grant monies available.
The Internet is an invaluable aid in grant research. Look at the your state’s education offices page.
Math and Science Course Bulleting: 1-800-635-0520
NASA Space Grant Program: 1-800-659-1943

Awards
Winning awards is a great source of future funding and materials.
Ask your principal for Award opportunities. Read the Education magazines. Keep eyes and ears open.
Awards give credibility to your projects, not necessary to receive a grant, but gives recognition and builds awareness of your program.

Freebies

Ask for materials to be donated.
Ask for teacher discounts whenever buying materials for the classroom.
Find out where your students’ parents work. Many companies give to schools and or classrooms. Post a notice in your room for students and their parents to see that you are interested in acquiring technology for learning.
Put up a "Wish list" at open house time.

More Resources on the Web
Free Grants Writing Guide—Excellent resource from LR Resources.
Guide to Proposal Writing Seminars—From the Foundation Center.
Grant Proposal Writing Guide—From the University of Michigan Research Center.
Glossary of Grant Terms—From the Foundation Center.

Guide to Proposal Preparation and Submission—From Cornell University.






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