who wants a grant? getting started dr. cynthia irvin [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
Who Wants a Grant? Getting StartedBegin with a great idea
for a project…but check to see how many others, if any, have had a similar idea
Refine your idea/project based on your research on similar topics
Compile a list of funders of related projects
Research, research, research possible funders
Check to see if funder issues RFP’s…even past ones will give you detailed information on the types of projects the funder prefers
Types of FundingGrants- Foundations- Corporate- Government
Contracts- www.grants.gov
Sponsorships- Corporate- Individual
Funders have needs too!Express your
knowledge of a funder’s interests and tie it in to your proposal
Your Guiding Star can be… www.guidestar.org
990 forms can be your best friend…so what’s a 990?
The IRS…at your service?
Before you start to prepare a grant proposal, carefully read the funder’s mission statement, guidelines, lists of recent grants and the program descriptions.
Review annual reports for inside tips!
Corporate Sponsorship Proposals: Key Components1 page cover letter which summarizes first the
benefits to the corporation, secondly your project, and a price range for sponsorship…never an exact price
1 page summary of benefits to the corporation and audience/constituent demographics
1 page summary of the sponsorship opportunity such as dates, location, attendance….everything you would include on an invitation and a press fact sheet
When possible, samples of press and reports about past events, especially those showing sponsor credits
Key Items in any Grant ProposalPurpose of the
program..what will it accomplish
Why are you doing this project…why is the program needed?
How will you make it happen…what resources are needed to carry out the project and what steps will be taken to successfully execute the project? A clear, well presented strategy is Essential!
Who will do what? Who will direct the project? What staff will be involved? How much time will each person devote to the project?
Who will benefit? Why is it important to serve this “population?’
How will you know you have been successful?
Summary /Executive Summary
Know Thy Goals from ObjectivesGoalsThe desired outcomeIt’s about the Final
product
ObjectivesMeasureable steps
to reach our goalsIt’s about the
Process to reach our goal
Nitty, Gritty Details: Know Thy RFP or Your Project May RIP Without FundingReview each RFP
thoroughlyNote the “points”
awarded to each section
RFP’s often include checklists for applicants, if so, make sure you use it!
http://www.omhrc.gov/assets/pdf/checked/How%20to%20Write%20A%20Winning%20Proposal--Knowing%20what%20funders%20want%20and%20how%20to%20deliver%20it.pdf
Make sure your proposal explicitly addresses each RFP – if it doesn’t …look for another funding opportunity
Don’t squander potential future good will by sending in a “tangentially” related proposal
Some Finer Points of “Grant SpeakCustomize every proposal for
every funderOrganize proposals using the
outcomes method whenever possible to stress the effects the project will have
Avoid “buzz words” unless you clearly address them
Never quote verbatim from a funder’s mission statement or program guide. You won’t be taken seriously unless you can express in your own words what your project will do and how it directly relates to their interests
Organize proposals using the process methods when the outcomes might be small in comparison with the process needed to achieve them
Proposals for operating support should use a list of recent accomplishments as a starting point for present and future project descriptions
Use acronyms wisely…while they may give those in the know a feeling of inclusion, they also give those not (yet) in the know a feeling of exclusion
Work Plans: Proposal and ProjectProposal Work Plan- Weeks 1-3: Conduct research
to find the best funder matches for the project and obtain guidelines for the application
- Weeks 4-8 (as needed) to write proposal and share with internal reviewers, colleagues, etc
- Week 9: Make final revisions and submit whenever possible in advance of the funder’s deadline.
Project Work PlanClearly identity project
timeline highlighting accomplishment of key tasks
Clearly identify project staff with key responsibility for specific tasks
Keep in touch with project officer
Identifying DonorsBeyond the 990http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/http://www.grantstation.com/tour/intro/
intro.asp
Evaluation Criteria: A Funder’s Insurance PolicyUse concrete methods of evaluating a project you
know you will be able to include in your report to the funder
Your proposal should make it clear to the funder that you will be able to analyze if you have done your job well and demonstrate that the benefits of the program have justified the expense and (hopefully) demonstrate need for future funding.
Some typical evaluation instruments include surveys completed by participants, reports on key results provided to donors, (milestone’s achieved)and reviews by an external evaluator(s)
Budgeting for Success: Key ItemsPersonnel- Project director (25%) 18,000- Project Manager (15%) 10,000- Program assistants (2@50%) 40,000- Subtotal 68,000- Fringe (@20%) 13,600Total personnel 81,600
Budgeting for Success: Key ItemsOther Direct Costs- Telephone- Advertising- Photocopying- Postage & Mail preparation- Website development- Travel (confirm if federal per diem rates apply-
they usually do)Some grants allow for indirect costs (rent,
utilities, insurance, etc) formula is total indirect expenses/base expenses = Indirect rate
Budgeting for Success: Putting it All Together:Labor (personnel costs, including fringe)Other Direct CostsIndirect Costs/FeeIn Kind Contributions
Some funders request budget narratives which entails a brief discussion of how each expenses relates to the project, especially of the major budget expenses
Let’s Go Get That Grant!Follow each funder’s instructions to the letter.Research each funder’s interest very thoroughly and
confirm interest with the funder (when possible).Tie your proposal to the funder’s interests using
your own words.Always be positive, for example, use “will” rather
than “would” to describe what your project “will” accomplish!
Submit proposals prior to actual deadline.Keep the funder informed of the progress of your
project …they will be glad to review your next request for funding
Questions?
Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions!
Dr. Cynthia [email protected] [email protected]