KRISTEEN CHRISTIANASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT

VALENCIA COLLEGE

DEMYSTIFYING THE GRANT WRITING PROCESS

Kchristian6@valenciacollege.edu(407) 582-2909

COMPONENTS OF A GRANT PROPOSAL

• Abstract or summary

• Introduction or organization background

• Problem or need statement

• Project Goals and Objectives

COMPONENTS OF A GRANT PROPOSAL• Methods or implementation strategy

• Key personnel

• Project evaluation

• Project budget and budget narrative

• Sustainability plan

WHERE TO START

• Identify a significant need

• Does the significant need impact your students, department, organization, or community?

HOW DO YOU KNOW?

• What data supports your need?

• Is this a local, state, national need?

• Is there comparative data?

HOW SIGNIFICANT IS THIS PROBLEM?

• List all of the long-term implications if this problem is not addressed.

SO THERE IS A PROBLEM…

Now ask…• What are the possible causes for this problem? Make a

list!• Can you categorize the causes? • Is it an access or information problem?

Look at your list again…• What items are out of your control? Strike those!

PROBLEM STATEMENT

• The list left should be items that you have control or influence over.

THINK ABOUT THIS

• Is the problem measurable?

• The causes will be addressed in the methods section of the proposal.

This is an important connection!!!

GOALS• Goals are large statements of what you hope to

accomplish or see.

• Goals are not measurable.

• Goals create the setting for the proposal.

OBJECTIVES

• Objectives are operational and measurable.

• Two kinds of objectives:• Outcome objectives• Process objectives

OUTCOME OBJECTIVES

• Outcome objectives measure program’s effectiveness

PROCESS OBJECTIVES

• Process objectives measure the steps that the organization is taking to meet the goal.

• Examples of process objectives:• To establish• To attend• To purchase• To implement• To train

IMPORTANT

• To increase or decrease something is not an objective.

• To make it an objective add by what degree the increase or decrease will happen.

• All outcomes must be written in terms of the participants or learners, not the organization!!!

USE THE S.M.A.R.T. APPROACH

• Specific• Measurable• Action Oriented• Realistic• Time and resource limited

METHODS/ACTIVITIES/IMPLEMENTATION

• This is the most detailed part of the proposal and scored the most points.• It describes who, what, when and how• List all of the tasks/activities• Who is responsible• Add the timeline• How will you know this is accomplished?

EVALUATION

• Relates to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the proposal.

• Begin with the evaluation in mind

EVALUATION CONSIDERATIONS

• What data will be needed?

• Who and how will the data be collected and used?

• What measures will be used to collect the data?

• Is an outside evaluator needed or required?

TWO TYPES OF EVALUATION

• Formative evaluation is part of the implementation plan.

• Summative evaluation asks, “have you achieved the outcome objectives?”

"WHEN THE COOK TASTES THE SOUP, THAT’S FORMATIVE; WHEN

THE GUESTS TASTE THE SOUP, THAT’S SUMMATIVE." - ROBERT STAKES

MEASURES

• Focus groups

• Surveys, questionnaires, checklists

• Pre-post tests

• Anecdotal information

• Case studies

• Interviews

BUDGET - A PICTURE OF THE PROPOSAL USING NUMBERS

• Must relate to the activities in the grant proposal

• Be realistic

BUDGET ITEMS

• Personnel - salary and fringes• Consultant and contractual• Travel• Supplies• Equipment• Other• Indirect costs • Administrative costs

A WORD ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY

• A sustainability plan must be included in the proposal.

• Highest level of governance must agree to the plan.

REMEMBER

• Read the RFP carefully and make notes.

• Most important information first.

• Use specific examples.

• Vague signals poor planning.

• Use grandma’s rule!!!

GRANT PROPOSALS/AWARDS• Will be rejected more than funded.

• Are an investment for the funding source.

• Offer -0- budget relief.

• Funding sources want to fund something unique, not current operating expenses.

• Are seed money for new projects.

• Not a short-term problem solving for long-term problems.

PROVE TO THE FUNDING SOURCE THAT YOU:

• Have a broad based understanding of the problem.

• Have read and understand the current literature in your discipline.

• Are qualified to design and deliver a solution to the problem.

• Have a reasonable plan and budget!

• You have a plan for sustainability

WINNING PROPOSALS…

• Overwhelm the reader with hard core facts and details.

• Bring the proposal to life - add stories and visuals.

• Textboxes often do not follow same formatting!

Questions