In this essay, I reflect on my experiences and lessons learned while serving as Commissioner of the National Center for Special Education Research, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Although I was in the grant writing business for my nearly 30 years as a professor of special education, I learned that I knew very little…

Title V of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981 affects the Arts in Education Program by consolidating arts funding into general state-level block grants. The authors discuss some implications of this bill for local music educators. (Part of a theme issue on the crisis in music education.) (Author/SJL)

Lists and discusses six sources of basic proposal writing skills and five sources of examples of proposals or parts of proposals. (CHC)

A Washington-based fund-seeker is seen as necessary for helping institutions get a share of the billions in federal funds spent yearly in education. Responsibilities of a Washington representative are discussed, including knowing an institution's strong areas, knowing the agencies with jurisdiction over those areas, and connecting the two. (MLW)

Most district officials interviewed expressed satisfaction with the simplified application procedures and increased district discretion offered by the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act. Perceived negative aspects included the amount of funding and possibility of a decrease, the potential neglect of research, the loss of federal…

This paper assesses the rationale for legislated program consolidation, summarizing problems with the current structure of categorical programs and arguments for reform through consolidation, reviewing past consolidation proposals, discussing the likely effects of such proposals, analyzing the state, local, and federal responses that can be…

When higher education is expected to undergo severe retrenchment, the art of proposal writing is seen to be an extremely important skill for Ph.D.s, scholars, and faculty. An overview of proposal-writing and fund-raising resources is provided. A guide to foundation publications is included. (MLW)

Fund raising should be considered a major part of the business of every voluntary organization, even if the organization has relatively small fund raising goals. Voluntary agencies concerned with children should keep in mind the following: (1) public fund raising campaigns can provide a substantial proportion of the funding requirements of many…

This long-range program, prepared as required by and in support of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA), is intended to meet federal funding priorities and support the continuation of programs that have operated successfully in Massachusetts over the last decade. The purpose and background of the program are summarized, and the…

A shrinkage of one-half or more in available federal funds designated for human services is expected to occur in the next five years. Despite this outlook, federal funds are available for increases in human services, provided that such services are organized into related systems of services and are planned and managed as such. This essay on…