January 2004 — Web/Net

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Tips for Getting Your Technology Projects Funded

By Nickie Weaver and Sheila Fernley, Irving Independent School District

Once you have developed a vision or a concept for a proposal, use the Internet to research whether a similar concept has been previously funded by the granting agency or organization. Summaries of currently funded projects are usually posted by the funding source. Check within your organization, as well as with other local and state agencies and private organizations to determine if a similar project exists. If a duplication exists, study the projects carefully so that your proposal will highlight differences and improvements.

It's also important to remember that community partnerships are essential, but it is difficult to gain a commitment of support unless a clear and compelling concept is defined. The marketing field uses the term "elevator pitch" for a brief verbal description of a company or product that can be shared with someone in the short time it takes to move from floor to floor on an elevator. An elevator pitch must be compelling enough to capture someone's interest and intrigue them to learn more.

Proper letters of endorsement and support are an essential part of most funded proposals as well. These letters must come from credible sources and should include details of support and related value (i.e., facilities, services, cash contributions). Remember that acquiring letters of endorsement takes time, and some agencies require negotiations before a letter of endorsement or affiliation agreement is signed.

As a part of the planning process, identify all the funding sources that offer grant awards to projects like yours. Make a spreadsheet of these resources, including a column for each deadline date, for each date you submitted an application, contact information, Web site, areas of support, types of organizations that receive funding, etc. Do not list funding sources that exclude your agency or organization due to various criteria like geographic region. Add to this list as you uncover additional sources of funding, and remember that a strong sustainable project may have multiple sources of funding that address different parts of the project.

Writing Proposals that Get Funded

Assemble a team. If your organization d'es not employ a grant writer, identify who will assume this role for your proposal. This person should have a successful track record, an excellent mastery of the English language and extensive writing experience. A master English teacher is a great choice if no experienced grant writer is available. Next, identify a small team of people with commitment, insight and writing experience to serve as a grant writing team. When a funding source is located and the timeline meets the requirements of your project, acquire a copy of the grant application and guidelines. Make a copy for each member of the grant writing team and, before any writing begins, highlight or list all the critical aspects that must be addressed or included in the application. If this proposal is a resubmission of a previously submitted proposal, don't simply rewrite the proposal, incorporating the feedback from the original application.

Irving ISD initially applied for the Community Technology Centers (CTC) grant from the U.S. Department of Education in 2002 and was not selected as one of the awarded projects. In 2003, when the CTC program once again announced acceptance of applications, we compared the new guidelines with the previous application and found many changes that were directly related to NCLB. This due diligence paid off when Irving ISD received the largest 2003 CTC grant in the amount of $500,000.