Alexandra B. McGoldrick Director, Central Grants Office

City of Bridgeport Bill Finch Mayor

The purpose is to research and prepare grant applications from federal, state and private sources for programs and projects within city government that are in line with city established priorities. To act as the central point of contact and coordination for all funders that award grants to the City and program managers that implement projects and services.

Central Grants

Office

Director Grant Writers

Policy Analyst

Administrative Assistant

Elimination of federal earmarks

Replaced by competitive applications

Applications are filtered through various federal agencies – highly competitive

Still a need for legislative support

Changes at state level

Planning occurring at foundation level

Challenges: Deep cuts to municipal allocations Enough to allocate fairly and effectively? Struggle with criteria – target communities with

least fiscal capacity; high unemployment; changes in racial ethnic composition; seed small scale programs or broader support. – no real consensus to change

Can the awarded programs adequately demonstrate success?

Can we afford it?

Is it good for our community as a whole?

Planning

Community engagement

Mission and priorities of administration

Not just responding to RFPs

Grants can be expensive

Grants are not always the best solution to generating revenue

Could just be a temporary solution: impetus to initiate a project or program

Leveraged resources show investment in an overall initiative

i.e., Environmental Sustainability

If there is investment, it must be worthwhile. If it is successful, I want to invest in it too.

Leveraging resources increases the likelihood that a project will be funded.

Developing partnerships with private entities may leverage private resources for investment and

provide match

i.e., Downtown Revitalization

Shows community’s commitment to project

Win-Win

Goal – serve the residents of your community.

Often times, community organizations may be more qualified and have more capacity to implement a program than a municipality.

Don’t be afraid to reach out and hand it over.

Eliminates competition within your own community and makes for a stronger application.

Increase capacity of local governments and non-profits

Variety of forms depending on the needs of a given

organization.

Strategic planning, org structure, board development and skill building

Can prove effectiveness and sustainability over long-term.

Diverse organizations that form an alliance in order to pursue a common goal

Advocacy, outreach, education, prevention, service delivery, empowerment, community action, system change

Leverage existing and identify new resources i.e., Healthy Homes

Arrangement between two or more governments accomplishing common goals, providing a service or solving a mutual problem

With the State and most municipalities struggling to provide services under this tough economic climate, there is a growing sense that regional cooperation can save money without damaging relationships

Regionalism is quickly becoming a model for state and federal grants

i.e., Emergency Preparedness

What happens to the project/program after the grant money runs out?

Infrastructure – capital – one time cost On-going maintenance of road or building

Program – hire staff – long term cost Maintain staff levels that run a program after grant period has expired.

Data collection and evaluations: Important for both funder a municipality

can be simple or complex and conducted internally or externally depending on the scope of project

Be sure that the project has an impact on your community

Ensures that you are meeting the deliverables and outcomes identified in your project scope

Be mindful of scope and budget changes

Be diligent about meeting reporting requirements

Not only a requirement of funders

It is a useful tool for municipal leaders

Utilize data collected and evaluations for prioritizing, decision making and

justifications

“And just when you thought you were the coolest person in the room, I walked in…” Anonymous (compete)

“Give a little, Get a little”, Ella Fitzgerald (invest)

“Don’t be shy about asking for help. It doesn’t mean you’re weak, it means you’re wise” Anonymous (partner)