Transcript Grant Writing - College of Southern Nevada

Grant Writing
Presented by
Office of Resource Development
College of Southern Nevada
Grant writing is the art and science of
extracting strictly specified data sets from
a conglomeration of abstract verbal
universes, distilling said data into highly
palatable, user-mandate phraseology
designed to elicit a profound sense of
fiduciary responsibility and a concurrent
release of fiscal resources.
Resource Development Department
 Objectives
– Initiate new grant opportunities & increase
amount of grant funds
– Ensure all grant programs are delivered in
accordance with the terms of the grant,
including program objectives and budgets.
– Foster partnerships and collaboratives that
further the mission of the College and assist in
the leveraging of resources
A grant writer should be
somewhat
of a Band Leader…
Able to bring the distinct, individual
partners into a coordinated, integrated
and harmonious whole.
…To dream the impossible dream!
Five Steps of Grantsmanship
Vision
 The passionate mission of a nonprofit
organization leads to a concrete program
 Every proposal should identify a compelling
need
 Every proposal should reflect an ambitious
vision
Philanthropy
 The organization must identify a grant
making institution that shares this vision
and has the resources to become a funding
partner
 The organization must understand the
grantor’s requirements and follow them to
the letter
Language
 The vision must be translated into concrete
terms with
– Clear Goals
– Measurable Objectives
– Specific OUTCOMES
Three “C”s of grant writing
 CLEAR
 CONSISE
 COMPELLING
Submission
 The proposal must be packaged according
to the funder’s requirements and submitted
to funder by deadline
 New rules are specifying font size, page
limits, margins, electronic submissions etc.
Continuation
 If the proposal is funded, future activities
should grow out of this success
 Cultivate the granting agency for future
partnerships
 If the proposal is denied, use reviewer’s
comments for future submissions
 If no comments are provided, contact the
funder, find out why your proposal was not
funded
Project Development
 Facilitate organizational meetings with
faculty and staff to define needs, discuss
guidelines and design project outlines
 Develop an outline of the project with need,
objectives, plan of operation, budget, etc.
 Obtain Executive Staff and President’s
approval for planned projects and matching
resources
Develop Funding Sources
 Research funding sources
 Outline project requirements
 Develop calendar of prioritized applications
 Contact granting agencies for funding
information
 Obtain internal/external partners
 Provide information and advice to faculty
and staff on funding opportunities
Search Databases for Funding
Notices of Funding Availability
http://ocd1.usda.gov/nofa.htm
Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov
GrantsNet http://www.grantsnet.org
GrantSmart http://www.grantsmart.org/search
The Foundation Center http://fdncenter.org
Society of Research Administrators
http://www.srainternational.org/newweb/grantsweb
The School Funding Center http://www.schoolfundingcenter.info
Grant Funding Resources

Federal Resources
Federal Register
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
http://www.cfda.gov
USA.gov
http://www.fusa.gov
FedWorld.gov
http://www.fedworld.gov
Government Printing Office/Nat’l Archives
http://www.access.gpo.gov
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
http://www.nces.ed.gov
U.S. Census Bureau http://www.census.gov
A grant writer should be
somewhat of a Gambler…
Taking chances that what you produce
will hit a jackpot somewhere.
…I'll bet my life on this!
Reading the RFP
 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
 FIRST: Check if your organization or
project is eligible – most funding agencies
limit who and what they will fund
 Note the DEADLINE!!!
 Note the specific formatting requirements
 Follow the instructions
Grant Proposal Format
 Cover Page: Use granting agency cover if
provided
– Organization name
– Contact information
– Use prescribed form of funding agency
Abstract
 The abstract is a summary of your proposal and
should be written only after the proposal is
completed. It should be a brief narrative of the
 Problem/Need – Why is it necessary?
 Project Description – Solution: Nuts and bolts of
how the project will be implemented and
evaluated
 Funding Requirements
 Organization and its expertise
Table of Contents
List of sections and page numbers
(Done after the full proposal is completed)
Organization Background
Short explanation of agency, its focus,
expertise and experience
Project Narrative
 Statement of need:
– Identification of need- Need should be
compelling, substantial, should relate affect
– Documentation (Data with backup source) from
reliable and relevant sources
A grant writer should be
somewhat of a Beggar…
Asking for help, data, information,
etc., on bended knee.
Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!!!
5 points to consider in Need Statement
 Decide which facts or statistics best support the
project
 Give the reader hope – problem can be solved
 Determine whether it is reasonable to portray the
need as acute
 Decide whether you can demonstrate that your
program addresses the need differently or better
than other projects that preceded it
 Avoid circular reasoning i.e. We need a building
so give us a building.
Project Description/ Statement of
Work/ Project Methods or Design
♦Goals
Overall outcome of the project, conceptual and
more abstract
♦Objectives
Specific measurable outcomes – increase,
decrease, by how much, by when
♦Methods
Specific activities, related to each goal and
objective, including timelines
Plan of Operation : Include
 Nuts and bolts of how the project will be
implemented – What – Who – When
 Personnel-who’s going to do each activity,
how much of their time is devoted to the
project, activity?
Plan of Operation
 Services to meet objectives- Relate each
service specifically to an objective
 How is this activity going to help you to
meet this objective
Plan of Operation
 Organizational Placement and
Organizational Commitment
 What division of the organization will lead
the project
 What resources of the organization will be
committed to the project, i.e. space,
personnel, supplies, equipment, etc.
 Show an organizational chart
A grantwriter should be a
Saint…
Able to work miracles with any hairbrained idea and an RFP.
…that’s Really Foolish Proposals!
Charts
 Charts are an excellent method to show
your project and makes it easy for the
reader to understand
 Objective chart – with objective,
responsible person, performance indicators,
timeline
Evaluation
 What measures will be used in quantitative and
qualitative terms
 Formative (at set benchmarks) and summative
(year-end, end of project) evaluation
 Benchmarks that are realistic, incrementalmonthly, quarterly, annually
 Use a chart form with objective, outcome,
measurement/data source, responsible person(s),
timeline
Budget
 Personnel- Salaries and Wages
 Personnel- Fringe Benefits
 General Operating (Supplies and Materials)
 Travel
 Participant Support
 Equipment
 Indirect Costs
 Other
Budget Narrative
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Explain the various figures in the budget
Detail personnel positions and their FTE
Fringe benefits categories and rates
Increases if multi-year budget
Mileage rates
Travel particulars including purpose of travel and
explanation of rates used
 Specific equipment to be purchased
 Stipends or Participant Support specifics
 Matching amounts and sources etc.
Application Transmittal
 Ensure required formatting, assurances and
deadlines
 Obtain required signatures
 Package and mail, deliver or electronically
submit proposals
 Distribute internal and external copies
 File grant applications
 All Federal agencies will be electronic
submittal in the near future
Proposal Writing Tips
 Start early
 Read the RFP and follow the instructions
 Organize for clarity
 Make it easy to read
 Communicate clearly
 Get feedback from others
 Pay attention to the budget
 Meet the deadline
A grant writer should be
somewhat
of a Masochist…
Resubmitting proposals after being
rejected over and over again.
...One mo' time!