Using Grant Funds to Implement Your Training &

Development InitiativesCARA GOOD, PROGRAM GRANT COORDINATOR, TITLE V

MOLLIE RHODES, GRANT DIRECTOR, TITLE V

PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE

Great idea…but…we

don’t have the funding

for that….

The Basics

Local Community Grants

• Local Non-Profit Organization

• Different funding priorities from year to year

• Example: High School Graduation Rates

Foundation Funding

• Independent Private Foundations

• Lumina and Gates

• Look for ones with focus on post-secondary education

Federal Funding

• Example – Department of Labor and Department of Education

• Longer grant cycle – often up to 5 years

• www.grants.gov

Resources

www.grants.gov

Alphabet Soup

Grant

SOW

RFP

NGA

MOU

POP

FOA

Evolution of Funding

• 2010 - 2012

• Case-based model used with allied health students

Quantum Foundation

• 2012-2016

• Case-based model used with Health Information Technology students

Department of Labor – TAACCCT

• 2015 - 2020

• Case-based model used with FTIC, Hispanic or low-income students

Title V

Funding Applied with Different Populations

• Registered Nursing

• Licensed Practical Nursing

• Medical Assisting

Program-Specific

• Health Information Technology AS

• Medical Info Coder/Biller

• Health Informatics Specialist

• Medical Transcription

Program-Specific

• Learning Communities

• First Time in College (FTIC)

• Hispanic

• Low-income

• English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Cohort-Specific

Benefits of Securing Grant Funding

In addition to the opportunity to implement projects and programs that cost money the College/University does not have, grant funding also provides:

Opportunities for professional development

A chance to show data proving your initiative works

Provide time to make plans for sustainability

A budget for technology, marketing, etc.

How To Get Your First Grant

Meet the funder where they are

Start small

Lean on your Grants Department

Consider paying a consultant if your institution does not have a grant department

Tips to Consider

Be prepared – have data to back up the need for funding.

Do not budget personnel for every month of the grant.

There are often options to extend the period of performance if you have not spent down your budget.

Grants are: fund development, not fundraising.

Grants are: project support, not organizational support.

Make Your Proposal Competitive

•Develop a clearly focused, vested and committed project plan that moves an idea into a reality

•Present a strong Statement of Need

•Be sure it meets the funding agency’s purpose and strategic plan

•Demonstrate a strong plan and innovative strategies with a likelihood for success

• Identify measureable and realistic objectives

Deliverables

Realistic? Achievable? Too achievable?

Get buy-in from people involved

in deliverable

Establish protocol for

collecting data

Keep grant staff connected to deliverables

Deliverables

Time for an activity…

Evaluation is key. Find ways to measure success.

Many grants require a 3rd party evaluator. Leverage that resource.

Present your findings! Start presenting internally so your institution is familiar with your project and successes. Present at regional/local conferences regarding your outcomes.

During Your Grant, Keep in Mind:

When the Grant Ends

Finding another source of funds prior to the grant ending is critical unless your institution is willing to make your initiative a permanent fixture. This is unlikely with just one grant and the associated data.

Continue presenting (i.e. National Annual NACADA conference)

If the pilot benefited the math department (“Math Jump”), see if they can invest the continuation of the project.

Challenges

Red-headed stepchild

• Invisible divide between grant staff and everyone else

Academic vs. Student Services

• Faculty.

Longevity

• Staff turnover

• “You won’t be here long…”

How YOU Can Implement your Initiatives…

Allocate funds for Advising positions into your grant budget

Baby Steps: Begin a pilot program at your college• Start with one program area where success is likely-

(i.e. “Math Jump”)

Get commitments from Deans, Administrators, and Faculty• Align program goals with the overall goals of the

department/college

Collect baseline data and evaluate outcomes