Tips and Tools        blue streak rev

Here are a few tips that may make your grant/award search and application experience go a bit smoother. For additional advice or guidance Sparta teachers, staff members, students or parents may contact the Grants Office to set up an appointment to speak with the Grants Coordinator.

1.

 It is very important to check eligibility in the beginning of your search. This is a very specific requirement. If in doubt, call the organization.

2.

 Once you have determined that you are eligible READ ALL of the information to determine if you are really interested in taking the time to apply. Applications are very time consuming but worth the effort.

3.

 Follow the guidelines EXACTLY! It is easy for a funder to disregard your application if you have not followed the directions. If they ask for 12 pt. font - use a 12 pt. font. If they do not ask for support material (press clippings, photos, etc.) - do not include them in the application. If in doubt, call the organization.

4.

 Check the application deadline. It always takes more time than you expect to prepare an application. Even though a deadline has passed or is approaching too quickly it may be beneficial to review the opportunity because it may be offered on an annual basis. It is never too early to start preparing for the next round!
5. It would be helpful to review the Glossary of Terms page to become familiar with the vocabulary.
6. If you have questions that the Grants Office can not answer it is completely acceptable to contact the organization directly. Organizations usually have paid staff whose job it is to answer your questions. HINT - Prepare your questions before you call to make the most of that contact time. Give your name so that you may begin to develop a report with the person and get the name of the person you spoke to.

7.

 A good way to organize your thoughts and test the viability of your idea is to compile a Concept Paper. Writing this up forces you to clean up your foggy ideas and streamline your approach to writing a more extensive proposal. In the meantime, you can use the Concept Paper for "does this make sense to you" reality checks. Have someone else read it and if "outsiders" don't understand what you're saying or want to do, then no grant agency will, either.
8. Take a run through this Grant Basics presentation for an overview of the application/proposal process.