Grant Assist: Grant Writing Without the Grief

Brian Klasner faced a security and safety situation at East Side High School in Newark, NJ, but that challenge was only slightly more daunting than writing the grant application to resolve it.

“I have applied for grants before. Usually, it includes finding all the materials and searching for the grant myself. It’s a lot of pressure and anxiety.”

But as the school’s Director of Innovative Academies, Brian knew one thing had to be performed. East Side had more than 2,045 students to shield in an urban atmosphere. Low household incomes certified more than 80% of them for absolutely free or lowered-value lunch, 26% required further assistance as English Language Learners, and 17% have been students with disabilities. Those requirements all demanded funding, however the school’s have to have for safety sources was equally profound.

Brian had constructed a partnership with School Specialty as a trusted supplier. Together they discovered about the availability of grant dollars from the School Violence Prevention Program, aspect of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) plan at the US Department of Justice.

“Our relationship became very organic as we discussed the needs for our school,” Brian recalls. School Specialty presented him its specialized Grant Assist services for administrators who faced problems like his. In Brian’s case, that specialist was former state police safety specialist Joe Wilson.

“As Brian and I worked on a solution to the school’s security concerns, the district Board of Education communicated its policy that any solution had to be districtwide and benefit all buildings equally,” Joe recalled.

“We recognized that Brian would be able to get the safety benefits he needed with a product solution called Classroom Evacuation and Lockdown Kits for all the district’s buildings—something that the Board of Education was happy with and could endorse.”

“Grant Assist has been amazing,” Brian enthused. “They helped us put together support for the grant, and helped us start the process for it. Having a support team like them just took some of the pressure off. It was great having somebody to help share the work.”

Brian also appreciated that his Grant Assist partners understood the realities of his job. “Most of the items we work with are time sensitive. This group was very professional and quick to respond.”

For his aspect, Joe was delighted to lend a hand. “Brian saw that we understand the complexities of getting funding in today’s environment. He saw that we stay flexible and always keep the school’s best interests up front to work towards successful funding.”

The job of applying for this grant is performed, but Brian’s gratitude is lasting.

“I recommend Grant Assist to any school looking for a reliable and transparent group of people to help them navigate the challenging nuances of grant writing,” he emphasized. “I look forward to continuing this partnership as I move forward, finding the funds to make this school better.”

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