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Tips on Obtaining Grant Money for Art Education
(Printable PDF Version)
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Do you
have a great idea for a special project that would open your students'
eyes to a new way of seeing art, or a project that would
help foster cross-curricular work with another area? Are you unable
to implement that idea because your school or district has no extra
funds available for special art programs? If so, read our "Tips
on Obtaining Grant Money for Art Education." You'll learn where to
look
for grants and the basics of grant writing. |
Obtaining grants can be a very rewarding process, but it takes patience,
planning and persistence to succeed. The following tips will help make the
process more manageable.
Planning Your Project
Have a
well-developed idea
about what you hope to accomplish and exactly how you will achieve your
goal. Be clear about how the project you are proposing fits into your
curriculum and larger goals as well.
Check to see if your
district has certain requirements
you must follow when writing a proposal for a grant. Also, check to see if
there are experienced grant writers in your district who can offer you
assistance. You may want to form a grant writing team of people who are
interested in your goal. This team could include other art teachers,
administrators, and parents.
Finding the Funds
Locate
possible sources of funding.
Start with local and state funding, as the overwhelming majority of grants
come from these sources. Look for local educational or arts foundations or
other organizations in your area that help fund educational and arts
projects. Try your state's Department of Education and your state's Art
Education Association. About 7% of grant money comes from the federal
government, but these funds are generally channeled through the state. Only
1% of funding comes from private sector foundations or corporations, but
that doesn't mean you should overlook these possible sources. See Suggested
Sources for Art Education Grants following this document.
Consider pursuing a mini-grant.
These usually provide funds of up to $1,000. The application process is
simpler, and you have a greater chance of success. Acquiring a mini-grant is
excellent practice for writing a larger grant.
Determine whether
there is a fit
between the particular grants you are considering and the program you wish
to implement. Does the source of the grant support projects in your
geographical area? Has the grantor given funding to projects similar to the
one you wish to pursue? Is your budget within the parameters of past grants
awarded by this source?
Writing the Grant Proposal
Consider requirements carefully.
If you fail to follow the guidelines exactly, you may be disqualified. Each
part of an application must be completed accurately and in a manner that
will make a convincing case for your proposal. Take time to carefully craft
your writing. Clarity, spelling and grammar are all important. Have your
team or a third party proofread your application.
A
typical grant proposal consists of four sections: concept, program, budget
and conclusion.
1.
Concept
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A. |
Clearly
document the need or problem the program will address.
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B. |
Explain the
benefit of the planned program and how it fits the general mission of
the school or district. Use definitive language when stating the
benefit. For instance, use the verb "will" instead of "might" or
"could." |
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C. |
Include any supportive
research that demonstrates success for the type of plan being
proposed.
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2.
The
Program
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A. |
Outline the main activities of the program. List the procedures,
resources, events and conditions. Clearly outline the path from the
activities to the desired goal. Address how the grant program will be
part of your larger strategy. |
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B. |
Lay out a timeline for all aspects of the program. |
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C. |
Provide a clear, appropriate plan for assessing the success of the
program. This step is essential. |
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D. |
Projections should be made if this project can be repeated or extended
into the future. |
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E. |
Be
sure to include all staffing and volunteer requirements.
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3.
The
Budget
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A. |
Provide a detailed budget that covers all aspects of the proposal and
justifies all expenses. |
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B. |
Show that the requested funds are consistent with the project's
objectives and activities. |
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C. |
Be sure the costs are within the range of amounts
the organization has previously granted. |
4.
The
Conclusion
Here is the place to
make a strongly reasoned yet emotional appeal conveying the need for the
project. Give a "who, what, where and how" summary of the plan and restate
the funding need. Make a case for your own and your district's ability to
carry out the plan.
Additional Notes
Be sure to include a letter of introduction with the application. Keep
copies of everything you send. When you receive an answer, whether you are
granted the funds or not, write a thank you for the opportunity to apply.
If
you do succeed, celebrate your victory and follow your plan to the letter.
If you do not succeed, be patient and persistent. Ask why your proposal was
not accepted. Often the scoring sheets can be obtained, and you can
determine what to change for your next attempt. The effort is worth it!
Suggested Sources for Art Education Grants
The web sites and periodicals listed here are provided
to assist you in locating grant money. Some of the sources are very specific
and some will simply lead you to a source where you can find more
information on your own.
Web Resources
(Web sites change over time so the paths listed may not remain exactly the
same. The starting points, though, should stay similar enough to find the
referenced material.)
Federal Grants
U.S. Department of Education--www.ed.gov
Type "Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination" or
"Professional Development for Art Teachers" in the search box.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services--http://hhs.gov/grantsnet
U.S. Department of Justice--http://www.cops.usdoj.gov
National Endowment for the Arts--http://arts.endow.gov
National Endowment for the Humanities--http://neh.fed.us
State Grants
Please check your own state's Department of Education or Department of
Public Instruction web site for possible grants in your state.
Another source for art education grants is the state's Art Education
Association if your state has one.
Private Sector Grants
The National Art Education Foundation (2003). Grant Applications in Art
Education [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 6 2003, from
www.naea-reston.org, clicking on Special Programs, clicking on National
Art Education Foundation, and downloading the NAEF Grant Application
Booklet (pdf).
OR
The National Art Education Foundation (2003). Grant Applications in Art
Education. Reston, VA: National Art Education Association.
The Altman
Foundation/Foundation Center. The Foundation Center is a clearinghouse for
grants from the private sector. To access information about grants in
education go to
http://fdncenter.org/focus/education.
All Sources
School Funding Services
This site has a listing of funding and grant distribution by state.
http://schoolfundingservices.org
School Grants
This user-friendly site lists grants from many different sources.
http://www.schoolgrants.org
Periodicals
The Grantsmanship Center Magazine
This magazine is not specifically targeted at the educational community, but
gives good information on fundraising and resources for non-profits. It is
free to members of non-profit organizations and agencies at their office
address.
http://www.tgci.com
The Grantsmanship Center
1125 W. Sixth Street, 5th floor
PO Box 17220
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 482-9860
Education Grants Alert
This is a newsletter that is published by the Aspen Education Development
Group four times a month, and is exclusively about grants for education. A
subscription may be requested for on-line or regular newspaper format.
http://www.aspenpublishers.com
(800) 234-1660
Education Week Magazine
This newspaper format magazine deals with issues in education. There is a
grants section that runs once a month. It announces grants awarded and
grants available. 44 issues plus two annual reports.
http://edweek.org
(301) 280-3100
Aid for Education
Report.
This
weekly periodical may be received online or in print. It provides important
information for educational professionals, including comprehensive
information on public and private grants.
http://www.cd.publications.com/funding/aidforeducation/htm
(301) 512-2250
Resources: How to Write a Grant
The following web sites and documents were used as
sources for the information in this document. Visit these sites for more
detailed information on proposal writing for grants.
Sax Arts And Crafts
(2007) Grant Writing Tips -
http://www.artsupplies.com/resources/grantWriting.jsp
Altman Foundation (2003). Proposal Writing Short Course: Part One
[Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 11, 2003, from
https://fdncenter.org/learn/shortcourse/prop1.html
Altman Foundation (2003). Proposal Writing Short Course: Part Two
[Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 4, 2003, from
https://fdncenter.org/learn/shortcourse/prop2.html
(The Altman Foundation/Foundation Center is a great site for information on
proposal writing in general.
http://fdncenter.org/grantmaker/altman)
Grossman, Ruth (2002). Finding the $$ [Electronic Version]. Sunburst Visual
Media: Valhalla, N.Y. Retrieved November 14, 2003, from
http://www.sunburstvm.com--go
to Teacher Resources, then Finding the Money.
The National Art Education Foundation (2003). Grant Applications in Art
Education [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 6, 2003, from
www.naea-reston.org,
clicking on Special Programs, clicking on National Art
Education Foundation, and downloading the NAEF Grant Application Booklet (pdf).
OR
The National Art Education Foundation (2003). Grant
Applications in Art Education. Reston, VA: National Art Education
Association.
Premier (2003) The Premier Legacy New Teacher Resource Guide [Electronic
Version]. Appleton, WI: School Specialty, Inc.. pp.13-14.
Retrieved November 8, 2003, from
www.schoolspecialty.com/newteacher.jsp
(Use NT0307R as response code).
Premier (January 2004) The Premier Funding Directory [Electronic Version].
Bellingham, WA: Premier-A School Specialty Company.
http://www.premier.us/funding
(Available January 2004).
School Grants (2003). Grant Writing Tips [Electronic Version]. Retrieved
November 5, 2003, from
http://www.schoolgrants.org/tips.htm
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