Respond to each peer initial post with a 3 to 4 sentence response:
Peer .1
Assignment 1:
Discussion Evaluating Grant Criteria The evaluation of a grant is the most important element of the grant proposals. The funders want to make sure that the money that is given to the grantees are going to make an impact, as well as making sure that the grantees have the tools in place to measure their objectives (Ward, 2010, p. 61). Some funders will hire an external person to evaluate the submitted proposals, however, this method could be very expensive. There are different types of evaluation tools that are include in a proposal. Here is a list of the following evaluation models: Logic model: This model is more of a question and answer model. This model is also more visual with flowcharts and a narrative description in a proposal (Ward, 2010, p. 62). This model shows the inputs, outputs, activities, and the outcomes. Quasi-experimental evaluation model: This model is difficult to use because it has to deal with control groups and experimental designs. The reviewer would have to use comparison groups and use participants in order to complete the evaluation. Surveys, Questionnaires, and Evaluation Model: This tool helps with examining the data trends and significant findings. An example of this tool is the bullet point or point system for the project. The reviewer has standard questionnaires with the answers, and if the answer are related to or answered appropriately, they will get a certain amount of points for the answer. At the end of the survey/questionnaire, the reviewer will tally the number of points to see if the grant should be granted. Interview Model: This is a method that can be done with the project staff, participants, and the stakeholder. However, in the interviews, they may also use the other methods in the meeting/interview. The following are the three grants for the research evaluation criteria: The Amber Grant Foundation The first grant that was chosen was the Amber Grant Foundation. The Amber Grant Foundation was established to help women who are trying to start a business or who currently are business owners. The amount of the awards could be up to $3,000.00. Each month an applicant is selected, and given $500.00. At the end of the year, one of the previous winners will be selected to get the $2,500.00 awards. The evaluation criteria is the questionnaire/evaluation model, because the applicants are asked to tell their story about their business, tell them what they plan to do with the money that is awarded, and submit the application with a $7.00 fee to https://www.ambergrantsforwomen.com/get-an-grant/apply-now/. Idea Cafés© Grants This grant will be given to eligible participants who are current business owners or planning to start a business. To access the application, the individual has to be a member of the Idea Cafés©. All of the applicants are screened for the conformity of the official guidelines (Center, n.d.). Entries that are not completed or do not comply with the grants, they are automatically disqualified. The applicants are posted publicly; the public gets to vote that becomes the winner. The evaluation criterion for this grant is by the survey process, and the tally is done at the end of the review to determine the winner. Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant Program Department of Housing and Urban Development The purpose of this grant is to implement a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plan to replace distressed public and assist housing areas with high-quality income housing (Carson, n.d.). They also help or assist with creating different condition to distressed neighborhoods. The evaluation criteria process is an evaluated by test results from an evaluation report checklist that is completed by the reviewer of the proposal and/or application. The reviewer also has to apply notes as to why they approved or disapproved the application. The checklist helps the reviewer to determine whether or not the application meets the criteria of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Authoring a grant is a really hard job. In the beginning, I thought that I was going to be completely okay with completing the task of authoring a grant. If I had to author another grant research project, I would change the process in which I used my strategy. I am a visual person, therefore, I would re-write a checklist so that I could make sure that I cover every single requirement for the grant proposal. I would break up the requirements or research piece by piece. I would also make sure that I am not wasting my time doing research for a grant does not does not meet the original requirements for the announcement. If the announcement meets the needs of the organization, then I would make sure that I set up a timeline for myself to complete each task. I would truly hope that I had a team of people, so that I could divide each task or requirement, and have one person put the entire packet or application together after the process. There is software available to help people with team projects and writing grant proposals. Some companies purchase this software, and I think that would probably be time saving and useful for the organization and/or business. When developing a grant proposal, people have to realize that what worked for one grant, may not work when applying for another grant or funding. When completing the research, the most important elements are to know what to do with the research, and how to apply the information to the grant proposal.
Reference: Carson, B. (n.d.). Funding Opportunities. Retrieved November 4, 2017, from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: https://www.hud.gov Center, S. B. (n.d.). Small Biz Grant Center. Retrieved November 4, 2017, from Business Owners Idea Café : https://wwwbusinessownersideacafe.com Ward, D. (2010). Effective Grants Management. Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett  Publishers.
Peer.2
The evaluation plan is an integral part of a grant proposal, which provides information to improve a project during development and implementation. Some grant proposals do not require an evaluation plan. Most often, larger, more involved grant proposals will require an evaluation plan. Smaller, single-investigator proposals will not require an evaluation plan. An evaluation plans can be presented in two forms: formative and summative. Formative evaluation plan assesses the initial and ongoing project activities. It provides new and sometimes unanticipated insights into improving the outcomes of the project. However, summative assesses the quality and success of a project in reaching stated goals. Summative evaluation takes place after the completion of the project. An evaluation process can be broken down into a series of steps to prepare, implement and interpret. The evaluation should develop a model of the project and identify key evaluation points, which ensure all participants and stakeholders understand the project's structure. It helps focus on the project's most important elements. Writing a successful evaluation highlights the most useful information about the project's objectives and its shortcomings. An evaluation collects, analyze data and present to different audiences. Schools Improvement Grant (SIG) evaluation seeks to address gaps in the existing literature by documenting the implementation of SIG-promoted practices by both SIG and non-SIG schools and rigorously assessing the effectiveness of SIG using a large sample of schools from many states. This evaluation examines the use of SIG-promoted practices. Also did schools implement a SIG-funded model use the improvement practices promoted by SIG, and how did that compare to use of those practices by schools not implementing a SIG funded model? It addresses the receipt of SIG funding to implement a school intervention model have an impact on the number of SIG-promoted practices used by low-performing schools? The goal was to create a document showing the interrelationship between these responsibilities and district policies and practices. The task force developed a Statement of accountability to guide its work. The principal's leadership is essential. The Association of Washington foundation wanted a new set of criteria for principal evaluation in Washington state. The organization goal is closing the gap, and improving the outlook of the organization. An evaluation matters. It frequently described as the key element of a high-quality. The field has reveal important impact or progress over years. In addition to its impact on achievement. Evaluation systems must be of high quality if the organization want to discern whether principals are of high quality. Principals have a challenging task in meeting needs of a diverse population, and good evaluation is necessary to provide the principals with the support, recognition, and guidance they need to sustain and improve efforts. It is important to have a systematic investigation and also because it has the ability to reduce wasteful spending by both grantees and funders.
Reference Dragoset, L., Thomas, J., & Herrmann, M., (2017). School Improvement Grants, U.S Department of Education.(2013). Framework Structure. Association of Washington School Principals. Ward, D. (2010). Effective Grant Management. Missouri City, TX: Jones & Bartlett Learning