Transcript Tips for a Successful Federal Grant Application

Tips for a Successful Federal
Grant Application
Deborah Rosenbloom
Director of Programs
Jewish Women International
www.jwi.org
Overview
• Preparation
• Searching for Opportunities
• Applying
• Partnerships
• Timeline/Process
DUNS
• Data Universal Number System
• Tracks allocation of federal funds
• Register now:
http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform
CCR
Central Contractor Registration
• Apply at www.ccr.gov
• E Biz POC (point of contact)
– Can take 3 business days if already• Special Password: M Pin
have TIN or EIN
• E Biz POC to designate AOR
– If not, get TIN/EIN from IRS –
who may submit
takes 2 weeks!
**RENEW ANNUALLY**
(5 business days)
• For help:
https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/doc/UserAccount.pdf
– If problem after registering:
www.fsd.gov
AOR = authorized organization
representative
AOR process
• AOR needs user
name/password
– Must wait 1 business
day after getting CCR
– Then complete profile
on Grants.gov
– Must know DUNS to
complete profile
• User name/password
= electronic signature
• E Biz POC gets email
AOR applied for user
name/password
• E Biz POC logs on
grants.gov using
M PIN to approve
• AOR gets
confirmation email
Registration Checklist + Details
1. Step by Step Guide to Registration
http://www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.go
vRegistrationBrochure.pdf
2. Applicant User Guide
http://www.grants.gov/assets/ApplicantUse
rGuide.pdf
How to locate grants
• List-serves
• Check websites
• Subscribe: www.grants.gov
Request for Proposals (RFP) Posted
• Submit Letter of Intent (LOI)
• Register for TA Conference Call
• Ensure organization has completed
DUNS, CCR, E Biz POC, AOR process!
• Complete standard assurances
• Get signatures!
• Get Financial statements (usually audit)
T/A Conference Call
• Register
• Read RFP
• Determine questions
• Email or ask questions
Realistic project
• responsive to request
• collaborative partners
• capacity to accomplish
– Expertise, budget, timeframe
Critical to Success
• Call grant office for clarification
• Collaborate with community stakeholders
• Start early and don’t give up
Partnerships
• Why?
• Who?
– What makes a good partner?
• Working relationship: reach out now
• Complements your expertise
• Brings additional resources
• Increases likelihood of successful project
Writing the proposal
• Read RFP again
• Call grant office for clarification, if needed
• Assign staff responsibilities for grant
• Internal timeline
• Start collecting letters of support
Basics of writing
• Over write, edit later
• Use bullets, lead the reader
• Keep editing and share with partners
• Be sure proposal is responsive
• Use language from solicitation
• Double check font size, page length
• Outsider to read for clarity and typos
Narrative
• Statement of need
• Measurable objectives
• Program description and plan
• Organizational capacity
• Staff expertise
• **Don’t assume reader is familiar
with your organization or work**
Four Key Questions
1. Why do you need the funding?
2. What you will do with the funding?
3. Why you? – capacity and resources you
and partners bring to the project
4. How much $$ do you need?
Be sure Need Statement connects to the
Project.
Abstract
• Don’t write at last minute
• Selling tool
• Strong, dynamic summary of project
Budget and Budget Narrative
• Be realistic
• Relate to project
• Clearly show how $$ will be spent
Partner letters (MOU)
• Clearly state history/relationship
• Clearly state responsibilities in project and
how will work together
Letters of Support
• List of potential letters
• Assign staff and timeline
• Provide description of project
• Provide address and solicitation #
Before Uploading & Sending
• Check for correct signatures
• Double check on page limit/font
• Follow order of documents as requested
• Upload early in day
• Post hardcopy by deadline
• Save copy for your files
Questions?
Deborah Rosenbloom
[email protected]
www.jwi.org