Grant Writing 101: Step Three

Steps one and two are to devise an idea that becomes a successful grant project.  Once you have an idea and a plan to implement it, the next step is to write the proposal.  The proposal is a one-page document.  Really.  Many funding agencies want to see a brief outline of your project distilled into one page.  Make the title catchy.  Apple-ka-dab-ara works because it captures the scope of the school's project, to create science magic by the Appleman.

The title should be catchy, Bruins Go Green, Hawk Science Soars, or Apples Get Wet.  Try to keep the title brief.  Use the School's mascot.  Now, put the idea into the first paragraph.    The second paragraph should include a description of your school or group.  The third paragraph includes a full description of the project.  A fourth paragraph might outline partners or past experience.  Lastly, thank the agency for its consideration.

Here is an example.

Criss cross, applesauce!  Musselman High is taking Apple-ka-dab-ara to kindergarten!  Musselman High is the proud home of  the Applemen; our students are doing a series of science programs with neighboring schools.  Apple-ka-dab-ara creates magic with science.

Musselman High School is located in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a school dedicated to its students.  “The mission for Musselman High School is to provide educational excellence for all students in an academically challenging, positive, and safe atmosphere.”  The WET club embodies excellence.

The WET club is comprised of students of all ability levels, including students with special needs; the only requirement to join is a willingness to work!  Our students are especially excited to go to the neighboring elementary school and share experiments with the kindergartners.  The experiments include the following: : tornadoes, volcanoes, color change, flubber, slime, 3-D chalk, Cartesian divers, UV bead bracelets, glow in the dark nail polish, Sumi Nagashi, and more.  Apple-ka-dab-ara is sponsored by the Watershed Environmental Team (WET), a service learning club.  The WET club consists of high school students, who set up rotating stations and performs the experiments with the kindergarteners as part of the club’s mission to service.

Last year, thiry Musselman High students brought these engaging experiments to two different schools; the kindergartners were thrilled.  Our School would like to go again this year.  Relatively modest funds go a long way at Musselman, which relies on the generosity of donors such as you.  Thank you for your consideration.