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Grant writing

  • 1.  Grant writing

    Posted 07-05-2019 01:49 PM
    Hi!  I want to write a grant to request Coding tech "toys" for my preschool class. We are a STEM school, I'm part of a PreK-8 school), and I want to begin teaching about coding since they will use it in older grades. It aligns with our STEM accreditation. I've never written a grant and wondered who here has and would be willing to share their experience and expertise on how to organize it and what to include, etc. Also, any ideas where to look for grant opportunities? It's been difficult to find Preschool technology grants for private schools.  Most are Kindergarten and up, public schools, or more for Literacy, or low socio-economic areas. Help!! Please?

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    Laure D
    PreK teacher
    Maryland
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  • 2.  RE: Grant writing

    Posted 07-06-2019 12:12 PM
    Laure,

    I have written grants and received funding, but they have been mostly for University research or pilot programs.  I got a grant to do my dissertation research from the office of Head Start, and I got a $125,000 grant for a pilot program in Montana when they were looking for programs to test out the possibility of free preschool for 4-year-olds.  Usually grants are specific and you cannot predict when they will be offered.  I took a grant-writing class in college.  The textbook for it was more college research focused, I don't think it would be much help for STEM grants.  I do have a textbook that is super helpful for an on-line class I teach for Early Childhood students.  The book is called called "Not Just Small Change: Fund Development for Early Childhood Programs," by Roberta L. Bergman.   It is focused on getting funding for any early childhood program, such as preschools.  It is only about $6.  Google it. 

    The most important information from that book comes from the 1st chapter.  One thing to keep in mind when the book uses the term "fund raising" most people think of bake sales, which the book says is the least effective way to get funding.  The most effective way is to just ask businesses and other organizations if they are willing to donate the money.  It goes into how to ask and what wording to use.  Then once you get the funding, you mention them in your newsletter so they get free advertising, and you give a copy of the newsletter to the businesses that donated the money so they see evidence that you are appreciative.  Donors like being appreciated and recognized.  There is a list in the book of possible organizations to try.  In the writing stage, you need to keep the focus on what you have done, yourself, to make your program a great one, such as the trainings you have been involved in or degrees you have or money you, yourself have contributed, or other ways you have built up the program to a great level.  They like to see that you are doing everything in your power first.  Then you mention that the only thing that is missing is the money for materials (or whatever it is you need) and what it will do for the children in your preschool.  You can write a little about what STEM stands for and what can happen to the children as a result of their contribution.  Don't assume they know.  Some businesses are willing to contribute more than you realize to a worthy cause.  When grant writing, think of how to word it so you, yourself, in their shoes would want to contribute.  Before sending off the letters, or making the phone calls, or writing the grant, run it past several people to be sure there are no misspellings, incorrect punctuation, and mainly to be sure it is worded in a way that will get the support you hope to get. 
    I hope this is helpful.


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    DeAnn Jones
    Co-Facilitator for the Family Child Care Interest Forum
    Discovery Place Child Care, LLC
    Bozeman, MT
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  • 3.  RE: Grant writing

    Posted 07-07-2019 10:30 AM
    Thank you! Great and helpful info. I'll order the book.

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    Laure D
    PreK teacher
    Maryland
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  • 4.  RE: Grant writing

    Posted 07-08-2019 10:34 AM
    Just a note: The book I recommended was $6 for a used copy when I first wrote the post, and now it is closer to $14 for a used one.  It is the beginning of a new term for Purdue University Global where that book is a required textbook for one of the classes, so I imagine students are buying them used.  Soon the previous term will sell their books and they will go down on the used price again.  The book is well worth the price, even at $14.00 or more!  The amount you get in funds from its advice will more than pay for it.

    Here is another link to it on Amazon that is lower pricedhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01K3LMVS4/ref=tmm_pap_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used&qid=&sr=------------------------------

    I notice these are buying out quick, partly due to Purdue students ordering them and also partly due to people reading this post buying them.  Used ones will return soon.  Also, here is a link to buying the book new from the Exchange Press: https://www.childcareexchange.com/catalog/product/not-just-small-change-fund-development-for-early-childhood-programs/4000530/

    This is what Childcare Exchange says about the book:

    Could your early childhood program benefit from having more money with which to expand services, increase staff salaries, buy new equipment, enlarge or remodel your space...or simply stabilize your annual budget despite rising costs and/or decreasing support from your usual funding sources?


    This book will help you make that happen. You will learn:

    • how to identify people in your community who are most likely to contribute to your program – even if they've never heard of it
    • how to ask for money
    • the value of fund-raising events
    • tried and true ideas for direct mail appeals
    • where to find foundations that could be a source of grants for you and –more important – how to write proposals that they will fund.
    • how to prepare successful government proposals
    • what you need for a capital campaign
    There are other books about fund-raising or grant writing. This is the only one that is specific to programs serving young children, their families, their caregivers, and their teachers, with detailed, real-life examples -- written by Roberta L. Bergman, a veteran consultant and grant writer with a strong early childhood background.

    ISBN: 978-0942702-51-4



    DeAnn Jones
    Co-Facilitator for the Family Child Care Interest Forum
    Discovery Place Child Care, LLC
    Bozeman, MT
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  • 5.  RE: Grant writing

    Posted 07-06-2019 05:59 PM
    Hello, I am interested as well to learn how to write a grant.

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    Ms. Tamara L Red
    Owner / Provider
    Unlimited Red Expressions Licensed Home Daycare
    Danville Illinois
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  • 6.  RE: Grant writing

    Posted 07-06-2019 06:24 PM
    Tamara, did you see what I wrote in answer to Laure?  You can learn a lot about grant writing by reading the book I recommended. It is only about $6. It is called "Not Just Small Change: Fund Development for Early Childhood Programs," by Roberta L. Bergman.   It is focused on getting funding for any early childhood program, such as preschools.     
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    DeAnn Jones
    Co-Facilitator for the Family Child Care Interest Forum
    Discovery Place Child Care, LLC
    Bozeman, MT
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  • 7.  RE: Grant writing

    Posted 07-08-2019 05:32 PM
    Hello,

    Thanks for giving information on grant writing for ece programs. I am a FCC provider, and would like to know if we can write a grant for monies to organize events for FCC providers (as many do not turn up if they have to pay!) or to help them get education/professional growth trainings? 

    We do appreciate you being a co-facilitator for FCC

    Jagruti Patel

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    Jagruti Patel
    Owner/Provider
    Patel Family Child Care
    Redlands CA
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  • 8.  RE: Grant writing

    Posted 07-08-2019 06:31 PM
    Jagruti,

    I know based on experience that if you are a non-profit organization, which family childcare is not, businesses are more likely to give money for your cause.  Places such as Walmart, for example, ask for your non-profit status number on the form you fill out when asking for donations.  However, it can still be done if you are planning on organizing an event for family childcare providers that provides training.  If you write in the letter or talk with them in person saying what the benefit is for children, you have a chance.  It all depends on who you are asking.

    As far as grants, you just need to watch for them.  Grants come along for a variety of different things, and they are very specific what the grant is for and what you need to demonstrate in your proposal you will do to get it.  When asking businesses and organizations for money, you just state what you need the money for.  Grants are specific and you have to report, usually quarterly, how you are spending the money and give data.  Grants are usually competitive and only a few are selected out of hundreds or more who apply.  I know the childcare resource and referral office in my state is always on the lookout for grants to help childcare providers, both centers and family childcare.  You sometimes just have to be in the right place at the right time to hear about a grant that has become available to apply for.  

    Let me know if this answered your question.


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    DeAnn Jones
    Co-Facilitator for the Family Child Care Interest Forum
    Discovery Place Child Care, LLC
    Bozeman, MT
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  • 9.  RE: Grant writing

    Posted 07-09-2019 04:08 PM
    Thanks, it does answer my question and will try to look for grants and also businesses in our area.

    Jagruti Patel  MS
    Patel Family Child Care
    1404 Cambria Ct. 
    Redlands, CA 92374

    Build Relationships of Care and Trust







  • 10.  RE: Grant writing

    Posted 07-10-2019 04:53 AM
    DeAnn,

    Thank you for this information. I always wanted to do grant writing, but didn't know what or how to go about doing it. You have provided very detailed information that is very helpful and useful.

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    Carolyn Pressley
    St Petersburg FL
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  • 11.  RE: Grant writing

    Posted 07-18-2019 10:29 AM
    Hello,
    Where do you look for grants? That would help me a lot to know where to keep an eye out for them?
    Thank you,
    Tammy​

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    Tammy Waterhouse
    Stillwater OK
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