Sidebar: Catching Funders' Eyes

By Anne Ward

Anne Ward is publications manager of NSBA's Technology Program.

Trying to get the attention of funding organizations? You can improve your chances by knowing the trends in what the funders seek to support. Arlene Krebs--a New York-based educational telecommunications consultant and author of The Distance Learning Funding Sourcebook (Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co., 1996)--has this advice for school leaders:

* Focus on content, not technology. "Foundations do not fund technology per se, but do support those projects whose objectives closely relate to their individual priorities and goals," Krebs says. "Nearly all foundations support school reform, restructuring efforts, and Goals 2000. Technology facilitates those efforts and helps to foster community linkages. It's a means to an end."

* Train preservice and inservice K-12 teachers in the effective uses of technology. "The biggest area of need that the corporate giving programs, government agencies, foundations, and Bell operating companies recognize is the need for teacher training," says Krebs. "They know we need to educate a new generation of teachers, as well as assist existing classroom educators, in technology-based instruction. Otherwise, schools will not be able to effectively implement new equipment and services."

* Link K-12 with higher education for teacher training in technology use. "The funders want to see that partnership," Krebs says. "And teaming up with higher education lets K-12 schools tap into the services of higher ed's grant writers and development offices."

* Apply technology in certain curricular areas. "Math and science are still favorites, and environmentalism and multiculturalism receive special attention," says Krebs. "Funders also like integrating arts education across the curriculum, as described in the new arts education standards."

* Address special populations. "Funders support projects that work creatively with at-risk youth, particularly those that involve parents and community health and social agencies," Krebs says. "Many funders also support special programs for minorities, girls, and students who have physical or learning disabilities. The goals here are to integrate these students into the mainstream and to involve them particularly in math and science curricula."

* Focus on employment, career counseling, and the school-to-work transition. "Helping students develop job skills through mentoring projects or role modeling and exposing them to different career possibilities, with emphasis on math and science careers," says Krebs, "are examples of projects that organizations want to fund."

* Get communities onto the Internet and on-line services. "Technology companies and technology vendors support projects that link community organizations, as well as those that educate students to integrate online research into their curricular projects," says Krebs. "E-mail facilitates regional, national, and international contacts, allowing students and teachers to share their ideas and resources. Projects that link health and social service agencies through on-line communications with the school also are favored."

* Involve partners in the effort. "One of the greatest dilemmas is covering the ongoing operational costs of distance learning and technology-based instruction, particularly as federal and state funding decreases," Krebs acknowledges. "Schools applying for grants should address the problem and impress funders by partnering with other groups that commit to supporting the program with funding, in-kind contributions, and/or personal assistance, preferably beyond the life of the grant. Funders want to see sustainability."

For more information, call Krebs at New Orbit Communications, (718) 857-3717, or send her an e-mail. You can reach Kendall/Hunt Publishing at (800) 228-0810; or visit the book's web site. Additional web sites with funding information include the Foundation Center, GrantsWeb, the American Communication Association Grant & Fellowships Page, and the U.S. Department of Education.