How do I prepare a successful application?
- Write a mission and vision statement along with program goals for your library. Any project for which you request funds should tie in to these statements/goals. I just revised my mission and vision statements and program goals to reflect technology and STEM programming.
| sgs_library_mission_vision_goals.pdf |
- Include data of how many students and staff members will be affected. Aim for large groups and show longevity -- how materials can be used multiple times in the future.
- Look at projects that have been funded in the past.
- Include research to back up your request, but be brief and succinct. Ex: independent, self-selected reading
- Be specific about what you are asking for and explain how it will be used. For example, our biography section was very outdated. We weeded and requested money to purchase biographies focused on historical and scientific figures. We then featured these biographies in a variety of activities with our students K-6.
- Do your homework and research the items you are requesting. What do they cost? What are some specific titles or items you would purchase?
- Aspects that can strengthen your grant: show how the materials can be used by more than one group. For example, the biographies on African Americans will be used each year by 5th graders for a social studies project, plus they are part of the Accelerated Reader program. They will be used for storytime read-alouds, etc. Or these Ozobots will be used in the library with classes and can be borrowed by teachers to use in summer school, can be used with groups for the after-school program, etc.
- Evaluation (demonstrating impact): how will you show your grant program is a success? Can use circulation statistics, photos of patrons using the items, quotes from patrons, number of people attending or participating in a program or event.
- Proofread to check for grammatical and punctuation errors. Have someone else proofread it as well.
- Save your grant applications. Many can be revamped or revised and used again.
- Follow grant instructions and meet deadlines. Prepare applications in advance when possible and be ready when the grant window opens. Keep accurate records and make copies of all paperwork and receipts.
- Grant report/evaluation: tell exactly what was purchased and how it was used. Include photos of students/patrons using the items (see examples below).
- Publicize the grant in the newspaper, in district and school newsletters, and on your website (see examples below). You can see an online example of this on our library's Smore online newsletter. I also created a STEM Hands-on page to share our new hands-on STEM kits with teachers and included photos and videos of our students using the materials. My annual library report leads with grant information. Write thank-you notes to the sponsor and include photos of students using the materials. Have kids write thank-you notes as well.
EXAMPLES
The files below include successfully funded grant applications, grant evaluations, and promotional materials(written and created by Amy Brownlee).
The files below include successfully funded grant applications, grant evaluations, and promotional materials(written and created by Amy Brownlee).
Applications
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Evaluations, reports, articles, photos, user comments
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Consult an expert
Does your district or educational consortium (like ESSDACK) employ a grant writer? Find out if this person can help you find grant opportunities, will write or help write a grant for your library, or can involve library funding for grants they apply for that focus on other areas (example: science grant could include STEM materials for the library). Clelia McCrory at ESSDACK is very knowledgeable.
PROMOTE your new resources
Thanks and publicity
Demonstrating impact
How do I find TIME to search out grants, apply, and catalog, use, and create programming for new materials?
Where do I start?
STEP 1: Identify your need. (Early reader books, biographies, hands-on STEM materials.)
STEP 2: Identify potential source.
STEP 3: Write your mission/vision statement and gather statistics (describe your organization)
STEP 4: Tell what you need and specifically how it will be used. Describe the impact.
STEP 5: Give a sample budget.
RESOURCES
Links to articles and additional online resources
Articles on grant tips and instructions:========================
The following articles are available through the state library's subscription to Explora, an Ebsco host database. You will need to get in to Explora first and then click the permalink to the article.
Step 1:
Link to Explora database.
Articles:Nutt, Pam. "Strategies for Grant Writing That Turn Plans into Dollars." Multimedia Schools, vol. 8, no. 6, Nov/Dec2001, p. 28. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=5483066&site=ehed-live.Vandenbroek, Alicia. "Grant Writing without Blowing a Gasket." Library Media Connection, vol. 28, no. 6, 01 May 2010, pp. 28-30. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ887718&site=ehed-live.
Does your district or educational consortium (like ESSDACK) employ a grant writer? Find out if this person can help you find grant opportunities, will write or help write a grant for your library, or can involve library funding for grants they apply for that focus on other areas (example: science grant could include STEM materials for the library). Clelia McCrory at ESSDACK is very knowledgeable.
PROMOTE your new resources
- Create displays
- Musical book browse (like musical chairs)
- Buddy reading
- Read-alouds, activities or projects (biography mobiles, biography riddles)
- Reading challenges (Read 1000 biographies this month and earn a pajama day.) A 6th grade teacher cut a bunch of stars with the die cut machine. Every time a student read a biography, s/he wrote down the book subject’s name (George Washington) and put the star on their locker. It was fun to walk down the hall and see all the biographies being read.
Thanks and publicity
- Personal, hand-written thank you note
- Student-written notes, cards, or drawings
- Photos of kids using the items
- Publicity in newspaper, school website, school newsletter, signs in library (send copies to sponsor), annual report
Demonstrating impact
- Circulation statistics: Our 40 new biographies were checked out 387 times.
- Use - tell number of people participating in an activity or program: 4 of the new titles were read aloud to 200 students in grades 2-6. Teacher used these ebooks in science class with 42 6th graders..
- Anecdotal evidence / quotes from students, teachers, and parents.
How do I find TIME to search out grants, apply, and catalog, use, and create programming for new materials?
- Write it in your schedule. Could your Thursday morning plan time be used for this?
- I asked my superintendent to hire a ½ day sub so I could prepare a grant application. After receiving the grant, I asked for another ½ day to order materials. When we looked at the cost of $90 for a sub versus the $3,000 grant, the superintendent saw the value of the investment.
- Professional development time / learning communities. Are there meetings that don’t apply to you? Ask if you can spend the time working on grant applications.
Where do I start?
STEP 1: Identify your need. (Early reader books, biographies, hands-on STEM materials.)
STEP 2: Identify potential source.
STEP 3: Write your mission/vision statement and gather statistics (describe your organization)
STEP 4: Tell what you need and specifically how it will be used. Describe the impact.
STEP 5: Give a sample budget.
RESOURCES
Links to articles and additional online resources
Articles on grant tips and instructions:========================
The following articles are available through the state library's subscription to Explora, an Ebsco host database. You will need to get in to Explora first and then click the permalink to the article.
Step 1:
Link to Explora database.
Articles:Nutt, Pam. "Strategies for Grant Writing That Turn Plans into Dollars." Multimedia Schools, vol. 8, no. 6, Nov/Dec2001, p. 28. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=5483066&site=ehed-live.Vandenbroek, Alicia. "Grant Writing without Blowing a Gasket." Library Media Connection, vol. 28, no. 6, 01 May 2010, pp. 28-30. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ887718&site=ehed-live.
