southern mississippi planning & development district disaster recovery series: how to write a...

Southern Mississippi Planning & Development

District

DISASTER RECOVERY SERIES: HOW TO WRITE A WINNING

GRANT APPLICATION


District


District


District

Kim Compton, [email protected]

Cell: 228-861-3983 Office: 228-967-7251

http://www.comptonecon.com/

http://www.comptonecon.com/

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


District


District

Performance Measures for Economic Development Agencies

Economic Impact Analysis

Workforce Analysis

Return on Investment/Cost-Benefit Analysis

Incentive/Tax Analysis

Feasibility Studies

Economic Research


District


District

Kim Compton, CEcDPresident

• Over 20 years in public sector economic development experience• Former Research Director – Louisiana Department of Economic Development

• Millsaps College – BA, Economics• University of Southern Mississippi – MS, Economic Development – Munro Petroleum Award for Excellence

• Clemson University – PhD Candidate – Fellow, USDA Economic Research Service

Brian Richard, PhDEconomist

• Assistant Director, Center for Governmental Studies’ Community, Workforce & Economic Development Team, Northern Illinois University

• Assistant Professor in the Department of Economic and Workforce Development at the University of Southern Mississippi

• University of Washington – BBA, Finance• Clemson University – MS, Economics

• University of Southern Mississippi – PhD, International Development

Chris FallinEconomic Analyst

• State & county level, & private sector experience: Economic Development Manager, Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission; Research Analyst, Louisiana Department of Economic Development; & Tax Incentive

Auditor/Compliance• Specializes in GIS, Trend Analysis & Feasibility Analysis

• Baylor University – BS, Economics


District


District

General Rules for Writing Grant Applications

• When in doubt, ask.

• Always comply with whatever information is requested. Don’t omit or substitute. Answer everything – no blanks or NA’s!

• Clear and concise. Begin each section with ONE statement, followed by relevant explanation and back-up.


District


District

Common Components Required

• Factual information about the organization

• Compelling information about the proposed project

• Planning-savvy narrative about the use of the money – including long term if applicable


District


District

The Numbers

• Cite all sources, including websites

• Only use statistics fewer that 5 years old

• No data dumping, but always support “quantitative” statements (low, high, more than, less than, below, above . . . )


District


District

Maximize Your Chances

• Craft a compelling statement of need with statistics and case studies

• Comprehensive – what is the need, when did it begin, how do you know it’s needed

• Don’t talk in generalities

• Compare the need to other similar communities


District


District

Maximize Your Chances

• Lay out your strategy

• Goals and objectives – reflective of the funding source’s goals and objectives

• Measurable objectives with a time-frame– “increase 20% within 18 months”


District


District

Maximize Your Chances• Measure the program/project’s

accountability with an evaluation plan

• CRITICAL in disaster recovery

• How will 2 primary questions be answered?:

• Was the program implemented effectively? (process evaluation)

• Did the program achieve its intended objectives and outcomes? (outcome evaluation)


District


District

Maximize Your Chances• Keep the Reviewer Focused

• Use a lot of headings and subtitles

• Use numbered and bulleted lists

• Keep paragraphs short

• Use 12-point Times New Roman font (unless otherwise specified)


District


District

Maximize Your Chances• Keep the Reviewer Focused

• Stick with one font

• Use boldface or italics to emphasize key words and phrases

• Avoid using all capital letters or writing blocks of sentences in bold, italics or underlining


District


District

Waiting is the hardest part• Send any letters of support that were written

too late to submit with the application

• Contact elected officials to ask them or remind them that their support is needed – have phone numbers, email and snail-mail addresses available

• After 3 months, it is OK to contact the funder for information of the status


District

HOW TO WRITE A WINNING GRANT APPLICATION

PART II


District


District

Economic Development Division

• Planning and Strategic Development

• Project Development and Packaging

• Technical Assistance – Data Resource

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• Business Loan Program

• Grant Writing and Administration

SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT


District

The District’s Role

• Research grant opportunities

• Prepare grant applications and submit to funding sources

• Provide administrative services as prescribed by funding sources

GRANT WRITING AND ADMINISTRATION


District

Organization must have a well-planned idea BEFORE looking for funding sources.

RESEARCHING GRANT OPPORTUNITIES


District

Developing the Idea

• Know the needs of your community.

• Write a problem statement and stay focused on the ways to solve it.

• Know what resources are available from your organization.

• Stay focused, but be flexible.



District

FUNDING SOURCES

Public Sources of Grants

• Federal government• State government• Local government

Private Sources of Grants

• Corporate foundations - large and small

• Other corporate giving programs


District

TYPES OF FUNDING SOURCES

Public Grants

• Standardized but sometimes complex applications

• More bureaucratic - strict rules to follow in application process but more direction

• Hard to sell high-risks ideas• Larger grants but strict

cost-sharing requirements

Private Grants

• Applications are less complex

• Flexible but sometimes unknowns in application process

• More accepting of start-ups and high-risks ideas

• Smaller grants but less match money required


District

Finding the Money

• www.grants.gov• Federal Register• Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance• USA.gov for Non-profits• Agency newsletters, catalogs,

program announcements and websites

• State-sponsored office of economic development

FEDERAL FUNDING SOURCESFOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

http://www.grants.gov/


District



District

MISSION

To lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.


District

EDA Regional Office Locations

• Chicago• Philadelphia• Atlanta • Austin • Seattle• Denver

www.eda.gov


District

EDA Investment Programs

• Public Works• Economic Adjustment• Partnership Planning • Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms • University Centers• Research and National Technical

Assistance• Planning and Local Technical

Assistance• Periodic Special Funding

Announcements

www.eda.gov


District

EDA Funding Priorities

1.Collaborative Regional Innovation2.Public/Private Partnerships3.National Strategic Priorities4.Global Competitiveness 5.Environmentally-Sustainable Development 6.Economically Distressed and Underserved Communities

Must be able to explain how the project aligns with EDA priorities.


District

Public Works Grants

• Revitalize, expand or upgrade physical infrastructure to attract new industry, expand business and create private sector jobs.

Examples: Access road, water and sewer improvements to expand capacity

Local Technical Assistance/Planning Grants

• Look at potential of economic development projects.

• Designed to address specific problem 0r answer specific question.

• Builds upon local organizational capacity.

Examples: Industrial park feasibility, food business incubator, target market study


District

Public Works Grants

Revitalize, expand or upgrade physical infrastructure to attract new industry, expand business and create private sector jobs.



District

Eligibility Requirements - Who can apply?

Must be a state, political subdivision of a state, district organization, Indian tribe, institution of higher education, or a non-profit acting in coordination with a political subdivision of a state.


District

Eligibility Requirements – Economic Distress Criteria

• Have an unemployment rate that is, for the most recent 24-month period of which data is available at least 1% greater than the national average unemployment rate; or

• Per capita income that is, for the most recent period for which data is available, 80% or less of the national average per capita income; or

• Meet a “special need” as determined by EDA (federal disaster declaration qualifies)


District

Additional Eligibility Requirements

• Proposals must be consistent with your area’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

• Cost-sharing or matching funds will be required. EDA investment may not exceed 50% of total cost of the project.


District

First Steps – Public Works

• Identify the beneficiary – the private sector company that will be creating the new jobs and making the investment.

• Determine the number of jobs the company is willing to commit to creating in 3, 6 and 9 years.

• Determine project needs and cost. • Identify who is committing the

matching funds (grant rates vary). • Call your regional development

organization.


District

Tips for Successful EDA Application

• Know your regional development organization.

• Assume reviewer knows nothing about your community.

• Tell the story of your community and what this project will mean – think in terms of regional impact, new jobs and private investment.

• Be factual – use quantitative data when possible.

• Always use sourced data. If the grant requires a specific source, use it.

• Submit application at least 1-2 days early to avoid any technical problems with electronic submission.


District

While grants are seen as the most democratic means of distributing funds, never underestimate the importance of relationship-building with funding agencies and individuals involved in the grant process.

Follow-through on the grant. Turn in reports on time and follow the grant agreement. Set yourself up for more funding.

Have “skin in the game.”

You cannot expect immediate success or 100% success in grant writing but must rather find gratification in the process itself.

Have well-planned idea BEFORE looking for grants.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON GRANT WRITING


District

Allison Beasley, CEcDEc0nomic Development Division [email protected]



District

HOW TO WRITE A WINNING GRANT

APPLICATION

ALLISON BEASLEY, CECD


District


District

• Regional development organization established in 1967

• 501(c)(3), private, non-profit• Headquartered in Gulfport, Mississippi• Service area encompasses 15 counties

and 38 municipalities• Geography of service area nearly

9,000 square miles• County governments are our members• Promote long-range social and

economic development• Areas of focus include Economic

Development, Workforce Development and Senior Services



District

Economic Development Division

• Planning and Strategic Development

• Project Development and Packaging

• Technical Assistance – Data Resource

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• Business Loan Program

• Grant Writing and Administration



District

The District’s Role

• Research grant opportunities

• Prepare grant applications and submit to funding sources

• Provide administrative services as prescribed by funding sources

GRANT WRITING AND ADMINISTRATION


District

Organization must have a well-planned idea BEFORE looking for funding sources.



District

Developing the Idea

• Know the needs of your community.

• Write a problem statement and stay focused on the ways to solve it.

• Know what resources are available from your organization.

• Stay focused, but be flexible.



District

FUNDING SOURCES

Public Sources of Grants

• Federal government• State government• Local government

Private Sources of Grants

• Corporate foundations - large and small

• Other corporate giving programs


District

TYPES OF FUNDING SOURCES

Public Grants

• Standardized but sometimes complex applications

• More bureaucratic - strict rules to follow in application process but more direction

• Hard to sell high-risks ideas• Larger grants but strict

cost-sharing requirements

Private Grants

• Applications are less complex

• Flexible but sometimes unknowns in application process

• More accepting of start-ups and high-risks ideas

• Smaller grants but less match money required


District

Finding the Money

• www.grants.gov• Federal Register• Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance• USA.gov for Non-profits• Agency newsletters, catalogs,

program announcements and websites

• State-sponsored office of economic development


http://www.grants.gov/


District



District

MISSION

To lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.


District

EDA Regional Office Locations

• Chicago• Philadelphia• Atlanta • Austin • Seattle• Denver

www.eda.gov


District

EDA Investment Programs

• Public Works• Economic Adjustment• Partnership Planning • Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms • University Centers• Research and National Technical

Assistance• Planning and Local Technical

Assistance• Periodic Special Funding

Announcements

www.eda.gov


District

EDA Funding Priorities

1.Collaborative Regional Innovation2.Public/Private Partnerships3.National Strategic Priorities4.Global Competitiveness 5.Environmentally-Sustainable Development 6.Economically Distressed and Underserved Communities

Must be able to explain how the project aligns with EDA priorities.


District

Public Works Grants

• Revitalize, expand or upgrade physical infrastructure to attract new industry, expand business and create private sector jobs.


Local Technical Assistance/Planning Grants

• Look at potential of economic development projects.

• Designed to address specific problem 0r answer specific question.

• Builds upon local organizational capacity.

Examples: Industrial park feasibility, food business incubator, target market study