Teacher Tips
Funding Tip for the Art Room
By Kathryn Woebse
Los Angeles, CA
Art materials and supplies can be very expensive. When funding is insufficient and budgets are tight, a lack of materials can create a very stressful situation for any art teacher. Luckily, there are many common household materials that can be easily recycled into art supplies.
Paper towel rolls, wire hangers, aluminum foil, plastic bags, bubble wrap, cardboard, Styrofoam scraps, and old magazines or catalogues can be recycled into fun and innovative art materials. Old shirts and newspapers can be transformed into table protectors, rags, and paint smocks.
Arrange to have a donation box for recyclables placed in the front office of your school. Make sure that the recyclables box is labeled and conspicuously placed in a high traffic area. Consider placing multiple boxes in several highly-visible areas. It might also be helpful to specifically list what kinds of materials you are looking for on your recyclable box to prevent confusion.
It is very important to publicize your recycling campaign. Notify your co-workers, talk to your students, and post signs around your school. Arrange to have your recycling campaign advertised on the school's website or in a newsletter to parents-be polite, but persistent. By collecting and utilizing recyclables, you can help your art program and save the environment at the same time!
Don't Give Up!
By Kathy Vowell
General Music Teacher
Lamar Consolidated Independent School District
Rosenberg, Texas
Does winning a grant for your music program seem impossible? I am someone who usually does not win anything, but I have been successful at receiving grants about twice out of every four attempts. There are several key points to keep in mind.
- Very simply, make sure to follow all instructions. But also, as for a school essay contest, include information or wording that, along with a good title, will make your proposal memorable to the reviewers who are reading hundreds of grant requests. I also write my grants using some of the specific phrasing or wording from the grant descriptions.
- Design your proposal to target the most students as well as include cross-curricular and multicultural connections. Showing that your program can enhance the educational opportunities in these areas may help you secure funding.
- Since I teach music, I include information about the benefits of various types of musical study, including whole brain training and social and character development. I recommend that you be specific and accurate in answering the questions of the grant, while at the same time interjecting little value statements along the way. To win funding for ten piano keyboards, I wrote about the value of exposing all students, not just those who could afford lessons, to the instruments. I believe statements like these express our true caring for the students we educate. But of course, a little goes a long way. Don't be too wordy for fear of tiring the reviewers.
My last grant effort did not pan out, but I will submit again next year. Sometimes, timing and specific things (the reviewers are looking for that year) determines who wins the grant. The most important thing to remember is not to give up.
Surprise Funding Sources
By Mary Purdy
Choral Director
William S. Hart Union High School District
Santa Clarita, California
You should occasionally be prepared for the unexpected, in terms of funding opportunities. In 31 years of teaching, I have received funding from some surprising sources.
- Years ago, while teaching at an inner-city school where funds were seemingly endless, the assistant principal said that we had some federal money to spend by the next day. I jumped at the opportunity and bought a new piano.
- Some businesses offer charitable contribution-matching plans, in which an employee can donate money to a school and the company matches the contribution. It's always a pleasant surprise when I receive a check from an unknown contributor.
- Block grants-large sums of unrestricted national government money-are helpful funding sources. I received some much-needed equipment and a small recording studio when our school received block grant money.
- Our city has a grant opportunity each year specifically for the visual and performing arts. We have received some large-ticket items through this city grant.
Every source mentioned here was a windfall for my program. However, in every situation, I had a plan in place for spending the money, so I responded quickly. Make a wish list. Surprises may follow!
Putting Students in Charge
By Christine Enns
Choral Director
Valencia High School
Valencia, California
As choral/band directors, we definitely do not have time to waste when it comes to funding. There are many things that you can do to put students in charge of helping raise money for your program.
- Newspaper Drive: Our hometown newspaper has a program that allows schools to get a percentage of new subscriptions. This has actually brought a great deal of money to our program.
- Sponsorship/Advertisement: Students solicit local small and large businesses for donations of money (see sample sponsor letter) or to advertise in our concert programs (see sample advertisement request).
- Volunteering Hours: Many volunteering programs, such as those at museums, amusement parks, or concert venues, will offer non-profit money for volunteer hours. Organizations can write this off as a donation to your program. An amusement park in my area allows students to help at busier times of the year. Our school has made over $100,000 doing this type of work.
In addition to these opportunities, your city may offer extra grants. Take advantage of these monies when they come around. Plus, don't forget other fundraisers like a bowl-a-thon, food nights, etc. All of these extra events add up to a great amount that can really help your program.