During the fall (and sometimes in the spring, if funding is available) of each school year, the Granville Education Foundation (GEF) accepts grant applications from teachers and staff of the Granville schools. The purpose of these grants is to fund innovative projects that enhance and enrich classroom instruction, but, for a variety of reasons, are ineligible for funding through the school district budget.

Shown here are some of the components of the TI Navigator System that is used in math and science classes at Granville High School. Grant: TI Navigator Classroom Learning System, Candace Susa-Ball, Sue Hoben (GHS)

The grant applications are reviewed by a committee comprised of five GEF Trustees and two community members who have been invited to sit on the committee. The grant committee then makes its recommendations to the full GEF Board, which votes to approve the grants. Teachers are notified of the decisions in early December and have 2 full semesters in which to use the funds.

There are currently three types of grants that are awarded.

• Teacher Grant (for use by one or several teachers, awards up to $3000)
• School Site Grant (for use by teachers or administrators with multiple grade levels or by different departments, awards up to $4000)
• Other Grants (for use as need arises or as donors specify)

Advice on Preparing a Grant Application
As Presented by Andrea Gorzitze, OSU Grant Development Specialist, at the GEF Grant Writing Workshop – February 27, 2007

1. Brainstorm your idea with others. You may get an idea that you had not yet thought of!
2. Look at what has been funded previously by the organization. You should get a sense of what they are likely to approve. (For the GEF, you may look under Previous Grant Awards on our website: www.granvilleeducationfoundation.org)
3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the organization.
4. If the application gives guidelines on how long it should be, stick to them. If you have more to say or have additional material, put it in the appendix of the application.
5. Narrow your objectives so that they reflect the exact scope of the project. Use words such as “create,” “enhance,” and “improve.” Then, give the objectives to someone else to review. What seems obvious to you might not be to someone else.
6. A timeline will help you clarify your plan. Follow the format on the application or make up your own.
7. Although many applications ask for a summary of the project first, write it after you have completed the rest of the application. This will ensure that the summary truly encompasses what you’ve written in the application.
8. Be specific and realistic about how many students will be affected by the grant. Absolutely include information on how many students you think will be affected in the future.
9. Your application should clearly state why you need the amount requested. If you are having trouble finding the price of something, give your best estimate. If needed, include a letter from your department of school that says they will cover the cost should it exceed the estimate.
10. Always include information if you have also applied elsewhere for part of the funding. Some grants can only be approved if full funding is approved from several groups. Be sure to have a contingency plan on how you can implement your project on a smaller scale if other funding isn’t approved.
11. Come up with a realistic evaluation plan.
12. If needed, include letter of support or collaboration from colleagues or supervisors. If so, provide these people with a draft of your proposal, even if it isn’t final.
13. If available, compare your application to the scoring rubric that will be used by the reviewers to evaluate the projects.
14. Meet the deadline! Make sure your proposal is neatly typed, clean, and easy to read. Check it for typographical errors. Make sure that all abbreviations and acronyms are explained; avoid jargon. Finally, don’t assume that your reader is familiar with your school, your program, or system. Explain everything!

Teacher Grants
Teacher grants are to enhance, promote, and augment classroom instruction in areas not allotted for in regular budgetary funding or eligible for reimbursement from tax funding.

Teacher grants are typically awarded between $250 and $3000, but, if exceptional projects exist, additional funding can occur.

Each Teacher Grant application must

• be fully completed, including an explanation of the specific need for the project
• submitted by the deadline given
• be signed by the building principal
• be signed by the District Technology Coordinator IF it has a technology component
             
  The application can also include any supplemental information pertinent to the project or endorsements of the project by fellow teachers, etc.

Once the application is reviewed, you may be contacted to answer additional questions by the committee.

DOWNLOAD FALL 2009 TEACHER GRANT APPLICATION
(Application Deadline is October 28, 2009)
Microsoft Word Format
Adobe PDF Format

           
School Site Grants
Site grants allow staff on each campus to identify and address needs, challenges, or concerns that are unique to the site. The identified area should reflect the school’s mission statement.

Site grants are typically awarded between $1,000 and $4,000, but, if exceptional projects exist, additional funding can occur.

Each Site Grant application must

• be fully completed, including an explanation of the specific need for the project
• submitted by the deadline given
• be signed by the district superintendent
• be signed by the District Technology Coordinator IF it has a technology component
             
  The application can also include any supplemental information pertinent to the project or endorsements of the project by fellow teachers, etc.

Once the application is reviewed, you may be contacted to answer additional questions by the committee.

DOWNLOAD FALL 2009 SITE GRANT APPLICATION
(Application Deadline is October 28, 2009)
Microsoft Word Format
Adobe PDF Format