Guide to Identifying & Writing Grant Proposals Stacie D. Brockman Equal Employment Opportunity Officer Office of Justice Programs

Office of Justice Programs Overview What We Do: OJP provides leadership and assistance in developing the nation’s capacity to: –Prevent and control crime, –Improve the criminal and juvenile justice systems, –Increase knowledge about crime and related issues, and –Assist crime victims Provide training, and technical assistance to state, local, and non-profit organizations involved in any aspect of the administration of justice for all areas of public safety Administer and manage $7.8 billion (11,021 grants) totaling in federal grants to state and local grant programs through various programs and initiatives

Office of Justice Programs Overview The Office of Justice Programs is a component of the United States Department of Justice. The Office of Justice Programs also houses: Bureau of Justice Statistics National Institute of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Office for Victims of Crime Community Capacity Development Office Office of the Police Corps and Law Enforcement Education

Why Seek Funding? What Resources are Available? Private: Corporations/Business/Foundations State Funding Federal Funding

Why Seek Funding? Plan Projects Implement Projects Enhance Projects Pilot Projects Evaluate Projects Augment Staff Capabilities Purchase Equipment What Can Funding Help Me Accomplish?

Why Seek Funding? Good Reasons for Seeking Grants A sincere desire to solve the problem or address the issue involved A strong belief that your agency/organization is equipped to solve he problem or address the issue involved A conviction that your agency can resolve, mitigate, or reduce the problem. The Program Announcement or RFP conforms to your agency’s mission.

Why Seek Funding? Questionable Reasons for Seeking Grants Following the Money Obtaining Money for Applicant Agency Sustainability

Identifying Funding Sources Private Funding Distinctive Rules and Requirements Ties between Project Goals and Foundation Mission Shorter Proposals Credibility is Key May or May Not be Reviewed Competitively Think Community Utilize Partnerships

Identifying Funding Sources Private Funding Sources Foundation Center: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: The Ford Foundation: The Pew Charitable Trust: Annie E. Casey: Corporate Philanthropy:

Identifying Funding Sources State Funding Opportunities Funding from State Legislature, Specific to State Funding from Federal Formula Grants to States - Follows Federal Grant Guidelines - May Have Additional Requirements Funding from Local Organizations

Identifying Funding Sources Federal Funding Understanding the How’s and Why’s of Federal Funding: Budget Appropriations Process Review Type of Funds: Discretionary v. Formula Type of Award: Grants v. Cooperative Agreements Earmarks

Identifying Funding Sources Federal Funding Source Sites U.S. Government Portal (FirstGov): CFDA: Grants.Gov: Federal Register: Federal Agency Web Sites Independently-Operated Consortium Web Sites:

Identifying Funding Resources WHEN IN DOUBT….... GOOGLE IT

Funding Resources Available Through OJP Two Main Categories Formula Grants Discretionary Grants

Formula Grant Programs Provides funds to assist states and local governments States and local programming may address approved purpose areas Awards based upon predetermined formulas that may be based upon factors such as the crime rate, population or other factors May require cash match with nonfederal funds Maximum project periods Contact your State Agency for more information (

Types of Discretionary Grants Typically, funding totals $50-60 million Congressional Earmarks Sole Source Selection Limited and Open Competition Continuation Grants

Writing Your Grant Proposal So You’ve Developed Your Project and Your Partnerships….. How Do You Write A Grant Proposal?

Writing Your Grant Proposal Principles of Effective Writing An Effective Writer Keeps These Elements in Mind at All Times: Purpose Audience Message

Writing Your Grant Proposal Principles of Clear Writing Keep Sentences Short Prefer the Simple to the Complex Use the Familiar Avoid Unnecessary Words Put Action in Your Verbs Write the Way You Talk Use Terms Your Reader Can Picture Tie in with Your Reader’s Experience Make Full Use of Variety Write To Express, Not to Impress

Common Mishaps to Avoid Developing a proposal at the last minute Not developing and following an outline Focusing on “what the funders want” only Promising the moon Not adhering to established criteria of the RFP (statistics, timeframes, page numbers, MOUs, etc.) Not telling the story (history of problem, circumstances, etc.)

If your application is not selected for funding? Request a copy of peer review comments Ask to become a peer reviewer Try, try again!

Website and Contact Information Website: Stacie D. Brockman US Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs (202)