Wacom-Education-School-Classroom-216_LowRes

Education grant tips #1: How to get started

February 1, 2023

How to write winning education grant proposals — with Expert Matthew Waynee

Matthew Waynee Headshot

Matthew Waynee is a Cinematic Arts Instructor & EdTech Consultant in Los Angeles Unifed School District. A produced screenwriter and teacher with 20 years of experience, he’s helped build the cinematic arts department at USC Media Arts & Engineering Magnet school from the ground up.

He has written more than $2 million in grants and set up partnerships with Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, NBCUniversal, and Warner Bros. In 2016, he was honored to be named the national Magnet Teacher of the Year. He’s also actively involved in establishing a new creative arts apprenticeship program with the California Department of Education.

This is the first in a series of five short videos where he gives quick and easy tips to get grant funding for your school, classroom, or program. Check out the video below, or read on for a summary!

Tip #1: Preparing throughout the year

If you’re only thinking about grant applications when you’re writing them, it might be too late. Set yourself up for success by preparing throughout the year.

Start documenting your achievements

Start documenting everything you’re doing in the classroom, no matter how great or small. If you’re going on field trips, bringing in guest speakers, doing interesting or creative classroom projects … make sure you document them! Even if you think what you’re doing in the classroom isn’t much, take a picture of it! Take pictures of your students in action as much as you can.

What donors are looking for

Donors want to see that your classroom is dynamic and that you can get things done. If you can show what you’re capable of on your current budget, it gives evidence for  the idea that, if you were able to expand your budget with the donor’s help, you could do even more.

Donors want to be able to brag about the great things their donations helped achieve, so you want to show them that you have a legacy of success. Donors want to know that, if they give you money, it won’t sit around unused for be mismanaged. Documenting your projects and endeavors gives them proof that a donation to your classroom won’t be wasted.

Wacom for Education

Stay tuned for more quick tips from Matthew Waynee on how to get grants for your classroom, coming soon. If you’re interested in more in-depth discussion from Waynee about education grants, check out the webinar he did with Wacom in 2022 here.

For more information about how Wacom supports education, and how Wacom products can elevate collaboration and engagement in classrooms across all grade levels and subject areas, check out the Wacom for Education site or the education section of this blog!

abeni jones headshot

About the author

Abeni Jones is a former graphic designer, illustrator, and educator, and current writer, who bought her first Wacom tablet in 1999. She’s passionate about video games, design, and the great outdoors.

Save on Cintiq Pro 24 Touch Pen Display

Related posts:

Wacom isn’t just for artists: streamlining daily business with a digital stylus

Wacom isn’t just for artists: streamlining daily business with a digital stylus

The complete guide to Adobe Photoshop brushes, Part 1: The toolbar

The complete guide to Adobe Photoshop brushes, Part 1: The toolbar

Educators: Building Your Wacom Skills to Take Full Advantage of Technology in the Classroom

Educators: Building Your Wacom Skills to Take Full Advantage of Technology in the Classroom

Fostering Success Together: Seven Ways to Engage Parents and Students in Digital Arts Career and Technical Education 

Fostering Success Together: Seven Ways to Engage Parents and Students in Digital Arts Career and Technical Education 

Connect with Wacom on social media

At @parasolisland , where innovation is key to provide professional excellence as a high end studio, the Cintiq Pro family stands out for its design & ergonomic excellence. 🚀

The Cintiq Pro’s adjustable design optimizes workspace, offering a productive workspace where professional creatives can improve their workflow . 🌟
Invest in the best tools for your team. 

Go to the link in bio to connect with our enterprise team.

#WacomCintiqPro #EfficientDesign #CreativeWorkspace
124 0
It’s not often that we find a poet making visual art. 

Enjoy this beautiful piece by the talented @mackboross

“Kids at Play”

We dance.
because we’re happy.
We dance because we’re free.
But when.
We dance together.
We are as happy.
As can be.

Follow @mackboross on Instagram to see more of this beautiful series and the rest of their work. 

#addictivescribbles #ArtistsOfInstagram #madewithwacom #WacomCintiq #madeinaffinity #Blender
165 9
We chat with @schmoedraws , a talented Visual development artist who has been working for the gaming industry in games like “A New Beginning” and the “Deponia” series at Daedalic Entertainment. 💡

Join us as Simone discusses her creative process and how Wacom products has been an indispensable tool for her work. Don’t miss this interview – it’s a must-watch! 🚀

#ArtistInterview #GameDevelopment #CharacterDesign
932 13
Let’s start the week with a creativity challenge 💡✍️

You have 5 minutes to draw something nature related 🍃

Time is ticking ⏰ Grab your Wacom One and see where it takes you!

#WacomOne #CreativeJourney #DrawingChallenge
691 10
Unbox your talent with your Wacom One 📦

Discover your passion and start your creative journey 💫

See where our display can take you in the link in bio!

#WacomOne #CreativeJourney
500 10
💡 Layers Hack: Customize your layer palette in @clipstudioofficial 

If you are more of a color person this tip may help you! Organize your layers in a funnier way. Did you know this tip? 👇

#Digitalarttips #creativeinspiration
323 7
💡New creative challenge unlocked: Let’s make an artwork together!

Only one rule: Draw something and pass the display to another person ✍️

Let’s see where the teamwork takes us 😉 Discover all about the Wacom One in our bio!

#MadewithWacom #CreativeChallenge #WacomOne
334 5
Today’s creativity challenge is… DRAWING STRANGERS IN THE PARK ✍️

Let us know in the comments where do you usually go to find inspiration or practice your drawing 👇

#CreativeChallenge #DrawingStrangers
391 27