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How can you whip up a successful grant proposal? You’ll need just the right proportions of research, planning, drafting, and editing. And don’t forget to garnish with tasty feedback and a dash of good timing! Foundations and corporate funders are always looking for ways to make good investments in your community. To partner with them, you have to show exactly how you can help make that happen! Webinar participants will get a special discount on Dalya’s award-winning book, "Writing to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community Impact." Who should attend: This webinar is ideal for: nonprofit directors, staff, board, volunteers, and consultants who help raise money from foundations and corporations; jobseekers are also welcome.
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Sponsored by:
On Today’s Menu Your Successful Grant Proposal
Dalya Massachi December 11, 2013
Twitter Hashtag - #4Glearn
Part
Of:
Sponsored by:
Advising nonprofits in:
• Strategy
• Planning
• Organizational Development
www.synthesispartnership.com
(617) 969-1881
info@synthesispartnership.com
INTEGRATED PLANNING
Part
Of:
Sponsored by: Part
Of:
Coming Soon
Sponsored by:
Today’s Speaker
Dalya Massachi Founder
Writing for Community Success
Jamie Maloney Community Developer, 4Good
Founding Director of Nonprofit Webinars and Host:
Sam Frank, Synthesis Partnership
Part
Of:
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ON TODAY’S MENU:
YOUR SUCCESSFUL
GRANT PROPOSAL 5
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OUTLINE
I. Introductions
II. The life cycle of a grant proposal
III. 2P2R Planning System: 4 easy steps
IV. A few powerful writing techniques
V. What’s next?
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MY BACKGROUND
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• Nonprofit writer, speaker,
coach: 20+ years
• Authored host of
proposals, articles,
websites
• Trained/coached thousands
& co-founded
Edited/
Contributed to
8 books
2000-2004: Founding
Director of BAIDO
ARE YOU READY?
Do you have: 501 (c)(3) or fiscal sponsor Financial accounting system Strategic plan/case for support Solid board Logic Model Time/resources for grantseeking
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POLL
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Are you missing any of these critical components?
1. 501 (c)(3) or fiscal sponsor 2. Financial accounting system 3. Strategic plan/case for support 4. Solid board 5. Logic Model 6. Time/resources for grantseeking 7. We have them all!
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LIFE CYCLE
OF A GRANT PROPOSAL (6-12 months)
You research foundations
You begin relationships
You submit an LOI or proposal
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Program Officer reviews your proposal
You answer any outstanding questions
Program Officer advocates for you
Board votes on your proposal
You rejoice OR learn why you lost
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2P2R PLANNING SYSTEM™
1. Understand your
Purposes
2. Define your
Priorities
3. Know your
Readers
4. Refine your messages
“Good writing does
not come from fancy
word processors or
expensive typewriters
or special pencils or
hand-crafted quill
pens. Good writing
comes from good
thinking.”
– Ann Loring
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1. UNDERSTAND YOUR SPECIFIC
WRITING PURPOSES
Inspire the funder with unique ideas Encourage the view of your org as a good investment
Explain your pressing issue Show that you share goals and values Instill trust in your ability to get the job done
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YOUR UNIQUENESS: So powerful that it cuts through inertia, gets noticed
Under-served clients, location, etc.
Outstanding credentials or experience
Extensive collaborations
Unusual point of view or approach
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Beyond Breast Cancer is different from other breast cancer organizations in that we focus on quality of life. We acknowledge the challenges and limitations of living with breast cancer, and we believe that focusing on activities that our clients are able to enjoy cultivates a higher quality of life than might otherwise be possible.
EXAMPLE: Beyond Breast Cancer
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WRITING WORKOUT
What’s 1 unique value
that your org/program adds to the community?
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2. DEFINE YOUR PRIORITIES
Facts and figures (context, 5 W’s)
Importance of the issue
(current need; why should I care?)
Results you envision
(output, outcome; measurable benefits)
Solution you propose (program details; why chosen)
Track record (testimonials, history)
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RESULTS:
What does your work mean for the clients/community?
“So what?” How does your work lead to something
better for the community?
“What’s in it for us?”
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EXAMPLE: HOMELESS SHELTER
PROGRAMS: soup kitchen, warm beds
restrooms, child care, job & housing placement
RESULTS/BENEFITS: Higher level of nutrition and stability
Higher level of employment
Fewer families living in cars or on streets
Less desperation, often leading to crime, drug abuse, etc.
The sense of being a community that cares for everyone
Lower long-term financial cost to local area
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3. KNOW YOUR READERS
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PROGRAM OFFICERS
• Foundation gatekeepers
• Have background, concern BUT may be unfamiliar with your particular slant/niche
• Are time-pressed
• Want to be inspired
• Have been around, frequently talk to others
• Are people too (with hearts, minds)
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WHAT INFO IS OF MOST
INTEREST?
True match with your goals and priorities
Program is a high priority for you
High chance of success: realistic, specific plan
Clear, measurable impact on a vital community need (local/national) ̶ NOW New/innovative idea
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WHAT INFO IS OF MOST
INTEREST?
Beneficiary involvement
Strong evaluation plan
Strategic collaborations/unique role in the field Replicable model
Community support & in-kind
Funded by others
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DATA YOU NEED TO
GATHER
Values, hopes, giving philosophy
Why they care about your issue
What they already know/believe
How you can help them solve probs
Information they need to fund you
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HOW? RESEARCH!
Read their publications, websites, grant guidelines Find out what they have previously supported (Is there enough similarity with your project,
yet uniqueness in your specific approach?)
Call or email to clarify
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4. REFINE YOUR MESSAGES
Match your READERS’ interests with your PRIORITIES (this takes time!)
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WRITING WORKOUT:
FOLLOW-UP
Practice refining your messages!
1) Jot down some FIRST priorities (talking points) about your org/project (see slide 15)
2) Ask someone OUTSIDE YOUR ORG to play the
role of “grantmaker” (see slides #19-21). Engage in a 3-minute phone conversation to introduce your org.
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A FEW POWERFUL
WRITING TECHNIQUES
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FOCUS ON CLARITY
“The most powerful factors in the world are clear ideas in the minds of energetic men [and women] of good will.”— J. Arthur Thomson
You know all about your program, but your readers don’t; explain everything!
Avoid vagueness; talk specifics
Use examples
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EXAMPLE
Original: The tutoring program was very successful last year.
Suggested Revision: Last year, the program’s 20 volunteer tutors boosted the performance of 60 young readers. [go on to explain how they did this….]
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ENGAGE BOTH THE
HEART & HEAD
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Your readers will remember
how you make them feel more than anything else you say or do Even we left-brained people need an emotional clue
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TELL STORIES
Talk about how people have benefited: results they have seen and importance to them
What are some components of great stories?
A beginning, middle and end (before/after) Memorable characters Compelling plot or conflict resolution
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TAKE CUES FROM THE FUNDER
Remember to answer all of the funder’s questions with detailed answers
Use the funder’s language
Use headings and sub-headings with chunks
accessible at a glance 34
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AVOID JARGON AND
UNEXPLAINED ACRONYMS
Would your readers use the term themselves?
Does the term mean the same thing to them as it does to you? (e.g., “supportive community”)
If you must use technical terms or acronyms, explain them the first time
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Reprinted with permission from CompassPoint Nonprofit Services.
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CULTIVATE CONCISENESS:
LESS IS MORE
“I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.” —Mark Twain
Sentences: 14-20 words max.
No freeloading words
KISSS: Keep It Short, Simple, Skimmable
Average LOI:1-3 pp.; full proposal: 5-10 pp.
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WHAT’S NEXT?
CHECK YOUR EMAIL!
Spot the Weaknesses Summary
Sample Grant Format
Recommended Resources
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More info: WritingToMakeADifference.com
• FREE advice by monthly conference call • Often with Special Guests • Covers a range of writing-related topics
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BOOK DISCOUNT
20% off a Paperback Copy WritingtoMakeADifference.com/discount
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GRANTWRITER’S FASTTRACK
COACHING PROGRAM
In-depth training, coaching, feedback
Ideal for: staff, board, consultants, volunteers
2/11 – 3/13 (space is limited)
Early Bird thru 1/24: $50 off!
More info: WritingToMakeADifference.com
Shorten your grantwriting learning curve and advance your career.
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