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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Original Message:
Sent: 07-05-2019 01:49 PM
From: Laure Dotterweich
Subject: Grant writing
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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