Grant DevelopmentGrant Development

Grant Center Grant Center

Fitchburg State CollegeFitchburg State College

Who can apply for grants?Who can apply for grants?Individuals - usually seeking scholarships or research fundingIndividuals - usually seeking scholarships or research funding

Private non-profit organizationsPrivate non-profit organizations– Religious, education, charitable, scientific or literary organizationsReligious, education, charitable, scientific or literary organizations– Civic leaguesCivic leagues– Business leagues, chambers of commerceBusiness leagues, chambers of commerce– Social and recreational clubsSocial and recreational clubs

Local Education Agency - a school districtLocal Education Agency - a school district

Schools - public and privateSchools - public and private

Government Agencies – city, county or stateGovernment Agencies – city, county or state

Coalitions or PartnershipsCoalitions or Partnerships

.

Funding SourcesFunding Sources

PrivatePrivate– Foundations and CorporationsFoundations and Corporations

Government (public)Government (public)– Federal, state and localFederal, state and local

“A funding proposal is a factual straightforward document requesting money for a particular purpose or project.”

A successful proposal:

• Is sent to the funder who shares your mission. • Demonstrates an understanding of the need for

the project• Outlines clear and measurable objectives• Presents an innovative, thoughtful project plan• Shows evidence of good management and

demonstrates capacity • Reflects solid evaluation methodology • Contains a budget that is adequate and

reasonable• Has potential for replicability, and

sustainability

Step 1. The funding source. (Government, Step 1. The funding source. (Government, foundation or corporate support)foundation or corporate support)

Search various databases.

• On-line databases (Foundation Center, Catalog

of Domestic Assistance, AGM, GuideStar)

• Grant Center and library resources

• Google…

• Ask colleagues (who supports like projects?)

• Board members of foundations

– Does their mission, area of interest, types of support Does their mission, area of interest, types of support match your project?match your project?

– What are their guidelines?What are their guidelines?

– What are the size of their grant awards?What are the size of their grant awards?

– How many grants do they give?How many grants do they give?

– What is the average award amount? What is the average award amount?

– How competitive is the process?How competitive is the process?

• The application or Request For Proposal (RFA, RFGP, RFR etc)

• Letter of Intent (L.O.I.)

• Priority of the RFP

• RFP sections and points

• Scoring rubrics

The grant review process:

Government is usually peer review process

Foundation is often program officer and then board review.

Step 2. Your ProjectStep 2. Your Project

The NEED section or Problem Statement.

• What is the need. Be specific, very often the funder will have identified the general “need” in their RFP or priority. (after all they recognize there is a problem)

• What is the specific problem you are setting about to solve.

• Back this up with data from a variety of sources

• Translate these into tangibles • Use graphs and charts

This is the basis for everything you propose to do, so spell this section out well.

NEED statement cont.NEED statement cont.

What else is being done about the problem?

Identify what others are doing.

How are you working with them to do this or

How is what you propose filling a gap they are leaving

How is what you propose building or expanding on what is being done. (By you or others).

What is the latest literature or current research on your area of interest?

• Your research should provide additional information about the need as well as support your proposed project.

• Cite your sources and use a reference or bibliography sections .

Step 3. Goals and objectivesStep 3. Goals and objectives One or two goals (The larger the grant the One or two goals (The larger the grant the

more goals)more goals)– Goal is not to solve problems but reduce or Goal is not to solve problems but reduce or

prevent themprevent them– Are usually in the RFP so paraphrase to suit your Are usually in the RFP so paraphrase to suit your

project…project…– This is an overview, like a mission statement This is an overview, like a mission statement

Most goals are not measurableMost goals are not measurable

Program objectivesProgram objectives– Associate with specific program goals Associate with specific program goals – Are clear and measurableAre clear and measurable

State specific accomplishmentsState specific accomplishments Define minimum measure of success (under promise Define minimum measure of success (under promise

and over deliver)and over deliver)– be realistic use words like “at least” “by this date” “minimum”be realistic use words like “at least” “by this date” “minimum”

Reflect major program components Reflect major program components Specify who, what and whenSpecify who, what and when Define how many or how muchDefine how many or how much

– Process objectsProcess objects Measure quantitative accomplishment or taskMeasure quantitative accomplishment or task Sometimes more short termSometimes more short term Common in smaller projectsCommon in smaller projects

– Outcome objectivesOutcome objectives Reflect qualitative changesReflect qualitative changes Are considered more as long term objective.Are considered more as long term objective. May address change in incidence rates, behavior May address change in incidence rates, behavior

attitude or action.attitude or action.

What you plan to do about the problem What you plan to do about the problem or need you have identified.or need you have identified.

– Begin with the goals of the programsBegin with the goals of the programs– Provided an overviewProvided an overview– Describe the target populationDescribe the target population– Cite the literature, current research Cite the literature, current research

that supports the activities your that supports the activities your proposepropose

– Justify your strategies, show the Justify your strategies, show the relationshiprelationship

Step 4. Project plan or strategy Step 4. Project plan or strategy (program model)(program model)

Step 5. Step 5. Who is going to do this and why.Who is going to do this and why.

Identify the major players, provide the Identify the major players, provide the qualifications of those involvedqualifications of those involved

Lay out a management plan.Lay out a management plan.– This can be a table with a timeline This can be a table with a timeline

Include a timelineInclude a timeline

Step 6. Evaluation – How will know we Step 6. Evaluation – How will know we succeededsucceeded

Tied to objectives, management plans Tied to objectives, management plans program activities and budgetprogram activities and budget

Evaluation measures (indicators of Evaluation measures (indicators of success) should follow each objectivesuccess) should follow each objective

External evaluators External evaluators

Step 7. DisseminationStep 7. Dissemination

Have a plan for letting others know about Have a plan for letting others know about your findings, best practicesyour findings, best practices

Remember the importance of Remember the importance of Outreach/dissemination – keeping all Outreach/dissemination – keeping all stakeholders informed about progress.stakeholders informed about progress.

Step 8. Sustainability (or Step 8. Sustainability (or institutionalization)institutionalization)

Show evidence of this in year two of timeline if multi-year project

Include this in the budget

Step 9. AttachmentsStep 9. Attachments

• Get resumes and letters of support early

It IS about the writingIt IS about the writing

• Use simple language

• Be concise

• Avoid jargon

• Use bullets, tables, white space

THE BUDGET!!!!THE BUDGET!!!!

What do you need the money for?What do you need the money for? Include all items requested in the RFPInclude all items requested in the RFP Explain every item include cost basisExplain every item include cost basis Make sure it is reasonable and adequateMake sure it is reasonable and adequate Make sure it balances Make sure it balances

You are not aloneYou are not alone

Consult with the Grant Center early AND Consult with the Grant Center early AND oftenoften

Have an objective party read your proposalHave an objective party read your proposal