2010 06 grant writing
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Grant Writing – Tips for the New and Occasional Writer
South Dakota Community FoundationJune & July, 2010
Introduction
Successful grant writing is the art of presenting your organization -- its mission, needs, and
capabilities --to a specific audience in a compelling way.
Topics we will cover
▪Role of Grants in Your Nonprofit▪A Grant Writer’s Checklist▪Preparing to Write▪What to do While You’re Waiting
Preparing to Write
▪Know Your Organization▪Know Your Customers▪Know Your Audience
Role of Grants
Generally, grants:• Provide program funding• May provide LIMITED operations funding• Are time-limited and restricted monies• Cannot be relied on for ongoing support• Are a good component of a development
plan
Know Your OrganizationThings to keep on file --and UPDATE!!
▪Mission Statement and Strategic Plan▪Brief Description of Services/Programs▪Resumes/Vitae of all Key Staff▪Board of Directors List▪Key Collaborators List▪Other
Know Your Customers
Your “primary customers” are the people and types of people you serve; students, parents, teachers, families, people with disabilities, etc.
You may have “secondary” or “supporting” customers -- government, insurance,
taxpayers, etc.
Who are they? What makes them unique?
Know Your CustomersThings to Keep on File -- and UPDATE!!
▪ Demographics -- how many, where, when, how often, etc.
▪ Case histories or personal examples (non-confidential)
Know Your Audience
THINK about who will be reading your proposal.
Your audience will affect how you present your case!
Know Your AudienceChecklist
▪What is the mission of the funding source?▪How has money been awarded in the past?▸What type(s) of recipients?▸What type(s) of projects?▸Average $ award?
▪What did successful grantees do right?
Know Your AudienceChecklist (cot’d)
▪Are copies of abstracts or full proposals available from the funding source?
▪How is the award decision made by the funding agent?
Where do I Find a Grant Source?
You may have a project in mind -- where can you find out about likely funding sources?
Where do I Find a Grant Source?
Different types of organizations qualify for different types of grants intended for different
purposes.
Where do I Find a Grant Source?Federal Grant Sources
▪Federal Register▪Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance▪Internet/World Wide Web
Where do I Find a Grant Source?Federal Grants -- Internet Resources
▪www.cfda.gov – Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance▪http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html - Federal Register▪www.grants.gov – Federal grants information portal▪http://www.tgci.com (The Grantsmanship Center)▪http://www.usa.gov/Business/Nonprofit.shtml (US Gov. links
for nonprofits)
Where do I Find a Grant Source?Federal (and other) Grants -- Internet Resources (cot’d)
▪National and Regional Special Interest Publications (discipline-specific)
▸http://philanthropy.com (Chron. of Phil.)▸http://www.nptimes.com (NonProfit Times)
▪http://www.hoovers.com (Business/corporate phil. research tool)
▪Internet search engines (Google, AltaVista, etc.)▪Networking with Colleagues▪Other
Where do I Find a Grant Source?
State Sources
▪Any Cabinet Department▪Governor’s Office of Economic Development▪Some State Boards & Commissions
Where do I Find a Grant Source?
Local Community Sources
▪United Way▪Individuals and Businesses▪Other Nonprofit Service Organizations▪Community Foundations▪Local Government (CDBG, for example)
Where do I Find a Grant Source?Foundations
▪ The Foundation Center – http://www.fdncenter.org▸Extensive online resources – be sure to explore in detail▸CD-ROM resources – “Cooperating collections” in all states▸Print publications – university & major libraries
A Grant Writer’s Checklist
Essential Grant Elements▪Summary▪Introduction▪Problem Statement/Needs Assessment▪Goals and Objectives▪Methods (Activity Plan)▪Evaluation▪Future or Other Funding▪Budget
Summary Elements
▪Appears at the beginning▪Identifies the applicant▪Includes at least one sentence on:▸Credibility▸The problem▸Goals and objectives▸Methods
Summary Elements (cot’d)
▪Includes budget totals▸Total project cost▸Funds already obtained▸Amount requested in proposal
▪Is brief▪Is clear▪Is interesting
Introduction
▪Who is applying for funds▪Agency/organization mission and goals▪Programs and activities▪Clients and/or constituencies▪Evidence of prior accomplishments
Introduction (cot’d)
▪Statistics in support of accomplishments▪Quotes/endorsements in support▪Supports applicant qualifications specific to
application▪Leads logically to the problem statement▪Is as brief as possible▪Is interesting▪Is free of jargon
Problem Statement or Needs Assessment
▪Relates to agency mission and goals▪“Reasonable” problem dimensions▪Supported by statistical evidence▪Supported by statements from authorities▪Stated in terms of CLIENTS’ needs
Problem Statement or Needs Assessment (cot’d)
▪Input from clients and beneficiaries▪Is not the “lack of program”▪Makes no unsupported assumptions▪Is:▸Free of jargon▸Interesting to read▸Compelling▸As brief as possible
Objectives
▪Describes problem-related outcomes of your program
▪Describes outcomes -- not methods▪Defines the population served▪States when objectives will be met▪Describes objectives in measurable terms
Methods
▪Flows naturally from the problems and objectives
▪Clearly describes program activities▪States reasons for selection of activities▪Describes:▸Sequence of activities▸Staffing and resources to complete activities▸Clients and client selection
Methods (cot’d)
▪Presents:▸Reasonable scope of activities▸Accomplished within time allotted▸Within the resources of the applicant
Evaluation
▪Presents a plan for evaluating:▸Accomplishment of goals and objectives (product or
outcome)▸Methods used and modified (process)
▪Tells who will perform evaluation, qualifications, how chosen
▪Clearly states criteria for success▪Describes how data will be gathered
Evaluation (cot’d)
▪Explains any test instruments or questionnaires
▪Describes process of data analysis▪Describes any evaluation reports to be
produced
Future or Other Funding
▪Specific plan to obtain funding if the program is to be continued
▪For construction projects: how will maintenance costs be secured?
▪How will other funds be obtained to continue the project?
▪***Minimal reliance on future grant support***▪Future funding accompanied by letters of
commitment
Budget
▪Tells the same story as the proposal narrative▪Is detailed in all aspects▪Projects costs incurred at time of program
implementation▪No unexplained amounts or miscellaneous or
contingency▪Includes all items asked of funding source▪Includes all items paid for by other sources
Budget (cot’d)
▪Includes all volunteers▪Details fringe benefits -- separate from
salaries▪Includes all consultants & contractors▪Separately details all non-personnel costs▪Include indirect costs where appropriate▪Sufficient to perform tasks in narrative
What to Do While You’re Waiting
Thank Your Sponsors and Collaborators
▪Assure continued support▪Build solid relationships▪Formalize agreements
Follow Your Grant Proposal
▪Monitor on-line services -- www.tgci.com▪Contact the funding source contact --
CAREFULLY
Set the Stage for the Next Application
▪Request review of your current grant proposal▪Schedule planning meetings with key players▪Write and rewrite key sections as your
agency & strategic plan change▪Continue to collect good ideas
Thank You!
818 S. Hawthorne Avenue
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104-4537
(605) 336-0244 or (888) 4-SUMPTION
www.sumptionandwyland.com