Make an appointment with a librarian to review the available materials and then decide if you need to purchase additional publications to inform and assist in the grantseeking process. If you are interested in federal funding, make a habit of reviewing the Federal Register for Requests for Comments, which are required of all federal programs. The comment period not only provides an opportunity to comment on the program but also outlines the preliminary program priorities of the potential funding source. This extra time is especially valuable since the period between the announcement and the deadline is usually too brief to accommodate the typical in-district approval process, particularly if it involves the local board of education. After becoming acquainted with the different aspects of grants, attend training classes on grant writing.
Grant writing is an art that needs to be developed through continuous practice.
Volunteering to be a reader of grants can increase your writing skills. This activity will familiarize you with the terms and styles used in grant writing and with how to address federal agencies, corporations, and private foundations when you request funding. Most grants are designed for institutions rather than individuals, which means teachers face special challenges when seeking grant funds to implement innovative ideas in the classroom. In those districts with established grants departments, teachers should confer with the campus principal to determine the availability of individual grants. Depending on district procedure, either the superintendent, the principal, or the teacher would contact their school district grants department and request that all available information be forwarded to the teacher.