Research the need in your community for this type of program. Look at existing programs for ideas. Contact nonprofit organizations that provide family services and ask about what works. For example, the Oregon Head Start Parenting Education and Support program offers support groups, family strengthening projects and 10-week sessions that explore child development. Contact your local mental health or child welfare agencies for more information about available programs in your area so you can learn what constitutes an effective program.
Develop your own parenting education program. Local school districts often conduct parent education programs that may provide examples for program development and ideas for increasing parent participation. Speak to counselors or resource staff. For example, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Parent University provides classes, workshops and other activities designed to help parents develop skills to ensure student success.
List the activities your program will conduct, create a timeline, identify your target group, determine the number of families the program will serve during the project year, and develop processes for measuring the program’s success. Determine the start date of the program year and develop a program budget, including expenses for staffing.
Research potential grant sources by performing Internet searches, contacting foundations and corporate giving programs, and searching for federal grants on the Grants.gov website. Contact city, county and state government agencies to ask about grants for community programs. Local governments often award sub-grants from larger grants received from the federal government.
Make a list of good matches for your parenting education program and a potential sponsor organization, including deadlines and application guidelines. Prepare to describe your program in detail in a proposal or grant application.
Create a report on your parenting education program if it is already in operation. Describe the program, its successes, past funding, target population and plans for expansion or reaching more families. Be prepared to provide the report or use it to answer questions from potential funders.
Complete and submit grant applications for your parenting education program. Apply to several sources for grants and ensure that the total of all grants is adequate to fund the program budget. Check the requirements carefully, because foundations and corporate charities often provide grants only to nonprofit organizations.