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Applying for Grants 101 – An Overly-Simplified Tips List for Music Educators
Often overlooked by educators, there are foundations (both local and statewide) that want to give you money!
1. Start with a question. Does your community foundation have an arts grant cycle? Do you qualify for a mu- sic educator scholarship? Does that experimental arts program you want to develop qualify for funding from the Wisconsin Arts Board?
2. Call to talk your proposal through. You’ve done your research on fund- ing and think that your program might qualify. I can’t stress this enough, but make sure to call and connect with this potential funding entity to speak with their grants/scholarship program coor- dinator to verify that you’re a good fit. If so, they will help walk you through the next steps.
3. Follow grant protocol to the letter. If you’re no good at this or you don’t have the time, then farm it to that parent who also happens to be a univer- sity professor with no hobbies except for writing research grants. Grant readers go through countless worthy applications. Respect their time, follow their guidelines and remember that a late grant is an ineligible grant.
4. Stress the “C-Words.” Community and collaboration. Grant readers want to learn how your program is connect- ing your students to the community in a unique way, or how you’re collaborat- ing to build bridges cross-discipline or even across town.
5. Metrics and Follow Up. Foundations love data to back up their decision to fund you. Set metrics for what you hope to accomplish with your program fund- ing (number of attendees, percentage growth year over year, value of free tickets given to at-risk students, etc.)
1968 Honors Orchestra Wisconsin School Musician 19
and then share the data immediately after your program is over. This kind of reporting is often a requirement by funders, but it can be hugely useful to set your own goals for the future as you seek your own meliora.
You can do this! However you choose to engage your base, remember that success starts with you and the pas- sion you show for your program. Your passion→student enthusiasm→parent interest→engaged volunteers→program advocates→increased funding and support→more students involved→more arts opportunities for years to come.
References: 1.
http://www.oshkoshnorthchoirs.com
2. https://knowledgebase.
constantcontact.com/guides/ KnowledgeBase/5409-average- industry-rates
Kristopher Ulrich is a self-proclaimed ‘arts enabler,’ encouraging members of his com- munity to experience and support the arts in whatever way is most convenient for them, whether that’s by participating, volunteering, donating or being a good audience member. He and his wife, Bridget Duffy-Ulrich, are life-long residents of Oshkosh and participate in choirs and community theater from Oshkosh through Appleton.
WSMA High School State Honors
Celebrating 50 Years: 1968–Present Calling All Alumni Students, Staff and Conductors The Search is On...
Are you an alumni student, staff or conductor of the acclaimed WSMA High School State Honors Music Project? Do you know someone who is?
WSMA is collecting lifetime memories to include in our celebration of the 50th
anniversary and we want alumni to
share… Where are you now? How did honors impact your life? Do you have a special photo, memory or testimonial? (Selfie videos are completely encouraged!)
Please share now by going to the High School State Honors Memories Collection Form at
wsmamusic.org/hs-honors/celebrating-50-years
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