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Grant-Writing Toolkit

In this toolkit, you can find everything you need to write a grant proposal to fund the purchase of Slumberkins social-emotional learning curriculum, including:

  • Funding Resources - See below!

Grant Proposal Writing Tips

Below are some talking points and resources to use for developing a grant proposal to fund the purchase of Slumberkins social-emotional learning curriculum, or a subscription to the Slumberkins Curriculum Hub. The information is organized into categories based on four common sections of a grant proposal: the needs statement, goals and objectives, budget, and student assessment. 

Needs Statement

What is SEL?

Social-emotional learning (SEL)is the process of developing self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success. 

People with strong social-emotional skills are better able to cope with everyday challenges and benefit academically, professionally, and socially. From effective problem-solving to self-discipline, from impulse control to emotion management and more, SEL provides a foundation for positive, long-term effects on kids, adults, and communities.

Why Focus on SEL?

The findings ad to the growing empirical evidence regarding the positive impact of SEL programs. 

The following paragraphs are from a notional meta-analysis by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, (CASEL):

Research demonstrated a positive link between academic achievement and the acquisition of social-emotional learning skills. A recent national study by CASEL found that "students receiving school-based social-emotional learning cored 11 percentile points higher on academic achievement tests than their peers who did not receive social-emotional learning."

According to the summary of the CASEL study, "Research clearly demonstrates the significant role of social-emotional learning in promoting the healthy development and academic achievement of all students. It also shows that social-emotional learning reduces problem behaviors and emotional distress that interfere with the learning and development of some students. Research indicates that social-emotional learning programming significantly raises test scores while it lowers levels of emotional distress; disruptive behavior; and alcohol, tobacco, or other drug use."

Goals and Objectives

Slumberkins social-emotional learning curriculum aims to support educators in teaching students how to be caring, confident, and resilient children through approachable tools that promote early emotional growth. 

Talking points for Slumberkins curriculum goals and objectives:

  • We plan to introduce Slumberkins social-emotional learning curriculum, which is designed to support a positive classroom environment and build a strong homeschool connection to help children feel supported and thrive.
  • Slumberkins curriculum encourages building a safe environment where caring relationships are the core, fostering a strong home-school connection to help students feel supported while building social-emotional skills.
  • Slumberkins SEL curriculum was created by a team of educators and therapists with significant classroom experience. 
  • We have selected Slumberkins because their lessons align with our character education principals. 
  • Slumberkins social-emotional learning curriculum teaches children skills that help them follow classroom routines, procedures, and agreements to feel more secure and confident in taking on responsibilities and taking appropriate learning risks. In addition, Slumberkins curriculum teaches growth mindset, emotional identification, emotion regulation, empathy, conflict resolution, and how to build supportive and safe relationships.
  • We expect to see students building their toolkit to support regulating their emotions and building a wealth of coping strategies to support their needs in the classroom resulting in a calmer classroom environment. 
  • Children at our school will be learning how to build supportive and safe relationships while understanding the perspectives of people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. When children feel respected, safe, valued, and connect to one another and the classroom, they are better able to learn and explore in all learning domains.
  • Slumberkins SEL curriculum not only helps to build a positive classroom environment, but it offers a home-school connection so educators, students, and caregivers can work together to help children thrive.

Budget

To determine how much curricula will cost, visit our online store, or email us at HelloFeelings@slumberkins.com.

Student Assessment

Formative assessments are built into the Slumberkins curriculum. These fun, engaging activities allow students to demonstrate their learning throughout each unit and give educators an opportunity to monitor progress toward SEL goals. 

  • To measure changes in children's knowledge about growth mindset, emotional management, empathy, conflict resolution, and how to build supportive relationships, we will use the formative assessments built into the Slumberkins curriculum.
  • We will also use the Progressive Monitoring Rubric to track growth over time.

Funding Resources

Schools sometimes use general funds, operating budgets, and grants to purchase Slumberkins curriculum. If there aren't district funds available, educators may use money from community sources, private companies and foundations, or federal funds. 

  • County government discretionary funds
  • Mental health funds
  • School enhancement dollars
  • Mayors' offices - municipal government
  • Banking institutions, including credit unions
  • Police departments and other crime prevention associations/organizations
  • Hospitals and medical clinics
  • Community foundations
  • Neighborhood Watch groups
  • Parent-teacher organizations/associations
  • Private foundations
  • Corporations or business at the local or corporate level

Federal and Private Grant Databases

  • Grants.gov (Federal) provides a common website for federal agencies to post discretionary funding opportunities.
  • Forecast of Funding (Federal) lists programs and competitions to which the Department of Education has invited or expects to invite applications. 
  • Fundsnet (Federal) is a database of private funding by state.