Welcome Grant Writing Essentials Octavia Kuransky, MS Psychology

Welcome

Grant Writing Grant Writing EssentialsEssentials

Octavia Kuransky, MS PsychologyOctavia Kuransky, MS Psychology

Psychology for the Real WorldPsychology for the Real World

octavia@psychologyfortherealworld.comoctavia@psychologyfortherealworld.com

Let’s Begin at the Beginning

Why are there non-profits?

Funding is a 2-way street

The Funder has Goals & Objectives

The Agency has Goals and Objectives

The goal of a proposal is to get agency & funder moving

in the same direction

3 Steps to a Successful Proposal

1.Understand Your Program

2.Understand Funder’s Program

3.Understand How

1 & 2 Fit Together

Funders

AssimilationProgram

Fundability

F

Learning Objectives for Today

Components of a Successful Grant Proposal

Fundability of the ProjectResearch Methods to Locate Grants5 Most Common Mistakes5 Things Pro’s DoResources

Components of a Proposal

• Background on the Program• Establishing the Need• The Solution• Benefit of the Solution (Outcomes and

Objectives)• Budget • List of Board of Directors• Attachments

Grant Guidelines provide the specific details

for a specific funder• Information in grant guidelines include

where the funder funds, what the funder funds, what the funder does not fund, eligibility requirements, important dates, priority funding areas and more

• Grant guidelines change regularly

Grant Vocabulary (these are also elements of a proposal)

• Grant Guidelines – instructions from funders

• Mission – purpose of the agency • Program – the overarching operation• Project- more specific activity of the program• Goals – general drive of the program (or project)• Objective- specifics of the goals• Outcome – measurement of the results • Collaboration – inter-agency work

Background of the program(suggested info for inclusion)

• How long has the program been in existence?

• What successes has the program had?

• What other agencies does the program work with? (collaborations)

Do You Know the Background of Your Agency?

Write some background for your agency here:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Establish the Need (suggested info for inclusion)

• What is the problem the program or the project addresses?

• How does the problem affect the community?

• How many people are affected?

What is the Need for Your Community?

Describe the need for your community here.

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

The Solution (suggested info for inclusion)

• How does your program or project address the solution? (This could be the same as the goal of the agency)

• What is the long term projected affect of your project?

The Central Alabama Women’s Business Center seeks to increase the financial stability of women by increasing the

number of successful business start-ups in Jefferson and Walker counties.

How does your solution address the need in your community?

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

A necessary part of the solution are measurable

objectives and outcomes.

WBOP Objectives

• Educate 10 women in Jefferson County in business start up

• Launch 6 women owned businesses in Jefferson County

• Educate 10 women in Walker County in business start up

• Launch 6 women owned businesses in Jefferson County

What are the agency Objectives?

Write your agency objectives here:

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

Two (2) WBOP Outcomes

• Six women participating in WBOP will learn business fundamentals including money management

• Six women participating in WBOP will earn a minimum of $600 from their business as a result of their business in one year

What are the agency Outcomes?

Document your agency outcomes here:

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

• Needs to reflect reasonable

expenditures for the project

• Some funders may have limits on

• % of project to program

• Needs to respect funder’s history

• with regard to funding

• Request needs to be sufficient to

address the need

The Budget

Attachments

Funder grant guidelines will list required

documents. Generally they are:

• The IRS determination letter

• The program budget

• Most recent tax return

• List of BOD with affiliations

• Most recent Audit

How To Find Funders

• Google (example)

• Alabama Association of Non-Profits

• Foundation Center

• Look at the funders of similar agencies

• Grants.gov (example)

• Alabamagiving.org

• Alabama.grantwatch.com (cost $$$)

5 Most Common Mistakes New Grantseekers Make

Mismatch on funding prioritiesLack of clarity on requestLack of clarity on benefit Unsubstantiated budgetAllow funding to drive program development

5 Things Pro Grant Seekers Do

• Read the grant guidelines

• Interview with the Funder

• Research the Funder

• Confirm the clarity of purpose for the request

• Include all requested materials

Additionally…

• The Board of Directors

• Start Ups

• Fiscal Agents

Q and A

• ______________________

• ______________________

• ______________________

• ______________________

• ______________________

• ______________________

Thank you for your attendance and participation.