Education Law

Understanding how grant-funders think

In this age of declining resources and rising expectations, some district leaders are turning to foundations to provide seed money for their initiatives – large and small.

The Harvard Family Research Project just released a new report designed for grant-makers in the foundation community, but which can help districts think through the issues that might impact their own ability to be funded. Grantmaking to School Districts: Lessons for Foundations addresses the way grants to schools are commonly structured; the contextual variables that can impact the success or failure of reform efforts proposed by the grant; and advice and questions to consider when planning district investments. This quick read can help district leaders gain a valuable insight into the funders’ world and potentially think through areas that might raise red flags before they become an issue in their own submissions.

Grants are one way to find additional dollars, but looking internally at how technology can help you do more with less is another option. ?Going green? though new IT solutions and physical plant improvements, using online learning to deliver professional development, replacing print texts with digital content, and using more sophisticated software for tasks like bus routing are among the alternatives that will be addressed at this year?s T+L Conference in Phoenix, October 19-21. To register visit www.nsba.org/TL.

Full post as published by BoardBuzz: NSBA's Daily Weblog on September 14, 2010 (boomark / email).