Transcript Introduction to Grant Writing
Intro to Federal Grant Opportunities Maine Association of Nonprofits
November 8, 2010 Dial in to hear webinar: 1-866-740-1260 Enter: 8 7 1 1 8 8 5
Intro to Federal Grant Opportunities
Deborah Schilder Director for Planning & Development Broadreach Family & Community Services [email protected]
338-2200 Ext 112
Webinar Goals
To increase participants’ Understanding of the organizational capacity needed to apply for, implement and report on federal grants; Ability to search for and evaluate available federal funding opportunities; and Understanding of the process for applying for federal grant funds.
Get Ready!
Purpose of Federal Grants To secure funding for a specific project or to address a specific problem that
directly assists or benefits the public in such areas as education , health , public safety , public welfare , and public works .
Some Types of Federal Grants
Capacity Building Challenge Conference Construction Demonstration Dissemination Equipment •General Purpose •Matching •Operating •Planning •Renovation •Research •Training
Federal Funding Mechanisms
Block or Formula Grants Entitlement Grants
Project or Discretionary Grants
Appropriation (Earmark Grants)
Federal Grant Process: Overview Public Grant Announcement: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Release of Application Materials
Federal Grant Process… more
Bidder’s Conference or Webinar Question and Answer Period Sometimes: Pre-Application Deadline for Proposal Submission
Federal Grant Process… more
Grant Review Award Notification Contract Reporting
Are You Ready for a Fed Grant?
Previous experience with federal grants?
Reporting & audit capacity?
Ability to meet tight deadlines?
Ability to manage long-term multi dimensional project and partnerships?
Get Set! Grants.Gov
Search for grant opps Register to apply for grants Apply for grants Track grant applications
Also- agency websites, such as www.e-grants.ed.gov
Analyzing a Notice of Funding Availability Eligibility of organization Goals of the NOFA: Relevance to your organization Grant Requirements Organizational feasibility of developing a proposal
Analyzing…
(continued) Probability of funding success Feasibility of managing project, partnerships, reporting etc Probability of meeting objectives/ project success
Gathering Info Review all available printed and posted info Call or email contract officer with questions Find out who else has been funded and for what purpose Review sample funded proposal
Get Set
Learn about upcoming deadlines Line up partners Research needs & opportunities Register with grants.gov (or update registration information) Do as much advance planning as possible
BEFORE you write a grant
Know your organization, mission & strengths Identify the community problem/ need Connect with potential partners Analyze the RFP Gather necessary information
then…. Get organized to write the proposal
GPRA
The Government Performance and Results Act , 1993 GPRA addressed a broad range of concerns about government accountability and performance. Its goals were to improve the confidence of Americans in federal government, focus on the actual results of government activity and services, support congressional oversight and decision-making, and improve the managerial and internal workings of agencies within the federal government.
State Review Exec Order 12372
Donna Bradstreet State Planning Office 184 State Street 38 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333-0038 Telephone: (207) 287-6077 (Direct) (207) 287-5649 Fax: (207) 287-6489 [email protected]
Go! The Game Plan Study all grant requirements, including eligibility, reporting, budgeting Review timeline-- Deadlines are IMMUTABLE!
Bring together partners ASAP Review scoring process
GO!
Make a checklist of all components and timelines Organize your filing system Gather necessary info Ask for clarification if needed Outline the project goals, activities & outcomes Make a plan for writing the grant – who/ what/ when with deadlines for completion
GO!
Write drafts of all parts
Often
it is helpful to start with the budget Review and rewrite/ edit drafts Assemble, review Read instructions again PROOFREAD Submit 48 hours ahead of time
A Successful Grant Proposal is Clear Concise Well-planned Specific Passionate
A Successful Grant Proposal presents
A problem
A solution
A way to measure success
A clear budget
A plan for sustainability
Partnerships
Benefits of Collaboration
Eliminate duplication of other efforts
Fiscal Sponsorship
MOUs vs. Letters of support
Involvement of stakeholders
Is there broad community support for the idea?
Evaluation
Internal vs External
How will you know the project was a success?
What tools will you use to collect data, measure progress?
Must be part of project design
Connect objectives, activities, impact
Be truthful
Sustainability
What happens to the project after the grant period?
Is it a one-shot project? A pilot project?
How will additional funding be leveraged?
How will results be disseminated?
Demonstrate long-term planning
Collaborations
If you are turned down for funding
Request scoring sheets and comments
Review carefully
Plan for next NOFA
Try again
Top Tips for Successful Grants
Give yourself enough time.
Do your homework.
Contact the funder if you have any questions.
Be organized. Make a checklist.
Follow directions, format & timelines.
Pay attention to scoring information.
More Top Tips…..
Be concise. Clear. Don’t use jargon. Do use bullets and tables. Appearance!
Be specific, use numbers when possible.
How will the project make a difference? (Show enthusiasm & define success).
Be truthful.
Have someone else read the proposal before submitting it.
Proofread!
Final Tips for Beginning Federal Grantwriters Collaborate with an experienced partner.
Ask for reviewers comments/ scoring sheet.
Stay abreast of funding trends & legislation.
Plan ahead.
Deborah Schilder Director of Planning and Development Broadreach Family & Community Services
(207) 338-2200 Ext 112 www.BRMaine.org