Meeting the needs of...
Schools:
- implement conflict resolution training institutes
- develop model conflict resolution education options for Safe and Drug Free School grant applications.
- create linkages with initiatives for school improvement, character education, curriculum integration, classroom management/discipline
- build the capacity of states to institutionalize conflict resolution education
NCCRE develops partnerships with national education organizations to:
- include conflict resolution education sessions at conferences
- build the capacity of organizations to advocate for conflict resolution education
NCCRE facilitates on-site program development in schools and school districts
to:
- conduct strategy planning meetings for schools/school districts
- provide training for schools/school districts
- build the capacity of education trainers at local level (training of trainers)
- assist in designing program evaluation
- support collegial mentoring and school to school networking
NCCRE provides technical assistance through technology via:
- on-going telephone and e-mail consultation
- interactive conflict resolution education CD-ROM for youth
Funding School
Based
Conflict Resolution Education
When seeking funds to implement a school based conflict resolution education program, the best place to begin is within your own school district. Most school districts throughout the US receive formula grant funds from state departments of education to support local Safe and Drug Free School programs. In addition, school districts also receive entitlement funds with provisions for professional development. Talk with school district grant program coordinators, professional development coordinators and assistant superintendents for curriculum and instruction about your ideas.
Strategic to securing funding within your school district for a conflict resolution education program is connecting conflict resolution education with the following:
- school mission and beliefs,
- school improvement plan and initiatives,
- current needs identified by school community.
For example, conflict resolution programs can help schools promote both the long-term individual behavioral change necessary for responsible citizenship and the systemic change necessary for a safe learning environment. When implemented not only as a curriculum to be taught but also as a lifestyle to be lived by both adults and youth in the school, conflict resolution education fosters continuous academic and social growth.
Sometimes, the school district funds are allocated for other programs and you confront the cold hard fact that there are limited local financial resources to fund the implementation of a conflict resolution education program in your school. If you have exhausted the possibilities of allocating funds for conflict resolution education within your own school district, there are other funding sources available.
Types of Funds
The two most common types of funds awarded to schools are grants and donations.
Donations of monies or materials are made for which there is no expectation of outcome by the giver. For example, fast-food restaurants donate lunch for peer mediator training. Local philanthropists donate money because they personally view conflict resolution education as a worthy cause. Donations can also be a result of school fundraising activities. For efforts such as funding peer mediation training, donations are often more expeditious and easier to obtain than a grant.
Grants are usually awarded to schools based on the perceived merits of a proposed project and its outcomes. For larger projects such as finding monies to support the professional development training required to implement a comprehensive conflict resolution education program, a grant is usually more appropriate. Governments and foundations offer grants.
Grants
Grantmakers typically identify certain social problems, injustices, or inequities and are willing to invest money to address these problems. In essence, they see a gap between what is and what ought to be. Gap in grant terms is the identified need. Grantmakers exist because gaps exist; their goal is to close these gaps with programs that address the identified need.
Successful grant writers understand the priorities of the grantmaker and are able to reflect those priorities in the grant proposal. You should select grantmakers that share your interests and tailor your proposals to them. Grantmakers view awards as investments in an improved future. Proposals are funded when they express the priorities the grantmaker. Projects are rejected when they do not clearly reflect the priorities of the grantmaker.
State and Federal Grants
The federal government remains a major provider of grant dollars. Most federal agencies have some type of grantmaking program. For example, the US Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the US Department of Education provides funding to states, territories, localities, and private organizations through block grants and discretionary funding. Block grant funding, through regular formula grants and prevention money, goes to states and territories. The federal government administers funding through subgrants to states and localities. Discretionary funding is awarded through competitive proposal submissions.
Foundation Grants
Foundations have specific priorities and interests, which determine the types of programs they support. Foundations award grants to those presenting a convincing case that they will help the foundation reach its goals. Some foundations make their money available for specific purposes, e.g., operating support, books, or seed capital. Some foundations make their money available to serve specific populations, e.g., at-risk youth, minorities, homeless. Some foundations make their money available to specific types of organizations, e.g., schools, universities, boys' clubs. Some foundations make their money available to specific geographic areas, e.g., a city, a county, a state, a region. With these considerations in mind, frame your project in concert with goals of the foundation.
Identifying Government & Foundation Programs
There are various ways to identify government and foundation programs that may fund conflict resolution education programs and various ways to apply for funding.
1. Identify Your Project Goals
Before looking for monetary support, it is important that the school planning team identify what it wants to do or accomplish. The group should determine what it wants to do in the terms of goals and outcomes. In addition, the school planning team needs to establish a realistic timeline for completing the project.
2. Identify Funding Sources
There are many reference tools to help a school team get started in identifying possible grant sources. Foundation Directories and the Federal Register detail this type of information and are available in most public libraries. The grantmaker information sources listed in the next section provide additional places to begin your search.
3. Select Grantmaker
Just because a foundation or federal agency awards money for school projects does not mean that your project will fit within the guidelines for funding established by the grantmaker. Foundations and federal agencies have annual reports and program plans that describe what projects were funded each year and funding initiatives and request for proposal for current year. These documents describe their goals and also provide important information such as:
- timeline for submitting grant applications or proposals.
- current or emerging interests of the foundation or agency.
- geographic limitations (if any) for funding projects.
- types of projects and descriptions of past projects funded.
Using this information and the information in the foundation directories and federal registers, you can identify the funder(s) most likely to fund your group's projects. Contact the grantmaker and request application materials. Most application materials are now available via the Internet.
4. Prepare Proposal
Writing a proposal requires careful attention to details. It is important to thoroughly read the materials from the grantmaker. These materials usually come in the form of an Application Kit or Request for Proposal (RFP). The language used, the style of writing, the urgency of the issues are all contained within the writing of the materials provided by the grantmaker. Follow application instructions and complete the application or proposal using the guidelines provided by the grantmaker. Be careful not to omit any required information.
Be explicit about the outcomes of the project. Most federal agencies and foundations are interested in results. It is important to focus on what will happen as a result of this funding that will benefit your school, community, society, and the funder. These outcomes are sometimes called "deliverables," meaning that upon completion of the project, there will be certain tangible items that the funder can see. It is often the unique quality of a particular proposal or application that determines what projects secure funding. Describe the uniqueness of your project.
Grantmaker Resources
National Youth Development Center
1319 F Street NW, Suite 601
Washington, DC 20004
(877) NYDIC4U
http://www.nydic.org/funding.htmlYouth Today
1200 17th St., NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 785-0764
http://www.youthtoday.org/youthtoday/grants.htmlPromising Initiatives to Improve Education in Your Community
Guide to selected funding opportunities, exemplary grantees and publications.
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-0498
(800) USA-LEARN
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/promisinginitiativesU.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-0498
(800) USA-LEARN
http://www.ed.govOffice of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
800 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20531
(202) 307-5911
http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/grants/grants.htmlPartnerships Against Violence Network (PAVNET) http://www.reeusda.gov/pavnet/fund.html
Donations
Soliciting donations from corporations in your community or conducting a fund-raising project can also help you accomplish your goals.
Most corporations provide donations for projects that bring them happier-healthier employees, or an improved public image. Your challenge is to describe your project in terms that will benefit the corporation. If your school does not have a history of receiving corporate donations, start small and request larger donations as you establish credibility. You may wish to request nonmonetary support as a first donation. Use any business contacts that your school board, parents, or staff members have to help advocate for your project. Most corporations have a very unstructured application process. Personal contact is crucial to success.
Before conducting fundraising activities, be clear about what you hope to accomplish with the fundraising project, who your prospective donators are, and the resources your school has available to conduct fundraising activities.
There are ways to raise funds using the Internet. W. K. Kellogg Foundation has a report available, "ePhilanthropy, Volunteerism, and Social Change-making" that provides helpful information for entering into any online partnerships. To get a free copy of report go to: http://www.wkkf.org/
Internet Fundraising Programs
General Mills: Boxtops 4 Education
Schools are eligible to participate in the General Mills Boxtops 4 Education program. Each boxtop from eligible General Mills products is worth 10 cents. General Mills issues a check to schools when they submit collected boxtops. The maximum amount each school can earn is $10,000.
(888) 799-2444
http://www.boxtops4education.comSchoolCash.com
School receives rebates when supporters shop at SchoolCash.com. There is also a "no purchase" department where schools receive money as their supporters surf the net. To assist schools in promoting their participation in the program, flyers for supporters (parents and community) are provided.
(800) 688-6252
http://www.schoolcash.comSchoolpop.com
Schoolpop.com is an online shopping portal that allows shoppers to access a large number of popular retailers via their Web site. Shoppers may designate a school to receive a percentage of the amount they spend .
(650) 323-5670
http://www.schoolpop.comTarget: Take Charge of Education/School Fundraising Made Simple
Target credit card users may designate registered schools to receive 1 percent of the value of all purchases made with their card. Target issues checks to schools twice a year.
(800) 316-6142
http://www.target.com
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