OASL Newsletter

Issue 6, November 2023

Q&A: Grant Writing for School Libraries

Edited by: Kate Jacobson Dutro

Writing and receiving a grant can sometimes feel like a big endeavor. We sent out questionnaires to library grant recipients and funders from all over Oregon to get their best advice. From finding grants, applying for grants, managing grants, grant reporting, understanding what reviewers are looking for, and even handling rejection, our experts have tips to get you through every step.

Who’s Who? Our Virtual Panel of Experts

• Buzzy Nielsen, Program Manager for Library Support and Development Services, Oregon State Library
  Grants Coordinated/Managed: LSTA, Ready to Read

• Jessica Lorentz Smith, Teacher Librarian, Bend LaPine, Bend Senior High School
  Recent grants: OASL Connie Hull Mini-grant, 2021 and JoAnn Sweetlund Lum Memorial Grant, 2023

• Marion Schuening, Paraprofessional/Librarian, Pilot Rock SD 2R /Pilot Rock Junior/Senior High School
  Recent grant: ODE School Library Revitalization Grant

• Maureen Tracy, Elementary Teacher/Librarian, McMinnville School District
  Recent grants: Laura Bush Foundation, Local McMinnville (school district) Education Foundation, PTA grants, Local municipalities, etc.

• Molly Sloan, Librarian, and Lisa Katon, Donor Relations & Grant Specialist, Portland Jewish Academy
  Recent grant: $75,000 Legacy Learning Lab match grant to remodel the library; PJA raised $150,000 from alumni, the local Jewish Federation, and members of the Jewish community to match the grant

• Tamara Ottum, Federal Programs & Grants Consultant, Oregon State Library
  Grant managed: Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants

Tips for Finding Grants: 

• Library Grants Blog, emails from the Oregon State Library/Jen Maurer (Maureen)

• Develop your program/project *before* you start looking for grants. Having a clear idea of what you want to do will help you search for funding more efficiently. (Tamara)

• The Oregon Foundation Databook lists Oregon-based foundations, including their giving areas, recent grants, and other information. (Buzzy)

Tips for Applying for Grants: 

• Know your school/community demographics. This is paramount as most ask how many students are in each subgroup (ESL/Lifeskills/Free and reduced lunch, etc). (Jessica)

• Don’t try to make your project “fit” into a grant program that has different goals than you. The funders have specific aims in mind, and if you try to come up with a hard-to-track rationale for why your project fits their very different goals, you’ll just end up wasting your time and theirs. This is especially the case if the funder wants to support communities that are underserved or under-resourced. (Buzzy)

• Just get started!!! Filling out the forms, finding necessary info and "re"writing will take time, so don't wait until the last minute! (Maureen)

What Reviewers are Looking For:

• Projects that have clear goals themselves. (Buzzy)

• They are looking for proposals that are aligned with their mission. (Molly & Lisa)

• Make sure that your proposal is well-written and articulates your vision. (Molly & Lisa)

• There is potential for significant impact on the community. (Tamara)

• The scope of the project is reasonable for the grant period. (Tamara)

Keep reading for all their expert advice.

Secretary's Report: Full OASL Board Meeting
October 15, 2023

Submitted by: Jenny Takeda

Board minutes are posted on the OASL website by going to About OASL > Business section > OASL Board Minutes.

Summary of meeting/topics discussed:

• The Board did a thorough recap of the Fall Conference and discussed ideas for future conferences.

• For photos from the conference, check out the oasloregon handle on Instagram and the OASL Facebook page. 

• The 2024 Fall Conference will be in Portland in early October.

• Keely Nudo presented the Treasurer’s Report and shared that OASL’s overall financial picture remains good. 

• OASL is looking for a volunteer to finish out the Treasurer’s two year term that ends in 2025.

• The next Board meeting will be held via Zoom on Friday, January 12th from 6:00-8:00 PM.