Grant Writing 101

Kaye MurryArkansas Department of HealthSoutheast Region HHI Manager

May 29, 2013

Definitions

Request for Proposal: A notice from a funding agency or foundation to ask for proposals for new grant. They usually list program descriptions (what they will or won’t fund), deadlines and who is eligible.

More Definitions

Grantor: the agency or organization that gives a grant. Also known as funder.

Grantee: Group that receives grant.

Letter of Intent (LOI): Letter submitted by the group to the Grantor. This tells them you are planning on writing an application. You are not required to complete an application just because you send an LOI.

And More Definitions

Letter of Support: A brief letter by an “expert” or someone in your community that tells why he/she thinks the application should be funded.

Letter of Commitment: A brief letter by a community partner that tells how they will support the program-what part of the activities they will agree to do.

Letter of Inquiry: A short story that you write to the funder. Tells the potential funder about the group and gives them the change to see if you “fit” with their mission.

Things to Remember

Research, Research, Research Planning an application is VERY important Recipe is: 2/3 planning and 1/3 writing Getting funded takes time It is never too early to start No research or writing is ever wasted-it’s

practice! Follow all the guidelines and instructions.

Following Instructions

Read the guidance

Read the guidance Read the guidance

Read the guidance Read the guidance

Read the guidance

The Request for Applications

Who is eligible?

When is the deadline?

What is the award amount per grant?

Is there a matching requirement

Who do I contact with questions.

Elements of Proposat

Abstract

Statemetn of Need

Goals and Objectives

Project personnel

Information to include

Data Does your program idea stand a

good chance of being funded? How does it fulfill the mission of the

grantor? How does it fulfill the mission of

your organization?

Case Statement

Who are you What do you do Why do you need the money What are you going to do with it How will the grantor know that you

did it Why should the grantor invest How will the grantor benefit

PROOF

Read it out loud several times Double check spelling of names and

make sure job titles are correct. Let at least two other people proof

read it for you. See if they understand what your request is for.

Federal Grants

Individual agency web sites – DHHS, USDA, Dept. of ED

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance www.cfda.gov

Other Sources

If your interest is state government funds – individual state agency web sites (Health Dept., Dept. of Rural Services, AR Parks and Tourism)

If your interest is non-governmental funds local community foundations State, regional, or national foundations Corporate foundations with businesses

operating in your geographic area Networking/word of mouth

The Foundation Center

www.foundationcenter.org Over 400 Arkansas Foundations listed IRS 990s Arkansas Cooperative Collections

Fayetteville Public Library UA Fort Smith - Boreham Library Central Arkansas Library System – Main Street

Branch Charles A. Frueauff Foundation Office ASU – Norma Wood Library

National Data Sources

US Census Bureau www.census.gov

CDC - www.cdc.gov/datastatistics

Arkansas Data Sources

ADH Health Statistics Branch www.healthy.arkansas.com

UALR Data Center – http://www.aiea.ualr.edu

Become familiar with your local library

Objectives

SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound)

Shows specific, measurable change Always identify a baseline from

which to measure progress Here is where solutions begin

Objectives vs. Action Steps

Objectives pertain to what will happen within the target population

Objectives contain common elements: A time frame (by when) The target population (who is being served) Targeted behavior Amount of measurable change expected (what

and how it will be measured) Action Steps pertain to what the applicant

will do (means to the end or change) Workshops, research, education classes, etc.