School Safety & Security Grants

Friendly, Practical Guide for Charter & Private School Leaders

As the school year winds down and summer beckons, I know you’re already thinking about next year’s priorities. If strengthening your school’s safety and security is on your list, now’s the perfect time to hit pause, reflect, and plan. Keeping your students, staff, and community safe is at the heart of everything you do, and I’m here to help you turn that commitment into action. Safety isn’t just about cameras or alarms—it’s about creating a secure, nurturing environment tailored to your school’s unique needs.

In this post, I’ll share insights from my work helping charter and private schools secure safety grants, guide you through a practical planning process, and offer tips for assessing your safety needs. Plus, I’ve created a free Safe School Scorecard to help your team pinpoint where you stand and what to prioritize—grab it below!

1. Craft a Smart, Doable Plan for Your Safety Grant Project

Winning safety grants takes more than finding funds and filling out forms—it starts with a clear, thoughtful plan. Drawing from my recent work with schools like yours, here’s a friendly five-step roadmap to keep you on track:

• Assess your needs. Bring together your IT team, teachers, board members, and community partners to identify gaps and priorities. What’s working? What needs attention?

• Set clear priorities and timelines. Decide what’s urgent and what can wait, then map out when you want projects completed.

• Gather quotes. Get estimates for equipment, installation, training—whatever your project requires.

• Build a budget. Blend grant funding, operational dollars, and fundraising to cover costs.

• Research grants and submit early. Collect all required documents—like MOUs with local law enforcement or updated emergency plans—well ahead of deadlines.

A quick lesson from the field: I recently worked with a school that missed a grant deadline because an MOU wasn’t signed in time due to a last-minute board emergency. It was a tough reminder that starting early and keeping communication tight can make all the difference.

2. What’s a School Safety Assessment, Anyway?

A safety assessment isn’t just checking if your cameras work—it’s a deep dive into your school’s environment and systems. Charter and private schools often face unique challenges due to their buildings’ histories. Here are a few examples I’ve seen:

• One school, housed in a converted church, has a quirky gym with odd corners from its days as a congregation space. They’re now prioritizing safety mats to protect students during PE.

• Another operates in a sprawling former K-Mart with long hallways that make evacuations tricky for young kids. They’ve focused on detailed evacuation plans and drills.

• A school in a commercial office building struggled with spotty walkie-talkie reception during emergencies. A Motorola repeater system solved the issue, ensuring staff stay connected.

These stories show why your safety plan—and grant projects—must reflect your school’s specific layout and community.

3. Emergency Procedures & Communication: Real Stories, Real Lessons

Drills and lockdowns are your school’s safety backbone, but they only work if everyone knows their role and communication flows seamlessly.

Years ago, as a student teacher advisor, I witnessed a chaotic fire drill at a school. Students wandered, teachers skipped roll call, and leadership was unclear. It was a wake-up call: drills aren’t just checkboxes—they set the tone for a culture of safety. As a school leader, your commitment to regular, serious practice makes all the difference.

Another time, I was at a lower elementary school during a real lockdown due to nearby police activity. Teachers and students huddled in a closet for three hours with zero communication. It was a “hard” lockdown by default, but a “soft” lockdown could have kept classes running safely with better protocols. Clear procedures, reliable tools like walkie-talkies, and ongoing training are non-negotiable.

4. Safety Beyond Cameras: A Holistic Approach

Cameras and locks matter, but safety is so much bigger. I recently worked with a school where an 8th grader’s fall during PE sparked a scare (thankfully, they were okay!). It pushed the school to prioritize gym safety mats in their grant application. Their quick communication with parents and vigilant staff showed how a culture of care strengthens physical safety.

Think beyond tech: first aid readiness, sturdy door hardware, proper lighting, and clear signage all play a role. Safety is a team effort—teachers, staff, students, and families all contribute to a secure environment.

5. Get Ahead This Summer: Your Next Steps

Summer is your window to plan without the daily hustle. Here’s how to kickstart your safety journey:

• Assess your safety needs. Use my free Safe School Scorecard (download below) to evaluate your school and see where you stand.

• Gather your team. Meet with teachers, IT, board members, and others to review findings and prioritize needs.

• Collect quotes. Build a realistic budget with estimates for equipment and services.

• Start grant research now. Draft proposals early to avoid deadline stress.

These steps pave the way for a safer school and stronger grant applications next year.

6. Let’s Keep the Safety Conversation Going

Safety is a journey, and summer is the perfect time to take those first steps. Download my free Safe School Scorecard below to guide your team—it even calculates your score to show where you’re strong and where to focus! I’m also hosting a webinar soon to dive deeper into winning safety grants for charter and private schools—stay tuned for details!

Visit my website for new ebooks, resources, and a loyalty program designed to support your school’s fundraising and grant-writing goals. I’m here to help you make your school safer and stronger—let’s do this together!

Download the Free Safe School Scorecard

Ready to Win Big Grants for Your School? Grab My Ebook Today!

Want to turn your school’s safety vision into reality with major grants? My ebook, Starting Strong: Your First Steps Toward Major Grants, is your go-to guide for navigating the grant-writing process with confidence.

Packed with practical tips, real-world examples, and step-by-step strategies,  this $6.99 PDF download is perfect for busy charter and private school leaders like you. Whether you’re new to grants or looking to level up, this ebook will help you craft winning proposals that fund safety upgrades, professional development, and more.

Download Starting Strong now from my store and start securing the funding your school deserves. Let’s make your vision a reality—together! Get Your Ebook for $6.99