GRANT WRITING��PROBLEM STATEMENT��LINDA WELLS, ED.D.

AGENDA

Six Weeks: Discuss ways to strengthen each area

Week 1: Problem Statement

Week 2: Objectives

Week 3: Work Plan

Week 4: Budget

Weeks 4 & 5: 2 sessions - open

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SIGN-UP FOR A 1:1�BEGINNING 9/30 �OR EMAIL LINDA.WELLS.ED.D@GMAIL.COM

WEST ED – EQUITY BY DESIGN

• https://canyonsonline.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpde2uqz0uGt3n_UE2v8pUXN8LqqoaX2Qn#/registration

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SUGGESTIONS��KEEP WRITING CLEAR AND SIMPLE��USE THE RUBRIC TO GUIDE YOUR ANSWERS��ANSWER THE QUESTION�

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The most important section �of your proposal

GRANTS WANT THE SAME INFO

• What’s the problem?
• How do you propose to solve it?
• How do you know your organization can solve it?
• What are the steps you will take to reach the goal (Objectives, workplan, timeline)
• How will you measure your success?
• What are the financial needs to accomplish the goal?
• You are a storyteller.

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WHY PROBLEM STATEMENT IS SO IMPORTANT

• Sets tone
• Creates compelling argument
• Provides clarity – problem leads to solution using activities that require an investment
• If the reader doesn’t see or understand your problem, the urgency to fund your proposal is reduced
• Clearly identifying your problem will help you communicate it to funders, staff, and stakeholders

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PROBLEM STATEMENT ISSUES

• Problem is not clear; Streamline, simplify, shorten
• Beware of tangents unrelated to project goal – Health Science academy
• Unrealistic goal; flawed solution
• Technical issue – copying & pasting into NOVA
• Saying what you want without describing the problem
• Connect the dots for the reader
• Prove it, convince the reader

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PROBLEM STATEMENT SOLUTIONS

• Identify problem – you, team, teachers, student focus group, root cause analysis, industry board. Practice stating the problem.
• Backwards map your want to identify your need
• Example – we need a WBL Coordinator
• Write brief outline for each question

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USE THE RUBRIC AS A GUIDE

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STORY OUTLINE

• What’s the industry problem?
• What’s the student problem?
• Who brings them together?
• Your partner community college CTE program

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HELPFUL LINKS

https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/Chancellors-Office/Divisions/Workforce-and-Economic-Development/K12-Strong-Workforce

https://coeccc.net/our-resources/

https://sites.google.com/baccc.net/coe

https://www.calpassplus.org/Launchboard/Home.aspx

https://nova.cccco.edu

https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/Chancellors-Office/Divisions/Workforce-and-Economic-Development/regional-consortium-chairs

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HELPFUL LINKS

Review the Regional Plan for each Regional Consortium

• ❖ Bay Area – Strong Workforce Program Regional Plan
• ❖ Central/Mother Lode – Strong Workforce Program Regional Plan
• ❖ Inland Empire/Desert – Strong Workforce Program Regional Plan
• ❖ Los Angeles – Strong Workforce Program Regional Plan
• ❖ Orange County – Strong Workforce Program Regional Plan
• ❖ North/Far North – Strong Workforce Program Regional Plan
• ❖ San Diego/Imperial Counties – Strong Workforce Program Regional Plan

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WRAP UP

• Address the INDUSTRY and STUDENT problem
• Clear and concise
• Use the rubric as a guide
• Talk your problem through with colleagues
• When draft is solid, share with colleagues and ask specific questions – is this clear? What do you define as our problem?
• Backward map – take time with it
• Ask WHY again and again
• The more you reflect on the problem, the better you become at communicating it

THANK YOU

Linda Wells, Ed.D.

linda.wells.ed.d@gmail.com

�Sharon Turner

BACCC K-14 Technical Assistance Provider

turnersharon@fhda.edu 

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Giselle Bice

SCCRC K-14 Technical Assistance Provider 

Giselle.Bice@canyons.edu

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