1. Grant Writing for Beginners
Presented by Alyssa Martin Troy University Montgomery Campus
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2. Troy University Libraries – Programming Grants
It only takes one - START
Growing the program at TROY
Why engage in Community Outreach?
Examples of Troy University Libraries grants
Montgomery Campus Rosa Parks Library & Museum staff take part in Banned Books Week “Read with Rosa” event.
Dr. Chris Shaffer and library staff at Troy University Library in Troy, AL take part in Banned Books Week events made possible by a grant from the Judith Krug Foundation.

3. 2016/2017 NEA Big Read
Troy University Libraries received the NEA Big Read grant for $16,600 from the National Endowment of the Arts and Arts Midwest to read the book Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones.
Partners included:
Alabama Book Festival
Alabama Library Association
Montgomery City-County Public Libraries
Rosa Parks Museum
Trenholm State Community College
Carver High School
Tayari Jones speaks at the closing session of the 2015 Alabama Library Convention in Montgomery, AL.

4. 2019/2020 NEA Big Read
Troy University Libraries received the NEA Big Read grant for $15,000 from the National Endowment of the Arts and Arts Midwest to read the book Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine.
Where: Montgomery, AL and the surrounding River Region Community
When: March/April of 2020
Events:
Art exhibit
Theatre production
Poetry Slam
Speakers
Film Screenings
Book Festival
Partners include:
Alabama Book Festival
Jeff Davis High School
Montgomery City-County Public Libraries
Rosa Parks Museum
Trenholm State Community College

5. Steps to Successful Grantsmanship
1. Know who you are and what you want to accomplish. 2. Know what needs to be done and how you want to achieve it. 3. Build a relationship with the funding source. 4. Write a winning proposal. 5. Follow through!
The best way never to get a grant – don’t write one
The best way to get a grant – follow the instructions!
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6. So you want to be a successful grant writer…
1. WHY are you interested in writing grants? If so, what types of grants?
2. Approach your administration. DO YOU HAVE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT?
3. Examine yourself. Your motives. Your skills.
Are you knowledgeable in your field?
Do you enjoy writing with a purpose?
Are you creative?
Are you resilient and persistent?
Are you a strong multi-tasker?
Are you a strong communicator?
Are you personable?
Are you optimistic?
Do you have strong organizational skills?
Do you pay close attention to details?
4. Are you & your organization prepared to implement the grant once you get it?
5. READY, SET, GO… get those grants!
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7. The Grant Process Problem or Question- strategic plan, initial idea
Assess capability
Assess need for idea
Select Funding Source
Plan Proposal
Speak with Donor or Program Officer
Write Proposal
Submit Proposal
Implement Proposal
Target Population Benefits

8. The Proposal Application Form
Make sure you follow the directions completely.
Pay attention to details.
Pay attention to the scoring guide and evaluation criteria (if given).
Choose your partners wisely. (Get letters of support if applicable.)
Submit your grant AT LEAST a few days prior to the deadline.
AND
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the application!!!
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9. The Proposal Narrative
Grab the reader’s attention immediately.
Follow statements with good data.
Keep your audience in mind.
Writing Style
Have one voice/style.
Be direct.
Writing Tone
Stay positive.
Be decisive.
Writing Level
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10. Other Proposal Writing Tips
Don’t use jargon or abbreviations.
Don’t use filler.
Check your spelling & grammar.
Use Bold. Underline main points.
Bullet points help reviewers.
End with a strong, powerful conclusion.
Get another person(s) to read/proof it.
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11. 10 Common Elements of Winning Proposals
Identify Needs
Describe what will be done
Logical presentation
Positive terms
No Jargon
Detailed Budgets
Give something Back
Follow Guidelines
Look Professional
Not too long or too short
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12. The Grant Writing Model
For a problem, question or idea:
Funder Donor/match
Organization Mission
Need Statement
Goal(s)
Objectives
Activities
Personnel
Evaluation
Budget
Dissemination
Sustainability

13. Need Statement
Outlines a public or community need that the federal grant applicant’s proposed project aims to address.
May be a few sentences, or a few paragraphs, in length.
It is typically one part of the larger project narrative that carries the reader from the defined need into discussion of specifically how the applicant aims to address that need.
Tell a story that conveys the applicant’s knowledge and insight, and demonstrate that the organization understands the issue well enough to address the problem.
In the context of federal grants, the “problem” can be anything from the need to digitize and preserve historically significant photographs to the need to protect a habitat or an endangered species, or the need to investigate a scientific finding that promises health benefits for people with cancer, or the need to support efforts to re-train workers from fading industries.
The need statement conveys that the applicant is both familiar and equipped to address a problem -- according to the specifics outlined in the federal agency’s funding opportunity announcement.
Source: Grants.gov

14. Statement of need/Significance
Describe the situation/problem/need as it exists now in a straightforward and compelling manner. i.e. why does Mtg AL and surrounding community need to read Citizen: An American Lyric?
Supported by evidence (data).
Narrative from my NEA Big Read grant:
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15. Project Description Accomplishes three objectives:
The project description is the main narrative about your project and how it will accomplish your organization's goals. When you write your project description, you are telling a story
Accomplishes three objectives:
It details the activities that will make up your project.
It generates excitement for your project.
It makes the case for the specific approach you have chosen. .

16. Basic Proposal Elements
Goals statement tells what
Objectives –along with a list of methods for reaching these objectives – tell how (your plan)
Each one flows logically from the next
Activities are based on your objectives.

17. Objectives
Your program's objectives are its measurable outcomes. They should be specific, concrete, and achievable within a specified period of time.
Goals vs. Objectives -- Goals are more abstract and broader in scope.
Example:
Goal
Our afterschool program will help children learn how to read at the next grade level.
Objective
At least 50 out of the 70 children participating in our afterschool program will increase their reading level within 12 weeks. Specifically, they will increase their score on a reading proficiency test by five percentile points.
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18. Connect Objectives to the Need
Think of your objectives in terms of these questions:
What are you trying to change? (ex. Reading levels)
What kind of change are you trying to achieve (ex. to increase, to provide, to prevent, to expand, etc.)?
What degree or amount of change are you trying to achieve? (ex. One grade level or five percentile points on standardized test)
What is the specific population you are working with? (ex. Students in grades 2-4)
What is the timeframe for this change? (ex. 12 weeks)
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19. Grant Proposal -Timelines
ALWAYS have a timeline that is:
A realistic assessment of the time needed to meet your goals. Don’t be overly ambitious – can hurt your grant application.
Create 3 timelines per grant
For application
For grant
For the budget
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20. Prepare a budget with a strong justification.
Use a timeline to compute the amount of time employees will spend carrying out each portion of the project.
Be reasonable. Don’t overinflate your budget. Unreasonable budgets create skeptical reviewers, which hurts your proposal.
Keep your budget within the given guidelines.
The budget narrative and project narrative must match (same activities, resources needed, staff needed, etc.)
Triple check your calculations

21. Budget Questions
How much do you need to accomplish your goal & objectives?
What are the budget items?
Is cost-sharing required? If so, what costs will your organization contribute?
How much does your institution charge (indirect costs)?
What items will the granting agency allow you to use their money for?

22. Budget Basics
Direct Cost- everything you’ll need to make the grant happen (itemize)
Indirect cost- overhead – F&A (facilities & administration) – negotiated rate
Challenge grants- challenge you to raise a % of what you need from other sources. Two ways:
In-Kind- volunteers give time for free (Dr. gives free help, University pays salary)
Cash Match- gather money from other companies or businesses
tells you how much it would cost to hire a volunteer
In-kind and cash match shows others are willing to invest in your project.

23. Value of Volunteer Time – By state
Source:

24. Budget for 2019/2020 NEA Big Read

25. Program Evaluation/Final Reports
Granting agencies may require these after the grant is executed.
How did things go? How did you spend the money? What were the results? How many people attended the events?
Can be done internally or externally
Provide specific information, show you completed the goal you intended to accomplish
American Evaluation Association – find an evaluator
Shop around for one, use a graduate student
If you need to hire someone, write the evaluator into the budget
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26. NEA Big Read – Final Report

27. Funding: Where is the money?
Private Sources of Funding:
Corporations
Foundations
Individuals (Professional & Trade Associations)
Public Sources of Funding:
Federal Agencies
State & Local Agencies

28. Advantages of Funding Sources
Public
Purpose set by legislation.
Most likely to award large contracts.
Most likely to pay all project costs.
Uses prescribed formats for proposals.
Most likely to offer technical assistance.
Funds available to a wider array of organizations.
Private
Focus on “emerging issues.”
Wide range in size of available grants.
Willing to support start-up funds.
Complex proposals are not always required.
May provide alternative forms of assistance.
Often fewer applications because of specificity.
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29. Disadvantages of Funding Sources
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Public
More bureaucratic.
Complex proposal requirements & compliance procedures.
Sometimes difficult to sell new ideas/high risk approaches.
Changing political trends.
Private
Grants are usually smaller.
Information on policy and procedures must be researched.
Limited staff, less opportunity for personal contact.
Less likely to cover all project costs (often no indirect).

30. Example of a Foundation grant

31. Private Donors - Letters of Inquiry
Ask for the Gift
Describe the Need
Explain What You Will Do
Provide Institutional Data
Include Appropriate Budget Data
Close
Attach Any Additional Information
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32. Searching for Grants
1. Go to Grants.gov
2. Check the following federal organizations/agencies:
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
Institute of Museum and Library Science (IMLS)
3. Check state grants:
Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA)
Alabama Humanities Foundation (AHF)
4. Check federal & state foundations:
Go to Top 50 Alabama Foundations
Alabama Power Foundation
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Knight Foundation
5. Check businesses such as –
Publix- Community Involvement
Walmart – Community Giving
Local to Montgomery, AL: Band of Poarch Creek Indians, Hyundai
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35. Academia.edu – pay for assess to grant database

36. Library Blog Spot

37. Check ALA Website: Programming Librarian

38. Go to www.neabigread.org and click on “Apply for a Grant.”

39. Grant Opportunities – Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS)
Accelerating Promising Practices for small Libraries
Deadline: December 02, 2019
Grant Amount: $10,000 - $50,000
For more info to

40. IMLS-Example of Funded Grant

42. NLM/NNLM – Funding Opportunities

43. NLM/NNLM – Funded Projects

44. Funding Beyond NLM and NNLM

45. Traveling Exhibits

46. and the Holocaust Traveling Exhibit
Americans
and the Holocaust Traveling Exhibit
Grant from ALA & the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
At Troy University Library, Troy AL
February 24, 2021 – April 7, 2021

47. Go Get that Grant!!! 1. Find the right program for you and your idea.
2. Become a “student” and do research.
3. Develop a timeline for proposal preparation.
4. Understand criteria used to evaluate proposals.
5. Understand the review process and reviewers.
6. Write proposals logically and clearly.
7. Prepare the budget with a strong justification.
8. Obtain critical input from experienced and successful colleagues.
9. Fill out forms completely and correctly.
10. Submit in a timely manner!!!
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48. For More Information Book Chapter
Martin, A., Shaffer, C. (2017). The Latino Americans: 500 Years of History Grant Experience: A Case Study in Cooperation. In Carol Smallwood & Vera Gubnitskaia (Ed.), Library Partnerships with Writers and Poets: Case Studies. McFarland.
Article
Shaffer, C., Pearce, M., Martin, A. (Vol. 65, no. 2, Summer 2017). Creating a Culture of Grant- Writing in a Multi-Campus Academic Setting. The Southeastern Librarian.

49. Happy Grant Writing! If awarded – celebrate and get to work!
If not selected don’t be discouraged – Ask why and write again!
Contact information:
Alyssa Martin
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