June 9 power pt grants seeking wrkshp ii slideshare

June 9, 2011

Madison Development Consulting all rights reserved www.madisondev.net

Welcome and Introduction

Strategies for Successful Grant Proposals

Completing the Grant Application Process

Award of Grant Next Steps

Tips for Hiring a Grant Writer

The Foundation Center as a Resource

Q & A


Jeanne Madison, President , Madison Development Consultingwww.madisondev.net◦ Strategic Fund Development and Grant Writing

◦ Program Development and Implementation

◦ Program Effectiveness Metrics

Participants



Grant Proposal Documentation to

Prepare BEFORE an RFP.

Project Concept

Project Information

Estimated Project Expenses


Documentation Facilitates:

Developing a Successful Project;

Writing a Competitive Grant.


Project Concept:

1. How the project fits the mission and direction of the organization.

2. A compelling case for supporting the project.

3. The need for or benefit of the project –quantified with data.

4. The organization’s prior success with other (similar) initiatives.


Project Information

1. What will the Project Do?

2. How will the project be conducted?

3. What is the Project Timetable?

4. What are the Anticipated Outcomes?

5. How will Outcomes be Evaluated?

6. What are the Staffing Needs?


Estimated Project Expenses

1. What are the Costs to Implement the Project?

2. What are the Costs to Conduct the Project -Beginning through End Date?

3. Are the Costs Reasonable Compared with the Outcomes?

4. Are the Costs Prohibitive (even with a grant)?

5. What Adjustments can be made?


1. Write-Up: Concept, Program, Expenses.

2. Evaluate Program to Determine Who Would

be Interested.

3. Research Grant Opportunities.


Common Sources for Potential Grants:

1. Solicited Grant Applications. RFPs can be

found at: Foundation Center; grants.gov;

google.com; and other web sites.

2. Unsolicited. Approaching Funders through

the Letter of Inquiry; Personal Relationships.



www.Delicious.com/jxm24

Common Grant Forms – Ohio Grantmakers Forum


• When a Letter of Inquiry is Required

• What to Say in a Cover Letter

• How to Prepare the Grant Application

• How to Prepare the Budget


Unsolicited Approaches:You Have

Identified a Potential Funder whose

interests align with your project, but they

do not have an announced RFP in the

Marketplace. OR

An RFP or a Funder’s Process Requires a

Pre-proposal Approach - LOI.


• BRIEF and Succinct: 1- 2 Pages Max.

• So WHAT Exercise.

• Description of the Compelling Need or

Benefit

• Description of Organization’s Solution, i.e.

the Proposed Project.


• Statement of Organization’s Qualifications

to conduct Project

• A Request For Support with the $Amount.

• Next Steps – Include Desire to Submit Full

Proposal, Follow Up Date; AND

• Contact Information.


• Very Abbreviated Version of the Proposal

• Abstract is 1 page

• Executive Summary may be 2-3 Pages

• Same content as LOI

• Assume Reader will NOT read full proposal

• Always Include

1) Structure of the Proposal/Application

2) Relevant Information. Purpose;

Eligible Applicants;

Activities Funded under the Program;

Required Sections and Points Assigned.


(RFP) cont’d

3) Submittal Procedures.

4) Registration Instructions – if Required.

5) Submittal Deadlines.


Approach the RFP and:

Read, Highlight, Outline.

Note and Follow Directions: Page limits, Submittal Procedures, Margins, Fonts, etc.

Register Early – if Required.

Submit ON TIME!!

Submit ON TIME!!



1. Need or Benefit

Describe the Problem/Challenge/Need or

Societal Benefit the Project will Address.

Provide Statistical Data to Demonstrate the

Need or Benefit .


2. Project Description and Plan of Operation

Description of Project to be Funded

Goals and Objectives – Quantified **

Timetable for Implementation & Duration

Evidence of Best Practices


3. Applicant and Partner SupportWhy Your Organization is Ideally Suited to Conduct ProjectQualifications of Project Personnel

Collaborations and Partnerships

Other Support Secured: Facilities, Staff, Monetary, Volunteer Expertise, Other.


4. Evaluation PlanPlan to Measure Achievement of Goals and Objectives ** from Sec 2.Personnel Who Will MeasureHow the Results Will be Used, and DisseminatedPlan to Discolsure Unanticipated Project Outcomes


5. Project BudgetInclude All Project ExpensesList Other Sources of Income:

Contributions, Fundraisers, GrantsIn-Kind SupportEarned Revenue


6. Funders will List Other Mandatory AttachmentsFinancial StatementsKey PersonnelIRS 501(c)(3) Letter ( if non-profit)Annual ReportBoard of Directors Information Letters of Commitment from Partner Organizations


Determine the Criterion Requirement (s)

From Your Prior Documentation **, Determine

how Your Project Aligns with the Criterion

Determine what Statistical Data are Needed

for Support, and

Cite Sources


Write the Criterion – Write your Response

Directly Under the Criterion

Answer the Question (Criterion) that is Asked

Provide Detailed Descriptions

Be Thorough

Check Your Math


Answer Each Criterion as if the Reader Knows Nothing About Your Topic

Play to Your Strengths.


Organize and Add InterestUse Prose, Charts, AND Tables

Use Simple Clear Language

Use Headings

Write out Acronyms and Abbreviations – first

usage.


Best PracticesProofread

Check-off subcriterion.

Verify Consistency, i.e. What is said in one section must agree with and or be supported by what is said in other sections.

Set Application aside for 48 hours: Return to Proof-read.


Give Yourself Plenty of Time.

It takes an experienced grant writer 40 - 60 manhours to research, develop, write, edit and proofread a federal grant application for $2.5million.



A. Exhale

B. Don’t Panic

C. There is Help

D. Just like at Home

www.Delicious.com/jxm24: Common Grant Forms Ohio Grantmakers Forum

Funders seek Evidence of

Sustainability

Capacity Building

Other Funding Streams

Finite – Start and End Dates


1. All Project Costs

2. All Project Revenue

3. Budget Narrative - A Prose Description of:a. Each line item.

b. Any unusual line items.



Expense

1. All Project Personnel Cost

2. All Project Expense (Non-personnel) Itemsa. Equipment b. Supplies, Postagec. Training, Traveld. Insurancee. Utility costs assigned to the Project


Revenue

1. Fees, Sales, Rent

2. Government, Foundation, Corporate Grants

3. Endowment

4. Interest Dividends

5. Dues

6. Sponsorships

7. Special Events, Fundraisers



Brief and Succinct

No more than 1- 2 Pages

Signed by Top Executive

Contact Name and Number


1. Gratitude or Pride at Opportunity to submit the Proposal for -

2. Statement of Project

3. What Need or Benefit Project Addresses

4. Why Your Organization is ideally suited

to do the Project


5. Uniqueness or Partners

6. Ask for $$Amount Requested

7. Gratitude for Consideration

8. Respectfully Submitted

If Not Awarded:Send a thank you note for having been considered for a grantContact and Ask Why:

Was more information needed?Would they be interested in receiving an application from you in the next cycle.Other Potential Grantmakers.

Cultivate for future funding.


Thank you note

Learn of Any Other Requirements: Forms,

Procedures, Deadlines for Grant Reports.



For the Life of the Grant:

Use Grant Resources ONLY to Perform/Fulfill Grant Program as Proposed.

Track Your Activities that Support Your Program Objectives as Proposed.

NO Deviations.


For the Life of the Grant:

Maintain Detailed, Thorough Grant Accounting Records.

You must have a clear Audit Trail to Show that you used the money as proposed.

No Exceptions.


Required Grant Reporting

1. Program and any Modifications.

2. Measureable Outcomes and any

Modifications.

3. Data Gathering Strategies and Findings.

4. Lessons Learned.


Required Grant Reporting

5. Leveraging the Grant for Additional Resources.

6. Future Plans.

7. Other Funding Sources.

8. Grantee Financial Report: incl. Program Budget As Submitted and Actual.



Proceed as if Hiring Staff.Experience, or Awards.Samples.References.Fees:◦ Should be relative to complexity of grant

application.◦ Government Salary Guidelines for grant writers are

$45K-$60K.


Independent National Service Organization.Authoritative Source of Information on Foundation and Corporate Giving.Services and Comprehensive Resources include: ◦ Library collections of reference materials on

foundations, grants, and other non-profits;◦ Educational programs useful to grantseekers.


5 Sites: New York, Washington DC, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Cleveland:

The Foundation CenterKent H. Smith Library1422 Euclid Avenue

Cleveland, OH 44115216.861.1933fdncenter.org


1. Cover Letter

2. Abstract or Executive Summary

3. Grant Application (Need, Project

Description, etc, Budget.)

4. Attachments


Please visit:

www.delicious.com/jxm24/UL_FindGrantsFor web site links presented today.

www.delicious.com/jxm24/UL_FindGrantsCommon Grant Forms – Ohio Grantmakers Forum

My firm at www.madisondev.net


Q & A


Business

June 9 power pt grants seeking wrkshp ii slideshare