Transcript Document
Community grant writing workshop 7/16/2015 What’s coming up… • Choosing your grant • Planning your project • Writing the application • An assessment exercise • Managing your grant • Reporting Don’t let the tail wag the dog… Work out what you want to do ~ then get the funding to fit Get inside the funder’s head! Work out what the funders are looking for Talk to the funding body about your ideas Talk to NRM officers for ideas/info Planning your project What do you want to do? Step it out! •What resources will you need? •What’s the timing of each step? •Who can you partner with? Do you need approvals to do the project? Writing your application Say up front what you’ll do with the $$ Say why your project is important Keep it short and to the point ..........(the panel has heaps to read!) Don’t do it at the last minute – it shows!! Address the assessment criteria Typical criteria: •Alignment with funding objectives and/or relevant plans •Technically sound; feasible •Good partnerships •Community / volunteer involvement •Value for money •Capacity to deliver Remember to include... Collaboration with others •Shows your project is supported by others, not stand-alone (e.g. other community groups, local council, adjoining landholders) Communication of project outcomes •how your project will influence how people treat the environment or increase community knowledge (e.g. through interpretive signs, field day, brochure, fact sheets, etc) Budget and final check Include the contributions of others (cash and in-kind) Research the costs – make it realistic Check and re-check the budget Get a fresh pair of eyes to check it all! Assessment exercise Grant agreement Read your project agreement before signing it – •may not receive funding for everything •may have conditions placed on the grant Don’t be afraid to ask the funder questions Managing your grant A team approach – don’t do it alone! Keep your partners well-informed Don’t be afraid to ask for a variation Keep records (financial, photos, etc) – makes reporting easier Completion reports Lets the funders know what they got for their money – keeps the funding coming! Accountability for public funds Eligibility for future grants Getting your ideas on paper Try filling out a couple of questions for your project A chance to ask us questions: • about the eligibility of your project ideas • about your project’s design • how to demonstrate the public benefit of your project Best of luck with your projects!!!