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A class presented by Piton Inc with Jennifer Poling from WVU Extension Services. Poling is a grant writing expert and this class is a clear explanation of how to write a successful grant proposal
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Grant WritingThe Basics
Not a gift
Not free money
Not easy to find (most of the time)
Not easy to get
What is a Grant—not?
Grants can make the difference between having an idea and making that idea a reality!
Countless startup companies and organizations have used grants to create an enterprise, make an existing business better, and to improve the lives of the people they serve.
It could be just what you need!!
So why bother??
Funding SourcesIdentifying the Right Ones for You
Don’t limit yourself to one or two sources Look for a match between your project and
the goals of the funder Make direct contact with the funder Request proposal guidelines Look at previously funded projects by that
funding source Check out the funding floor and ceiling Pinpoint specific funding priorities
Tips for Searching
Community Foundations State Government Federal Government Corporations and LLC’s Non-profits Special Interest Groups
Possible Sources
Acquire the proposal guidelines Know the submission deadline Determine personnel/partnership needs Acquire permission to include others in the
proposal Gather an informal review panel Contact the funder if possible
Things to Do (before you apply)
What to say and how to say it!!
Your Proposal
Be direct and concise. More is not always better.
Be thoughtful and critical about each sentence.
Put your feelings out there. Be human!! Don’t get sidetracked. Keep bringing the
reader back to your “core mission”. Be honest about the amount of money you
need to accomplish your goal. Don’t be excessive or extravagant with your budget.
Remember!!!
Cover Letter Problem Statement or Needs Statement Purpose of the grant Methodology and Strategies (Timeline) Evaluation & Critique Sustainability Organizational Info/ Credentials Budget Budget Narrative Letters of Support
Most Common Proposal Sections
This is your “front porch” Don’t build the porch before you build the
house. Write this last!!
Your Cover Letter Should Contain Your HOOK.Sometimes this is all a reviewer will read to
make a decision. Make them want to turn the page!
Cover Letter
Who you (your organization) are What you do (be brief) What your idea is How will it make things better and for
whom? Align with the Funder’s purpose Limited to one page Should mention the amount you are asking
for
Cover Letter
This is where you need to move the reader Be honest and direct The problem should be easily identified to
the reader in one or two sentences Give some background and historical
perspective Has a solution been attempted before
Problem/Needs Statement
Need to be addressed: Explain the extent to which the project meets the specific purpose of the source of funds.
How the needs were determined: Describe how you determined the needs you propose to address.
In other words: How do you know this is what’s needed???
Problem/Needs Statement
The “meat and potatoes” How will the money be used to address the
need Express that without the funding, the
project will not be possible The positive impacts of the project (don’t
forget to align with the funder’s purpose and goals)
Purpose of the Grant
If you get stuck try this: write one long, rambling sentence that starts with
“The purpose of this grant is to __________
Write down everything you can think of that this money will accomplish. Then work on forming this into paragraphs with supporting statements. Here is where you need to give details!!
Purpose of the Grant
Who’s going to do what? Step-by-step and can even be bulleted Be realistic about how much time things will
take This is your “road map” to your goal Clearly know your goals and objectives Needs to make sense when compared to
your budget A timeline can be included in an Appenix
Methodology/ Strategies
Do the methods derive logically from the need statement and your goals and objectives?
Have you accurately presented the activities you will be undertaking?
Did you explain why you chose these methods or activities?
Is there a timeline that makes sense? Have you made it clear who will perform
specific activities? Given the resources you expect to have, are
these activities feasible?
Methodology Questions to Ask:
How will you assess your project’s success or failure?
Board of Directors Consumer/ Participant Surveys Refer to your timeline Re-evaluate your budget Revisit your goals Run your project like a “business”—be
honest with yourself!
Evaluation and Critique
Some funders may expect or request a Results Report
Be honest and direct What went right and wrong Where will you go from here Be able to provide an accounting of funds Keep accurate records!!
Evaluation- Results Reporting
Be prepared to discuss briefly what happens when the money runs out.
Can your project sustain itself or will it need continued support
How can you make it sustainable? This can be added as a paragraph in your
methodology section
Sustainability
Who/ what is your organization? How long have you been established? What successes have you had so far? What is your core mission? Who are the key players? What are their qualifications?
◦ Include resumes or curriculum vitae where appropriate
Organizational Info/ Credentials
Blueprint for spending project funds Will become your financial plan if the
project is funded Should be COMPLETE and REASONABLE Remember reviewers are often familiar with
many types of project costs such as computers, travel, postage, phones, etc.
In most cases you don’t need to attach price quotes
Budget
Two Kinds of Budgets◦ Cost Reimbursement- actual expenditures are
reimbursed. Only approved expenditures will be funded. No expenditures permitted that were not included in the budget.
◦ Fixed Price-A fixed sum of money is given to support the project. If expenditures exceed the allocated funds, there is no obligation by the funder to add additional money
Budget
Direct Costs- directly allocated to the individual project such as personnel, supplies, travel, equipment, telephones, postage
Indirect Costs- cannot be allocated to a specific project. These include any shared costs such as building depreciation, shared custodial services. Most usually you can figure 10% of your total for indirect costs.
Budget Costs
Paragraph form explanation of your projected expenses.
Don’t feel the need to explain every item, just give rationale for main expenditures or anything that may seem “cloudy”.
Elaborate on travel, personnel, general supplies, advertising, etc.
Keep it to one page if possible
Budget Narrative
Only include letters from people who will be directly involved in the project
Give them a framework or template Make sure they know their role Make sure they include their contact
information Give a deadline to get the letters to YOU Proofread the letters carefully and give
yourself time for corrections
Letters of Support
Project falls outside the funder’s mission Amount requested is out of proportion to
the need No other funding sources listed No evidence of sustainability Did not follow the format Poorly written/ difficult to understand Credibility issue Not sure of the impact Out of the funder’s geographic area
Most Common Reasons for Denial
Be prepared for multiple submissions Don’t get discouraged Have an outside person proof read and give
you feedback “The first draft of anything is crap.”
◦ ~ Ernest Hemingway
In Conclusion
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