Grant Writing Workshop Oxford Area School District February 12, 2009 Susan Melrath and Etha McDowell OEF Oxford Educational Foundation PO Box 142 Oxford, PA

Agenda  OEF Professional Grants Checklist Deadline  How to Write Grant Requests  Where to look for Grants  What OEF can Offer

OEF Professional Grants

How to Write Grants  General Format  Common Grant Application Form  Specific Grantor Forms  On-line Form  Grantor Instruction

How to Write Grants  General Format 1.Executive Summary: umbrella statement of your case and summary of the entire proposal (1 page) 2.Statement of Need: why this project is necessary (2 pages) 3.Project Description: nuts and bolts of how the project will be implemented and evaluated (3 pages)

How to Write Grants  General Format (Continued) 4.Budget: financial description of the project plus explanatory notes (1 page) 5.Organization Information: history and governing structure of the nonprofit; its primary activities, audiences, and services (1 page) 6.Conclusion: summary of the proposal‘s main points (2 paragraphs)

How to Write Grants  Common Grant Application Form – Found at Delaware Valley Grantmakershttp:// – Checklist  A completed Grant Application Cover Summary with contact information?  A copy of the IRS letter confirming your organization’s 501(c )(3) status?  A completed Grant Proposal Narrative not exceeding five (5) typed pages (excluding attachments)?  An itemized annual budget for your organization’s current fiscal year, with actual figures for the previous fiscal year?  An itemized budget, listing income and expenses, for this specific grant?  Your organization’s most recent AUDITED financial statement or IRS Form 990?  List of three largest funders in the last fiscal year and type of grant?  Your organization’s latest annual report or summary of the prior year’s activities?  Current Board list and affiliations?  One-paragraph descriptions of key staff and their relevant qualifications?  Grantee report (if previously funded)?  Letters of agreement from any collaborating agencies (if applicable), and letters of support and/or recent reviews or articles (if available)?

How to Write Grants Common Grant Application Form – Used by the following Foundations

How to Write Grants Specific Grantor Forms Online Forms – Go to the Grantor Website and download or Copy and Paste Specific Grantor Instructions – Follow all of the rules exactly! This is the number two reason that a grant application is denied. – Do not miss a deadline - even by one hour. – Use the terminology that they request. Speak their language. – Use a dispassionate proofreader - if you are sloppy with grammar, you indicate that you will not be a careful steward of the foundation's money. – Provide all of the forms requested. Do not exceed the length they specify.

Where to look for Grants Professional Organizations – Networking Leads – Organization grants Ex: PDE grants Web – Delaware Valley Grantmakers ( – Chester County Community Foundation ( – Web search with

What OEF can Offer Partnering if you need a 501(1)(c)(3) organization – Required by some Grantors PA Foundations Online – Extensive list of all Pennsylvania Foundations – $250 annual fee EITC – the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC), provides companies with a 75% tax credit for donations to a non-profit scholarship or educational improvement organization – OEF initial efforts with Brian Urig, HS chemistry