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a ready-to-run workshopGrant Writing & Funding
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Grant Writing & Securing Funding (Workshop)

Good ideas often stall for lack of funding, and grants can close that gap, if you know how to find and win them. Learning to identify opportunities, write compelling proposals, and manage funding opens doors that the regular budget cannot.

Key takeaway

Good ideas often stall for lack of funding; grants can close the gap when you can find opportunities, write compelling proposals, and manage funding, opening doors the regular budget cannot.

Format
Leadership session
Length
45 minutes
Group size
Any (works 4-40)
Who can run it
A school leader
You will need
Slides (5)Printed handoutA need to fund in mindA timer
Aligned to
Learning Forward: Conditions for SuccessInTASC 10: Leadership & CollaborationGrant writing practice
Share / assign

Why it works

Many valuable school initiatives are limited by funding, and grants (from foundations, government, corporate, and community sources) can provide resources the regular budget cannot, but securing them requires skills many leaders never learned: identifying opportunities that fit genuine needs and goals, writing clear, compelling proposals (a well-defined need, a sound plan, measurable outcomes, a realistic budget, alignment with the funder's priorities), and managing awarded funds responsibly (reporting, compliance). Learning to find and win grants, and partnering with those who can help, expands what a school can do, as long as grants serve real priorities rather than chasing money.

The research: Grant writing and school funding practice.

The run-of-show

Choose your slot. The agenda, timings, and length update to match.

    The core activity: find and win a grant that fits

    Leaders leave with a fitting opportunity and the elements of a strong proposal.

    Fund real priorities, write compelling proposalsGrants can fund what the budget cannot. Start from genuine needs, find opportunities that fit, and write clear proposals with a sound plan, outcomes, and funder alignment.

    Facilitator notes

    Chasing money that does not fit your priorities wastes effortPursuing grants that do not serve real needs, or writing weak proposals, wastes time. Start from priorities, target fitting and winnable grants, and write compellingly.

    Adapt it

    Participant handout

    One page for every teacher. Print it, or save it as a PDF.

    K12 Academics · Professional Learning

    Grant Writing: fund real priorities

    <b>Open doors the budget cannot:</b> start from needs, find fitting opportunities, write compelling proposals, manage funds.

    1. The genuine need or goal to fund:
    2. The funding opportunities that fit:
    3. The elements of a compelling proposal (need, plan, outcomes, budget, alignment):
    4. How I manage awarded funds:
    5. A grant to pursue:

    Make it stick

    Fund real priorities:

    Common questions

    Where do I even start with grants?
    Start from genuine needs and goals, then find opportunities that fit (foundations, government, corporate, community). Chase grants that serve real priorities, not just available money.
    What makes a winning proposal?
    A clearly defined need, a sound and feasible plan, measurable outcomes, a realistic budget, and strong alignment with the funder's priorities, written clearly and compellingly.
    Is it worth the effort?
    Grants can fund what the regular budget cannot, but target ones that fit your priorities and are winnable, and partner with those skilled in grant writing. Pursue it strategically.

    Go deeper

    Build it into a bigger day

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