Several Race to the Top grantees are considering the development of video libraries as one element of their larger teacher and leader effectiveness reforms. Video libraries promise to offer "real world" examples of teaching practice that can be used for a wide range of purposes: providing teachers with concrete evidence of excellent…

This handbook explains basic funding requirements for Early Childhood Services (ECS) and how to complete application forms required for the services. It also outlines the age of eligibility for funding for all types of ECS programming. The handbook explains other funding that is provided for children identified with mild to moderate…

Understanding the myths and realities of grant proposal writing should help administrators searching for ways to fund special projects. A chart of do's and don't's provides additional recommendations. (KS)

The Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI) is a bold approach to improving student learning by encouraging teachers, parents, and the community to work collaboratively to introduce innovative projects that address local needs. Initiated in 1999 by the Alberta Government and its partners, AISI provides targeted funding to school…

A review of major grantsmanship and research proposal guides identified common themes for the preparation and writing of the literature review: completeness, currentness, discussion of results and methodology, critical nature, organization, and uniqueness. It is suggested that much of the advice given is anecdotal and should be tested for…

College and university proposal-writing personnel are encouraged to develop collaborative strategies with faculty researchers. Ideas are given for offering consultation services, sharpening diplomacy skills, representing the institution to foundations, and negotiating fruitful agreements. (DB)

A strategy for seeking grants from major foundations is presented. A five-step process includes: preparation, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. A grant from one of the private foundations in the country brings not only cash but also important national visibility to a campus. (MLW)

This paper, intended for teachers and administrators of K-12 and two-year college vocational education programs, provides instructions for writing grant proposals. Taking the reader through the proposal from start to finish, it outlines the contents and requirements in a grant proposal. Topics covered include the grant project, layout, contents of…

Recently, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) revised its standards for annual gifts and campaigns. The purpose was to erase ambiguities, establish tighter definitions for certain types of gifts, and ensure greater clarity about best management practices. In addition, the effort created a reliable database of campaign…

Offers advice on the principles of successful fund raising, specifically addressing small libraries and fund raising for automation. The discussion covers the need for careful planning, identification of receptive funding sources, and clear communication of needs and objectives. A sidebar provides information on the Foundation Center, an…

The case statement ranks as the most important piece of literature in a fund-raising campaign. It describes the purpose, program, and financial needs of the institution. Ways to approach writing case statements are provided. (MLW)

A foundation official offers practical advice for making a grant application more appealing. Pointers are given for the preparatory stage (planning a precise request, setting priorities, selecting proposal writers), making the presentation (precision, punctuality, polish), and preventing awkwardness in style and tone of writing. (MSE)

Interviews with faculty on decisions to submit proposals for external funding suggest that activity at the current institution is related to previous experience, and more experience in graduate school may have a strong, positive effect on later activity. (Author/MSE)

Large collaborative grant applications, typically involving researchers from varied disciplines and proposing a lengthy work span, can be stressful for researchers and research administrators. The research office of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston helps plan and develop these complex applications. Resources and services are…

The University of Wisconsin River Falls is a small, primarily undergraduate teaching institution with a limited history of grant support. In 1990 it created an office of grants and research, whose director found writing proposals with faculty to be an effective way to increase external funding. The methods, pitfalls, and results of this approach…