grant-writing: effective strategies and processes
TRANSCRIPT
Learning Objectives
• See grant writing as a holistic process
• Identify and understand processes to facilitate grant writing in your work
• Learn to use outcome-based program design tools, specifically for grant-writing purposes
Some Challenges We Identified:
• Lack of experience• Framing our message—using funder language• Finding the right ‘fit’• How to present our budget• Where to find funding sources
Funding Sources
Youth-led Funders:• Laidlaw Foundation: www.laidlawfdn.org • Youth Opportunities Fund: http://
www.otf.ca/en/applyForaGrant/Youth-Opportunities-Fund.asp
• United Way Peel Youth in Action: http://www.unitedwaypeel.org/act/youth-programs/youth-in-action-grants
Funding Sources
• Sign up for newslettersArtReach (at bottom of page): http://www.artreachtoronto.ca/about.html Grassroots Youth Collaborative: http://grassrootsyouth.tumblr.com/tagged/about • Imagine Canada: http://
www.imaginecanada.ca/resources-and-tools
Finding a Funder Fit: Some Considerations
Know the funder-mission, values, what they represent-how they make selections
Know the grant program-eligibility criteria-who and what they funded in the past-size of the fund (amount they disburse)-what they fund: project, operations, capital?
Framework: Telling the Story
Ascending Action: Identify the
context, problem, characters…
Climax: Identify and explain the
solution
Descending Action: Identify what has been
learned, suggest follow-up actions
Ascending Action: Building a Case for Funding
Identify the context, problem, characters…
• In the context of grassroots organizations, what do context, problem, characters mean?
– This will also help you identify your funder fit!
Building a Case: Your Identity
Why: your mission/mandate, expertise
Who: ages of leadership and clientele (who are you and who do you serve?)
Where: what part of the world
When: timeframe (remember: funder’s timeframe may be different that you expect)
Building a Case: Your Identity II
What: what do you do
How: what activities, strategies do you use to achieve your mission
Building a Case: The External Situation
Amass evidence: Primary Data• Collect information, feedback, ideas from
youth, community etc…– Embed feedback collection in your work: surveys,
sticky notes, suggestion box, reach out to past clients, colleagues, and other organizations
• Host pilot projects (smaller versions of your idea) and measure success
Building a Case: The External Situation II
Amass evidence: Secondary Data• Review reports and use the data and language to
build your case– Stepping Up: http://
www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/youthopportunities/steppingup/contents.aspx
• Use data and anecdotal explanationSpeak to the HEAD + HEART
Ascending Action: Building a Case for Funding
Using this information, build a rationale:1. Why this work/idea/issue?
2. Why you/your group/your organization?
3. Why now?
Climax: Making Your Ask
Activity: each group will have 10-15 minutes to put together a logic model
-try starting at the end first: what are you trying to achieve? What change do you
want to make?
ExampleResources Activities Outputs Outcomes
What do you need to do your work?
What are you offering to the community?
How much are you doing? How many people are attending?
What changes are you trying to make in your community?
Making Your Ask: Using a Program Design Tool
• Makes designing your project manageable• Gets everyone on the same page• Write down all the important elements• Gives structure and clarity• Identifies gaps• Refine your idea
Descending Action: Building an Evaluation
• Use your program design tool to build and evaluation
Activity: Using your program design tool, identify how you can measure the outcomes (indicators)
ExampleOutcomes Indicators (Measurements)
What changes are you trying to make in your community?
How can you measure those changes?
Indicators/Measurements
Be able to demonstrate to a funder that you have thought through how you are going to measure your impact
• Want to demonstrate change, which means you may have to collect data at the beginning of your project and throughout
Some additional tips…
• Ask someone who doesn’t know your work to review your application– To identify unclear requests– To identify unclear language – To give insight on what resonates with people
(data, stories)
ACTIVITY: USE YOUR LOGIC MODEL TO SHARE A BRIEF OUTLINE OF YOUR PROGRAM—WE WILL SHARE POTENTIAL FUNDERS OR FUNDING PROGRAMS