1. + Grant Writing a Writing Center Workshop

2. + Welcome to the Writing Center A little bit about you… A little bit about us….

3. + Goals Become comfortable with the genre of grant writing Style Recursiveness Failure rate Start looking for grant makers Research Evaluation Questions

4. + What’s the plan? Topics we’ll be covering today How to think about grant writing Knowing Your Project What is your project’s goal(s)? How much money do you realistically need? How well can you explain your project (in words & numbers)? Who would be interested in funding this type of project? Knowing Your Grant Maker Who is your grant maker? Who have they funded in the past? How much have they given? How do you realistically compare?

5. + GRANT WRITING BASICS

6. + Before you start writing you should be able to: Identify your needs and focus Consider your mode, audience, purpose, and situation Find prospective grants and funders

7. + General Tips Be realistic in designing the project. Apply early and often. Include a cover letter with your application. Answer all questions (and pre-empt all unstated questions). If rejected, revise proposal and apply again. Give grant makers what they want. Follow the application guidelines exactly. Make explicit connections between each section of the proposal. Repetition is okay!

8. + Once you begin writing, you should consider: Style Be concise, clear, and logical. Everything you write should serve a purpose. Structure Follow your funder’s suggested format. Use headings and subheadings to organize your writing and make it easy to read.

9. + Once you begin writing, you should consider: Feedback Seek feedback from funders, peers, and advisors and use resources like the Writing Center. Grant Writing should not be done in isolation. Revision Use feedback to improve your proposal. Many proposals are not funded, but incorporating both positive and negative feedback to revise your proposal can increase chances for future funding. Keep your mode, audience, purpose, and situation in mind

10. + Typical Pieces of a Grant Proposal: Common to Research Projects Title Page Abstract or summary (describing the project) Introduction (problem statement, need statement, purpose, and goals) Literature review (if writing research proposal) Project narrative (methods, procedures, objectives, outcomes, evaluation, and timeline)

11. + Typical Pieces of a Grant Proposal: Specific to Grants Cover letter Personnel (individuals planning and working on the project) Budget and justification (how funds will be used)

12. + TIPS & TRICKS to the GENRE

13. + Grant Writing Is A Process *Diagram From UNC Writing Center

14. + Grant Writing Proposal Tips Stop, think, and organize your ideas. Take the time to write an outline of your proposal. When confused, refocus on the outline. Ax the jargon.

15. + Grant Writing Proposal Tips Cont. To be compelling, include human interest. Don't exaggerate. Simplify. Revise, edit and clarify. Try reading the proposal out loud to someone.

16. + FINDING A GRANT MAKER

17. + Grant Databases Searching for General Grants: http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/zacadbib.htm http://foundationcenter.org/ http://www.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_opportunities.jsp Searching for Environment Grants: http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/2sgalpha.htm Foundation Center RFP Bulletin: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/index.jhtml Subscription to Chronicle of Philanthropy: http://philanthropy.com/section/Home/172 Michigan Specific Grants: http://www.michiganfoundations.org/s_cmf/sec.asp?CID=516&DID=254 1 http://www.michiganfoundations.org/s_cmf/sec.asp?CID=516&DID=254 1

18. + Evaluating Grant Maker Now that you think you’ve found a funder, you need to consider the following before applying: Am I eligible to apply? Does this funder support the type of funding that I’m in need of? Do I need to prepare an LOI (Letter of Inquiry) before officially submitting a proposal? If so, when is the LOI due? Who do I submit the LOI to? When is the deadline to apply for the grant? Will I have all of the information necessary by this time?

19. + Evaluating Grant Maker Yes, I am eligible for the grant. What do I need to know as I prepare my grant proposal? Who to address your proposal to Key words or specific topics you should include in your proposal Whether you have all of the materials the funder requests be submitted If not, how you will obtain these materials and whether you will receive them in time for the grant submission deadline How much to ask for Refer to the Non-Profits website for giving history Look at Guidestar.org – provides past 990 forms that detail a non- profits previous giving history

20. + Tracking Your Evaluations Name of grant Contact Description Funding history Notes Track requests sent (and/or) any reports

21. + Tracking Sheet

22. + ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

23. + More Resources Books Winning Grants Step by Step, Third Edition (The Jossey-Bass Nonprofit Guidebook Series) [Paperback] Mim Carlson (Author), Tori O’Neal-McElrath (Author), The Alliance for Nonprofit Management (Author) Research and Sciences Successful Grant Writing For the Sciences: http://vimeo.com/12643969 http://vimeo.com/12643969 Jon Harrison (MSU Librarian; Grant Information Master) Email: harris23@mail.lib.msu.eduharris23@mail.lib.msu.edu Telephone: (517) 884-0855

24. + QUESTIONS?