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 funders  How to determine a good match  The components of the proposal  How to develop your ideas  That grant writing is time consuming and requires strong commitment  That grant writing is not rocket science…

Who are you? zGrants are given to non-profit organizations (legal implications) zIf you do not represent a non-profit organization – find a fiduciary agent to sponsor your project

Funding sources zFederal and State Agencies (DOE, NJDOE, NEA, NJSCA) zPrivate Foundations (Dodge, Hyde & Watson) zBusiness/Corporate Foundations (Tandy, Exxon) zProfessional Organizations (NJEA, NJSBA) zLocal Organizations (Sussex County Arts Council, Kiwanis) zLocal Businesses  Individuals

Research your options zInternet zAnnual publication collections at libraries zJournals and other publications zAsk your friends and neighbors about their employers (matching grants) zThe Foundation Center Library in NYC

Must haves to win a grant zGood idea zA real need zRight funder zSolid proposal zA dependable team to carry out the project

Funders will look for projects that: zAre more than just a wish list zAre sound and viable zProduce concrete outcomes zFit their goals

Making the match  Deadlines  Types of support provided  Grant amounts  Funding priorities  Application procedure

Making the match (cont.)  Documents required in application  Ineligible projects  Geography

Components of a proposal  Executive Summary  Needs Statement  Goals/Objectives  Budget zEvaluation

These items will zVary for every funder zNames of sections will vary zSections asked for will differ

Remember the Golden Rule... He who has the gold makes the rules. Give them what they ask for!

Project Development zWhy do we need this money (What is the issue?) zWhat are we trying to do (What is the solution?) zWhy do we need to do it (How will our clients benefit?)

Needs Statement  What you want zWho you will serve  How 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 zIdentifies the focus of your proposal zHighlights 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 zExplains why the need exists

The Needs Statement helps the grantmaker  identify their interest in your proposal zbuild a case for grant maker support

Remember... zMoney is not the solution - Money will not address the need. (Every organization could use more money.) zThe program or activity you propose is the solution.

Goals zAre major steps to accomplish the mission of the project zAre conceptual and more abstract Example - Our after-school program will help children read better.

Objectives  Are the major steps to accomplish a goal zMust be realistic zMust be measurable zMust be time-specific  Must 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 page  Realistic  Categories  Match 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 concise  Be brief  Stress qualifications  Be interesting

Executive Summary layout zP1 - Identify yourself, purpose for writing, project goal. Indicate the amount you are seeking in the first 1-2 sentences. zP2 - Summarize your needs - only significant points zP3 - 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 requested  Appendix  Letters of support  Cover letter  System-wide statistical data or financial information  Information about organizational structure and board zPress clippings

Tips on writing  Good Grant Writing is just good writing  Avoid jargon  Be compelling, but don’t overstate your case  Keep it simple  Revise 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! zWrite your thank you letters!  Distribute copies of the updated proposal  Order 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 contribution zSend a final thank you

Research potential funders zwww.foundationcenter.org zwww.njdoe.com zwww.schoolgrants.org zhttp://learnerassociates.net/proposal/links.htm