A Step By Step Guide on How to Write a Donorschoose.org Grant!
Teachers are always spending their own money for
classroom supplies. Now there is a way
to get the supplies you need without breaking the bank. Donorschoose.org is an online grant program
where you apply for individual projects you want to do in class. It can connect to your Facebook page, but
most of the time investors (from New York to Alaska) fund my projects from the
DonorsChoose website.
classroom supplies. Now there is a way
to get the supplies you need without breaking the bank. Donorschoose.org is an online grant program
where you apply for individual projects you want to do in class. It can connect to your Facebook page, but
most of the time investors (from New York to Alaska) fund my projects from the
DonorsChoose website.
Grant writing seems so scary! Some grant applications take way too much
time and the likelihood of receiving one is slight to none. Donorschoose is different! Trust me, if I can
do it so can you!! In the last four years, I have had 47 grants funded. (About
$25,000 in materials for my classroom and school!) Books, field trips, science materials, paper,
ink, cameras, iPads, Chromebooks, and much much more!!!
time and the likelihood of receiving one is slight to none. Donorschoose is different! Trust me, if I can
do it so can you!! In the last four years, I have had 47 grants funded. (About
$25,000 in materials for my classroom and school!) Books, field trips, science materials, paper,
ink, cameras, iPads, Chromebooks, and much much more!!!
How to get started?
· Set up an account. You will need a digital
picture of your class. This will
become your profile picture. Once you
set up an account it will take a day or two to get accepted. Upon acceptance, you are READY to write your
first project.
picture of your class. This will
become your profile picture. Once you
set up an account it will take a day or two to get accepted. Upon acceptance, you are READY to write your
first project.
New Project
- Before you “Click on
Create a project” click on “PARTNER FUNDING Opportunities”. (Find your state and see what you can get
matched) - I have been the most
successful whenever I find a partner that is
matching what I’m wanting or needing my classroom.
· If you find a partner
that fits, make sure you read the stipulations.
that fits, make sure you read the stipulations.
 |
| The Almost Home Grant is a great partner for teachers in Arkansas who are needing materials that focus on Economics! |
Click on: Create a New
Project
Project
· Then click Get Started!
· You will start with
about 2 to 3 points. As you can see, I have 52 points.
about 2 to 3 points. As you can see, I have 52 points.
The
more points you have the more projects you can post and the more money you can
spend. Everyone can only post eight
projects at a time, no matter how many points you have.
more points you have the more projects you can post and the more money you can
spend. Everyone can only post eight
projects at a time, no matter how many points you have.
*Also, asking for smaller amounts
of funding at a time, makes your projects more likely to get funded!
of funding at a time, makes your projects more likely to get funded!
Over
time you gain more points. Each time you
get a project funded you get more points. After you write your thank you letters
you get more points. It is extremely important that you follow through with the
thank you letters and the photos of the products in your class. I have helped several teachers who didn’t
stay up on the follow up part and then they were no longer able to log on to
this site. (They also didn’t have any points)
time you gain more points. Each time you
get a project funded you get more points. After you write your thank you letters
you get more points. It is extremely important that you follow through with the
thank you letters and the photos of the products in your class. I have helped several teachers who didn’t
stay up on the follow up part and then they were no longer able to log on to
this site. (They also didn’t have any points)
- This is where you add your title: It should include
something to do with whatever your partner funding is going to be looking for.
Examples:
Extra, Extra, Teaching Economics using current Events
Extra, Extra, Teaching Economics using current Events
Integrating
Art into Literature
Art into Literature
*Don’t
worry if you can’t think of anything now, you can edit it later.
worry if you can’t think of anything now, you can edit it later.
Click on Materials from Vendor (You can shop now)
- These
are the vendors you can shop from. Note:
Do Not spend hours shopping now! It will time out. For your first grant find something you need
and go on. I have had several teachers
get discouraged because they spent so much time trying to decide what to get
that they lost everything in their cart, and then they wanted to stop. Keep going! You are going to get this and you
will be writing many!!
- Make
your choices then save to your cart.
- As
you can see DonorsChoose adds optional donations to your cart and other
fees. It is important to know this,
because if you are trying to meet a partners guidelines and it says not to go
over $500 then you need to stop at about $350 for the fees. Your partner will not pick up your grant if
you go over their guidelines.
· Now you are going to
summarize and tell your story.
summarize and tell your story.
· My students need… (This
is short and simple)
is short and simple)
Examples: My students need microscopes for our
classroom.
classroom.
My
students need Scholastic News magazines to connect economics and current
events.
students need Scholastic News magazines to connect economics and current
events.
- · Always click SAVE!!! If
you have to stop it will save as a draft in your project file. - Give them something catchy.
- Example: LEGOs! Students
love building structures and learning about important science concepts as they
collaborate with their peers.
This is where you talk
about your students.
about your students.
- Is your school rural,
urban, or suburban?
- What grade do you
teach? How many kids are in your class? - Example: I teach fifth
grade with a total of 28 students. I
have ___ boys and ____ girls. My
students have a range of abilities and interests. Most of my students come from
a farming community. - Once you write this, you can save it for your
next grant.
- Describe
how your students will use the materials: - If I ever get questions
about a grant that has been submitted, it’s because of this part.
· You must write the name
of the materials requested. If it is a
book say the title. If it is some
science kit write the name out!
of the materials requested. If it is a
book say the title. If it is some
science kit write the name out!
· If you get questioned
about a description, don’t give up. It
happens to all of us. They will set it back to draft status, then you can go
back and edit it. You don’t have to
start all over. So don’t worry!
about a description, don’t give up. It
happens to all of us. They will set it back to draft status, then you can go
back and edit it. You don’t have to
start all over. So don’t worry!
- This
is the last writing part! Yay! You’re almost done. Hit save just in case. - In this last part Write
the name of the products also. - This is your ending~ How will this project change your
students lives? My students will benefit
from the _____ by becoming life long learners. (etc.) Students will enjoy…
- This
is the Easy part: But make sure you check the topic you are trying to get a
partner for. Example: Economics Check Economics
Now you are ready to edit!
· Good luck and don’t
forget to write your thank you letters and upload your photos!!!
forget to write your thank you letters and upload your photos!!!
