writing winning grants
DESCRIPTION
Writing Winning Grants. 8 June 2012. What is grant funding?. Where can I find funding opportunities?. Resources to find foundation funding. www.foundationcenter.org Foundation Directory Online Fee for subscription Can be accessed free: Houston Public Library (Central Branch) - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Writing Winning Grants
8 June 2012
What is grant funding?
Where can I find funding opportunities?
Resources to find foundation funding
• www.foundationcenter.org
• Foundation Directory Online• Fee for subscription • Can be accessed free:
• Houston Public Library (Central Branch)
500 McKinney Houston, TX 77002
• United Way of Greater Houston50 Waugh Dr. Houston, TX 77007
HPL & UW also have a variety of print sources available to use for free
Additional Resourcesfor
HFB Partner Agencies
• Agency Connection newsletter (monthly)
• Member agency resources- HFB websitehttp://www.houstonfoodbank.org/memberagencyresources.aspx
• Agency announcements (email blasts)
Grant Planning: Before Getting Started
Things to consider before getting started• What is the problem / issue?• What is currently being done about it?• How will funding help ‘fill the gaps’?• What is your proposed solution?• How will it happen and when?• Who will do it?• With what result, outcome, or benefit?
IS THE PROPOSED PLAN REALISTIC?
The Grant-seeking Process
Getting StartedResearch & Inquiry
Research- organizational metrics and area demographic information
Inquiry- solicit information from program managers or staff
The Proposal
Tips for Writing
• Follow the guidelines
• Customize each application
• Eliminate jargon and write plainly
• Don’t exaggerate– you have to do what you are promising
• Revise, edit and clarify
Formatting the ProposalCommon Elements
• Cover Letter
• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• Needs Statement
• Management / Staffing Plan
• Purpose of Request
…common elements continued…
• Project Description
• Goals and Objectives
• Evaluation
• Sustainability
• Budget
• Attachments
Packaging and Submitting• Follow the funder’s guidelines
• Always keep a complete copy of what was submitted for your records
• Keep background materials or any notes taken during the process
• When submitting online register in advance and keep login information
• Draft in Word and cut/paste to online form
Approval and Response
Funding is grantedCongratulations!
• Take time to acknowledge the gift
• Determine fund restrictions
• Understand any reporting requirements and mark them on your calendar
• Celebrate your achievement
NOW DO WHAT YOU SAID YOU’D DO WITH THE GRANT
Funding is not granted-Better luck next time-
• Reach out to the funder and ask why you were declined and what you can do better next time
• “No” sometimes just means Not Now
Common Pitfalls
• Talking more about problems than solutions
• Addressing specific problems with general solutions
• Using buzzwords and jargon
• Budgets that don’t add up or support the narrative
• Ignoring application guidelines
Houston Food Bank Partner Agency Grants
Agency Infrastructure Grants
• $1.7M available for FY11, FY12, FY13
• Results from FY11 RFP cycle:• Applications received: 106
• Applications reviewed: 74
• Recommended for award: 35 (agencies)
• Agencies that have items in place: 20
• FY11 funds expended (est.): $465,083
Report Reminder
If you were awarded, or will receive, equipment– you will have to submit a
report back to HFB. Please consult your grant agreement letters for details
HFB’s Review Process
• Panel review
• Applications scored based on criteria
• Consideration of partner’s standing
• Recommendations to Board panel
• Approval and award notification
Score Sheet Criteria10 points of consideration
1) Completed application
2) Account status
3) Monthly report status
4) Potential to increase distribution
5) Geographic coverage• ZIP coverage, number of agencies in service area
…scoring continued…
6) Monitoring compliance
7) HFB Guiding Principles
8) Practicality of projected increases• poundage and clients
9) Increased operations to serve clients• days and hours
10) Soundness of sustainability plan
Tips from HFBto strengthen your A.I. proposals
• Answer all of the questions
• Highlight what makes your agency especially deserving– the panel may not be as familiar with your agency as you think– tell us how you’re special
• Make sure metrics match the narrative
• Detail HOW you plan to sustain increased costs
…tips continued…
• Remember, not all questions are weighted the same
• Be detailed, but concise
• Be realistic with your request
• Have a third-party review your proposal
• Don’t wait till the last minute
• When in doubt, ask questions
Agency InfrastructureRound II
The RFP process will open in Fall 2012
Please keep an eye on the Agency
Connection newsletter for more details
Terence Franklin, Director of Agency Services:
[email protected] / 713-547-8617
Stacy LasterGrants Manager
713-547-8669
I’ll be in the Resource Fair until 11:45am for general grant writing questions