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Financing:
Finding Funds for Technology - Part 3
Finding funds is all about "finding a good match." That means matching our vision to the vision of the organization to whom you're pitching. When you begin to look at the programs a foundation or a business will fund, your personal vision is the guideline you'll use to see if you should apply, so its important to define it well. In short, you must define a need and introduce a solution to fill it.
Here are some buzzwords in grant-writing today:
- Computer literacy
- Stay-in-school program
- Cross-disciplinary or integrated learning
- Engaged learning
- Abstract thinking and problem-solving skills
- School-to-work programs
- Matriculation and college readiness
It is important to realize you are introducing your students to the same tools they will use in the world of work, and not just in music production. While it is difficult to make the jump from playing oboe in the orchestra to working in a law firm, it is not such a jump when you are talking about music technology.
Consider this: As part of your music technology component, could you not include a "music business" component that would teach a student to write band contracts, keep track of payments, maintain a mailing list, create promotional items like flyers and produce a basic web-site? In doing so, arent' you really teaching your students to use a word processor, spreadsheet, database, graphics editor and web developer?
Now you can start using those buzzwords like "cross-disciplinary" and "integrated learning" in your proposal. What you're really doing is using your students' love of music to introduce them to marketable tools. And won't you be drawing students into your music department who may be attracted by electronic music but not by band? Perhaps these students might not have been interested in school otherwise (there's your stay in school rationale).
Think about the avove terms for a while, and consider how you could talk about your program using those concepts. While you're considering your vision, remember to think about the ways you can measure your success. It may be as simple as poling the kids or a questionnaire to the parents. Just remember to consider measurables when definishing your vision, because funders love to know you're concerned about results. And frankly, if you can prove your solution works, then finding funds again nest year is going to be a snap.
In the next edition of Finding Funds, we'll talk about compiling the supplements you will need to submit a grant proposal.
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