writing a grant for education

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Grant Writing 101: What is it & how do you get started?

Have you been thrown into the deep end working at a nonprofit organization and tasked to apply for grant funding for the first time? Maybe you've heard about the field, catching the buzz from a friend starting a grant writing side hustle . Or you've seen how others have pivoted their careers to launch grant writing consultant businesses.

However you found grant writing, we're glad you're here!

Grant writers are perceived to have superpowers—they know how to get free money!

Well, it's not quite that easy. There is no such thing as free money, and grant writing is a lot of hard work.

However, it is very learnable and an incredible skill set to have in your quiver. Even newcomers succeed with the right guidance and training under their belt.

This crash course in grant writing will cover everything you need to know to start approaching grant writing like a boss!

Grant Writing Essentials: Definitions & FAQs

• Grant Writing vs. Nonprofit Fundraising

The Grant Writing Process for Beginners

Understanding the grant fundraising landscape, why grant writing is such a valuable skill.

Curious about how to get into grant writing without prior experience? Check out this video to learn more.

Let’s start with the essentials: a few grant writing definitions and frequently asked questions.

What is grant writing?

Grant writing is the process of crafting a written proposal to receive grant funding from a grant making institution in order to fund a program or project.

Grant writing involves laying out your case for why the grant will do the most good for you (or your project or organization). A stellar grant proposal will clearly show the funder that your plan is the best possible choice for accomplishing your shared goals.

Think of grant writing like making a pitch to investors or lenders but to receive funding that you won’t need to pay back.

That begs the question…

What are grants?

A grant is a financial award to support a person, organization, project, or program. It is intended to achieve a specific goal or purpose. Nonprofits can use grants to complete projects, run programs, provide services, or continue running a smooth operation.

Great, now where is all of this money coming from?

Who provides grant funding?

Typically, grants are awarded to organizations from grant making institutions (also called grantors ). These include foundations, corporations, and government agencies.

Grantors provide grants to help further their goals in their communities (or around the country or world) and to support other organizations that do on-the-ground work. These goals are typically philanthropic or social in nature, but grants might also be offered for educational, scientific, or any other purpose.

Grants usually come with very specific guidelines for what the money can and can’t be used for, as well as rules for how the “winner” of the grant (or the grantee ) will report on its progress. When a grant has specific guidelines, we call these funds restricted . Restricted funding means they can only be used for the purposes laid out in the proposal and specified by the funder.

So, can anybody and everybody get grant money?

Who is eligible for grant funding?

Many different types of organizations are eligible to write proposals and apply for grant funding. Most notably, 501(c) nonprofit organizations that have IRS Letters of Determination (basically any type of legit nonprofit).

More specifically, these types of organizations are eligible for grants through grant writing:

• Nonprofits/public charities with IRS-recognized status
• Unincorporated community groups with fiscal sponsors
• Tribal organizations (and sometimes housing authorities)
• Faith-based organizations (which sometimes must provide direct social services depending on the grantor’s guidelines)
• Local governments

Exciting, right? Grants can do a lot of good for organizations of all sizes. But who’s doing the work?

Who does the actual grant writing and drafts the proposal?

All different kinds of folks! Each organization finds their sweet spot for getting the work done. Grant proposals can be written by:

• Employees of eligible organizations
• Volunteers lending their time
• Freelance grant writers providing a contract-based service
• Grant writing consultants who provide organizations with ongoing help through retainer contracts

Successful grant writing leads to positive impacts on real people and real communities. Grant writers put in the elbow grease because they care about charitable organizations and their missions. They want to see their communities thrive.

Is Grant Writing A Good Career For You?

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How do you learn grant writing?

Grant writing is a set of specific skills and processes, so it can be taught and learned like any other subject.

There are a few different avenues you can explore to level up your grant writing skills.

• DIY Method: You can binge-watch YouTube content to pick up the bits and pieces of grant writing. This is certainly a cost-effective method! However, factoring in the stress of reinventing the wheel while riding the struggle bus of going it alone, you’re spending more time (and $$) in the long run to learn grant writing skills.
• Higher-Ed Programs: Several universities offer certifications in nonprofit management, but most do not focus solely on grant writing. For a semester or two, the curriculum will teach you the ins and outs of nonprofit organizations, which includes grant writing. These courses include a university certificate for formal education. The downside, however, is that university programs fall short of helping students bridge the gap between learning the material and actually applying it—in other words, getting paid tp use your newly acquired knowledge in the field.
• Online Courses: There’s a wide variety of online courses to help you learn how to become a grant writer. Online education is flexible for those who are looking to add grant writing as a new skill set on top of a full-time schedule (life, work, etc.) or level up their skills. Yes, even if you’re an in-house grant writer working with a nonprofit organization, professional training is applicable. You can check out a roundup of the best grant writing classes here.

Curious about how to break into grant writing without prior experience and with no added debt? The Global Grant Writers Collective is the only program of its kind to show you how to be a world-class grant writer while also building a flexible, fulfilling life you love.

Grant Writing vs. Non Profit Funding

We’ve covered all the basics, but there’s a bit more important context to understand as you launch your grant writing journey.

You know that grants provide funding to organizations to do good work in their communities, but how does this relate to the bigger concept of fundraising?

TL;DR — Grant Writing vs. Fundraising

Fundraising is how you raise money for your organization. Grant writing is one type of fundraising activity. Grant writing includes asking foundations or government entities for support while other fundraising activities usually target individual donors.

What is nonprofit fundraising?

Fundraising is generally defined as the process of soliciting financial support for a cause or project.

Central to the idea of fundraising is the collection of cash donations (although all kinds of assets can be donated). Donations can be collected immediately or over months or years, as is the case for long-term pledges of large donations to capital campaigns.

Fundraising is an essential way for most nonprofits to bring in revenue for their missions. Monies raised through general fundraising activities are often referred to as unrestricted funds and can be used for any expenses, such as staff salaries or rent. Donors can also require that their money be used in a specific (or restricted) way.

Who fundraises, and what do you need to do it?

Nonprofits are the most common group to fundraise. However, other groups like those adorable Girl Scouts selling their highly addictive cookies (our greatest weakness 😋) and people raising funds for mission trips are eligible for fundraising, too.

The only thing you technically need to fundraise is trust from your donors. But when you represent an organization, establishing trust means getting official with a 501(c)(3) designation and publishing an annual report.

Remember that fundraising isn’t so much about asking for money as it is about inviting others who have a passion for what you do to join you in your mission. Once you find them, you can do that work together—the beauty of fundraising!

How is grant writing different from fundraising?

As you can already tell, fundraising has a much broader definition than grant writing.

Fundraising can take many forms, and grant writing falls under that umbrella.

Fundraising usually refers to generating cash donations by:

• Building relationships with individual donors
• Holding fundraising events
• Making public appeals for donations and marketing your organization to the community

When you submit a proposal for a grant, it’s a one-on-one targeted pitch to a funder. You understand their past giving history. You’ve vetted them for mission alignment, and your project meets their goals for impact. The relationship between you and the funder is more formalized (though there is room for personal relationships over time).

With fundraising through individual donors, not through a grant, your approach is less formal. You likely don’t need a lengthy proposal, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a plan. To fundraise from individual donors, you may be soliciting funds from individuals whose circumstances and philanthropic interests are largely unknown to you. Your approach can usually be applied to a wider audience, whereas grant writing targets one organization with specific guidelines.

In either case, relationship-building and strategies like prospect research are very important for nonprofits.

Then what do grant writing and fundraising have in common? In both cases, you need to do research, pursue leads, prepare talking points, evaluate opportunities, and cultivate relationships. The essence of both practices is the same. What is different is the target and approach.

With all the context out of the way, let’s get to the meat and potatoes. How do you actually write a grant proposal? What are the key steps to follow?

Here it is: our signature 7-step process for writing a winning grant. We’ll summarize the key points to understand for each step, but please check out our longer grant writing process explainer for a deep dive into the nitty gritty.

• Follow your North Star (the funding guidelines). A funder will provide guidelines for their grant that all applicants need to follow to be considered. Think of these as instructions. Guidelines can vary a lot from one grant to another, so it’s important to never take them for granted (see what we did there?). Download, print, read, and reread the guidelines.
• Prepare your narrative skeleton. Every grant should tell a story, but sitting down to write a prizewinning story on a blank page is a lot easier said than done. Give yourself an easier start by outlining your proposal based on the funding guidelines themselves. These are the questions you’ll have to answer, so bake them into your story from the very start. Simple bullet points will do here—no need to lock down full sentences just yet.
• Host a kick-off meeting. Gather everyone involved in the project to get on the same page. These are all the people who’ll provide you with the information you need for the grant as well as those who’ll be involved in running the project that it funds. Remember, everyone loves an organized meeting—send an agenda and your narrative skeleton in advance, then a summary of action items after, plus an invite to a progress check-in meeting.
• Finalize your grant budget. Next, you need to know how much the project you’re proposing will cost to complete—this budget will impact all other parts of your application. For example, funders often ask for a “budget narrative” that explains how you determined your final numbers. Some grants are structured to provide a percentage of your total costs rather than a flat sum. Grab a copy of our free grant budget template when you’re ready!
• Write your narrative fast and furiously. With your budget in hand, now’s the time to start putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys). Review your grant guidelines again, and start filling in your narrative skeleton with the details it needs to paint a compelling picture. We could go on and on with all the tips and hacks we’ve learned—check them out in Step 5 of our grant writing process guide.
• Prep your key attachments. Funders usually want more than just your perfectly written document. They often ask for additional attachments like separate budget documents, a resolution, and letters of support. Some attachments, like resolutions, can take a long time to get finalized, which is why understanding your guidelines early is so important so that you can get the ball rolling quickly.
• Review and submit your grant! Phew—you made it! But you’re not done yet. Reviewing and double-checking your proposal is a must, and it should be done by an independent reviewer who hasn’t been knee-deep in the process like you. Collect and discuss their feedback, make changes, review one last time, and then hit submit (ideally a day or two before the deadline). After the adrenaline wears off, take the afternoon off.

There’s no magic formula for writing a winning grant—your proposal should always be tailored to that unique grant and funder—but there are best practices and principles that give you a reliable roadmap to follow each time. Our 7-step grant writing process condenses a ton of them into one digestible process, but for an even closer look, join our free grant writing class!

Free Grant Writing Trainings

These how-to videos offer a smattering of webinar replays from our online grant writing training and feature topics such as working remotely, project management, fundraising, and how to utilize the Freedom of Information Act for federal funding.

Essential Grant Writing Tips for Newcomers

Once you’ve mastered the steps above, you’re probably wondering how to actually put rubber to the road and get started. Here are our top 5 recommendations:

• Find a real project to work on! Try identifying a real grant opportunity and approaching a nonprofit in your community. Or if that idea terrifies you—we get it—you can start slower with sample projects and training courses.
• Commit to excellence in project management. Grant writing is complicated, no way around it. Familiarize yourself with project management best practices and you can stay organized and energized.
• Fake it until you make it. Imposter syndrome is very real, and even experienced grant writers deal with it. But don’t let it hold you back. When you invest in your grant writing skills and get real-world practice, you have something worth sharing. Build some momentum and see how far you can go!
• Have a process mindset. When you pull the mask off the big hairy grant writing monster, you’ll find it’s really just a big stack of steps and processes—learnable steps and processes. Master these, and you’ll have a reliable framework for success.
• Don’t be stubborn (said with love). Trying to go it alone when learning grant writing leads to more mistakes and wasted time and money. Grant writing is a craft, after all, and there’s a lot to be gained from connecting with fellow grant writers.

P.S. Want more grant writing videos like this one? There’s more where that came from.

Check out our YouTube channel and give us a follow!

If you’re new to grant writing (or even considering turning it into a side hustle), it’s important to understand the big picture. Why do grants matter?

Grants make up a considerable chunk of nonprofits’ operating revenue.

According to Nonprofit Impact Matters , the nonprofit sector generates roughly 31.8% of its revenue from government sources (including both grants and paid contracts) and 2.9% from foundations in the form of grants.

It’s generally recommended that grant funding should provide 10-20% of a nonprofit’s total annual budget.

Funding from foundations is growing.

Total giving from foundations reached $105.21 billion in 2022, a 2.5% increase from the year before, and it’s part of a continued upward trend. Put another way, foundations provided 21% of total giving to nonprofits , or $1 of every $5 given to charity.

This is one of only a few areas that saw growth when adjusted for inflation. Family foundations (founded by families as a way to better manage their philanthropic activities) and corporate foundations have led the charge.

Grants are an important part of a safe revenue mix.

Nonprofits need to have diversified revenue streams so that they can rely on other ways to generate money when one shrinks or dries up.

Grants are an essential part of this equation, especially as a turbulent economy causes individual donors to rein in their spending. Case in point—the 2023 Giving USA Report found that giving from individuals declined 6.4% in 2022 (or 13.4%, when adjusted for inflation), a finding that sent shockwaves through the nonprofit world.

But when a nonprofit has a sturdy fundraising program, grant writing process, and an active grant opportunity pipeline, it becomes much easier to weather the storms and keep on doing the good work their communities need.

This leads us to a logical conclusion (which you might have already caught onto)...

Grant writing is an incredibly valuable skill because:

• It’s always in demand.
• It helps nonprofits secure the diverse funding they need to thrive.
• It drives on-the-ground good by funding projects and programs.

Competition for grants will only get tougher as giving from foundations grows and donor habits keep changing in the coming years.

The right unicorn of a grant writer can make a world of difference for nonprofit missions of all sizes and build the fulfilling career they want: a win-win!

Study up on grant writing best practices. Stretch your grant writing muscles by taking a free class or investing in more lessons, coaching, and community (like through the Global Grant Writers Collective ).

Whether you’re looking to win more funding for your nonprofit or break out into a new freelance field, anyone can succeed with grant writing with the right preparation and practice.

Want to learn more? We know you do. We recommend these additional resources:

• Can I Make Money as a Grant Writer?
• Three Possible Career Paths Through Grant Writing Training
• Why Start a Side Hustle Grant Writing?
• Grant Writing for Nonprofits: Our Top 10 Tips
• Tips for Writing Your First Draft of a Grant Narrative
• Top Mistakes Grant Applicants Make (And How to Avoid Them)
• A Review of the Top 10 Grant Databases

Free Grant Writing Class

Learn the 7-steps to write a winning grant application and amplify the impact you have on your community.

About the author...

Alexis Swenson serves as Unicorn Coach and Content Director for Learn Grant Writing. The product of small-town northwestern Minnesota, she is a self-declared “old soul” and grounded free spirit. She has secured over $2.7 million in grant funding in her career. Alexis writes to help people learn, laugh, and not be so hard on themselves.

Want To Learn More?

We made this video to answer your questions about how to build a career in grant writing without the fear of where you will find clients or the fear of failure. We cover the top three mistakes that keep people from making the leap from a soul-sucking job to something more meaningful.

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How to Write a Grant Application: Start Writing a Grant Proposal for Education

Winning grant money is often the difference between implementing engaging, innovative curricula in the classroom and sticking with the same, out-of-date methods. Unfortunately, many educators and administrators are new to the grant writing process, and the thought of completing a multi-page proposal can be truly intimidating.

This guide will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about how to write a school grant proposal. We’ve also included a free downloadable grant writing checklist, which will help you keep track of your proposal and ensure you don’t leave out any crucial information.

How do you get a grant?

Winning an education grant comes down to finding the right funding source for your needs and then writing a proposal that captures the attention of the review board. While that might sound simple enough, it can be very challenging! There are many, many steps in this process, and longer grant applications can take months to put together, especially for educators who aren’t sure how to write a grant application.

Insider tip:  Spend extra time at the beginning of the process pulling together all relevant materials and creating a compelling cover letter or grant letter. Then, search for funding sources that share your goals. For example, if you need laptops to ensure low-income students have an opportunity to complete their homework, look for grants like  Mobile Beacon’s Connect for Success . This grant specifically supplies laptops and 4G LTE hotspots to help students struggling to keep up.

How do I apply for an education grant?

While every grant application is a little different, the overall process for writing a grant proposal for education will be very similar from one application to the next:

• Research available opportunities and find a funding source that best aligns with the goals of your project.
• Reach out to the main contact from the funding source (unless the instructions explicitly state otherwise). In many cases, the grant contact can give you extra information, and it helps to be in touch with someone who can answer your questions.
• Get all key stakeholders on board, such as your principal, administrative office, other teachers, and whomever else will need to sign off on the project you’re seeking funding for.
• Gather all the materials needed for writing your grant proposal for education, including budgetary information, any related research that supports your case, baseline numbers on how your class is currently performing, projections on how they will perform after the implementation of your new program, etc.
• Create an outline of your proposal. Map out what information you’ll cover and where you’ll talk about it.
• Start writing your grant proposal for education. As with any writing project, your first draft will not be your final product, so embrace the editing process! Make sure multiple people proofread your grant proposal.
• Submit your proposal before the deadline and follow up with your contact at the end of the process for feedback on your application.

Read more:  Did you know that every state receives Federal funding for education in the form of Perkins Grants? We explain  how to apply for Perkins Grant Funding.

What are the major components of an education grant application?

We can’t overstate that every grant application will be a little different, so the name and order of the components might change slightly from one application to the next. Use this section as a way to help you organize your thoughts while you’re writing a grant proposal for education.

Cover letter or grant letter

Your cover letter (or grant letter) is your chance to introduce your project and start generating interest. Keep it to the point and focus on your hook, or the compelling opening statement that immediately captures your audience’s attention. Many grants will require a cover letter or grant letter so the project can be vetted before the process of writing a grant proposal for education.

What you need to include:

• A high-level overview of your project; deep dives are for the proposal
• How much money your project will require and quick overview of what it will be used for
• Email address and phone number for the primary contact

Project summary, executive summary, or proposal summary

At most one page, the summary portion of your application will give the reader a concise overview of the project you are hoping to get funding for, as well as provide information about your organization. This will be a little bit more in-depth than your cover/grant letter but brevity is still key.

• A brief statement of your organization’s name and mission
• A description of the problem you’re solving
• An overview of your solution to the problem
• An explanation of the funding you’ll need to enact your solution

Statement of need or problem statement

This is the section where you really need to convince the grant reviewers of your project’s need and importance. Write a compelling narrative to illustrate the problem and why your solution will really make a difference. Start out this section with an attention-grabbing opening statement that appeals to the grant reviewers’ emotions. Then, back it up with research, data, statistics, and facts.

• A compelling narrative about your organization’s specific need
• Any research or statistics that support the need to solve this problem

Program design or your approach to solving the problem

This section will make up the bulk of your grant application. Here, you need to explain the details of your project, the goals and intended outcomes, and how you plan to achieve those outcomes. Use this framework to organize your program design when writing a grant proposal for education:

• What problem are you solving? Start by reiterating your problem statement; remind the grant reviewers what needs to be solved.
• What will your project achieve? Explain the intended outcomes and goals of the project and avoid using industry-specific jargon as much as possible.
• How will you achieve those outcomes? Dive into the nuts and bolts of your program design. Include any supporting research and documentation that supports your methodology.
• The specific, measurable outcomes of the project or program
• The methods you will use to achieve those outcomes, including how you will implement them, who will be involved, what materials you need, when this will take place, and why this is the appropriate method to solve for your problem statement
• How you plan to measure and track outcomes, including how the data will be collected and analyzed

Project timeline

For some grant applications, the project timeline will be part of the program design section, and for others, it will stand on its own. As the name suggests, the project timeline is all about how long it will take for your project to achieve the desired outcomes. Provide details about when you will begin and end each event in the project, as well as information about how you will maintain the program beyond the grant period. Many grant writers prefer to use a table or chart to illustrate the project timeline.

• Target dates for hitting key milestones in your project (i.e., when teacher trainings will happen, when assessments will take place, etc.)
• When you will achieve each desired outcome
• How you will maintain the program after the budget period

Proposal budget

Depending on the scope of your project, your proposal budget might be one page or multiple pages. The most important information to include is a breakdown of expenses required to implement your project and achieve the desired outcomes. For example:

• All required personnel hours, including any necessary volunteer time (considered in-kind contributions)
• The cost of any required materials, transportation, software programs, etc.
• An explanation and justification of each listed cost

Supporting documents or appendices

Consider this your “catch-all” section when writing a grant proposal for education. Any supporting documents and information should be attached in the supporting documents/appendix. Read through the grant instructions carefully, as they will likely include a list of documents that you need to include in your application.

What to include:

• Full case studies, surveys, or other research you reference in your application
• A copy of your organization’s operating statement for the most recent fiscal year
• Letters of support from project partners and/or constituents
• A copy of your most recent tax return or financial audit

Read more:  We’ve compiled a list of education grants available for schools across the nation.  Check out the list .

STEM grant application examples

Examples of winning grant applications can give you an idea of how to organize your information and what to include in each section. The best place to start is researching if the grant you’re applying to has posted the previous winning application. Even an executive summary will give you a better idea of how to frame your project and outcomes. There are a few other resources you can consult when writing a grant proposal for education:

• U.S. Department of Education
• New Mexico State Center for Research and Outreach
• Love to Know
• Kurzweil Educational Systems
• Utah STEM Action Center

Do grants have to be paid back?

No, grants are considered “free financial aid” because they don’t need to be paid back as long as you meet all the obligations and criteria outlined in the application. When you’re writing a grant proposal for education, double — and triple — check that you’ll be able to meet all deadlines, outcomes, and obligations.

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Writing an Effective Educational Grant

Tips and resources to help you craft a powerful proposal

No one awards grants for you to simply buy a tablet, camera, or even an app. Grants are looking for solutions to real educational needs that can serve as models for other educators.

Here are some tips as you put together your grant proposal, along with resources to help you more clearly articulate your goals and the projects and processes that can help you reach that goal.

Tips for writing an effective grant

1. explain the issues that challenge your students.

The first step is to clearly identify the educational need or issue you are looking to address. For example, would learning, or achievement, be improved in your classroom:

• If students were engaged in the content or process of learning?
• If their work connected to the world beyond the classroom?
• If you could only get them to practice reading and writing skills?

Grants will often ask you to identify your need, but this makes it easy to slip into the “I need technology” trap. You don’t NEED technology; you need great learning to happen. As you articulate your challenges, issues, and goals, leave out any technology tools you would use to address and meet them.

Don't forget the power of storytelling. While protecting your students identities, share a story that helps grant readers better understand their backgrounds, experiences, and challenges.

2. Clearly articulate your solution to the issue

Your grant application also needs to clearly show how the resources you are asking for will address the issues in your classroom. Paint a picture of the work you will do with students, demonstrating how the project or process will help you overcome the issue to meet your goal.

Now is the time to explain how the use of technology during this process or project supports your goals. Be sure to articulate why the specific tools you have chosen will make a difference. For example, if your goal is to improve language learning for your ELL students, your description of why you would use Wixie might look like:

“Students will use the integrated images, drawing features, and word processing tools in Wixie to document their learning through pictures and text and the recording feature to practice oral fluency. The distribution of their work online as digital stories, eBooks, or comics will provide an authentic opportunity to practice reading and writing.”

Sharing examples of specific student projects you will implement, such as crafting an animal interview or creating a new creature , makes it easier to describe how students think deeply as they create to interact with content and build essential literacy skills.

Be sure to include your plan for implementing the project. Share a timeline or calendar of the steps in the project or process to show you have an idea of how long it will take and the steps you need to complete the project.

3. Share evidence and reasons you think your solution will work

In addition to showing what you will do, you need to articulate why this will improve student learning. Some of this can be anecdotal stories from your own experience, but you will also want to share research and information from other sources.

Then, clearly show how your technology-involved solution can help. Make sure you are holding yourself to the same high evidence standard you set for your students. Include examples of potential outcomes and even sample student artifacts to help the grant reader see a clear picture of what will happen in your classroom when you get the grant.

Resources and ideas to help you focus your grant writing

All of the above only works if you are clear on your goal and can articulate outcomes you expect to see as a result of implementing your program. So, before you even begin writing, be sure to have a clear goal or vision statement and clear set of outcomes you can use to measure success.

Locate research that provides evidence for your ideas and methods along with specific activities that will help you achieve outcomes like increased engagement, improved literacy, or deeper thinking about the curriculum. For example:

If your goal is deeper learning, look to Webb's Depth of Knowledge

If you are looking to increase rigor in your classroom, you can use Webb’s DOK to evaluate the cognitive complexity of your instructional tasks and design tasks at a range of levels. Use these resources if you want to focus on:

• Designing more effective instruction
• Using graphic organizers at each DOK level
• Depth of Knowledge in practice

If your goal is 21st-century ready communicators, look to digital-age literacy

• Implement Digital storytelling
• Improve comprehension
• Produce information
• Support language acquisition

If your goal is engagement, look to authentic project work

• Explore project-based learning (PBL)
• Become Museum Makers
• Implement a STEAM approach

Yes, your grant proposal will include request funding for materials like devices and digital tools. Clearly explaining how these tools are part of a bigger solution to improve student learning will help your proposal stand out.

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Melinda Kolk ( @melindak ) is the Editor of Creative Educator and the author of Teaching with Clay Animation . She has been helping educators implement project-based learning and creative technologies like clay animation into classroom teaching and learning for the past 15 years.

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Grant Resources

We’ve compiled some helpful resources to guide you in writing a grant proposal for the NEA Foundation.

Guide for Current Grantees

Featured grantees, writing tutorial, about fiscal agents, how to apply for a grant.

Grant Guide

A comprehensive grant guide to preparing, writing, and applying for education funding

Across the country, the budget story is similar: Money is always tight, and sometimes because of shortfalls in state and local revenues, districts have to cut programs. That means technology ideas can fall by the wayside. Finding money for new programs is often a distant dream.  

Yet, there’s hope. If you've got a great idea for a project for your classroom, school, or district, but not the funding to make it happen, a grant may be the answer. Whether it’s a few thousand dollars for a classroom program or several hundred thousand to design and implement a district-wide plan, competitive federal, state, local, and corporate grants are available for education.

But be warned. Grant funders get lots of proposals and the competition is often fierce. 

You have to know where to look for the right grant and how to write a winning proposal. This grant guide will help you.

For specific grants and deadlines, visit Tech & Learning's Grant Calendar

Trust the Process

Applying for a grant is a process. The first step is to state the idea you want to fund clearly. Then you can search for grants that fit your situation and narrow down your list to the one that is the best match. After you’ve identified the grant offering you want, the real work begins. You’ll need a team, buy-in from stakeholders, an understanding of what the grant requires, and good grant writing skills. 

One thing to buoy your spirits through the hard work ahead is knowing that just applying for a grant is a winning proposition. The planning, research, and writing you put into the effort can serve to solidify your vision and long-term plan. It can benefit technology goals and inspire change, community building, and school improvement. And even though you may not actually win the grant, you’re way ahead when you try for the next one.

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Start with a Good Idea 

In many schools and districts, the needs have multiplied exponentially and everyone has ideas for how to address the issues. Yet there’s a difference between funding equipment needs and funding ideas that will make a difference in learning. 

Grants fund ideas, not stuff, so proposals should address pressing educational issues and problems. Grant writers have to show how your creative idea will address these issues. 

Begin the process by developing a solid idea and then gather enough supporting details to back up the concept. Explain the needs, how your plan addresses them, and how you will reach the goals. Be specific; vague intentions are not good enough. Know your school or district and how well you can carry out the plan if you win the grant. The best proposals build on something you’ve already accomplished. Success breeds success. 

► Your Next Grant Proposal: 10 Steps to Starting Over

► Education Grants: Win or Lose, What to Do Next

► 9 Grant Proposal Review Questions to Ask Yourself

► Grant Proposals: 7 Questions to Ask As You Write

► Grant Proposals: 9 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing

► 6 Grant Application Questions to Ask Yourself

► Education Grants: 5 Guidelines to Win One

► What Grant Judges Look For in An Application

► How to Find an Education Grant

► The 8 Key Parts of a Grant Proposal

► 7 Steps to Plan a Grant Proposal

Questions  to Ask Before Searching for a Grant Opportunity 

• Do you have a compelling idea? 
• Do you truly need the funding and can you explain why? 
• Do you have the organization skills to write the proposal? 
• Does the staff have the skills and willingness to carry out the project? 
• Do you have stakeholder buy-in? 
• Do you have the ability to write in clear, simple, convincing terms? 
• Do you have an elevator pitch: Can you express your basic idea in one sentence? 

FINDING THE RIGHT FUNDING 

One of the hardest parts of getting grants is searching for the right one. You have to know what types of funding are out there and which you’re likely to be successful in winning. Even more, you have to learn where to start looking. Some sources offer grants for specific reasons and others offer grants with general guidelines and you specify the reason you are applying. 

Types of Funding

Federal Grants

In general, the federal government offers substantial amounts of money for large programs.  

- Formula Grants: One major type of federal grant for K-12 schools is a formula grant, which means that a certain amount of money has been set aside through legislation to give to districts through their state education agencies. An example is Title I funding.  

- Program Grants: Another type of federal grant is awarded competitively. The agency determines a purpose or program for this type of grant and districts can apply. Applicants must meet all of the guidelines. Many of these federal project grants involve a long application period and a lot of support material. Some of the projects run for as much as three years. 

State Grants  

Each state determines its own way to allocate general funds and award extra funds as grants. With block grants, for example, the state requires districts to apply for funding, and districts must make a case for why they should receive the funds. Special funding is allocated for targeted programs such as special education, technology, gifted and at risk populations. The Education Commission of the States has information on programs by state here . 

Foundation Grants  

Nonprofit grants are available from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), or a charitable trust, whose specific purpose is to make funds available to organizations or individuals for specific purposes including education, science, or community benefit. Some districts have created nonprofit educational associations that can apply for specific grants.

Community Grants  

These grants are often offered by local nonprofit organizations that award grants to individuals and organizations for projects that are based in and primarily benefit the community.

Corporate Grants  

There are different types of corporate grants. One comes from a corporate foundation, which is the nonprofit arm of a for-profit corporation and allows the corporation to fund efforts of particular interest. For example, a tech company might offer STEM grants to high school and college students in order to spur interest in technology careers. Another type of corporate grant is more product related and offers grant funds to purchase the corporation’s products to achieve a goal. 

Many of these grants are listed by deadline in Tech & Learning’s Grant Calendar .

INFORMAL FUNDING 

If formal applications seem too complicated for your organization or if your idea doesn’t need major funding, informal sources may be just the thing for you. There are crowdfunding options, equipment giveaways, fundraising and other resources to consider. Read the disclosure information on these sites carefully; sometimes there’s a fee or percentage the site keeps. And while some of them were designed specifically for education, others are general sites where anyone can raise money.

Crowdsourcing Funds

Crowdsourcing grants that are focused on providing support for individual classrooms began to appear approximately ten years ago. These organizations accept donations from individuals to support classrooms, teachers, or schools. Examples are Donors Choose and Adopt-a-Classroom . Donors Choose allows teachers to post requests for funding and Adopt-a-Classroom donors can target a specific school or the organization will match the donor with a classroom. In both organizations, reports are sent to the donor detailing exactly what the money was used for. Others include Digital Wish , Funding Factory , and Computers for Learning . 

Tech & Learning's more complete list of fundraising and donation sites is here .

HOW TO LOOK FOR A GRANT 

Grant Search Sites

It can be confusing to search for grants and funding, but there are organizations that can help you target the specific type of program you need. Examples include: 

Grants.gov - lists federal grants by keyword or by category. 

Candid   - a merger of the Foundation Center and GuideStar, has data tools on nonprofits, foundations, and grants. 

Grant Gopher - a searchable database of funding opportunities. 

Grants Watch - posts federal, state, city, local, and foundation grants categorized by type. 

Candid and Grants Watch require subscriptions, so check if your district or a library has one.

Narrowing the Possibilities

Once you’ve found a few programs that might work for you, read the grant guidelines again very carefully. Decide if a grant program is the right one for your needs and ideas. Make sure you are not bending either your ideas or what the grant is asking for to make it fit. The better you know what you want to accomplish and how you will do it, the easier it will be to pick the right one to apply for.

Consider outlining the basics of your plan in clear, simple terms so you can judge how well each grant offering matches what you want to do and what you need to do it. It is time well spent because you will be able to get to work writing the proposal with your outline to guide you. 

Mission: State in clear, simple, and convincing terms what your goal is and what your plan will achieve. 

Needs: Know the demographics, test results, and anecdotal evidence that prove your district, school, or class needs what you are asking for. 

Goals and Objectives: Goals are general guidelines that explain what you want to achieve. Objectives are the strategies or steps you will take to reach the goals. Be sure your goals and objectives are specific and measurable. 

Timeline: Develop a tentative but logical timeline for each stage of your project. 

Assessment. You should know how you will measure success. Know how and when the assessment will be done. 

Materials: Have a summary of the supplies and staff you will need. 

Cost: Have a fairly comprehensive and complete budget. 

BEFORE YOU WRITE 

Once you’ve found the perfect grant offering to match your plan, and have the details of your idea and the information the grant requires, get ready to write. Be as organized as possible because the competition is stiff. 

We’ve stressed that you should have a solid idea and supporting details. Remember that honorable but vague intentions are not enough. Review the grant guidelines once more to be certain that this is the right fit to meet your needs; you don’t want to adjust your idea or misinterpret what the grant is asking for. 

Remember to build commitment among stakeholders along the way. Those involved should meet, discuss, plan, and agree to contribute to the grant-writing process if needed and agree to carry out the plan if successful. Enthusiasm of participants, administrators, school board members, and other community members is important as you’ll need their support. 

Create a timeline and set deadlines for your team to write their sections, and for you to complete the work, get signatures, and make the copies you need to send so you'll be ahead of schedule. Build in a buffer in case things take longer than expected.

Questions to Ask Before You Write the Proposal 

• Why do you want this grant?
• What needs will your project address?  
• What are your short- and long-term goals? 
• Do your goals address the mission of the funder? 
• What do you need to reach these goals? 
• What are you looking to accomplish? 
• Who will be involved in the project? 
• Are you and others committed to writing the proposal? 
• Are you and others committed to carrying out the program? 
• Do other key people support the project? 
• How much money will you need? 
• What resources will be required? 
• Do you fully understand the grant’s guidelines? 

Now get ready. It’s time to write. 

WRITING IT RIGHT 

The first part of writing a proposal is to make sure you assemble exactly what the grant offering requires of you – both information and explanations. Most grants require similar components and have a similar format so the technique you’ll need is similar, too. 

You’ll include a title page, table of contents, personnel and signature pages, and more, plus appendices with related information. All of it is important, but spend most of your time and focus on the pages that contain the real substance: what you want to do; why you want to do it; how you’ll get the job done; and what you need to make it happen. You will communicate that information in the Executive Summary, Needs/Goals/Objectives, Narrative, and Budget pages.

Remember that you have to state in advance how you will know that your project is a success. Will grades go up? Will students produce something? Who will judge your success?

Whether or not you actually win a grant, remember that the process itself is important. The planning, research and writing needed often solidify your vision and long-term plan – not only for technology but also for change, community building, and school improvement. So applying for a grant is a positive experience.

The parts of a grant proposal are:

You’ll need an overview statement that briefly describes your proposal. Write this page last but you’ll include it at the beginning. Use short, clear sentences and pull excerpts from every section of your proposal.

In this section, you will detail the compelling needs of your school, district, or community; tell why your organization should get funded to run this project and state the economic situation of your district and student body. Be sure to say how the idea will impact teaching and learning. This section should be so compelling that no one could resist funding the proposal. Don’t harp on the financial needs; the overarching educational idea is what will get it funded. 

Explain the important results you expect the project will accomplish. The goals show that the plan is clear, important to achieve, and will have a major impact.

Tell what specific methods you will use to reach each goal. Be sure the needs, goals, and objectives are clearly aligned.

This is the plan of action that leads to success: what you'll do; how you'll do it; where you'll do it; and who's going to do what. Be sure to include specific details and examples. Make your idea look like a sure winner. The clarity of this section and compelling detail persuades the grant reader that this is an important idea to fund. 

The narrative has four main parts. The first should describe the organization: the size and type of student body, educational philosophy, current programs and achievements. Then you’ll explain the needs, including the problem that you want to solve. What is missing and how did you discover it? Provide any data that demonstrates your point. Next, describe your program–the goals and objectives, timeline, who is involved, what will the result be, and how you will be able to sustain the program beyond the life of the grant. Last, explain how you will evaluate your success. What data will you collect and how will you analyze it? What are the criteria you will use to measure success? Where does this program lead?

Outline what funds you need for everything you want to do by completing the budget form. Use the budget narrative to explain clearly all the items listed to show that every cent is required to guarantee success. Itemize the expenses in an easy-to-read format and explain how you will track expenditures. If you expect other sources of funding, explain how they will be used together with the grant. 

Include a personnel page to show which staff members will be part of the program and what each will do. Cite each person’s qualifications to make the program a success. Make sure that these people can take on the work. If other staff has to replace their usual jobs, build in their salaries so the district can replace them.

Evaluation Plan

Tell what you will measure and how you will measure it so it is clear how the project will demonstrate that it achieved its targets. Include clear benchmarks that will be used to evaluate success. Hiring outside evaluators can show how serious you are about determining if your plan worked.

Questions to Ask as You Write the Proposal 

• Summary/Abstract: Are you including excerpts from each section? 
• Needs: Do you detail the compelling needs of your school, district, or group and why your organization should get funded to run this project? 
• Objectives: Do you explain specific objectives and the methods you will use to reach each goal? Are the needs, goals, and objectives clearly aligned? 
• Narrative: Do you describe your action plan with specifics on how it leads to success--what you'll do; how you'll do it; where you'll do it; and who's going to do what? 
• Budget: Do you itemize every budget item and explain clearly how each is required to guarantee success? 
• Personnel: Do you show which staff members will be part of the program, how each person’s qualifications contribute to make the program a success, and what each will do? 
• Evaluation: Do you explain what you will measure, how you will measure it, and the benchmarks you will use so it is clear how the project will prove that it achieved its targets?  

Writing Skills

When you get to the narrative and budget explanation portions of your proposals, you want to be convincing . How you write is as important as what you write. In a nutshell, use clear, concise language; provide relevant details and examples; and make sure your grammar is perfect. 

Write in active rather than passive voice . For example, say, “The Program Director will file a report.” Don’t say, “A report will be filed by the Program Director.” Answer the questions that journalists use: who, what, when, where, why and how. Bullets, lists, outlines, diagrams, and tables can help clarify your ideas. 

Using action verbs will stress the positive and show you have specific, measurable goals . Choose from words such as accomplish, achieve, conduct, demonstrate, expand, generate, launch, motivate, revamp, and streamline. Employ phrases such as “Students will demonstrate…”

Avoid flowery writing and pretentious words when simple ones will do . For example, don’t write “in view of” when you mean “because” or “in the event that” when you mean “if.” 

Avoid acronyms . Use an organization’s full name so there’s no question what you’re discussing. Try to minimize jargon; if a term isn’t clear to anyone who isn’t in your field, avoid it. 

Organize your writing . Decide what purpose each section will serve and stick to it. If you need to write a long or complex explanation, you can use headings that match the criteria in the RFP to clarify the issues.   

It’s not always so easy to write a compelling proposal, but if you say exactly what you mean, you’ll have a clear and convincing argument. Consider highlighting your expertise by building on a current program that is successful. 

Remember that money matters . Watch the bottom line so that every dollar will be well spent. You can also show your seriousness by leveraging other funds. For example, find a local organization that will give you additional money, time, equipment, or extra funding if you get the grant.

In your budget section, use a spreadsheet with clear, well-organized section heads that are directly tied to specific sections of your written proposal.

Double Checking your Work 

You have to submit the best proposal that you can write. Make sure that you’ve said what you mean and mean what you’ve said – and given enough evidence to prove it. Go over your proposal using the checklists below to make sure you’ve covered everything. Also review that you’ve addressed the grant’s specific guidelines and criteria. The closer your proposal aligns with the RFP’s goals, the better your chance for success.

After you’ve finished writing your proposal, mark it Draft 1 and set it aside for a day. Go back with a little perspective a day or two later to review and edit what you’ve written.

Ask someone to be a critical reader to be sure that you are clear about what the project will do, how it will do it, and why it matters. Rewrite whatever isn’t clear or that doesn’t read well.

CHECKLISTS FOR SUCCESS

General criteria checklist.

• Is your idea for the grant significant, compelling, and actionable? 
• Does your funding proposal contain a sense of urgency? 
• Do you clearly understand the mission of the funder? 
• Is this the best organizational match for your funding request? 
• Does your application include a clear summary that articulates your vision for the project and need for the money? 
• Are there specific, measurable goals and objectives? 
• Is there alignment of your needs, goals, and objectives? 
• Does the proposal tie into the school’s overall plan? 
• Does your proposal reflect best practices for instruction and learning? 
• Have you included research data or statistics to support your project? 
• Have you defined success and how you will measure the effectiveness of the project throughout the duration of the grant? 
• Have you conveyed what the impact will be on your school or district if you are successful? 
• Have you matched your answers to the grant’s selection criteria?
• Have you allocated staff time to manage the project?
• Is there a detailed budget for your proposal?
• Have you outlined the contributions of the people associated with the application and how their expertise is critical to the project’s success?   
• Has the timeline been cross checked against the budget?
• Do you have a plan in place to submit progress reports as required by the grant? 
• What about sustainability after the funds are spent?  
• How will the needs of the community be met moving forward? 

Technology-Specific Criteria 

• Have you defined the technology required for each part of the proposal? 
• How will the technology assist in implementing the grant goals? 
• Will the technology be used to develop effective strategies for authentic learning? 
• How will the technology be used to improve student achievement or staff development? 
• Have you tied the technology expenses to the proposed budget? 

Even after others have reviewed your application, ask yourself the following questions:

Final Questions to Ask Before You Submit the Application 

Does the proposal:

• Demonstrate a compelling need for the grant?
• Include specific, measurable goals and objectives? 
• Match your answers to the grant’s selection criteria? 
• Explain the expertise of the staff?  
• Describe the commitment to making it work?
• Make it clear that the grant funds are essential?  
• Show what you mean by success and how you will measure it? 
• Steer clear of jargon? 

There’s no knowing exactly what grant readers are looking for but if you’ve checked that you included everything they asked for, your proposal should be in the running. Grant readers generally use a scoring rubric to determine how well you addressed the issues. Some parts carry more weight than others. 

The one below gives you a general idea of how this works.  

Grant Review Rubric

Take a deep breath.

When you’re certain that you’ve included everything, take a deep breath, and send it. Congratulate yourself on a job well done because whatever the result, you’ve learned a lot and created a great plan. 

What Happens Next

Eventually you will hear from the grant giver. If you win, have your plans in place and be ready to hit the ground running. Make sure that everyone involved understands the project thoroughly and knows exactly what his/her role is in it. Then do what you've said you want to do. Spend on budget items exactly. Measure what you've said you'll test. Send reports on time. Maintain enthusiasm for the project throughout its life. Evaluate the outcomes, thank everyone and keep people motivated. 

If you don't get the grant, contact the funder and ask to read the reviewers' comments about your proposal so you'll know how close you were to winning and what you might want to change for next time.

Read the summaries of projects that did win and analyze why they won. If you think your plan has merit, find another grant offering and propose it again. Maybe the proposal just needs tweaking to succeed or is easily adapted to fit another grant. Don't give up!

If the idea is important and the staff is committed, begin whatever parts you can without the outside funding. Maybe the groups that said they'd contribute funds will help you anyway.

Whether you are starting a project or thinking about the next one, always remember that seeking funds is a journey. Once you embark, there’s no return. You’ll always think about great ideas of how to improve education. And you’ll also have your grant seeking hat on and want to know what is possible. 

* Please participate in this T&L grants tips and advice survey * 

Gwen Solomon was Founding Director of The School of the Future in New York City, Coordinator of Instructional Technology Planning for New York City Public Schools, and Senior Analyst in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Instructional Technology. She has written and co-authored several books and many magazine articles on educational technology.

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• Core Competencies

Grant Writing Tips

Obtaining and maintaining funding is critical in sustaining a research career. Whether your funding comes from a foundation or philanthropy, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), or another government agency, the tips within this section can support you. This resource provides strategies and tools to help you effectively navigate the process of  prewriting ,  writing , and  rewriting  your grant application to maximize your chances of success.

Set a Foundation 

Diversify your Portfolio

Choose a Topic 

Make Connections

Establish Deadlines

Create & Compile Credentials 

Understand the Grant Scoring Process

Are You Ready?

Know Your Audience

Provide a Cover Letter

Make an Impact

Write Your Specific Aims Page

Use Style Tips

Format Your Grant

Pre-Review Your Grant Application

Understand Proposal Flaws

Craft Your Response 

Respond to a Summary Statement

• Consultations

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Introduction to Grant Writing

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

This resource provides general guidelines for grant writing in general and in the scientific disciplines. While grant proposals are almost always overseen by a faculty member serving as the primary investigator (PI), this resource is intended primarily for graduate students and junior faculty seeking to learn more about grant writing in their fields. It is organized according to the following stages of the writing process: I) project planning; II) researching funding opportunities; and III) writing and submitting the grant proposal. Note that the specific requirements of funding agencies vary significantly, and should always be consulted carefully before a grant proposal is begun. It also discusses a number of language considerations regarding grant writing.

Introduction

Professional grant writers use clear, specific language to focus the reader’s attention, and to persuade the reader to fund their proposal. Learning to write successful grant proposals is no small task, but the writing process can become easier with practice and awareness of a few common missteps.

No doubt, the first step of successful grant writing is to plan the project, but the second step is following the directions of the granting organization (called, the grantmaker). In most cases, grantmakers require a(n): cover letter , executive summary , problem statements/need description , work schedule, budget, qualifications , conclusions , and appendices (or, supporting materials). Each section will have specific requirements and while keeping to a word limit is straightforward, being specific is less easy.

A Note on Following the Grantmaker’s Rules

Following directions helps the grantmaker read applications efficiently. Specificity of content will not only vary by grantmaker, but also by proposal sections. For example, a grantmaker may limit your application in general terms for background information on the contexts of your proposal:

“Please tell the grant committee in 2 to 3 pages about the support your institution or community will provide for your project if your proposal is granted the requested funds.”

Likewise, a grantmaker may explicitly limit your response to a section on the grant applicant’s qualifications by stating:

“In no more than 350 words, please summarize the grant applicant’s specific qualifications to manage the finances of the proposal. Discuss any financial experience (for example, certifications in accounting services), or other relevant office managerial duties that will help the applicant distribute funds and write regular quarterly financial reports.”

Keep in mind that many grantmakers will not read past the point of your departure from the application rules, no matter how worthy the project is or how neat and well designed the application package looks. So, while there is no guaranteed way to win a grantmaker’s funds, not following directions is a sure fire way of losing your chances at getting any funds. Ultimately, not following directions indicates carelessness—which is not a characteristic of a promising proposal.

Grants for Education Nonprofits

• January 16, 2024

Grants for education nonprofits play a crucial role in supporting organizations dedicated to advancing learning opportunities and academic success.

These grants are financial awards provided by government agencies, private foundations, corporations, or individuals to nonprofit organizations that focus on educational initiatives. The overarching goal of such grants is to contribute to the improvement of educational outcomes, promote equal access to quality education, and address various challenges within the education sector.

Government agencies, at both federal and state levels, often allocate substantial funds to support education nonprofits. These grants can cover a wide range of initiatives, including teacher professional development, curriculum enhancement, technology integration, and community outreach programs. Nonprofits can apply for these grants through a competitive process, outlining their project proposals and demonstrating how their initiatives align with the funding agency’s priorities.

Private foundations are also significant contributors to the funding landscape for education nonprofits. Entities like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Walton Family Foundation allocate substantial resources to support innovative education programs. These foundations may have specific focus areas, such as STEM education, early childhood development, or initiatives targeting underserved communities. Nonprofits seeking grants from private foundations typically undergo a thorough application process, including detailed project plans, budgetary information, and expected outcomes.

Corporations often engage in corporate social responsibility by offering grants to education nonprofits. These grants may support initiatives such as school infrastructure development, scholarship programs, or mentorship initiatives. Corporations may collaborate with nonprofit organizations to address specific educational challenges within the communities where they operate.

Individual donors, including philanthropists and passionate advocates for education, can also provide grants to nonprofits. These donors may establish their foundations or contribute to existing ones, channeling funds to support projects that align with their personal values and beliefs about the importance of education. Nonprofits can attract individual donors by effectively communicating their mission, goals, and the impact they aim to achieve.

Grants for education nonprofits can vary in size, duration, and purpose. Some grants may be one-time awards for specific projects, while others could be multi-year commitments for sustained programmatic efforts. Nonprofits often need to demonstrate the effectiveness and sustainability of their initiatives to secure ongoing funding.

Additionally, grantmakers may require regular progress reports and evaluations to ensure that the allocated funds are being used efficiently and that the desired impact is being achieved.

The application process for education grants typically involves several stages. Nonprofits must first identify relevant grant opportunities and carefully review the eligibility criteria and application guidelines. Crafting a compelling proposal that clearly articulates the organization’s mission, the specific project or program to be funded, and the expected outcomes is crucial. Additionally, nonprofits need to provide a detailed budget that justifies the requested funds and demonstrates a responsible and effective use of resources.

The importance of Grants for Education Nonprofits

Grants hold paramount importance in the realm of nonprofit organizations, particularly in the field of education, serving as catalysts for positive change and progress. The significance of grants extends far beyond the financial support they provide; they play a pivotal role in enabling organizations to initiate and sustain impactful programs, innovate in educational approaches, and address systemic challenges. Here are several key aspects highlighting the importance of grants for education nonprofits:

• Financial Support for Mission-driven Initiatives: Grants serve as a crucial source of financial support for nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing education. These funds allow organizations to implement and expand mission-driven initiatives that might otherwise be constrained by limited resources. Whether it’s enhancing teaching methodologies, promoting educational equity, or improving infrastructure, grants provide the necessary capital to turn vision into action.
• Enabling Innovation and Experimentation: Grants empower education nonprofits to innovate and experiment with new ideas, methodologies, and technologies. They offer the flexibility for organizations to explore and implement novel approaches to teaching and learning, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and adaptation to evolving educational needs.
• Expanding Access to Quality Education: In many cases, grants are directed towards initiatives that aim to improve access to quality education, especially for underserved and marginalized communities. Nonprofits can use grant funds to establish scholarship programs, develop educational resources, or create outreach initiatives to bring education to those who might otherwise face barriers to learning.
• Addressing Systemic Challenges: Education nonprofits often grapple with systemic challenges such as educational inequality, resource disparities, and outdated infrastructure. Grants provide an avenue for organizations to address these issues systematically, implementing projects and programs that have the potential to create lasting positive change on a larger scale.
• Capacity Building and Professional Development: Grants support the capacity building of education nonprofits by funding professional development opportunities for staff, educators, and administrators. This, in turn, enhances the organization’s ability to deliver high-quality educational programs and services, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Fostering Collaboration and Partnerships: Many grants encourage collaboration and partnerships among nonprofits, educational institutions, and other stakeholders. By fostering these relationships, grants amplify the impact of educational initiatives, promote knowledge sharing, and create synergies that lead to more comprehensive and sustainable solutions.
• Elevating Visibility and Credibility: Successfully securing grants not only provides financial resources but also elevates the visibility and credibility of education nonprofits. Grant awards often serve as endorsements, signaling to other potential funders, stakeholders, and the community that the organization’s work is valued and impactful.
• Long-term Sustainability: Grants contribute to the long-term sustainability of education nonprofits by providing stable funding for ongoing programs and initiatives. Multi-year grants, in particular, offer a sense of financial security, allowing organizations to plan strategically and invest in initiatives that have enduring positive effects.
• Outcome Measurement and Accountability: Grantmakers often require nonprofits to establish clear outcomes and performance metrics. This emphasis on accountability encourages nonprofits to monitor and evaluate the impact of their programs rigorously, fostering a culture of transparency and continuous improvement.

List of Organizations awarding Grants for Education Nonprofits and their Websites

• Website: Gates Foundation
• Overview: Renowned for its global philanthropic efforts, the Gates Foundation focuses on various areas, including education. They support initiatives that aim to improve student outcomes, enhance teacher effectiveness, and promote educational equity.
• Website: Ford Foundation
• Overview: The Ford Foundation is committed to addressing societal challenges, including education. Their grantmaking supports projects that advance access to quality education, particularly for marginalized and underserved communities.
• Website: Walton Family Foundation
• Overview: With a focus on improving K-12 education, the Walton Family Foundation provides grants to nonprofits working on initiatives related to school choice, teacher quality, and educational innovation.
• Website: Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
• Overview: Founded by Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, this initiative supports education initiatives that aim to personalize learning, improve student outcomes, and address systemic challenges in education.
• Website: NSF
• Overview: The NSF is a federal agency supporting research and innovation in various fields, including education. They provide grants for projects that advance STEM education and contribute to the improvement of science, technology, engineering, and math education.
• Website: U.S. Department of Education
• Overview: The federal government’s Department of Education offers various grant programs to support educational initiatives, including those focused on teacher development, school improvement, and educational technology.
• Website: W.K. Kellogg Foundation
• Overview: This foundation supports programs that promote racial equity, community engagement, and improved educational outcomes for children. Their grants often target early childhood education and community-based initiatives.
• Website: NEH
• Overview: NEH provides grants to support humanities education, including projects that enhance K-12 education, advance teacher professional development, and promote cultural understanding through education.
• Website: Google.org
• Overview: Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, supports initiatives that leverage technology for social impact, including education. Their grants often focus on innovative approaches to education and access to information.
• Website: Lumina Foundation
• Overview: Lumina Foundation is committed to increasing access to and success in education beyond high school. They provide grants to initiatives that aim to improve educational outcomes and promote equity in higher education.
• Website: Dell Foundation
• Overview: Focused on improving educational outcomes, this foundation supports initiatives that enhance teacher effectiveness, advance personalized learning, and increase college readiness.
• Website: Carnegie Corporation
• Overview: Committed to the advancement of education, Carnegie Corporation supports projects that promote teacher development, strengthen educational research, and address critical issues in K-12 and higher education.
• Website: Hewlett Foundation
• Overview: With a broad focus on education, the Hewlett Foundation supports initiatives that aim to improve student achievement, advance open educational resources, and enhance education policy.
• Website: Kellogg Foundation
• Overview: Beyond early childhood education, the Kellogg Foundation supports programs that address systemic issues affecting education, including racial and social disparities.
• Website: Scholastic Possible Fund
• Overview: This fund supports literacy initiatives, providing grants to programs that foster a love for reading and enhance educational opportunities for children.
• Website: Knight Foundation
• Overview: Focused on fostering informed and engaged communities, the Knight Foundation supports projects that leverage technology for education, enhance journalism, and promote civic engagement.
• Website: Mellon Foundation
• Overview: Emphasizing the arts and humanities, Mellon Foundation grants support projects that contribute to higher education, cultural institutions, and scholarship in the humanities.
• Website: NewSchools Venture Fund
• Overview: Dedicated to transforming K-12 education, this fund supports innovative education models, tools, and technologies that aim to improve student outcomes.
• Website: Cooke Foundation
• Overview: Focused on advancing the education of exceptionally promising students, this foundation provides scholarships and grants to support high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds.
• Website: AECF
• Overview: Committed to improving outcomes for children and families, this foundation supports initiatives that enhance educational opportunities, promote family engagement, and address systemic challenges.
• Website: Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
• Overview: Dedicated to improving teaching and learning in higher education, this foundation supports projects that advance educational research and promote effective teaching practices.
• Website: Charles Koch Foundation
• Overview: Committed to advancing social progress through research and education, this foundation supports initiatives that promote academic freedom, entrepreneurship, and innovation in education.
• Overview: Focused on increasing access to education beyond high school, Lumina Foundation supports initiatives that improve educational outcomes and promote equity in higher education.
• Website: Nellie Mae Education Foundation
• Overview: Dedicated to advancing student-centered approaches to learning, this foundation supports initiatives that promote personalized and equitable education systems.
• Website: Spencer Foundation
• Overview: Focused on improving education through research, the Spencer Foundation supports projects that contribute to the understanding and improvement of educational practice and policy.
• Website: American Honda Foundation
• Overview: Committed to advancing STEM education, this foundation supports programs that engage young people in science, technology, engineering, and math.
• Website: Open Society Foundations
• Overview: Supporting initiatives that promote justice, human rights, and inclusive societies, this foundation funds projects that address educational disparities and advocate for equitable access to education.
• Website: Bezos Family Foundation
• Overview: Committed to innovative approaches in education, this foundation supports programs that focus on early childhood development, K-12 education, and post-secondary success.
• Website: RKM Foundation
• Overview: With a commitment to regional development, this foundation supports education initiatives that contribute to the economic and cultural well-being of southwestern Pennsylvania.
• Website: Kresge Foundation
• Overview: Focused on expanding opportunities in America’s cities, the Kresge Foundation supports projects that enhance urban education, promote community engagement, and address social and economic challenges.

Exploring these organizations and their respective grant programs provides a diverse range of opportunities for education nonprofits to secure funding and advance their impactful initiatives. It’s crucial for nonprofits to carefully review each organization’s specific areas of focus and grant application guidelines to maximize their chances of success.

How to Apply for Grants for Education Nonprofits

1. research grant opportunities:.

• Start by researching potential grant opportunities that align with your organization’s mission and project needs. Explore foundations, government agencies, and corporate sponsors that support initiatives similar to yours.
• Utilize online grant databases, subscribe to newsletters, and attend webinars to stay updated on the latest grant opportunities.

2. Understand Eligibility Criteria:

• Carefully review the eligibility criteria for each grant opportunity. Ensure that your organization meets the specified requirements, including geographic focus, project scope, and budget limitations.

3. Craft a Compelling Narrative:

• Develop a clear and compelling narrative that outlines your organization’s mission, goals, and the specific project you seek funding for. Clearly articulate the problem your project addresses and the impact it aims to achieve.

4. Develop a Detailed Project Plan:

• Outline a detailed project plan that includes objectives, timelines, and expected outcomes. Clearly demonstrate how your project aligns with the grantmaker’s priorities and how it addresses a pressing need in the community.

5. Budget Development:

• Prepare a detailed budget that clearly outlines how the grant funds will be utilized. Break down expenses, including personnel costs, materials, and any other relevant expenses. Ensure that the budget aligns with the scope of the proposed project.

6. Letter of Inquiry or Pre-Proposal:

• Some grantmakers may require a letter of inquiry or a pre-proposal before accepting a full application. Craft a concise and compelling document that provides an overview of your organization and the proposed project.

7. Complete the Grant Application:

• When ready, complete the grant application following the guidelines provided by the grantmaker. Pay attention to specific formatting requirements, word limits, and any supporting documents requested.

8. Provide Supporting Documents:

• Include all necessary supporting documents such as letters of support, financial statements, and relevant certifications. Ensure that these documents strengthen your case and provide a comprehensive view of your organization’s capacity.

9. Demonstrate Impact and Sustainability:

• Clearly articulate the anticipated impact of your project and how it aligns with the grantmaker’s goals. Additionally, outline plans for the sustainability of the project beyond the grant period.

10. Engage with the Grantmaker:

• If possible, engage with the grantmaker before submitting your application. Attend information sessions or webinars, participate in Q&A sessions, and seek clarification on any aspects of the application process.

11. Review and Edit:

• Review your application thoroughly for clarity, coherence, and adherence to the grantmaker’s guidelines. Consider seeking feedback from colleagues or mentors to ensure a polished and professional submission.

12. Submit on Time:

• Be mindful of submission deadlines. Submit your application well before the deadline to avoid any technical issues and to demonstrate your organization’s commitment to punctuality and professionalism.

13. Follow-Up:

• After submission, follow up with the grantmaker if there are any updates or if additional information is required. Maintain open communication and demonstrate your organization’s eagerness to collaborate.

14. Prepare for Possible Site Visits or Interviews:

• Some grantmakers may conduct site visits or interviews as part of the evaluation process. Be prepared to showcase your organization’s operations, impact, and commitment during these interactions.

15. Celebrate Success or Seek Feedback:

• Whether your application is successful or not, take the opportunity to celebrate your organization’s efforts. If unsuccessful, seek feedback from the grantmaker to understand areas of improvement for future applications.

The Impact of the Grant

1. expanding educational access:.

• Grants provide the means to reach underserved and marginalized communities, expanding access to quality education. Whether it’s through scholarship programs, after-school initiatives, or community outreach, grants enable your organization to bridge educational gaps and empower individuals who might otherwise face barriers to learning.

2. Enhancing Learning Environments:

• Grant funds can be directed towards improving physical learning spaces, investing in modern technologies, and updating educational resources. This enhancement creates a more conducive and innovative environment for both educators and students, fostering a love for learning and supporting academic success.

3. Professional Development Opportunities:

• Grants enable education nonprofits to invest in the professional development of teachers, administrators, and staff. This not only enhances the skills and effectiveness of educators but also contributes to the overall quality of education delivered to students.

4. Innovative Teaching Methods:

• With the support of grants, education nonprofits can explore and implement innovative teaching methods and curriculum enhancements. This flexibility allows organizations to adapt to evolving educational needs, incorporating technology, project-based learning, and other cutting-edge approaches to engage students more effectively.

5. Supporting Specialized Programs:

• Grants provide the financial backing needed to establish and sustain specialized programs. This might include initiatives for STEM education, arts enrichment, language immersion, or programs tailored to address specific learning needs. These specialized programs can have a lasting impact on students’ skills and interests.

6. Community Engagement and Empowerment:

• Education nonprofits can use grant funds to engage with the community, creating partnerships and involving parents, local businesses, and other stakeholders in the educational process. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of empowerment and shared responsibility for educational success.

7. Addressing Educational Inequities:

• Grants play a vital role in addressing educational inequities by supporting initiatives that focus on reducing disparities in access to resources, opportunities, and quality education. This impact contributes to building a more equitable educational system for all.

8. Measurable Academic Improvements:

• Through well-designed projects and initiatives, grants can contribute to measurable improvements in academic outcomes. Whether it’s raising standardized test scores, improving graduation rates, or enhancing literacy levels, the impact of grants is often quantifiable and demonstrates the success of educational interventions.

9. Empowering Students for the Future:

• Grants enable education nonprofits to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for the future workforce. This might include initiatives focused on digital literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, and other 21st-century skills essential for success in the modern world.

10. Long-term Sustainability:

• The impact of grants extends beyond the immediate project period. By providing funding for sustained programs, grants contribute to the long-term sustainability of educational initiatives, ensuring that positive changes persist and continue to benefit generations of students.

11. Community Transformation:

• Beyond the classroom, grants can contribute to the overall transformation of communities. Improved educational opportunities often lead to increased community engagement, economic development, and a higher quality of life for residents.

12. Building a Culture of Lifelong Learning:

• Grants support the creation of a culture of lifelong learning, emphasizing that education is not confined to the classroom but extends throughout one’s life. This mindset shift has far-reaching implications for personal development, career advancement, and societal progress.

13. Fostering a Sense of Belonging:

• Grant-funded initiatives can contribute to creating inclusive and supportive learning environments. This fosters a sense of belonging among students, reducing dropout rates and enhancing overall well-being.

14. Showcasing Best Practices:

• Successful grant-funded projects can serve as models and showcases for best practices in education. By sharing insights and outcomes, education nonprofits can contribute to a broader conversation about effective strategies for addressing educational challenges.

15. Enhancing Educational Equity:

• One of the most significant impacts of grants is their role in promoting educational equity. By targeting resources to those who need them most, grants contribute to dismantling systemic barriers and creating a more level playing field for all students.

Tips for Writing a Successful Grant Proposal

Writing a successful grant proposal is a nuanced art that requires a strategic blend of persuasive communication, a clear articulation of your organization’s vision, and a compelling case for the impact of your project. Here are in-depth tips to guide you in crafting a persuasive and informative grant proposal:

1. Understand the Grantmaker:

• Research Thoroughly: Before putting pen to paper, conduct comprehensive research on the grantmaker. Understand their mission, priorities, and the types of projects they typically fund. Tailor your proposal to align seamlessly with their goals.

2. Craft a Captivating Introduction:

• Engage from the Start: Begin your proposal with a compelling narrative or statistic that immediately captures the reader’s attention. Create a sense of urgency and relevance to make your proposal stand out from the start.

3. Clearly Define the Problem:

• Articulate the Need: Clearly define the problem or challenge your project aims to address. Provide data, anecdotes, or real-world examples to illustrate the significance of the issue, emphasizing the urgency for intervention.

4. Present a Solution-Oriented Approach:

• Describe Your Solution: Outline your project as a viable solution to the identified problem. Clearly articulate how your approach is innovative, effective, and aligned with the grantmaker’s objectives.

5. Demonstrate Impact:

• Quantify and Qualify Impact: Use both quantitative and qualitative data to demonstrate the potential impact of your project. Showcase measurable outcomes while also emphasizing the transformative effects on individuals and the community.

6. Tailor the Budget to the Project:

• Detail Budgetary Needs: Present a detailed budget that aligns with the scope of your project. Clearly articulate how grant funds will be allocated and ensure that every item in the budget directly contributes to the project’s success.

7. Showcase Organizational Capacity:

• Highlight Expertise: Emphasize your organization’s capacity to execute the proposed project. Showcase relevant experience, successful past projects, and the qualifications of your team to instill confidence in the grantmaker.

8. Address Sustainability:

• Long-Term Viability: Discuss how your organization plans to sustain the project beyond the grant period. Address long-term viability, partnerships, and strategies for continued success to assure the grantmaker of your project’s lasting impact.

9. Provide a Comprehensive Timeline:

• Detail Project Milestones: Develop a realistic and comprehensive timeline for project implementation. Clearly outline key milestones, activities, and deliverables, demonstrating a well-thought-out plan for achieving your goals.

10. Incorporate Visuals Strategically:

• Use Infographics and Charts: Visual elements such as infographics and charts can enhance the clarity and impact of your proposal. Use visuals strategically to illustrate key points, data, and the overall flow of your proposal.

11. Address Potential Challenges:

• Show Proactive Problem-Solving: Anticipate potential challenges and address them proactively in your proposal. Demonstrate that your organization has considered various scenarios and has mitigation strategies in place.

12. Align with Grantmaker’s Language:

• Mirror Their Vocabulary: Align your language and tone with that of the grantmaker. Use terms and phrases from their mission statement or previous grant awards to create a sense of familiarity and alignment.

13. Cultivate a Personal Connection:

• Humanize Your Story: Share personal stories, testimonials, or anecdotes that humanize your proposal. Help the grantmaker connect emotionally with the individuals who will benefit from the project.

14. Emphasize Collaboration:

• Highlight Partnerships: If applicable, emphasize any collaborations or partnerships that strengthen your project. Showcase a collective effort and emphasize how working with others enhances the project’s impact.

15. Follow Grantmaker Guidelines:

• Adhere to Instructions: Strictly adhere to the grantmaker’s guidelines. Ensure that your proposal meets all formatting, length, and submission requirements. Failure to follow instructions can adversely affect your application.

16. Seek Feedback Before Submission:

• Peer Review: Before submitting your proposal, seek feedback from colleagues or mentors. A fresh set of eyes can offer valuable insights and help identify areas for improvement.

17. Emphasize Collaboration:

18. follow grantmaker guidelines:, 19. seek feedback before submission:, 20. create a persuasive executive summary:.

• Summarize Key Points: Craft a compelling executive summary that summarizes the key elements of your proposal. This section should provide a concise overview of your project, emphasizing its significance and potential impact.

Conclusion:

Crafting a successful grant proposal for your education nonprofit is an intricate yet rewarding process. By strategically aligning your proposal with the grantmaker’s mission, presenting a clear and innovative solution, and showcasing the potential impact of your project, you position your organization for consideration and support.

Remember, a persuasive grant proposal not only seeks financial assistance but also establishes a partnership based on shared values and goals. As you embark on this journey, embrace the opportunity to tell your organization’s story with passion, backed by meticulous planning, and watch as your vision for educational transformation comes to life through the power of impactful grants.

Recommended Books for Enhancing Grant Writing Skills

To further enhance your grant writing skills and stay on top of these trends, consider diving into some insightful literature.

Here are a few recommended books:

• The Ultimate Guide to Federal Grant Applications: Techniques for Success  – This book is a must-read for anyone looking to navigate the complex world of federal grant applications. It offers practical techniques, insider tips, and a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to create successful federal grant applications.
• Advanced Grant Writing for Nonprofits :   Focuses on sophisticated techniques for experienced grant writers. It delves into complex aspects of proposal development, offering strategies for dealing with competitive grant environments and large funding bodies.
• Mastering Grant Writing: A Nonprofit’s Guide to Effective Proposal Development and Submission:   This book serves as a comprehensive guide, covering the entire process of grant writing. It includes tips on understanding funders’ perspectives, crafting compelling narratives, and the nuances of proposal submission.
• Becoming the Grant Guru: Freelancer’s Guide to Success :   Tailored for freelance grant writers, this book provides insights into building a successful career in grant writing. It includes strategies for finding clients, managing projects, and maximizing the impact of grant proposals.
• The Small Business’s Guide to Winning Grants :   This resource is particularly useful for small businesses looking to secure grants. It offers practical advice on identifying suitable grant opportunities, understanding the requirements of small business grants, and crafting winning proposals.
• Grant Readiness Guide: Preparing to Triumph in Funding Opportunities :   A comprehensive resource for organizations at various stages of grant preparedness. It provides a roadmap for developing organizational capacity, aligning projects with funders’ goals, and creating compelling applications.
• Her Capital: Unlocking Women’s Small Business Grants:   Specifically designed for women entrepreneurs, this book offers guidance on navigating the landscape of small business grants for women. It includes insights into grant sources, application strategies, and tips for leveraging grants to grow a business.

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EDUCATION CAREER GUIDES

Grant Writer Career

What is a grant writer.

A grant writer identifies grant opportunities, writes and polishes complete grant proposals, and submits those proposals for review. They maintain responsibility for most stages of the grant application process, managing grant proposals from initial creation stages through submission.

Grant writers typically require an undergraduate degree to be considered for hire. An advanced degree can help set you apart from the competition even more. In addition, some employers might prefer grant writers with experience in a grant writing setting.

RESPONSIBILITIES

What Does a Grant Writer Do?

Grant writers focus most of their attention on writing, revising, and submitting grant proposals throughout the year. They will also assist in identifying new grant opportunities, and can answer follow-up questions from government agencies issuing the grants.

The exact responsibilities of a grant writer can include:

• Identifying grant opportunities  in your local community and beyond.
• Communicating with government agencies , private trusts, and other organizations issuing grants.
• Writing grant proposals  according to grant requirements.
• Revising grant proposals  to create a polished, final version.
• Submitting grant proposals  before grant deadlines.
• I nforming executives and stakeholders  about potential grant opportunities.
• Collecting and submitting supportive documents  that help strengthen an organization’s case for receiving a grant.

These and other responsibilities keep grant writers busy, even when there are no proposals to be written.

EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES

What education does a grant writer need, before you can gain employment as a grant writer, you’ll need to complete a few educational requirements. first, you’ll need to obtain an undergraduate degree in a writing field or  educational studies , programs that teaches you the basics of composition, revision, style, and tone. these skills will help you craft authoritative grant proposals in a professional setting..

A  master’s in educational leadership  can help to improve your chances of getting a good grant writer job or improve your salary if you’re already working as a grant writer. This degree can give you the understanding of modern education and curriculum standards necessary to write compelling grant proposals.

Completing your education can make you eligible to apply for  school administration jobs , where grant writers can help connect teachers, and entire departments, with valuable resources. To be fully eligible for an education-based grant writing position, you may also need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in an academic field.

Best Degrees for a Grant Writer

These online, non-licensure educational studies degrees prepare you to...

These online, non-licensure educational studies degrees prepare you to make a difference in a field that interests you.

Based on your career goals and interests, you can choose an educational studies program in one of 10 content areas that meets your needs while working toward employment in school settings, corporate training, or instructional design. These programs do not lead to a teaching license.

• Time:  Completion time varies depending on the specialty track you choose.
• Tuition:  $3,825 per 6-month term.
• This bachelor's degree allows students to learn about education but does not include student teaching and it does not lead to a teaching license.

Focus areas of this educational studies degree program include:

• Elementary Education
• Elementary and Special Education
• Mild to Moderate Special Education
• Secondary Biology Science Education
• Secondary Chemistry Science Education
• Secondary Earth Science Education
• Secondary Physics Education
• Middle Grades Science Education
• Secondary Mathematics Education
• Middle Grade Mathematics Education

An online master's degree for current teachers looking to move into a...

An online master's degree for current teachers looking to move into a school or district leadership position, like principal, vice principal, or administrator.

• Time:  60% of grads earned this degree within 23 months.
• Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
• Courses: 13 total courses in this program.

This program is for licensed teachers who are ready to take the next step in their education career.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

• School Financial Leadership
• People & Talent
• School Operations and Management
• Leadership Ethics

Put your leadership skills to good use—in the service of America's children—with this education master's degree. 

States that do not accept this program: Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota.

How Much Does a Grant Writer Make?

The exact income of a grant writer can vary based on several different factors, including your employer, employer’s location, employer’s private or public funding, education, and years of experience. On average, the  salary of a grant writer  is $49,226, with a range of roughly $37,000 to $70,000 earned each year.

What Is the Projected Job Growth?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics counts grant writers among other types of writers and authors when determining job outlook. From 2019 to 2029,  employment for authors and writers is expected to decline by 2% . Grant writers will need to actively adapt to improvements in writing technology. As a grant writer, the use of new writing tools, revisions applications, and grant submission programs will likely be an ongoing responsibility.

What Skills Does a Grant Writer Need?

Grant writers depend on well-developed skill sets to help them thrive in a variety of professional environments. These skills help them communicate effectively, both verbally and through written grant proposals.

The exact skills a grant writer needs can include:

• Grant writing.  The ability to draft grant proposals according to exact proposal requirements.
• Revision.  The ability to revise grant proposals according to style and tone best practices, suggestions from others, and proposal parameters.
• Time management.  The ability to complete tasks well before deadlines by allocating appropriate amounts of time to grant writing, revision, and submission tasks.
• Research.  The ability to identify new grant opportunities by utilizing search engines and local resources.
• Ongoing education.  The ability to continually pursue improved grant writing skills, specifically through  teaching and professional development courses .
• Interpersonal communication.  The ability to correspond effectively with other grant writers, organizational representatives, and any other individuals involved in the grant application process.
• Technological proficiency.  The ability to fully use all necessary pieces of technology, including computers, tablets, phones, online programs, and grant submission portals.
• Perseverance.  The ability to persist through grant rejections and unfulfilled applications, to eventually connect your organization with grant funding that enables specific projects.

These and other skills make grant writers crucial to the success of many nonprofit organizations and charities, which depend on grant funding for continued operations.

Our Online University Degree Programs Start on the First of Every Month, All Year Long

No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!

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Interested in Becoming a Grant Writer?

Learn more about degree programs that can prepare you for this meaningful career.

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Developing Teaching & Learning Activities for Grant Proposals, Part 2

The overall goal of a grant proposal is to explain to the grant reviewers and funders how you will use their funding to create an impact on the world. While grants can be focused on creating many types of impact, here we discuss strategies for writing about teaching and learning activities (although many of these ideas will be widely-applicable to a range of grants!)

Overall, your grant should address the motivation for why you are proposing a specific activity and your plan for successfully implementing the proposed activity. Throughout your proposal, you should emphasize how your work will help the agency further their mission and achieve their goals. 

In sharing the motivations behind your work, your goal is to show reviewers that your idea has a solid foundation in existing work, but also extends existing knowledge in new, innovative ways. To demonstrate that your current ideas are likely to be successful, you should point to things you have already done that have helped you envision and prepare for the proposed activities (even if these are lessons you learned through experiencing or observing failures, it is great to show that you are always innovating!). Additionally, it is important to connect to the literature in a way that demonstrates your familiarity with existing work, your commitment to excellence through scholarship, and your understanding of how to further the field as a whole — by citing current literature, your proposal will demonstrate to the reviewers that you have the key foundational knowledge needed to design and implement your proposed activity.

In addition to carefully laying out the rationale for why you are proposing a specific activity, your implementation plans should include enough detail that the reviewers see you have a solid roadmap forward. You should highlight specific outputs and outcomes that you expect will result from your proposed activity, and which feed into the funders’ goals. By clearly defining the expected impact, you will then be able to include an evaluation plan that outlines how you will know if you’ve achieved your goals. Collecting information about what happened in your proposed activity (e.g., student reflections, a review of student projects) will allow you to share the lessons you’ve learned with others in the field so that they can build on your work. Because things often unfold in unexpected ways, both positive and negative, you may want your assessments to inform changes or improvements to other programs in your context.

While each grant has specific needs, in general these key elements will need to be addressed in most grant proposals related to teaching and learning. Below, we show examples of how others have addressed these topics in successful grant proposals (thank you to those who gave us permission to share their work!), and we offer considerations for you to think about as you develop your grant proposal.

Prior work by you

Sharing about prior work you’ve done and how it relates to the proposed activity is beneficial for many reasons: It shows funding agencies that you are an ideal person to carry out the proposed activities; it highlights your skills and achievements; and it helps show that you are not starting from scratch in this area. Some prompts to consider:

• How does your proposed activity build off of what you’ve done so far and what new things will be created if you receive funding?
• How can you show the grant reviewers that you will be able to achieve the proposed activity? 

Connection to existing literature

By showing reviewers how your proposed activity relates to existing literature, you demonstrate that your proposed activities have a theoretical foundation and a potential to expand knowledge in a given topic or discipline. A prompt to consider:

• How does your idea draw from published theories and build off of previously-successful educational activities?

Citing published literature shows reviewers that you are knowledgeable on the subject matter and demonstrates a commitment to making sure your proposed activities have the best chance to succeed. In addition to publications focused on education research, many disciplines have teaching or education-specific journals. Diving into the literature is hard work, but resources from the Northeastern Library can help you get started by finding journals on pedagogy:

• https://subjectguides.lib.neu.edu/edresearch
• https://subjectguides.lib.neu.edu/sotl  

Expected impact and evaluation plan

Be clear about how you expect the proposed activities will benefit learners or other stakeholders, and how you will know if those outcomes were achieved. Additionally, it is helpful to include a plan for how you will identify areas for improvement and how you might modify your activities in the case where you don’t achieve the expected results the first time around. Some prompts to consider as you refine your ideas:

• Have you clearly defined specific, intended outcomes that are observable and measurable?
• What will be different if your funded activity is successful and who will benefit?
• What benefits would you expect in the short-term? Or in the longer-term?
• How will you be able to demonstrate that those benefits occurred?
• Will you measure your outcomes in a customized way, or using existing assessment tools? What modifications might be needed to adapt existing tools to your specific situation?

Connecting the key elements

Ideally your grant proposal will make it clear for your reader how your proposed activity connects to each of these key elements.  If you are addressing education activities as part of your Broader Impacts, you will also want to connect your proposed educational activities to your proposed research!

How CATLR Can Help

CATLR works with educators who are at any phase of developing new ways of educating, particularly for teaching and learning activities that are focused on higher education. Conversations with a CATLR consultant can help you refine your ideas; articulate your learning objectives; navigate the literature on education, pedagogy, and learning sciences; and construct meaningful assessments. While we encourage you to contact us at CATLR at any stage in the grant writing process, asking for assistance well in advance of your deadline (i.e., weeks or months) can allow for early and continuous feedback on your grant proposal. 

Ongoing conversations can help both the grant writer and CATLR identify opportunities for collaborations. These collaborations can take many forms, from providing iterative feedback to establishing more formal partnerships such as letters of support or involvement as co-investigators.

Tips for Writing Grants

LEGO ®  Education is committed to helping educators learn about grants to help grant writers, like you, be successful. We want to help you with identifying a grant, understanding what to include about the LEGO ®  Education solution that fits your needs, and additional support for writing your grant, as needed.

• College of Education
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• Office of Research and Innovation
• Jump Start Faculty Gtant Writing Program

Jump Start Faculty Grant Writing Program

The Office of Research in the College of Education is delighted to announce our new Jump Start Program.  The purpose of the Jump Start Program is to support faculty and research staff seeking external funding and submitting/resubmitting (where applicable) their proposal to the sponsor.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include all tenure-track or tenured, clinical, and research faculty who are employees of the College of Education at the University of South Carolina. Priority in the awards process will be given to faculty who have attempted prior external submissions but have yet to receive funding (within the past three years). Faculty who received extramural funding of $100K or more in the last three years (2021-2022, 2022-2023, or 2023-2024) are not eligible to receive a Jump Start award in 2024. Faculty serving on the Jump Start review committee are not eligible to apply for Jump Start funds during the funding cycle in which they serve.

There is no requirement for indirect costs. Foundation awards and federal submissions are supported. The award must exceed $100,000 and must be coded as “research” at the University level. Submission status must be confirmed via the funder’s system (e.g., grants.gov, research.gov, PRIMO, etc.), USCeRA, and SAM. 

Funds Available

Jump Start awardees may be funded up to $5,000. Awardees will receive $2,000 for their initial submission and $3,000 for their resubmission. Note: If the awardee receives funding on their first submission, they will be awarded the final $3,000. Awardee Support Available: The Associate Dean for Research and the Director of Research Development provide one-on-one feedback to principal investigators on their potential extramural submissions. Participants can receive assistance with any phase of extramural proposal development.

Full application procedures and Jump Start application

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.