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Writing Grants for Weed Projects: How to Get the Money. Sue Donaldson. Cooperative Extension Bringing the University to You. How much do you know about writing grants?. What is a grant?. A gift A gift with strings attached - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Writing Grants for Writing Grants for Weed Projects: Weed Projects:
How to Get the MoneyHow to Get the Money
Sue DonaldsonSue DonaldsonCooperative ExtensionCooperative ExtensionBringing the University to YouBringing the University to You
How much do you know
about writing grants?
What is a grant?
a) A giftb) A gift with strings attachedc) An award of money to allow you
to do very specific things, according to specific guidelines, to which you must respond clearly in your proposal
Why do you want grant funds?
For a specific weed management projectFor an ongoing effortTo cover administrative costs or salaries, general organizational supportFor researchEtc…
Who can receive a grant?
Depends on the grant requirementsSmall grassroots groups will not be able to acquire foundation and government grants unless they have nonprofit status (501 (c) (3))It takes time and work to get nonprofit status
Assess the need for your project
Does your project fill a legitimate, pressing need?
Need establishes the problem that the grant is trying to solve.Are you creating a problem and trying to solve it because you think money is available?Or, did the problem exist before you discovered the source of grant funds?
Which idea is fundable for a small, local weed organization?
a) A statewide weed mapping database
b) A state-of-the-art computerized spray rig including truck
c) A county weed SWAT team to address new infestations
d) A backpack sprayer and supply of chemicals
Avoid duplication of efforts
Who else is working on a similar project?
Can you build a coalition of other groups?Is the niche already filled?What makes your project stand out?
Finding grant sources
“People think you have to know
someone, but you don’t.”
Match grant sources to your goals and objectives
Do your homework to locate funding sources
LibraryInternet Networking
Check to see if sources have funded similar projects – ask for last year’s winnersTalk to people!
SourcesGovernment (National or regional initiatives, pesticide safety and research, restoration, water quality, etc.)Federal and state agenciesFoundations (Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)Corporations (Patagonia, SPPCo.)Environmental organizations
What’s the hook?
Match the project goals to the interest of the funder
Ideas are delicate
things – don’t dim the lights!
Reality checks
List specific goals and objectivesWho will benefit?Are goals and objectives realistic and achievable?Can you measure results?Do you have the capacity to manage the grant properly?Does the project really meet the need?Will anybody pay for it?
Basic parts of a proposal
Cover sheetAttachmentsNarrative (abstract, introduction, problem statement or need, objectives, methods, evaluation, how project will be sustained after grant)BudgetAppendicesCover letter
Writing the proposalGet the proposal guidelines and read them carefullyFollow the directions! Don’t send in a “canned” proposal. If you don’t understand something, call the proposal contact person
“We want people to call if they have
questions.”
“When in doubt, ask. You have
nothing to lose.”
Writing the proposal
Follow the directions exactly. Page length, font size, etc.
“I don’t want to reward people who don’t read the
guidelines.”
Writing the proposal
Edit carefully to avoid typos, inconsistencies, etc. Use spell and grammar check.Keep proposal honest, clear, concise, neat, and free from jargon. Longer is NOT better!
Writing the proposal
Allow plenty of timeHave colleagues read & critique itSubmit the proposal on time
Sample format (NDOA grants)
Contact informationTotal $ requestedGrant administratorProject needProject goalsOrganizational informationProject site informationProject management planEarly detection/rapid responseBudget
Sample format (Pulling grants)
Applicant informationProject information (name, location, dates)Total $ requestedMatching contributionsTotal budget
Sample format (Pulling grants)
And…Proposal narrative: includes
Summary, 2 sentencesAbstract, 1 pageNeed, objectives, methodology, research/management implications, overall context, map, evaluation, results
Budget – complies with OMBTimeline for implementationAdditional applicant information (staff, mission & goals, trustees, IRS forms, etc.)
“This project will complete a basin-wide invasive weed survey including private and public lands in California and Nevada. The survey data will be utilized to coordinate a comprehensive weed management plan to stop the threat posed by invasive weeds to Lake Tahoe’s water clarity and the biodiversity of the fish and wildlife habitat.”
Writing objectivesGoals refer to broad, long-term intentions, for example, to manage weeds in your geographic area.Objectives are clearly defined, measurable results (outcomes) that a program is intended to achieve.They must be specific, concrete, measurable, realistic, attainable, and time-bound
ObjectivesProvide GIS weed survey data and maps to continue the planning and implementation of a long-term invasive weed management strategy for the entire Lake Tahoe Basin. Implement Integrated Pest Management practices for eradication and revegetation of known weed populations.Develop educational materials and outreach programs to target groups to stop the spread of invasive weeds.
Try your hand at writing objectives
Methods
What specific tasks will you undertake to reach your objectives?Include who, what, how, whenMethods must be:
clear achievable tied to each objective
Write some methods
Include a timeline, even if it’s not requiredActivity Spring Summer Fall Winter
Assign weed control responsibilities
Purchase spray equipment, etc.
Purchase GPS, map weeds
Control weeds
Monitor sites
Write final report
Evaluating the project How will you measure success?Report numbers
# acres mapped or treated% control achieved# of presentations provided# of news articles, etc.
Show benchmarks have been achievedShow an increase in capacity to address the problem in the futureReport additional funds raised
Budgets
Research previous awards for the range of funding providedKeep budget reasonable and justifiableIf allowed, include a budget narrativeAvoid being overly specific, i.e. listing a specific brand of pesticide
Budgets
Budget should be adequate to do the jobDon’t forget to build in overhead costs (phones, accounting, etc.)Document in-kind dollars (match)List long-range plans for additional funding
PTI grant
Awards range from $10,000 to $100,000, with an average award of $30,000.A list of PTI projects funded in 2003 can be found here (click on link)
Sample budgetNFWF
Federal Funds
Challenge Funds (contrib.
goods/services)Total Grant
Amount
Salaries $7,700 $18,900 $26,600
Contractual Services
$1,000 $1,000
Benefits $1,000 $6,300 $7,300
Supplies $300 $300
Travel $2,500 $2,500
Equipment $1,000 $1,000
Materials $500 $1,200 $1,700
Total $13,000 $27,400 $40,400
The abstract: a work of art!
Write it lastKeep it brief and conciseMust give the reader a good sense of:
The needThe programThe applicantThe goals and objectivesThe budget
Spend plenty of time writing the abstract – it may be all the reviewer reads
What are the chances?
“I sometimes read a proposal and can’t see where
it’s going.”
“Make it easier to use, with headings,
bullets, and so on.”
“I hate pseudoscience
babble – just tell me what you’re going to
do.”
“I hate it when budgets make no sense. And I loathe the
“blah, blah, blah syndrome”…when grant writers sort of go blah, blah, blah instead of just telling us directly what they plan to do with the money.”
“Tell us what lessons you learned. We love it when you say “We bombed this year…but we’ll do better
next time.”
“Our reviewers go off when there are a lot of
spelling errors.”
Grant review
Organizational structure including diversity and commitment of participants, 20 pointsProject need, 20 pointsProject management plan: integrated, thorough, ecologically sound & effective, 20 points
Applications will be reviewed by a grant panel selected from the Nevada Weed Action Committee. The decision criteria will be scored as follows:
Grant review
Project goals: long- and short- term goals are realistic, 10 pointsEarly detection, rapid response plan, 10 pointsBudget: appropriateness of budget and financial management, arrangements; matching funds, in-kind services and resources, 10 pointsSupports Nevada’s Coordinated Invasive Weed Strategy, 10 points
So you got the money!
Do what you promised…and then some!
Bring the grant group togetherReread your objectives and methodsReview and adjust the timelineGet started!Be sure to include evaluation methodsTake lots of photos
Administering the grant
Keep thorough recordsReview progress periodicallyTrack expenses to avoid running out of moneySave all articles, reviews, brochuresAdd the funder to your mailing listBe honest
Writing the final report
Reread your grantThe final report should show how you achieved all the objectivesUse required format, if providedInclude evaluation data to show what you have accomplishedInclude documentation of all expenditures
Requirements for NDOA grants
The final report includes
A narrative of accomplishmentsA list of expenditures with at least a 50:50 matchA summary of number of acres inventoried, treated, and monitored
Funding trends
Coalitions of organizationsSustainability beyond the grant periodMatching funds (showing support for the project may help you get additional funds)Co-development with the granting agencyRemember to ask for a list of winning grants from the previous cycle
Call Sue Donaldson at (775) 784-4848 or e-Call Sue Donaldson at (775) 784-4848 or e-mail [email protected] [email protected]
More questions?More questions?