How to attain the $ in Grant$

Time and Capacity

Show me the money!

Assessment Panel ?

What’s required?

• Capacity Building• Sustainability• Creating Profile for your Business• Planning your Grant Application• Proactive, not Reactive• Acquittal of Grant

Why not?

Two key reasons why organisations do not receive funding :

• 1. The number of applications received far exceeded available funding

• 2. The application did not rate highly enough against the assessment criteria set out in our guidelines to be recommended for funding by our clients.

What they are looking for

The organisations that are successful in receiving funds are the ones able to outline a business case based on outcomes, rather than relying on emotional appeal.

Determining the Fit

• When it comes to government grants the elephant in the room is the limited funding available.

• The hard truth is, the vast majority of grant applicants are unsuccessful. Every single time. Most programmes receive four, five or even ten times more proposals than they can fund. Some good projects and some great organisations will miss out.

What makes for a Successful Proposal?

• A program/project that is within the scope of the funder’s area of giving.

• Sufficient documentation supported with facts.

• A project that reflects people needs and organizational needs.

Why are Projects Declined?

• Problem hasn’t been documented properly.• Problem does not strike reviewer as significant (It

failed to “grab” the reader).• Prospective client groups have not been involved in

planning and determining project goals.• Proposal is poorly written, hard to understand.• Proposal objectives do not match objectives of the

funding source.• Proposal budget is not within the range of funding

available through the funding agency.

Why are Projects Declined?

• Proposal program has not been coordinated with other individuals and organizations working in the same area.

• Funding source does not know the capabilities of those submitting the proposal.

• Project objectives are too ambitious in scope.• Writer did not follow guidelines provided by the

funding agency.• Insufficient evidence that the project can sustain

itself beyond the life of the grant.• Evaluation procedure is inadequate.

Statement of Need Exercise

• The statement of need must be able to answer the following questions at a minimum:

• 1. How will the defined population be impacted or different when the project is completed?

• 2. What documented proof/evidence is available to support the need for your project?

• 3. Who will your project serve?• 4. Are there any special circumstances to consider about your defined

area or population?• 5. What are your organizations needs?• 6. Brainstorm and write down three needs and two solutions for each

need.• 7. How did you identify with the needs and develop the solutions?

Measuring Outcomes

• Goal Statement• Objective Statement• Activities and Tasks that are Necessary to

Accomplish the Objective• Benefits and/or Results of Each Objective that

Leads to Measuring Outcomes;• Performance Indicators of Success

Writing a Grant

• Good layout makes content easy to follow. • Bad layout makes content difficult to follow.• Paragraphs of varying sizes - Bad• Lots of long paragraphs with no variation - Bad• Uses bulleted lists, charts and tables to illustrate

points and break up text - Good• Is made up of text only - Bad• Uses subheadings to break up long responses and

link response content back to the question

Writing a Grant

• Doesn’t use subheadings - Bad• Uses single-sentence paragraphs or quotes to create

an impact - Good• Lots of long paragraphs with no variation - Bad• Uses white space to improve legibility - Good• No white space, just lots and lots of text - Bad• Uses a clear font in a legible size - Good• Uses an overly ornate or very small font - Bad

Grant

• What is the primary purpose of the applicant including a brief overview about the applicant?

• Provide a (i)description of your project including information on (ii)what your project will do and how it will help(iii)achieve the objectives of the Activity. 3000ch/500words

• Demonstrate your understanding of the need for the funded Activity in the chosen community/communities and/or target group/s.

Grant

• Describe how the implementation of your proposal will achieve the Activity objectives for all stakeholders, including value for money within the Grant funding.

• Demonstrate your experience in effectively developing, delivering, managing and monitoring activities to achieve the Activity objectives for all stakeholders.

Writing a Grant Application

• You must state your case – clear, concise, compelling.

• Short, Succinct & to the point

Conditions of a Grant

A grant is offered on conditions that may include:

1.A specific purpose (e.g. capital improvements, purchase of equipment, or to run an event)2.The purpose could not be funded in any other way than through the grant3.The funds are properly expended for the stated purpose within a specific time frame

Conditions of a Grant

4. A report is provided to the funding body at the end of the funded project or works, including an audit on the expenditure of the funds

5. Your organisation is properly insured to cover staff, contractors and other relevant factors

6. You have legal permission to carry out any proposed works

In Addition

• There may be a requirement that the organisation must make a contribution towards the costs involved, from their own funds and/or from another community source. – 50/50 funding

• It is important that you read and understand the conditions of grant. If you have a question, contact the organisation offering the grant program for clarification.

Types of Grants

• Project Grants• Program Grants• Operating Grants• Organisational Effectiveness Grants• Capacity Building Grants• Capital Grants• Endowment Grants

Suitability

• Grant Writers should apply for grants that suit particular identified needs, taking into account the time to deliver on the grant if successful, available grantors for the type and purpose, the grantor’s requirements, when the funds are needed and organisation’s policies.

• You should apply for grants from organisations that are a suitable fit for your organisation.

How does your mission align with the Funder’s Core Priorities?

How do you collaborate with others?

Grants

• Need for funding = commercial potential• WIIFM Principle• Market Opportunity• Management Capability• Local, State or National Benefits

Grants

• Know the program rules• Plan application• Be creative but honest• Research Successful Grants• Provide Information required• Answer the question you are asked, not what

you think you are asked.• No superfluous information.

Grants

• RDAF (2013) - $250 million. Monitored response- removed the 50/50 component

• Local Government Community Energy Efficient program (2013) - $360 million – 20% energy efficiency, 80% selling the carbon tax – social inclusion in Western Sydney and North Melbourne

Social Media and Grants

• Twitter• Facebook• You Tube• Apps• CEO Blog• QR Codes• LinkedIn• Podcasts

The National Competitive Grants Program

The National Competitive Grants Program (Tertiary Sector) comprises two main elements - Discovery and Linkage - under which the ARC funds a range of complementary schemes to support researchers at different stages of their careers, build Australia’s research capability, expand and enhance research networks and collaborations, and develop centres of research excellence.

Grants

• Grants = telling a story / Painting a picture with words

• Plan – 4.55pm application – ‘Send’• Proactive, rather than reactive• People can only help you, if they know you

exist• Cultivating a relationship with Funding Body

Applying for Grants

• Demonstrate broad benefit and why funding needed

• Clearly define service delivery into area• Prioritise projects if submitting more than one• Current Public Liability Insurance• Most recent annual report• Strategic Plan/ Project Plan• Capital Expenditure

Applying for Grants

• Proposed Strategies lead to strong outcomes

• Data to prove need – stats & facts• That idea for project emerged from local

community – local benefits

Commonwealth Government Grant Guidelines

• Defines meaning of a grant – intended to promote one or more of Australian Government’s policy objectives

• Recipient is required to act in accordance with any terms or conditions specified

• One Standard Funding Agreement• Comply with milestones

Commonwealth Government Grant Guidelines

• Provide agreed funding after financing has been through assessment of milestone agreements

• Project Reporting = Marketing Opportunity – tell the success story

• Developing and using Program Logic• Beginnings – assumptions are sound• Planned work – activities based on

assumptions

Commonwealth Government Grant Guidelines

• Intended results – should lead to or contribute to the results expected

• Grants are given to make a difference – something has to happen with the money!

• Grant givers and makers are in the business of enablement.

• Flexible, Responsive, Manage risk, Community Service Delivery, Enhancing Community Development Initiatives and Advancing Participation in Community Life

Grant Guidelines

• Reporting – only provide the data that will be used by the grant giver

• Four accountability principles – Equity, Access, Transparency, Responding Appropriately

• Small questions should serve as big ones

• Beware of trade-off thinking

Relationships

• Work with other “connectors”

• Internal and external resourcing

• Local, State and Federal Current Affairs

Who, what, where, when, why = How?

Grant Guidelines

• State & Federal Government Funding is trying to achieve consistency between programs and simplified processes (effectiveness and efficiency)

• Trusts /Foundations are seeking a return on investment - or some approximation of it given the intangibles in community funding

• Outputs –number of employees trained,$ spent per participant

• Outcomes – overall result, increased profile of organisation, percentage of new people that joined a volunteer program, financial benefit

The Tony Blair Sports Foundation Network

How are applications assessed?

Once eligibility criteria are checked, each project application will be assessed, adhering to the basic principles as laid down below. The grant assessment is based on alignment with the Brisbane Access and Inclusion Plan 2012-2017. Applicants need to identify the problem that requires action, the benefits that will be delivered if the problem is addressed and the best way to solve the problem (solution).

How are applications assessed?

• Clear demonstration of the need for the project - 10%

• The access and inclusion benefits that will be achieved for a specific group as well as the broader community - 20%

• Rationale for the proposed solution including feasibility and value for money - 20%

• Alignment with the principles, priorities and initiatives identified in the Brisbane Access and Inclusion Plan 2012-2017 - 25%

How are applications assessed?

• Capacity to undertake all aspects of the project including, budget and project management, evaluation and reporting - 15%

• Evidence of effective consultation, partnering and networking - 10%

• Criteria 1-3 constitute 50% of the weighting of the criteria. Criteria 4-6 constitute 50% of the weighting of the criteria

The Top 5 Relationship Killers:

1. Not listening

2. Communicating only when you’re asking for $

3. Not the right person in the job

4. No professional relationship

5. Not saying thank you (properly)

The payoffs of good relationships with funding bodies:

• Gain a better understanding of the funding process

• Get help with your proposal

• Receive invitations to apply for new grants

• Obtain operational support

• Access to the funding body

• Offer a service to the funding body

You should...

• Carefully follow the instructions. • Always tailor the proposal and the specific

budget request based on your research into the funding body’s priorities and guidelines.

• Use ‘declarative’ rather than ‘conditional’ verbs. • Shorter is better. Keep your proposal tight and

the details condensed. • Document the ‘need’ or ‘problem’ on

multiple levels. Be specific!

Tips for Success

• When submitting a proposal try to use language describing an ‘investment’, rather than a ‘gift’. Be explicit on the benefits for the grant provider.

• Avoid dwelling on problems. Focus on opportunities that result from the challenges your organisation faces and the problems that the project, through adequate funding, will address.

• Provide a realistic assessment of the urgency that drives your project submission. Your proposed timeline must reflect both the need for urgent action and the realities of funding cycles.

Project Rationale

It is important to clearly state why the project is needed. This is where you justify to the funding body why they should fund your project.

Project Rationale

In order to do this, you will need to:• Demonstrate the need of the community or region your

proposal relates to• Objectively describe the specific situation, opportunity,

problem or issue that your project addresses.• You will need to clearly and concisely demonstrate that a

relevant, compelling problem or need exists and that your project will alleviate the issue or support other efforts to do so.

• Support your statements with qualified third-party research or other evidence to substantiate the need or problem.

Project Rationale

• It is important that the project ‘fits in’ with existing local planning.

• You should consult with groups already involved in community development to ensure this is the case and include this ‘compatibility’ in your argument.

Project Timing

• Projects don’t always run as smoothly as we would like, so it’s a good idea to build in a little time for stages where something ‘just might not go according to plan’.

• Your project may need to include some of these outcomes in the evaluation and reporting process, so you may need to build in some additional time to complete the total project.

Budget

• The Budget is one of the most important parts of your application and goes a long way to providing evidence of your ability to financially manage the grant if successful.

• The first thing to do is to carefully price all the costs that relate to the project.

• Then check that what you are requesting money for is in line with what the guidelines stipulate.

Budget

• For example, are you requesting too much or too little? What percentage of the total project cost can you apply for? If the guidelines indicate that a program will fund ‘up to 50%’, then it does not mean that you have to apply for 50%.

• Generally speaking, the lower the percentage of funds sought the better chance the project has of attracting funding.

Budget Tips

Some tips for the budget are:• If major pieces of equipment drive

up total budget costs, investigate whether the equipment can reasonably be shared with other organisations or whether second-hand equipment would provide a reasonable substitute. Would the program prefer to fund a hire purchase lease agreement?

Budget Tips

•Include an inflation factor and projected salary increases when applying for multi-year grants.

Budget Tips

• Beware of including even minimal costs if not essential to project operations.

• Costs should relate directly to the project itself, and not to the general operations of the organisation.

• The funding body might perceive these expenses as part of normal operating costs and view relatively trivial line items as artificial budget inflation.

Budget Tips

• Funding is very rarely given retrospectively, meaning that if you’ve already completed the project or even part of the project, it is then not eligible for funding.

• In essence, no obligations should be entered into in relation to the project until such time as funding contracts have been signed by all parties.

Methodology

The methodology describes what will be done in the project to achieve its submitted outcomes and how you intend to do this.

It’s important that the methodology section of your application gives a very clear description of how your project will progress, including details of the time it will take to accomplish your project objectives and who will undertake specific activities.

There should be a clear pathway linking individual stages.

Methodology

If the project is to be on-going, this section could also include what steps you are taking within the project for maintaining it as a long-term program.

The methodology could include a brief recap of the

need, objectives and expected impacts of the project, but must certainly provide a very clear description and explanation of how you are going to go about achieving those objectives.

Methodology

After reading through your methodology statement, the assessor in your funding body should feel comfortable that they know exactly how your project is going to work

Evaluation

Evaluation provides information to improve the project as it progresses. The information is collected to check whether the project is proceeding as planned and meeting its stated objectives according to the submitted timeline.

Evaluation

Frequently, project evaluation will be used by the funding body to assess whether the project merits continued funding of the project stages, so it is important to be clear in your application about exactly how you will measure progress.

Evaluation

Ideally, the collection of information will begin soon after the project is funded, on a planned schedule (for example every month or quarter year). This information may lead to and support recommendations to continue, modify, or delete project activities.

Evaluation

In answering this question on your application, you will need to show how you will measure the effectiveness of your activities. This will include who is involved in the evaluation and how they will judge if the project is ‘on track’.

Evaluation

Remember, project evaluation should not fall into the ‘autopsy’ category. Many project coordinators wait until a project is completed before they consider doing an evaluation, when it is often too late to change some of the activities that could have improved the program.

The Project

Project Title •Provide a short title (less than 10 words) that describes the project activity for which funding is being sought.

Please provide a project summary:

•Project Summary (up to 100 words)

The Project

Please provide a full project description (up to 1000 words):•The aim of your project •Description of project location•Why the project came about •If it is part of larger project, a description of the larger project•What the funding will be used for•The timeline and activities which will be involved •Who will be involved in developing and delivering the project•The strategic value of the project

The seven key principles for Commonwealth Government grants administration are:

1. Robust planning and design; efficient, effective, ethical with built in risk management processes

2. Outcomes orientation – maximise outcomes from available funding

3. Proportionality – scale, nature, complexity and risks4. Collaboration and partnership – effective and

constructive consultation and cooperation for effective, efficient and equitable processes

The seven key principles for Commonwealth Government grants administration are:

5. Governance and accountability – clear roles and responsibilities, defensible funding recipient selection and public accountability

6. Probity and transparency – internal controls, public sector values and duties

7. Achieving value with public money – careful consideration of costs, benefits, options and risks

TIRF Grants

The competitive merit-based TIRF Grants program offers grants from $50,000–$250,000 (GST exclusive) on a matched dollar-for-dollar funding basis. A major focus of the program is to improve the quality of accommodation and attractions in regional areas. Funding is also available for innovative projects to attract interstate and international visitors and extend their length of stay.

Questions you need to ask...

• What are the insurance requirements?

• Which indemnities and insurance policy apply?

• Are there any confidentiality or privacy requirements?

• What are the liabilities and consequences if there is a breach of conditions?

• What are the milestones?

Questions you need to ask...

• How will you demonstrate that you have achieved the grant objectives?

• Can the organisation still deliver on the project; for example, have key staff left since the application was lodged?

• Are there other requirements that have to be met before the grant can be entered into?

• What audit arrangements are there?

What to look for when accepting a grant?

• Are the conditions the same as in the original application?

• Are all organisational details correct and up to date?• Are contact details provided for the grants body clear?• What are the payment conditions?• What are the reporting arrangements?• Are accounting systems to handle the grant in place?• Is it clear what funds can or can’t be used for?• Has a person been nominated to manage

the grant?

What to look for when accepting a grant?

• Are staff trained to handle the grant?• How will the grant be reported on internally?• How will disputes or amendments be handled?• What auditing requirements exist?• What are the requirements for media coverage?• What are the acquittal arrangements?• Are there other requirements to be met before the

grant can start?• Are there clear guidelines for ownership

of any assets created by the grant?

Grant Writing Top Ten

1. Make it about your reader (your prospective client)2. Answer the question3. Try not to waffle4. Make it clear what’s in it for them5. Be direct 6. Avoid sweeping statements 7. Give great examples8. Remember – looks can kill 9. Jog their memory10. Make it word perfect

Final Points….

• Partnership Assessment Template before Grant Application

• Excellent relationship skills• Good project management skills• Power to make decisions or access to the

people who do• Will the outputs outweigh the inputs?

Tourism Grants

• Tourism Infrastructure Development Fund 2015-16 • Local businesses with a tourism focus may be eligible for

funding under a new Northern Territory Government $4.75 million strategic infrastructure and product development grant with a focus on regional, remote and indigenous tourism products.

• This significant investment is made available to support an acceleration of tourism sector growth, with the aim of attracting more visitors here and encouraging them to stay longer. The Northern Territory Government has indicated a strategic tilt towards tourism in the next two years

Tourism Grants

• Tourism Demand-Driver Infrastructure (TDDI) Program 2015-16 – Closed May 1st

• Do you have a major infrastructure project in mind that will help drive tourism demand? A pool of $775,000 is available to support a small number of high quality, large-scale projects that deliver a broad benefit across the tourism sector.

Tourism Grants

• Projects must fall into at least one of the following categories:

• Environmental – the development or enhancement of natural assets such as, but not limited to, protected and recreational areas, public spaces such as beaches and parks and walking trails;

• All projects must have at least a matching financial contribution – 50/50 Funding

Tourism Grants

• Built – such as, but not limited to, mixed-used facilities, exhibition, convention and events facilities, cultural institutions, entertainment and sporting facilities, city/town precincts and tourist attractions;

• Transport – such as, but not limited to, roads, rail networks, ports and airports; and

• Enabling – such as, but not limited to, Indigenous tourism development, the development of tourism networks, plans and feasibility studies, and programmes to improve industry capability and capacity;

Tourism Grants

• Align to one or more of the national Tourism 2020 strategic areas:

• grow demand from Asia, while maintaining investment of a balanced market portfolio;

• build competitive digital capability;• encourage investment and implement the

regulatory reform agenda;• ensure tourism transport environment supports

growth;• .

Tourism Grants

• increase supply of labour, skills and Indigenous participation; or

• build industry resilience, productivity and quality.

• Yield a broad return across the tourism supply chain, not just benefit an individual business.

Tourism Grants

The following activities are ineligible:• marketing, advertising or product promotion;

regular repairs and maintenance;• upgrading or developing facilities

predominantly for local communities;• engaging or paying permanent employees;• buying or leasing real estate of any type;

Tourism Grants

• purchasing or hiring mobile/ portable assets, including but not limited to vehicles, boat and IT equipment;

• administrative or running costs that are normally the responsibility of a business, state or territory administration or local council;

• activities where an applicant has not fully acquitted any previous Northern Territory Government support funding.

Tourism Grants

• A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE PROJECT :• An outline of the scope of the project;• The location of project to be funded under the

program;• Photographs or drawings (if relevant - can be

in addition to 4 page document);• Address core program requirements:• Alignment to one of more of the national

Tourism 2020 areas

Tourism Grants

• How the project will yield a broad return across the tourism supply chain

• Overall project budget, including detail of funding sources for the matching financial requirement. Please provide both GST inclusive and exclusive figures.

2014-15 TIDP Recipients

• Alice Springs Reptile Centre: Reptile Centre to get much-needed makeover• Bamurru Plains lodge: New luxury bird hide• Curtin Springs Station: Tourism boost for iconic Territory cattle station• Darwin Tours: World War II oil storage tunnels• Dhimurru• DIY Tourguide: New app for iconic Territory road trip• Earth Sanctuary: New eco domes to help attract tourists to Alice Springs

Tourism Grants

Assessment Criteria•Contribution to increasing overnight visitor expenditure•Alignment with other industry priorities and strategies•Capacity to deliver the project•Strategic and collaborative value for the region.

The Excuses Catalogue

• It will be difficult. 

• It’s going to be risky. 

• It will take a long time. 

• There will be family drama. 

• I don’t deserve it. 

• It’s not my nature. 

• I can’t afford it.  No one will help me. 

• I’m not strong/smart enough. 

Get that Grant!

Thank You

Website: www.thegrantsguy.com.au

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E-mail: keith@thegrantsguy.com.au

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