School business officials may participate in the district’s search for grants to fund a particular project.
Knowing where to find grant opportunities is the first step. Here are four places to consider if you are in the market for some money.
Grants.gov(www.grants.gov/web/grants/home.html) is the “grants 101” website. Users can search for and apply for grants, check on the status of their applications, and even watch webinars on how to apply for a grant. This is a great site on which to start the grant-searching process.
The U.S. Department of Education’s web page has a link that helps you locate programs based on your type of organization (www2.ed.gov/programs/find/elig/index.html). The link will provide a list of funding opportunities specific to your district.
Within the Department of Education’s funding website pages, you can find a list of current grants as well as grants that are upcoming.
Some education-related organizations offer grants to schools and districts. Opportunities are listed on their websites. For example, the National Education Association has a section on its website for members and nonmembers to see what is available for educators (www.nea.org/about-nea/grants-funding). The NEA Foundation offers information about grants and fellowship opportunities www.neafoundation.org/for-educators/other-grant-fellowship-opportunities).
Searching and applying for grant funding is a time-consuming task.
GetEdFunding allows you to use personalized searches by focus areas, skills and themes, and grade levels (www.getedfunding.com/c/index.web?s@ml98.PA1iVZDU).
The funding opportunities for preK–12 public and private schools and districts include grants for professional development, instruction, and more.
Other Sources of Funding Information
Don’t count out your state education association and state school boards association as a go-to for information on grants and other opportunities. For example, the New Jersey Education Association website provides information about a variety of federal, state, and local grant opportunities (www.njea.org/other-grants).
The Journal magazine offers a calendar of K–12 grants from a wide range of for-profit and nonprofit groups (https://thejournal.com/articles/resources/upcoming-grants-and-events.aspx).
Organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, the Wallace Foundation, and many others also offer a variety of grant opportunities.
Ready, Set, Apply
Searching and applying for grant funding is a time-consuming task. Districts that do not have a staff member with the time and expertise to pursue grants may consider hiring a professional grant writer or development professional. Another option is to contact the state school boards association to see whether they can offer assistance (for a fee).
School business officials who are tasked with pursuing grants should consider the following points before diving into this new project:
- Read the entire grant application. Before you create a login/password, determine whether the grant fits within your district's needs, and whether you are eligible to apply.
- Note the due dates. Most grant opportunities are advertised at least one month before they close. It is unrealistic to think an adequate application can be submitted at the last minute. Planning adequate time to focus on the application will increase the chances of a qualifying submission.
- Alert others who will be involved. Most grants need input and information from other personnel, who should be considered beforehand and notified. As professionals, respecting everyone’s schedule before moving forward will greatly reduce conflict and uncomfortable discussions.
- Assemble your credentials. At a minimum, you will need your DUNS number, Federal Tax ID Number, contact names, and most likely a board resolution. A quick reference chart with basic information will make life easier during this process. Additionally, using Google Docs (or a similar file-sharing form) outlining the progress of the grant and open items can reduce any communication barriers to success.
Summary
Applying for and obtaining a grant for your district is a great accomplishment. It is also a good exercise in time management and organizational skills to incorporate into your monthly (yearly) to-do list. Knowing how to lure funds into the district without increasing taxes or cutting account lines will strengthen your reputation as a provider of a solid financial foundation to your district.