Do you have a project that would benefit your students but lack the funds to follow through? You may be eligible for a grant. Writing a grant proposal may initially seem daunting, but these steps can guide you in writing your first grant and streamline the process for additional grant-writing endeavors.

1. Get approval from your administrator.

First things first: Check the specific guidelines your school follows for grant applications. Talk to your administrator to be sure they’re backing you. You know they’re busy, so make their commitment to your project easier by providing them a template that guides them in preparing a letter of support.

2. Gather and save materials.

Many grants have similar requirements, so no need to reinvent the wheel every time you apply. First, save time and simplify the process by storing key information.

• Updated CV or résumé
• Demographics of your school (Title I, number of students on free or reduced lunch, ethnicity breakdown)
• Goals or objectives
• Targeted needs or standards

Next, find inspiration from community resources that you can tap into for ideas and support.

Then search for grants. Look online, but don’t forget to check local resources and vendor halls too. Remember that small grants can add up, have an easier application process, and often give helpful feedback when asked. Be certain that your school is eligible for the grant (public, private, or charter), and pay close attention to deadlines.

3. Prepare your grant proposal.

Let your passion shine through. Gather your thoughts with an elevator pitch—a 30-second to one-minute pitch selling your project—and three to five written sentences summarizing your project and its impact for your students. Now it’s time to lay out your vision.

Write a needs statement.

• What problem or need exists in your school or community? Include evidence of this need.
• How does your project address the need?
• Who will be impacted and how?

Write your goals and objectives.

• What are the learning goals and/or standards that your project addresses?
• How will it improve current educational initiatives and teaching methods?

Create a timeline.

• Break down your project by month, quarter, or grading period.
• List the activities to be funded by the grant for each period.

Estimate a budget. Include costs for:

• Equipment
• Professional learning
• In-kind services/donations
• Ongoing expenses such as memberships and replenishing consumables
• Other fees, including shipping, inspection, and installation

4. Submit your proposal.

You’ve done it! You’ve received support from your administrator, compiled your information, met eligibility criteria, and written a well-thought-out description of your project. Submit your grant request prior to the deadline, and hope for the best. Our fingers are crossed for you!