Would you like to see our product in your school but need financial assistance to make this possible? There are ways to fund this very valuable investment. Below you will find a list of resources that can help you seek out applicable and available grants. It would be worth your time to read through our Pre-Search Guide as well.

RESOURCES: Publications and Internet Searches

• The Foundation Directory
  Available at major libraries or at university/college libraries. This directory is divided primarily by subject and by state and it lists thousands of foundations and contact information for getting their funding guidelines.
  
  To find out more about The Foundation Center, and determine the location of the nearest collection, visit www.fdncenter.org/collections

• Most states publish information on foundations within their borders. For example, there is the Directory of Illinois Foundations. You will likely find these publications near the Foundation Directory in the library.
  
  
• Another usable and informative book is the Directory of Operating Grants published by Research Grant Guides, Inc.

• The Federal Grants Manual for Youth Programs: A Guide to Youth Risk Behavior Prevention
  Funding is created by the Institute for Youth Development - a non-partisan, non-profit organization that promotes risk avoidance to young people. For purchase information, visit www.youthdevelopment.org OR contact:

  Institute for Youth Development
  P.O. Box 16560
  Washington, DC 20041
  Phone: 703-471-8750
  Fax: 703-471-8409

• This is a source for everything federal.
  www.fedworld.gov
  
  
• The Foundation Center has a full range of information available on the grant search process. Notable offerings include an online grantwriting course and answers to frequently asked questions.
  www.fdncenter.org
  
  
• Excellent resources on a wide variety of grant programs.
  www.fundsnetservices.com
  
  
• This site is for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's online directory of available grants.
  www.jointogether.org

Also check your state's homepage for the board of education's page, as well as your department of health and human services, mental health, or equivalent agencies.

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Before you start your grant search, begin by asking yourself some preparatory questions. Try the following three activities to help guide you in your search.

Why do you need this funding?
It is important that you have a clear understanding of EXACTLY how you want to use the funding.

ACTIVITY 1
» Write one sentence stating your primary objective.

» Write a detailed descripion including the following:

• What is it that you want to accomplish?
• How will the grant money be used to accomplish what you want?
• What additional resources will be needed for the program to be successful?
• What is the time line for the program?

» Note if there are any key words that keep coming up when describing your primary objective and your need for funding.

Are resources already available?
It is a good idea to fully consider whether there are other sources of funding available to you. Note: Many grants now require at least some matching funds. Matching funds can be either actual dollars or in‑kind services (such as free copying, office space, donations and volunteers).

ACTIVITY 2
» Investigate what current funding streams are already available.

» Determine if resources are available in your immediate area.

• Determine if there are local businesses that have either helped out in the past or that have offered to help in the future.
• Private donors.
• Local clubs or individuals who give funds to substance abuse or violence prevention programs.
• Local community or other foundations.

How much time do you have? Who can help you?
Grant writing takes time and it is a continuous process. You should set aside two to three hours a week to make this process effective. This does not include the actual writing of applications.

ACTIVITY 3
» Get other people to help you.Other people may include the following:

• Other school personnel.
• Local agencies that have grant writers.
• Community members who regularly write grants.
• Parents who are willing to search the Internet.

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