Want to enhance your school through a funded environmental project? Here are six tips to get you started on your grant writing ventures!
School Grants Save Money - Source: Future Business
1. Know Your Audience
Understanding the mission of your chosen grant organization is essential when writing a proposal.
Spend time researching the goals of the organization and don’t be afraid to inquire further; setting up a phone call or face-to-face meeting can help answer your questions as well as further demonstrate your interest and commitment to the grant.
Delve into past grant recipient projects to gauge what the organization looks for and if your proposal is a strong match.
Respond to every aspect of the prompt
Ensure that your application aligns with their mission and furthers their goals by highlighting your motives and past achievements.
2. Organization
A poorly structured application can reduce its impact and distract from the essential points. Before beginning your application, break down your writing into subcategories. For example:
A summary of the problem
Your mission
An introduction to your solution
A coherent plan of action
The benefits that will arise from your project
Feasibility
This will ensure that your application flows and that the most important aspects of the proposal are included. As you progress in your application, elaborate on each category but ensure to do so in a concise manner. Being direct and straight to the point provides the grant reviewer with a clear understanding of your proposal and goals. When possible, use bullets, charts, and lists. In addition, include images as needed; pictures can be worth a thousand words!
3. Can the Project Be Sustained?
A grant is a financial investment. Organizations hope to fund projects that will promote their goals long after the grant has been used. Therefore, it is essential to highlight the longevity of your project.
Demonstrate that you are proactive in securing other funds and resources. List all other grants you have applied for, even if you were not selected. If possible, try to match the monetary value of the grant through another grant, fundraising, or donations.
Garnering community support will help your project withstand difficulties and thrive. This includes, but is not limited to, partner organizations and volunteers.
Tower Garden Purchased with Grant Money - Source: Atlanta Public Schools
4. Details, Details, Details
Being thorough yet concise in your explanation enhances your project’s validity and comprehensibility. Be as specific as you can about:
How you are going to spend the grant money
Who is involved
The time frame of the project
Poor example: “The funds will be used to purchase materials we need for composting leftover food from the dining hall.”
Better: “The funds will be used to purchase a composter and to print and laminate signage about composting designed by students.”
Even Better: An easy to read, itemized chart. Bulleted description and photo of each item may be helpful as well.
5. Authenticity
Your mission, history, and the specific needs of your community set your application apart from others. Being transparent in your application allows the grant reviewer to understand your motives as well as better support your project. It is also an opportunity to prove your integrity as a grant recipient. Genuine passion translates through and makes for a compelling application!
6. Be Enthusiastic!
Applying for grants is a unique and exciting opportunity! Ensure that your enthusiasm to pursue your project gets translated in your application.
It is reassuring to those funding the grant to know that their award will be appreciated and spent responsibly. No grant is too small to help your idea grow into a successful project. For grant opportunities, take a look at the 2024 Environmental School Grants.
Written by Sustainability Intern, Sophia Sahni and Grace Yi, former intern at Boyer Sudduth Environmental Consultants.
Article printed in PAISBOA’s Friday Flyer - December 8, 2023.
