Plan your project. A grant proposal is a plan for change. It is not a request for money! Before you decide to apply for a grant opportunity, make certain you have done the planning and research:

·follow proper procedure

·develop an initial statement of perceived needs

·verify the existence of this need through an analysis of data that involves all stakeholders

·prioritize the identified needs
         needs assessment information http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/grants/needs.pdf

·decide which needs will be addressed in the proposal

·translate the needs into a goal statement

·consider alternative strategies to achieve the goal

·select a strategy based on sound rational

·review the findings with appropriate staff and stakeholders

A Check for "FUNDING." After you have completed your preliminary research, consider whether your project is a good prospect for external grant funding. In most cases, proposals that are attractive to funding agencies have one or more of the following characteristics:

·the project is new or innovative

·the project is cost effective

·the project will be continued with local funding after the grant period ends

·a clear need for the project has been documented with data

·the project is timely; it addresses a significant problem which goes beyond the school or the district

·the project will expand the current knowledge or practice in the field

·the project can be easily replicated in other areas

·the project includes support for stakeholders

Review Your Reasons for this Grant. Remember, grant funding is temporary. Grants are designed to accomplish a public purpose in a specified period of time or to provide start-up funds for projects that will be supported locally after the grant period ends and are generally NOT a good source for: compensating for budget cutbacks or shortfalls, filling staff shortages, nor filling gaps in the operating budget.

Align Your Project and Obtain Support. If the project appears to be fundable, it is time to develop an overview of your project (a concept paper). First, ask these questions:

·is the project consistent with school improvement plans and the goals of the district?

·can the project be completed without jeopardizing the other priorities of the school or district?

·is the project realistic and able to be accomplished?

·has the project been discussed with the building principal, curriculum director and appropriate staff who will be involved with, affected by, or responsible for any aspect of the project?

Finding Funding. If you have answered yes to the above questions and developed a concept paper, it is time to begin searching for funding for your project (often, the proposal planning process is initiated in response to a specific funding opportunity, so this step may be completed). If you are looking for funding.... here are some questions to ask when evaluating funding opportunities:

·is my school/district eligible to submit a proposal to this funding opportunity?

·does my project match priorities and interests of the funding agency?

·are the odds of the proposal being awarded good enough that it worth the effort to prepare a proposal? Consider how much money is available, how many grants will be awarded, and how many applications the agency expects to receive.

·is the grant award amount appropriate to the scope of this project?

·are the costs for which support will be requested allowable?

·is there enough time to design the project; obtain commitment from stakeholders; write the proposal; obtain clearance, review, get signatures; and meet the submission deadline?

Write the Proposal. If you have answered yes to the questions above, then you are ready to begin writing a full proposal. Congratulations! If additional information is needed, please contact Grants and Partnerships at 341-2033.