Community Schools Research and Practice. | Our Lives, Our World. Teaching and Learning About Human Rights Alongside Youth. | Intersections of Our Homes, Schools and Communities (Spring 2022) | Intergroup Dialogue on Race and Migration (Fall 2021) | MakerBoards: A Return to Play | Intersections of Our Homes, Schools and Communities | French Language Lessons (Spring 2021)| Legal Challenges: Local Interventions in the Criminal-Legal System | Life in a Buddhist Monastery | Writing Medicine | Fundamentals of Grant Writing (Fall 2020) | Music for Empowerment | Intergroup Dialogue on Race and Migration. (Spring 2020)| French Language Lessons (Spring 2020) | Fundamentals of Grant Writing (Spring 2020) | Class Without Walls in Nature
[CLCS/HIST] 281, Fundamentals of Grant Writing, Spring 2020
INSTRUCTOR: Professor Rebecca Edwards
THEMATIC CLUSTER: Grantsmanship, Fundraising, Non-Profits
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Writing effective grant applications is a valuable skill in many fields, including the scholarly world, the arts, the non-profit sector, community organizing, and government. In this intensive, students gained familiarity with tools for grant research. They studied model grant applications and tracked current trends in government and philanthropic funding, through readings and through discussions with local leaders. Each student partnered with a local agency to define needs, research funding sources, and draft and revise a grant proposal on the agency’s behalf.
DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE:
Instructor saw a need in the local community for support with grant writing. Instructor consulted with OCEL in the year before the intensive was offered to discuss the feasibility of their idea and to brainstorm ideas for possible community partners. OCEL and the instructor developed a list of possible community organizations and discussed possible formats for the intensive. Instructor consulted with Department chair, developed an intensive description in consultation with OCEL, and submitted it to CCP. Intensive was advertised in the Department of the instructor and students registered for it during Pre-Reg. Instructor communicated with and met with community organizations prior to the start of the semester to discuss expectations. Partners were also invited to a training session with the Foundation Center during the semester and an event with philanthropist, Peter Buffet.
OCEL’S ROLE:
Helped to identify possible partners. Learned about student interests and “matched” them with partner organizations.
PARTNERS:
East Coast Athletics, The Poughkeepsie Mother’s Project, Day One Early Learning Community, Work Works Inc., EPIC (Engaging People In Change), Poughkeepsie Youth Theatre, Exodus Transitional Community, Inc., Rebuilding Our Children and Community, Inc. (ROCC), Vassar Haiti Project
FORMAT:
Students met with their partner organization in person once for an initial introduction and then again for a tour of the non-profit facilities. (In the Covid-limited version, in fall 2020, this was virtual.) Students maintained communication with their partner throughout the intensive. The students met with the professor weekly for presentation and discussion as a class. Each student also met with the professor individually for multiple consultations.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 9
CREDIT VALUE: 0.5
FUNDS REQUESTED FOR:
- Foundation Center Workshop
- A Concert & Conversation with Peter Buffett
- Purchase of books for students and partner organizations
- Transportation for students
- Purchase of food for students
- Catering for Peter Buffett event
REFLECTIONS: