Calendar
A note about course calendars
Writing course calendars is an imperfect science under the best of circumstances. Because Grant Writing relies so heavily on working with individual non-profit organizations, trying to predict how quickly we will be able to move through the material is mostly guesswork. So, while I certainly hope that we can stick as closely as possible to this schedule, please be prepared to make adjustments as necessary to ensure that you all have the best possible chance to do your best work.
You will notice that there are days and entire weeks with no specified activities, assignments, or homework. I have intentionally left these calendar slots blank to leave us room to respond to specific learning needs near the end of the semester as you are working on your final projects. Just because nothing is listed for a particular day on the calendar doesn't mean class does not meet. If class does not meet, it is noted on the calendar.
Readings: After the first week, readings should be completed before class meets each week. While we will be going chapter by chapter through the book, you will need to understand the standard components of a proposal as soon as possible. I recommend that you at least skim the whole book and then plan to look back carefully at the chapters as you need them.
Week 1: Introductions
T: What is a grant proposal and what are we doing?
Th: Contacting your non-profit. Here are some local organizations that have been highlighted on KUT, the local NPR affiliate, that are looking for volunteers.
Week 2: Problem-Solution statements
Reading: 1-37 (Overview, Problem-solution-cost)
T: Work on emailing non-profits in class; using the Foundations Library
Th: Problem-solution-cost model in Unbranded (watch film in class).
Week 3: Plan of work
Reading: 39-48 (Clear goals and objectives--understanding the relationship between mission, goals, and objectives)
T
Th: Discuss Plan of Work assignment
Week 4: Plan of work
Reading: 49-54 (Methods)
T:
Th: Work on problem-solution-cost statements
Week 5: Problem-Solution
Reading: 55-64 (Evaluation)
T: Plan of work letters due. Syllabus Test.
Th:
Week 6:
Reading: 65-70 (Sustainability)
T
Th
Week 7: Progress reports
Reading: 71-84 (Budget; framing grants as investments)
T: Discuss progress reports.
Th: Research day, class does not meet. If you have not been to the Foundations Library, use this time to do so. Even if your non-profit already has a funder in mind, you need to learn to search for grantmakers. This is a big deal to have on your resume--that you know how to do this kind of research. A good fit between your project and the grantmaker's mission is your best bet for winning the funding.
Week 8:
Reading: 85-90 (Organizational background, history)
T
Th: Progress reports due
Week 9:
Reading: 91-110 (Summaries and abstracts)
T
Th
Week 10:
March 14-18
Week 11:
T
Th:
Week 12:
T:
Th: Vocabulary and Rhetorical Strategies Test: Sign up for oral presentation time.
Week 13:
T
Th:
Week 14: Oral presentations
T: Oral presentations will begin. Attendance is critical and absences will be counted twice during these presentations. Please print four of these rubrics and bring them to class to provide feedback for your peers.
Th
Week 15: Individual conferences
T
Th
Week 16: Finals
T
Th: Final proposals due (hard copy and electronic copy to me)