Download - Intro to Federal Grant Opportunities
Intro to Federal Grant Opportunities
Maine Association of NonprofitsNovember 8, 2010
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Intro to Federal Grant Opportunities
Deborah SchilderDirector for Planning & DevelopmentBroadreach Family & Community Services
338-2200 Ext 112
Webinar Goals
To increase participants’ Understanding of the organizational capacity
needed to apply for, implement and report on federal grants;
Ability to search for and evaluate available federal funding opportunities; and
Understanding of the process for applying for federal grant funds.
Get Ready!Purpose of Federal Grants
To secure funding for a specific project or to address a specific problem that directly assists or benefits the public in such areas as education, health, public safety, public welfare,
and public works.
Some Types of Federal Grants
Capacity BuildingChallengeConferenceConstructionDemonstrationDisseminationEquipment
•General Purpose
•Matching
•Operating
•Planning
•Renovation
•Research
•Training
Federal Funding Mechanisms
Block or Formula Grants
Entitlement Grants
Project or Discretionary Grants
Appropriation (Earmark Grants)
Federal Grant Process: Overview
Public Grant Announcement: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)
Release of Application Materials
Federal Grant Process… more
Bidder’s Conference or Webinar
Question and Answer Period
Sometimes: Pre-Application
Deadline for Proposal Submission
Federal Grant Process… more
Grant Review
Award Notification
Contract
Reporting
Are You Ready for a Fed Grant?
Previous experience with federal grants?
Reporting & audit capacity?
Ability to meet tight deadlines?
Ability to manage long-term multi-dimensional project and partnerships?
Get Set! Grants.Gov
Search for grant oppsRegister to apply for grantsApply for grantsTrack grant applications
Also- agency websites, such as
www.e-grants.ed.gov
Analyzing a Notice of Funding Availability
Eligibility of organization
Goals of the NOFA: Relevance to your organization
Grant Requirements
Organizational feasibility of developing a proposal
Analyzing…(continued)
Probability of funding success
Feasibility of managing project, partnerships, reporting etc
Probability of meeting objectives/ project success
Gathering Info
Review all available printed and posted info
Call or email contract officer with questions
Find out who else has been funded and for what purpose
Review sample funded proposal
Get Set
Learn about upcoming deadlines
Line up partners
Research needs & opportunities
Register with grants.gov (or update registration information)
Do as much advance planning as possible
BEFORE you write a grant
Know your organization, mission & strengths
Identify the community problem/ needConnect with potential partnersAnalyze the RFPGather necessary information then…. Get organized to write the
proposal
GPRA
The Government Performance and Results Act, 1993
GPRA addressed a broad range of concerns about government accountability and performance. Its goals were to improve the confidence of Americans in federal government, focus on the actual results of government activity and services, support congressional oversight and decision-making, and improve the managerial and internal workings of agencies within the federal government.
State Review Exec Order 12372
Donna BradstreetState Planning Office184 State Street38 State House StationAugusta, Maine 04333-0038Telephone: (207) 287-6077(Direct) (207) 287-5649Fax: (207) [email protected]
Go! The Game Plan
Study all grant requirements, including eligibility, reporting, budgeting
Review timeline-- Deadlines are IMMUTABLE!
Bring together partners ASAP
Review scoring process
GO!
Make a checklist of all components and timelines
Organize your filing system Gather necessary info Ask for clarification if needed Outline the project goals, activities &
outcomes Make a plan for writing the grant – who/ what/
when with deadlines for completion
GO!
Write drafts of all partsOften it is helpful to start with the budgetReview and rewrite/ edit draftsAssemble, reviewRead instructions againPROOFREADSubmit 48 hours ahead of time
A Successful Grant Proposal is
Clear
Concise
Well-planned
Specific
Passionate
A Successful Grant Proposal presents
A problem
A solution
A way to measure success
A clear budget
A plan for sustainability
Partnerships
Benefits of Collaboration
Eliminate duplication of other efforts
Fiscal Sponsorship
MOUs vs. Letters of support
Involvement of stakeholders
Is there broad community support for the idea?
Evaluation
Internal vs External
How will you know the project was a success?
What tools will you use to collect data, measure progress?
Must be part of project design
Connect objectives, activities, impact
Be truthful
Sustainability
What happens to the project after the grant period?
Is it a one-shot project? A pilot project?
How will additional funding be leveraged?
How will results be disseminated?
Demonstrate long-term planning
Collaborations
If you are turned down for funding
Request scoring sheets and comments
Review carefully
Plan for next NOFA
Try again
Top Tips for Successful Grants
Give yourself enough time.
Do your homework.
Contact the funder if you have any questions.
Be organized. Make a checklist.
Follow directions, format & timelines.
Pay attention to scoring information.
More Top Tips…..
Be concise. Clear. Don’t use jargon. Do use bullets and tables. Appearance!
Be specific, use numbers when possible.
How will the project make a difference? (Show enthusiasm & define success).
Be truthful.
Have someone else read the proposal before submitting it. Proofread!
Final Tips for Beginning Federal Grantwriters
Collaborate with an experienced partner.
Ask for reviewers comments/ scoring sheet.
Stay abreast of funding trends & legislation.
Plan ahead.
Deborah SchilderDirector of Planning and Development
Broadreach Family & Community Services
[email protected] (207) 338-2200 Ext 112
www.BRMaine.org