California Student Sustainability Convergence April 27, 2013
Katherine Walsh, TGIF Coordinator UC Berkeley Danielle Lauber, PowerSave Green Campus
• Proven writing approaches and resources • Writing resources
• VERY brief intro to CBSM • Grant application components • Techniques to write a winning grant application Grant writing resources • Questions & Discussion
• Writing is the primary basis upon which your work, your learning and your intellect will be judged – in college, in the workplace, and your larger community. • SIGNIFICANCE of message to convey • Writing is the EXPRESSION of your thinking • IDENTIFICATION as an asset • Many TYPES of writing • Essential skill for professional development
• 5 Tips to improve your writing 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Write everyday Take your time Quality is ALWAYS better than quantity Ask for help Practice proofreading
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Prewriting or graphic organizing PLAN -> REVISE -> EDIT Read -> Summarize text Collaborative writing (this is one is a doozy!) Set Goals Model writing
• Writing in college (or for your internship) is different than writing in high school – academic writing • By a scholar (YOU!) for other scholars • Be informed
• Analytical Writing • Summarize > Evaluate > Analyze > Synthesize • Always consider your audience
• Structure • Introduction > Thesis > Support Paragraphs > Conclusions • Tone and style
• Grammar Resources • Grammar Handbook • Grammar and Style Notes
• Science & Technical Writing guides • Technical report writing • Writing for engineering and science students
• Guides for ‘English as a Second Language’ students • On-line writing lab • Commonly used phrases
• • • • • •
Use captivating information Know your audience Use credible sources Frame your message Clearly communicate for desired behavior Social diffusion
• For more information: Doug McKenzie-Mohr; www.cbsm.com
How do I win GRANT$ with these writing tips?
• A grant is an award given to a recipient for an approved purpose. • Abstract Submission Form • Application Submission Form
• Do no get stuck on the summary and history of the project. • Avoid non-specific, cliché, gimmicky, and flowery language. • PROVE what you can accomplish with the requested funding.
• Lay-out your project implementation steps. • Provide a detailed and accurate budget.
• Talk qualitative and quantitative metrics. • Show how you will measure and report success. • Have a plan for education and outreach.
• Know the process- how to apply and when. • Do not wait until the last minute to start the application. • Read all the directions first. Follow all the directions. • Stick to the required length and font size.
• Answer all the questions. • Proofread. Have someone else also proofread. • Submit by the deadline.
• To what funder are you applying? What is the funder’s mission? What are its goals? • Are there any buzzwords or stand-out language the funder uses in its program that you could incorporate into your application? • What are some buzzwords?
• Know what a winning grant proposal contains. • Read past examples of grant proposals that have been selected by the funder.
• Know the funder’s expectations of selected grant winners. • Will you and your project be able to meet those expectations?
• But wait- where IS the money? • Start at your own school- administrative grants, department grants or sponsorships, vendor sponsorships, career center • Look locally- town/city government grants, local officials’ sponsorships, local centers’ grants, state government funding, local non-profit, utilities, businesses • Look nationally- faculty connections and networks, federal government grants, educational awards, regional utilities • Look globally- corporations, global governing agencies, global non-profits • Fellowships