Grant Writing Basics

This course will provide:

The nuts and bolts of proposal writing

Time to research and begin a proposal

Other Ways to fund projects – Letters, face to face solicitation, fundraisers (raffles, events, sales)

What you will learn:

Where to look for prospective fundersHow to determine a good matchThe components of the proposalHow to develop your ideasThat grant writing is time consuming and requires strong commitment

That grant writing is not rocket science…

Who are you?

Grants are given to non-profit organizations (legal implications)

If you do not represent a non-profit organization – find a fiduciary agent to sponsor your project

Funding sources

Federal and State Agencies (DOE, NJDOE, NEA, NJSCA)

Private Foundations (Dodge, Hyde & Watson) Business/Corporate Foundations (Tandy, Exxon) Professional Organizations (NJEA, NJSBA) Local Organizations (Sussex County Arts Council,

Kiwanis) Local Businesses Individuals

Research your options

InternetAnnual publication collections at

librariesJournals and other publicationsAsk your friends and neighbors about

their employers (matching grants)The Foundation Center Library in NYC

Must haves to win a grant

Good ideaA real needRight funderSolid proposalA dependable team to carry out the

project

Funders will look for projectsthat:

Are more than just a wish listAre sound and viableProduce concrete outcomesFit their goals

Making the match

DeadlinesTypes of support providedGrant amountsFunding prioritiesApplication procedure

Making the match (cont.)

Documents required in applicationIneligible projectsGeography

Components of a proposal

Executive SummaryNeeds StatementGoals/ObjectivesBudgetEvaluation

These items will

Vary for every funderNames of sections will varySections asked for will differ

Remember the Golden Rule...

He who has the gold makes the rules.

Give them what they ask for!

Project Development

Why do we need this money (What is the issue?)

What are we trying to do (What is the solution?)

Why do we need to do it (How will our clients benefit?)

Needs Statement

What you wantWho you will serveHow much you need Why you want it - The most important and

often the most difficult question to answer

Keep asking WHY...

We need books. WHY? Our students need to read more. WHY?We want to help students achieve higher

academic success. WHY?Research has proven that more reading

leads to higher academic success. Last year only 32% of our children achieved mastery on the NJ End-of-Grade test.

The Needs Statement

Identifies the focus of your proposal Highlights the population you will serve

and the conditions your will address Is supported by statistical evidence and

statements from authorities Identifies target population's

characteristics and

The Needs Statement (cont.)

Describes the target population's conditions and/or deficiencies they are experiencing

Describes the capacity of the target population to address the issues

Explains why the need exists

The Needs Statement helps the grantmaker

identify their interest in your proposal build a case for grant maker support

Remember...

Money is not the solution - Money will not address the need. (Every organization could use more money.)

The program or activity you propose is the solution.

Goals

Are major steps to accomplish the mission of the project

Are conceptual and more abstract

Example - Our after-school program will help children read better.

Objectives

Are the major steps to accomplish a goalMust be realistic Must be measurableMust be time-specificMust be clear

Examples of an Objective

To increase access to reading materials. NOT SO GOOD

To increase access to reading materials by purchasing 100 new books for students. BETTER

To increase access to reading materials by purchasing 100 new books in June 2000 for 5 groups serving 150 students in grades 3 and 5. BEST

Budget

One pageRealisticCategoriesMatch narrative

Budgeting Pitfalls

Not accounting for all staff costs (salary+benefits+bonus)

Not providing specific figures (cost per item)Don’t write in items that do not specifically relate

to program goals and objectives (new computers)

Accounting for in-kind contributions (electricity, facilities)

Evaluation

How will you know you have been successful?Who will evaluate?How and when will data be gathered?What tools will be used?What reports will be produced?

This is where you will find out how strong your goals and objectives really are.

Executive Summary

The first section the funder sees. The last section you prepare. Provides an overview of the information detailed in the proposal.

Identify yourself and your needs, including funding requested

Be conciseBe briefStress qualificationsBe interesting

Executive Summary layout

P1 - Identify yourself, purpose for writing, project goal. Indicate the amount you are seeking in the first 1-2 sentences.

P2 - Summarize your needs - only significant points

P3 - How you are addressing your needs.Final P - Thank reader for attention. Reiterate

the amount you are requesting and total project budget. Person to contact.

Think you’re finished?

Other documents that could be requestedAppendixLetters of supportCover letterSystem-wide statistical data or financial information

Information about organizational structure and board

Press clippings

Tips on writing

Good Grant Writing is just good writingAvoid jargonBe compelling, but don’t overstate your

caseKeep it simpleRevise and edit

Despite your best efforts

Don’t take rejection personally.Call and ask if changes can be made to

get the proposal funded.Write a thank you letter.NEVER GIVE UP!

You got it!

Write your thank you letters!Distribute copies of the updated proposalOrder equipment, supplies, materials, etc.Establish schedules for meetings, staff

development, etc.Set up a project filing system.

You got it! (cont.)

Inform cooperators that the project was funded and remind them of their commitment.

Establish a master calendar.Honor the commitment.Submit requested reports on time Invite funders to any appropriate events

associated with the contributionSend a final thank you

Research potential funders

www.foundationcenter.orgwww.njdoe.comwww.schoolgrants.org

http://learnerassociates.net/proposal/links.htm