The main reason most schools don't get grant money is that they never apply for a grant.  That's really sad because some of the grant money out there is not that hard to access.

Here's my recommendation.  For one of your New Year's resolutions, list that you will apply for 3 grants in 2008.  Not 10, not 15.  Just 3.  That's not many, and once you get organized, it won't take that much of your time.

Now, I know some of you write a lot more than 3 grants each year as a part of your job.  I'd challenge you to write 3 grants for an area of need that has been neglected but is of special interest to you personally.

Don't put this off.  Write it down somewhere.  One of your New Year's resolutions will be to write at least 3 grants in 2008.

Of all the advice I give, this may be the most important to many of you.  You have talked about getting grant money and how much your school needs grant money, but you've never just sat down and started applying for grants.

Rest up over the holidays.  Then, come back to school in January determined to apply for 3 grants and get that much needed money for your school.