Grant Writing Tips

Many of these instruments and resources provided by grant funding!  We are thankful to all our sponsors!

To date, I have attained over $45,000 in grant funding for my elementary general music classroom.  I often get asked questions about writing grants.  Here are my "TOP 10 Grant Writing Tips" for those of you starting out.

1.  Pick a project or goal, and focus on it.  If you have too many ideas going on in one request, it will often not be funded.

2.  Be to the point and concise.  Share important information about your project and your program, but don't blabber on about things that have no relation to the project.

3.  Request funding for a resources that will be able to be used over multiple school years.  This will help grant givers see their funding will be put to use over a long period of time.  (Artist in Residence Grants would be the only exception to this rule.)

4.  Involve the community as a piece of your grant.  Agree to public performances, podcasting, or sharing of your learning through the requested tools.  When writing Artist-in-Residence grants, I always add a community night as a piece of the program to get investors to see we are sharing the music in the school building and beyond.

5.  Be specific in your spending.  Don't just ask for a lump sum.  Spell out specifically how every penny will be spent.

6.  Tie your projects to standards.  We are all guided by national or state standards that must be met.  Share with grant providers how their support will help you meet those goals!

7.  Correlate music learning across content areas.  Share how the project you are requesting will also help meet reading or social studies standards.  Don't become isolated in your subject area.

8.  School culture is key.  Share how community building through your program will develop school and classroom culture.  Positive culture leads to positive learning.

9.  Proofread.  Do not have typos, spelling errors, or incorrect math.  These things do not help those reading your application believe that you are the best teacher in the world who will spend every spent given to you to the max.  Be careful and show that you are detailed oriented.

10.  Let your passion for working with your students shine through.  Remember, it's ALL about them, not you!