Tips and Suggestions

1. The Fund’s first impression of you is the summary on the Proposal Cover Page. Make sure your summary is descriptive and interesting to the readers. It needs to be comprehensive and easy to read. Highlight the creative and innovative approaches. Is it unique? Interesting?
2. Have evidence of strong administrative support. The letter of endorsement by the school district should indicate active support for the success of your project.
3. Prove that your project will work. In your proposal, demonstrate that your project will be successful and impact students’ lives.
4. Include the number of students and how the project will promote life-long learning in these students. **Remember the mission of the Ujeni Fund is to create life-long learners and prepare students for today’s workforce.
5. Have a set timeline. The Fund allows a project to go for up to one year. It must have an appropriate conclusion and goals must be met by the date of the conclusion.
6. Include details on evaluation tools and outcome measurements. Make sure both are feasable and doable in the appropriate amount of time. Have a solid plan in place that will show evidence of your project’s success.
7. Make sure the budget is realistic and related to the items mentioned in the methods/strategies section of your proposal. Be specific about the costs of each item. Clearly state the reason for each item in your budget. Include what you will be using the equipment for.
8. Make sure when asking for equipment you have creative and innovative activities/lessons to go with it. Asking for equipment without explanations will lead to an unsuccessful proposal.
9. It is important to distinguish items as something above and beyond normal school budgets and not an item that could be supported by normal funds. The Ujeni Fund is not a replacement for normal school funds.
Grantwriting Tips

a. Follow directions and use grant makers terminology
b. Complete all sections of the application and have signatures/letters of support before submitting
c. Have a clear goal and purpose
d. Clearly state goals and objectives and tie them to the New York State Standards
e. Identify a need or problem that should be addressed.
f. Cite evidence of this need or problem.
g. State procedures for addressing the problem.
h. Describe the individuals involved in the project (participates and facilitators).
i. Have someone read over your completed proposal before submitting.
j. Limit your scope and make sure you can complete the project by its one year deadline.
k. Submit by the grant deadline.
*** If in doubt, contact the Ujeni Fund.