Big-Time Fundraising for Today's Schools

Foreword by Wendy D. Puriefoy Preface Acknowledgments About the Author 1. From Needs to Opportunities There's Good News on the Horizon Corporations, Foundations, and Individual Donors Are Interested The Federal Government Is Involved Contributions to Worthy Causes Across America Have Increased The Transfer of Wealth in America Will Help 2. What Is Big-Time Fundraising? Establishing a Development Office Hiring Fulltime Staff and Consultants Specifications for Hiring Fulltime Staff and Consultants Be Wary of Consultants Who Propose to Work for No Upfront Fees A Dozen Big-Time Fundraising Strategies That Win Every Time Roles and Responsibilities in a Big-Time Fundraising Effort Some School Districts Are Starting to Gear Up Some Important Issues to Be Aware Of Issues Are Legitimate 3. Public School Foundations Public School Foundations How Are School Foundations Organized? How to Start Local Education Foundation How to Start a Local Education Fund What's Happening Around the Country? Twelve School Foundations Making a Difference 4. How to Get Big Gifts From Individual Donors Why Haven't We Gone After Big Gifts? Defining Big Gifts How to Snare Big Gifts From Individual Prospects A 21 Step Approach to Securing a Major Gift Sample Pledge Card 5. Annual Campaigns, Capital Campaigns, and Planned Giving Annual Campaigns Capital Campaigns Planned Giving Possible Non-Cash Gift Ideas for the Public Schools Outright Gift of Cash 6. Applying for Corporate and Foundation Grants Corporate Giving Foundation Giving Independent Foundations Community Foundations Obtaining Corporate and Foundation Funding is Easier Than You Think Request for Proposals (RFP) Direct Contact Corporate-School Partnerships The Foundation Center Reasons for Applying for Corporate and Foundation Funding 7. Strategies, Requests for Proposals (RFP's), and Resources for Winning Corporate and Foundation Funding Eleven Step Strategy Responding to Requests for Proposals (RFP) 101 Foundations and Corporations Interested in Giving to K-12 Schools 8. Writing Winning Minigrants Needs Assessment, Goals and Objectives Activities, Evaluation Specifications, Budget Preparing a Winning Mini-Grant Application Blank Mini-Grant Program Application 9. Writing Major Grant Proposals That Get Funded Government Grants Needs Assessment Goals and Objectives Activities Example of a Timeline Using a Triple "T" Chart 10. Preparing the Evaluation Plan for Your Application Internal (Formative) Evaluation External (Third-Party) Summative Evaluation Using a Third-Party Evaluation Design Seven Tips to Remember When Designing Your Evaluation Plan 11. Preparing the Application Budget The Application Budget Presenting a Budget Format Providing the Necessary Resources to Adequately Carry Out the Project Providing the Necessary Detail Calculating the Direct Costs Calculating the Indirect Costs Writing the Budget Narrative Writing the Dissemination Plan Writing the Program Summary and Abstract Fourteen Helpful Hints 12. After You Receive the Grant, Then What? Announcing Your Grant to the World Being Good Stewards of All Grants and Gifts What Happens When Grant Monies Run Out? 13. Some Examples of Winning Grant Proposals Examples of Winning Mini-Grants (South Washington County Schools, Cottage Gove, MN) Example of Winning Major Government Grant Proposal (Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District, Lubbock, TX) 14. Conclusions Resource A: Some Examples of Grant Opportunities for K-12 Schools Resource B: Sample Ads for Key Positions Resource C: Sample Cover Letter to Accompany a Grant Application Resource D: The Foundation Center's Glossary of Funding Terms Bibliography Index

"In my pioneer work in the public education foundation movement, and as a former superintendent of schools, I endorse Stan Levenson's suggestions for the role of board members in starting alumni fundraising, the need to listen and establish rapport with prospective givers in a community, and his initiatives for tapping the sources of senior citizens and former teachers. Levenson's acknowledgement that more than 80% of all contributions come from donors fuels the idea that public school education foundations should exist in every community to enhance programs in our K-12 schools." -- Judith R. Rovins, President "This book helps communities leave no stone unturned in the search for funds that will help improve student learning. In shifting our sights to the new world of big-time fundraising, Stan has made a groundbreaking, noteworthy, and lasting contribution to the field of public school improvement and reform." -- From the Foreword by Wendy D. Puriefoy, President "The author has effectively and painstakingly provided a blueprint that will help individuals and schools achieve success in fundraising. This is a must-read book that could change how public education works, thrives, and ultimately succeeds." -- Gerard A. Dery, Director, Zone 1, National Association of Elementary School Principals "Having applied for and been awarded five mini-grants this year, I feel that Dr. Levenson's book will help me take my grantsmanship to the next level. He provides a blueprint for creating successful school grant writing teams and for obtaining major grants to meet larger needs." -- Andrew Goldstein, Technology Education Teacher "A recommended pick for school leaders who wish to move away from small-scale bake sales into big-time fundraising." -- California Bookwatch, April 2007 "Whether you are a funding novice or a veteran grant writer, Levenson provides information that should be at the fingertips of every educator looking for financial support in today's tight budget era." -- Edu-Funds, May 2007