funding your program

FUNDING YOUR PROGRAM

How do you make it all happen?

First Step:PROJECT PLANNING

How to plan your project and make your partnership work...

Identify the Problem

• Is it a physical need?

• Is it a staffing need?

• Is it an educational need?

Define the nature of the problem -

Assess the ProblemWho does the problem affect?

• A community?

• A watershed?

• Is it a statewide problem?

• National/global?

How are they affected?

Identify the Causes

Why does this problem occur?

Is a resource unavailable?• Materials• equipment

Are additional skills needed? Is communication limited?

Address the Problem Will a partnership solve or

significantly improve the situation?

Are there other members in the community who face the same problem?

Do prospective partners have a reason to participate?

Develop Project Goals

How will the partners address the problem?

What outcomes would you like from this project?

How will the improved situation benefit your target group?

Evaluating your Project

How will you know if your project was successful?

How will you determine

if your methods worked?

BUDGET: What do you need to address the problem?

Goods and supplies Equipment Labor Technical assistance Office space Professional development opportunities

Do You Need aGrant Proposal?

Do you have the talent and materials within your partnership to complete the project?

Could your problem be addressed by having local vendors provide materials or make other contributions? [New partners!]

Could a community fundraiser fulfill your needs?

If you answered yes to any of these questions … then you may NOT need to write a proposal.

Budget Your Time

Make a schedule!!!

• 80% planning the project

• 20% writing the proposal

Next Steps

1. Begin researching funding sources - but

remember that funders are partners, too

2. Collect materials to write your proposal

•Your mission/purpose •Staff background, skills•Budget estimates•Project support•IRS documentation

Things to Think About -Before Writing

Have a project vision but think specifics:• Who are the clients? What is the project

purpose?

• Who is an appropriate funder? What is their budget cycle?

• Who will be the grantee? Who is eligible?

COMPONENTS OF A PROPOSAL

Executive Summary Introduction Problem Statement Objectives Methods Budget Evaluation

Executive Summary

Previews the proposal

Extracts a bit from each

section Different from the cover

letter - part of the proposal

Introduction: Describes the Qualifications of the Applicant

and the Partners

Credibility

Credibility

Credibility

Problem Statement

Why is this a problem or issue? Define the scope - localize the

problem Prove the problem or need Offer examples, quotations Give the bad result if the

problem is not addressed

Objectives:Must be Measurable

How many will be affected?

How much will be provided?

By when?

Methods

How will the project be accomplished?

What is the process? Who will complete it? What is the timeline?

Evaluation

Tools that measure success

Review of program delivery

Sharing of new information

Budget: Table and Narrative

Reflects the project description Must be accurate and add up correctly Should be reasonable Should not create more questions

Future Funding

Commitment to the project if not funded now

Community support Your plan to increase support

• grassroots• informal• formal

SHOW ME THE MONEY

How to work with funders

References and resources to find external funding

Remember, Funders Are Partners!

Build a relationship Be courteous Respect their time Know their interests Discuss opportunities Follow up

And Partners Like to be Recognized

Made possible by grants from the Dasher, Dancer and Vixen Foundations

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

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Tips for Working with Funders

Grant guidelines and annual reports

telephone or 1-page inquiry letter

Other funders?

Get the Gold Star for...

Coordination Strong outcomes Realistic budget Being brief, well organized, on time Knowing the funder’s budget cycle Working with a proofreader

What to Look For Does your project meet the funder’s

interest (purpose/mission)? Are you an eligible applicant? Does it support projects in your area? What size grants does it give (assets)? What is the application process? What are the grant criteria?

State Partners State agencies - grants, programs Non-governmental organizations Universities Cooperating and friends

organizations Individual donors

More State Resources Corporations - with headquarters

or regional offices in your state Local business associations (e.g.,

Rotary Club) Local community organizations

What

if we still

need money?

What

if we still

need money?

Three Types of Grants

Federal

Foundation

Corporate

How do we find Funders?

Federal Grants Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance

Federal Register

Specialty Catalogs• EPA Catalog of Federal Funding Sources

for Watershed Protection

Foundations and Corporations $213B in 2001

76% Individuals

8% Bequests

12% Foundations

4% Corporations

Where it goes:

7% environmentaland animal

3% science andtechnology

25% education

65% other

Where the money comes from:

References

Foundation Directories Corporate Funding Directories Chronicle of Philanthropy

On the Net Internet

• Foundation Center Online (http://www.fdncenter.org)• Foundation searches, 990s• Learning Center

• Specialized sites (e.g., http:// www.schoolgrants.org/)

Libraries• Foundation Center Collections

What if You Don’t Get the Grant?

Follow up - ask:• Any hints to increase

success next time?• Any other funders

recommended? Don’t burn any

bridges

You got the Grant!!

Celebrate

Yippee!!Yahoo!!

Remember Your Partners

Write thank-you note Grant agreement Reporting Keep in touch

It’s really all about building solid relationships.

For more information on how to write grant proposals, check out NCTC’s course:

Grantwriting for Conservation

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