Dear Friends,
I know everyone at our school has heard about Donors Choose
and a number of our teacher have received grants from DC. There are
several others who have expressed interest but may be somewhat intimidated or
worried about failure.
Let me encourage you to GIVE IT A TRY now!!! This is the
best time of year because numerous companies are now gearing up to
fund a large portion of your projects. Right now I have 3
projects on the website. Two have less than $100 to complete them
and another is halfway funded. They have been on the site LESS THAN A
WEEK. If all three are funded I will have two laptops, an Interactive
whiteboard and other games and resources to use with my
students totaling over $2000.
I have had several grants funded on this site giving
me various technology items such as: a projector, document camera, 2 flip
camcorders, a laptop and whiteboard games.
There is a trick however to
writing a successful grant on this site:
#1 You need to Check out what donors are available to
fund a large portion of your grant alone. This listing can be
found here:
It is updated monthly and many of these donors will
match or fulfill all but a minimal amount of the grant
automatically IF your grant is geared around a specific subject.
For example:
Townsend Press: Funds projects from high poverty
schools that request $400 or less in materials to combat bullying,
including the book "Bullying in Schools," available through AKJ
Books. Projects will be added to the campaign weekly at the discretion of the
grantor. Be sure to explain how each item you request will contribute to an
anti-bullying curriculum.
When you
write your grant, your simply gear it around bullying, but
include the items you would like to have (ex: projector). As long as you
justify how it is related, you'll nearly always be funded.
Here is an
excerpt from a grant I currently have posted which has been
nearly fulfilled by this company:
My
Project: In my room I hope to build a community of friends who can
solve problems in a peaceable fashion. The resources requested will help in a
variety of ways. The floor cushions will create a group area
for discussing problems or situations that might arise. The stress
balls will be a tool students may be introduced to using if they
become frustrated instead of lashing out at others. The various books
on bullying will educate and set a clear definition for students
of what activities encompass bullying. The games and discussion cards
will also be helpful in teaching skills and facilitating friendships.
Finally students will use the laptop to create a
multimedia/ppt presentation on ways to combat bullying and promote peace.
This will help to build confidence, teams and friendships because they
will all be working toward a common goal.
It may take a little "creative
thinking" but this is one way many of us
could receive equiptment and materials we desire. The site has a
variety of dealers to choose from so technology isn't the only thing
that gets funded. Art materials, PE equipment, musical instruments and
more can be found here. Let's not let such a precious resource go
to waste!
If you are concerned your writing
skills, or that your not computer savvy enough, don't distress!
When you go to begin the grant this site guides you very
explicitly through each step of the process.
You will have it done before you know it!!!!
If any of you have
felt encouraged or inspired by this email but still are a bit apprehensive, send
me an email. Tell me the type of materials you are interested in
getting or questions you have I would be happy to help you generate ideas for
getting them funded.
Hope this has been
helpful!
To the digital
Nation of NEE - both immigrants and natives alike :)
Have a wonderful
Friday!!!!
