Transcript Grant Writing 101

Grant Writing 101
“There is no grantsmanship that will
turn a bad idea into a good one, but
there are many ways to disguise a
good idea.” - Norm Braverman, NIH
What are your goals for this session?
What keeps us from writing grants?
• Fear of rejection
–
–
–
–
Only 1 proposal in 5 is turned down because the idea wasn’t good enough
A rejected proposal is worth about $10,000 of free advice
The success rate is higher for proposals turned in a second time
The success rate on a third submission is almost 1:1
• Fear of the process
–
–
–
–
How do you find grant givers?
How do I know they’re a match?
How do I write a proposal?
What do I do if I actually get a grant?
Not Enough Time
• Writing is like an Olympic event
– needs constant practice.
• Write everyday at a regular time in the
same place. 20 minutes
• If you don’t sit there every day,
the day that it would have
come well - you won’t be there.
Just Do It!
Keys to Success
• Start by writing your Case Statement
– A Case Statement is your argument for
existence
• Discussed in Fundraising 101
• A good Case Statement is the soil
from which each proposal sprouts
– If you begin with a strong Case
Statement, all other writing is easier
The grant process is never wasted
• Can’t get a grant unless you write one
• We learn even when rejected
• Each grant written allows us to
better understand who we are
• Armed with reviewers comments the
second proposal is always stronger
It All Starts With You!
• Identify what your funding needs are.
– What are your programs and activities?
– What are your goals for the year?
– Identify those that translate well into
grant proposals.
– Start the process of developing these
into proposals.
Prepare a Draft
• Preparing a Draft Grant Proposal
– Assemble the background information you need
– Decide who will write the proposal
– Draft the key components of a proposal
• Executive Summary
• Statement of Need
• Project Description
• Budget
• Organizational Information
***Keep this in draft form as each foundation has its
own formatting
Identifying Grantors
• Your Public Library.
– Provides free access to most grant search
websites
• The Foundation Center website:
– http://fdo.foundationcenter.org/
• Your local Community Foundation.
• GuideStar:
– http://www.guidestar.org/
• National Center for Charitable Statistics.
– http://nccsweb.urban.org/PubApps/search.php
Once You’ve Identified Prospects
• Research if they’re a match for you
–
–
–
–
Do they have an open grant cycle?
Do you fit their funding priorities?
Are they a geographical fit?
Do they fund at the levels you need?
• What is their process
– When are proposals due?
– What is their submission format?
• Start with a broad list and then winnow it
down to those that best fit your needs.
The Most Important Step…..
• Contact the potential funders and
begin cultivating a relationship with
them.
– Briefly explain your project
– Ask Questions
– Inquire if this is something they are
interested in funding
– Listen to them
– Use this information
Call the Program Officer!
The major variable in getting proposals
funded is contact with the program officer
prior to submission of a proposal.
Packaging the Grant Proposal
• Taylor Your proposal to match the
funder’s priorities
• Understand the funders guidelines
and follow them
• Add a cover letter and any
accompanying documents the funder
requests
• Make sure the proposal is accurate
and easy to read
You have to Play by the Rules
• GET the guidelines
• READ the guidelines
• FOLLOW the guidelines
Following the Guidelines
• You must follow the guidelines
exactly.
• Respond to all sections.
• Adhere to any format restrictions.
• Topics must be covered in order
presented in guidelines.
• Use headings that correspond to the
guidelines.
Writing a Grant is Like
Playing a Game
Respond to acceptance or rejection!
• If your proposal is accepted:
– Take care of the Letter of Agreement ASAP
– Have your board president or ED send a personal note of
thanks
– Schedule updates and reports
– Develop a relationship that will endure
• If your proposal is rejected:
– Respond graciously
– Ask the funder if you can submit again later or if they
would be interested in a different project
– Never complain
– Don’t burn the bridge
Recycle your Rejected
Proposal
• Success means having one in three
grants funded
• A rejected proposal does not always
mean the idea was rejected
• Obtain reviewer comments
• Call the program officer
• Rewrite, revise, resubmit
14 Reasons Why Proposals
Fail
• Deadline not met
• Guidelines not
followed
• Nothing intriguing
• Did not meet
priorities
• Not complete
• Poor literature
review
• Appeared beyond
capacity of Funder
• Methodology weak
• Unrealistic budget
• Cost greater than
benefit
• Highly partisan
• Poorly written
• Mechanical defects
Remember
• Get
• Read
• Follow
– The Guidelines
• Call
– The Program Officer
The Fatal Mistake
The Biggest Mistake of All
• Is to not write a proposal. It is
absolutely fatal.
• So - Go ahead and “Buy a Ticket!”
Questions?