UCA OUTREACH “FUNDING YOUR NEED”SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

JENNIFER DEERING, GRANT WRITER, UCA SPONSORED PROGRAMS

FUNDING YOUR NEED

We will cover four learning objectives today.Identifying a mission/projectDrafting a planIdentifying possible funding sourcesDeveloping an evaluation framework

OBJECTIVE 1: IDENTIFYING A MISSION / PROJECT

Missions and projects are…Clear and concise.

http://conwayinterfaithclinic.org/about/Service Driven.

http://www.stuttgartpubliclibrary.org/http://www.capcainc.org/about/

OBJECTIVE 1: IDENTIFYING A MISSION/PROJECT

What is the project?

This can only be answered in relation to your mission statement. If your organization is designed to serve as an animal shelter, you cannot risk “mission drift” by adding on enhancing student’s self esteem—not even if you know the money to do the project is a sure thing.

OBJECTIVE 2: DRAFTING THE PLAN

Example: City of Hope Outreach

http://coho58.org/mission-statement

OBJECTIVE 2: DRAFTING THE PLAN

All plans have these common elements:What is the problem you are addressing? Never,

shever begin with “If I only had money…”. If I only had money I could drive a Mercedes Benz.

How is this problem within the purview of your mission? What is the best possible solution for this time and this

place (and the maximum amount being offered)?What action steps must be taken to carry out the

solution?

OBJECTIVE 2: DRAFTING THE PLAN

Activity

Some of you came in with a project. Some of you just an idea. Take 10 minutes to define your problem, describe a solution, and outline action steps to undertake the solution.

OBJECTIVE 2: DRAFTING THE PLAN

Do your homework.Who else in the area is working on that problem?Is there an opportunity to partner?

Arkansas Nonprofit Alliance

OBJECTIVE 2: DRAFTING A PLAN

Best PracticesFollow the guidelines.Address the agency’s questions/prompts.Stay within their word/page limits.Find a fresh pair of eyes.

OBJECTIVE 2: DRAFTING A PLAN

Consider every part of the application persuasive.

Each time you draft a needs statement, ask why the need is significant. Don’t be satisfied until you’ve answered all the “why’s.”

Avoid filler.Proofread.

OBJECTIVE 3: IDENTIFY FUNDING SOURCES

OBJECTIVE 3: IDENTIFY FUNDING SOURCES

Where can I find an organization’s Form 990 or 990-PF?

A: According to IRS disclosure regulations, exempt organizations must make its three most recently filed annual 990 or 990-PF returns and all related supporting documents available for public inspection. This public disclosure rule also applies to Form 1023, which is filed to obtain exempt status.

http://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits

http://grantspace.org/tools/Knowledge-Base/Funding-Research/Forms-990-and-990-PF/finding-990-990-pfs

Search IRS Form 990 Filings at http://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/ `

OBJECTIVE 3: IDENTIFY FUNDING SOURCESNONPROFIT EXPLORER

OBJECTIVE 3: IDENTIFY FUNDING SOURCES

Private funders and foundations are interested in what your board of trustees has done. Talk with them about their mission and what

they want to fund.

Has everyone on your board made a contribution?

If you are a membership based group, have your members contributed?

Look for cooperative elements.

OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION PLAN

OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION PLAN S.M.A.R.T. GOALS

Specific

Goal objectives should address the five Ws…who, what, when, where, and why. Use action verbs such as “create,” “design,” “develop,” “implement,” “produce,” and the like. These goals must also reflect the plan and may require revision to the project plan.

OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION PLAN S.M.A.R.T. GOALS

Measureable

Goal objectives should include numeric or descriptive measures that define quantity, quality, cost, and the like. Focus on elements such as observable actions, cycle time, efficiency or flexibility to measure outcomes, not activities. Example: secure pledges from ten new donors by the end of each week.

OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION PLAN S.M.A.R.T. GOALS

Achievable

Goal objectives should be within your organization’s control and influence; a goal may be a “stretch” but still feasible. Consider authority or control, influence, resources, and work environment to meet the goal. Example: have ?% of staff pass certifying courses for emergency response team.

OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION PLAN S.M.A.R.T. GOALS

Relevant

Goals should be instrumental to the mission of the organization—no mission drift. Why is the goal important? How will this goal/project help the agency achieve its objectives?

OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION PLAN S.M.A.R. T. GOALS

Time Bound

Goal objectives and projects should identify a definite target date for completion and/or frequencies for specific action steps that are important for achieving the goal. How often should people report in, how often should reports be submitted, when is the final report to be delivered? Include specific dates, milestone charts or timeframes that are relative to the achievement of another project, e.g. dependencies and linkages that have to be incorporated into this project.

Gantt charts give an easy-to-understand visual of project milestones.

OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION S.M.A.R.T. GOALS EXAMPLE

For a nonexempt staff member… Not SMART “Send out welcome letters to our new students.”

SMART “Produce and distribute personalized welcome letters, error free, to all new students in our

department by 9-26-07.”

For an exempt or nonexempt staff member… Not SMART “Keep our department’s Website up-to-date.”

SMART “Solicit updates and new material for the Website from our department managers on the first Friday

of each month; publish this new material by the following Friday. Each time material is published,

review the Website for material that is out-of-date

and delete or archive that material.”

For an organization or department… Not SMART “Improve our student service.”

SMART “Achieve and maintain an average student service rating of at least 4.0 (out of a possible 5.0) on our

annual survey by 11/20/08.”

For an exempt staff member… Not SMART “Create our 2008 strategic plan.”

SMART “Create our 2008 strategic plan, obtain final

approval from the Budget Committee, and discuss

it with our department so individuals can begin

setting their performance objectives by 8-29-07.”

OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION PLAN

Many funders will require you have an independent evaluator. UCA, Hendrix, UALR, and others have faculty who are experts at doing this work. Expect to pay them, funding agents know that is a cost of the project.

RESOURCES http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/forming-nonprofit-corporation-arkansas-36052.html

http://www.sagepub.com/home.nav

http://grantspace.org/tools/Knowledge-Base/Funding-Research/Forms-990-and-990-PF/finding-990-990-pfs

http://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits

https://www.lehigh.edu/~inhro/documents/SMART_GoalsHandout.pdf