Lumen Impact Group
Lumen Impact Group

Maximizing Grant Success Through Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Planning 

Published: February 12, 2025
school kids working at computers

At Lumen, we support organizations as they build their approach and strategy to securing grants and then during implementation. Lauren Outlaw, J.D. is our in-house grants expert, and in this blog series, Driving School Improvement Through Strategic Use of Grant Funds, she’s sharing a few things she’s learned along the way that may help your school craft a grant proposal that leads to maximum impact. 

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When it comes to securing and effectively utilizing grant funds, it is never too early to engage stakeholders to help shape your direction and keep your work on track. Schools that embrace stakeholder engagement and pair it with data-driven decision-making are better equipped to create strong academic programs, inclusive environments, and supportive workplaces. This approach not only ensures that grant funds are used strategically but also builds trust and transparency with the community. 

Stronger Grant Applications 

Schools that involve Board members, teachers, staff, parents, and community partners at the application stage gain valuable insights that lead to stronger, more comprehensive grant applications. Taking a collaborative approach helps identify real needs, aligns initiatives with the school’s strategic goals, and demonstrates community buy-in, increasing the likelihood of funding approval.  

For example, as your charter school applies for a grant, you might choose to host a series of community forums or conduct surveys to understand what gaps your families and teachers are experiencing. You might learn of priorities such as increasing access to technology, enhancing teacher training, or expanding extracurricular programs. Including these insights in the application demonstrates a deep understanding of your community and a readiness to address its challenges. 

Olivia Tremble from the New Jersey Public Charter School Association notes, “Beginning during the application process we encourage applicants to think about expenditures that go beyond the status quo and reflect solutions to foreshadowed obstacles in serving more/new students. We also stress that expenditures that equip and empower teachers to be amazing are a great way to allocate grant funds.”  

Meeting Evolving Needs 

Stakeholder engagement doesn’t end once the grant is awarded—it evolves. By keeping stakeholders informed and involved in budget decisions and project updates, schools ensure that initiatives remain on track and reflect evolving needs.  

Tremble highlights the value of regular feedback with CSP grants. She says, “We have an entire section of our CSP grant application devoted to communities and families. We require applicants to describe their process and strategies for soliciting and utilizing feedback from families and the community. We also ask applicants to explain how the school promotes opportunities for family engagement and input on the implementation and operation of the charter school. If a school does not have a robust plan in place for engaging families and communities, their likelihood of receiving a grant is greatly diminished.” 

There’s a reason grant applications require plans in place for feedback throughout the process – regular feedback loops and advisory committees throughout the implementation phase foster transparency and trust, enhancing the overall effectiveness of grant-funded programs.  

The Long-Term Impact  

Schools that prioritize stakeholder engagement and data-driven decision-making are better positioned to build strong academic programs, inclusive environments, and supportive workplaces for teachers. This approach drives lasting change and ensures that grant funds are used strategically to enhance student success and community impact. 

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National Alliance of Public Charter Schools
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