Alternate Revenue Overview

AFT School Health Leadership May 17, 2010Washington, DC

Alternate Revenue Sources

Pursuit of funding always pays off- even if your proposal is not selected the first time

Can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket

Can’t receive funding unless you pursue Professionally and personally rewarding Requires task focus and clarity of ideas Critique of reviewers makes the second

attempt stronger

Ensuring Success

Innovation and Creativity is important– Looking for new solutions to old problems– Primary rule of brainstorming: every idea is

a good idea

Contacting the Program Officer is critical– Between 80-90% of successful

grant/funding seekers have had contact with the program officer

Sources of and Purposes of Revenue

Federal– Ebb and flow linked to

political agendae.g. NCLB, IDEA, Race to the Top

– Purpose and goal directed: you are told what to do

State– Ebb and flow linked to

political agenda– Frequently linked to

local issues and concerns

– outsourcing work when staff is reduced and budgets are cut

Private Giving

Private Foundations– Altruistic purposes and

goals: resources made available to address what matters to the foundation

– advance a particular cause: Turn2 for children

– Even in tough economy over billions distributed

– often fund geographically

Corporations– Altruistic purposes

linked with corporate interests

– Casts wider net to enhance its employment pool

– improve corporate image: BP

Types of Alternate Revenue and Funding

Grant– purpose is to transfer resources (money, property, services)

from funding source to recipient in order to accomplish a specific purpose

– Relationship between the funding source and the recipient defined by project purpose and goals

Cooperative Agreement – substantial collaboration between funding source and recipient

Contract or Purchased Services– Predefined outcomes and actions to achieve the outcomes

What is a Grant?

A grant involves funds disbursed by one party (Grant Makers), often a Government Department, Corporation, Foundation or Trust, to a recipient, often (but not always) a nonprofit entity, educational institution, business or an individual .

The grant maker identifies the issue they want addressed, the recipient makes a proposal as to how that will be done.

The idea originates with the grant maker The recipient defines the work to be done.

Grant vs. Contract Grant

– Funding agency defines issue or funding priority

– project strategies defined by recipient

– Recipient defines details as to who does what, when and how

– Funding agency retains oversight

Contract– project and

strategies prescribed by funding entity or agency

– agency procures service of vendor

– agency exercises direction or control

– agency closely monitors

Types of Grants

Research or Program Evaluation Curriculum Demonstration or model programs Professional Development and Training Capital projects: Equipment,Technology etc

Qualities of Effective Grant Writing

Quality of the idea and its appeal to the funding source

The ability to communicate clearly and concisely

The Process A good idea or concept A good fit for you and your agency Identify team Match your concept with a funding agency(ies) Read the directions Reread the directions-they don’t say what you want them to say Speak with the program officer Develop a detailed program plan Develop a resource plan (budget) aligned with the program plan Reread the directions Write your proposal

Taking The Concept or Idea to Implementation

The concept or idea exists with you

The challenge is to transform the idea into a viable project which will be supported by funding agency

Connect your idea to current issues or concerns and identify a specific problem to be addressed or needs to be met

e.g. bullying and cyberbullying or sexting

Finding a Revenue or Funding Source

Sign up for email alerts e.g. grants.gov

Foundation Center Subscription

Agency Listserve

State Department of Education Notices

Other State Agencies (e.g.Dept of Health or Health and Human Services)

School District Endowment Funds e.g. Westerly RI

Is it the Right Source? Federal

– Is your agency or LEA eligible?– Is there a $$ match requirement?– How many projects to be funded and at what level?

Private– Who, what and where do they fund?– Money match?– Number of projects funded and at what level

More Questions to Ask

Does the funding agency share your interest and goals?

Has the funding agency funded projects similar to yours?

Have they made awards to entities or LEAs similar to yours?

When will the award be made? What are the reporting requirements?

Two Rules in the workplace and in proposal writing:

Rule Number One: The Boss is Always Right Rule Number Two: When in Doubt see rule One

Rule Number One: Read and Follow the Funding Requirements

Rule Number Two: When in doubt see rule number one

Following the Directions

You must follow the directions exactly. Respond to all sections. Adhere to any format restrictions. Topics must be covered in the order

presented in directions. Use headings that correspond to the

directions.

Speak with the Program Officer!

The major variable in getting proposals funded is contact with the program officer prior to submission of a proposal.

Issues to Consider Before Writing

Any Conflict of Interest? Will this Involve Human Subjects? Timelines and Due date Page limits Format: Spacing, page numbering, margins, font size

and type Letters of Support or Commitment?

Employ Grant Writer: Yea or Nay?

Ensure the needed knowledge and skill to make your grant application or proposal more competitive

Common technical errors may be avoided

A “pro” will write what is needed, we amateurs tend to write what we want

Typical Sections or Parts of a Grant Application or Project Proposal

Cover Page Table of Contents Abstract Problem or Needs Statement Goals and Objectives Project Design or Methodology Quality of Key Personnel Project or program Evaluation Reporting and Dissemination Budget: Financial plan and Narrative Appendices

The Title

Clear and concise to convey what the project is about

For Example

“Tower Empowers”

Abstract

Stand alone project description APA quality for publication Clear, concise, one page, single space Do not use 1st person Be sure to address all key elements/sections in order

specified in the directions (read the directions)

The Needs or Problem Statement

How does the data or evidence inform you that this is a problem or an issue?

The Challenge: What is it that you will overcome?

Convey to the funding agency that you:

Have identified and quantified the issue and that you understand the need and will meet this challenge and solve the problem

Use data to prove the need cite evidence illustrate with tables, graphs and charts

Translate the data into information

Use the information as the basis for your plan/proposal

The Problem Statement: Describing the issue, problem or concern to be addressed

Assume that you are not alone- someone else is thinking the same way

The Problem Statement is the foundation for your definition of the work you propose

The project goals, objectives, strategies, and evaluation must be clearly linked with the problem statement

Provide a thorough explanation of your need– test assumptions– anticipate questions of others– incorporate proposal guidelines

Begin with a framing statement then provide documentation

• Assume that you are not alone- someone else is thinking the same way

• The Problem Statement is the foundation for your definition of the work you propose

• The project goals, objectives, strategies, and evaluation

must be clearly linked with the problem statement

• Provide evidence (data) and an explanation of the need

based on that evidence

When done well the Problem Statement will:

Convey to the reader that you understand the challenge or issue

Illustrate to the reader this as an important issue for your school and community, other schools in the region and maybe even nationally

Clearly and concisely describe what your project/proposal will do to

solve the problem or specific aspects of the problem

Show that your approach to this problem is creative and will fill the gaps in current system

Describe how this project is a good fit for your school agency, how it is consistent with the mission, goals and plan of your school

Brainstorm and Structured InquiryWhat are we trying to address what do we know?

What significant needs have you identified? How will this project help address the identified need? Who will do what, when, where and how and at what cost? What is the discrepancy between what we know or what we are

doing and what we want to know or want to be doing What does the literature and research say? Is this a significant

issue locally, statewide, regionally, and or nationally?

What previous work has been done to meet this need? Was it effective?

Sample Problem Statement not likely to be funded

Bullying Behavior:

Middle school students exhibit significant bullying behavior which results in conflicts in and outside of school

Sample Problem Statement more likely to be funded

Bullying Behavior:

There is a growing body of evidence which confirms that bullying behavior (including cyber bullying) is a significant concern in our schools. Over 40% of children have reported being bullied while online and over 33% report having been threatened.

Components of a Problem Statement

The first sentence describes the issue or problem.

The problem or issue is clarified by defining the type and amount of the behavior

It confirms that this behavior needs to be addressed and that the funding agency will see measurable results from their investment

Data and Evidence

Cite current research and/or literature– 8-10 significant citations– If possible some of this work will have been yours!

Key Information sources Case studies Statistics - objective Surveys Focus groups Use graphs, tables and charts

The Late Ernie Harwell:Words that paint a picture

"Baseball is a lot like life. It's a day-to-day existence, full of ups and downs. You make the most of your opportunities in baseball as you do in life."

The Needs/Problem Statement must enable the reader to “see” exactly what is the issue

Data used to create information which is used to document the need

Statistics– Number of children bullied

per day, week, month or year

– Number who are threatened– Number who are

cyberbullied/threatened References

– Impact of bullying behavior on victims and the perpetrator

Illustrations, Charts and Tables– Victimization by bullies– threats in and outside of schools– Threatening behavior – increases in bullying behavior over

the past 2, 5 10 years

References– Impact of bullying behavior on

school culture and environment and how it has changed over time

Organizing and Writing the Needs Statement

Make the case with the data and evidence Follow the directions Be clear and concise Follow the directions Paint a picture with words that result in a logical

conclusion which then becomes the foundation for the project goals and objectives

And finally…

The needs statement must:

Emphasize the significance of the project– what will be the outcome(s)– what impact will the project have– will the impact of the project sustain

Be sure to address the priorities of the funding agency, and

Convey into the future the usefulness and importance of what you propose

Goals and Objectives

What is going to be done

Is it appropriate to overuse the word appropriate?

The proposal directions almost always require measurable goals, objectives and outcomes

Using the word appropriate (eg the project will utilize appropriate strategies to minimize bullying behavior) tips readers to applicant not knowing what to do

Project Goals and Objectives

Condition/Context Behavior/Actions Criteria (How good is good enough?) Goals and objectives are based on the statement of

need. What will be done, under what conditions and how

will success be determined

The goal is where we want to be. The objectives are the steps needed to get there

Crisp and Concise

• one or two goals• A number of objectives related to accomplishing

the goals• The strategies, actions or steps to achieve each

objective.

• Conditions/context• Behavior/actions• Criteria

Objectives

Objectives describe who is going to do what, when they will do it, and how it will be measured

(conditions and criteria) Discuss desired end results of the project (the

expected behavior) But not how those results will be accomplished (that

comes in the project design or methods section Arrange them in priority order.

Plan of Action, Project Design, or Methods

This is often the section of the proposal which is worth the most points in the scoring rubric.

This is often the most challenging to prepare Many proposals are rejected due to poor or missing

methods/project design section This is the “essence” section where a detailed

description of what will be done, by whom, according to a timeline is provided

Each action needs to be clearly described and link to goals/objectives and with each other

Project Proposal Methods

Serve as a GPS to enable the reader to find their way through the project

Describe the strategies and activities as they relate to the objectives

Provide a timeline with task completion dates Does it provide an organizational chart Describe how the activities and strategies will be

conducted Specify who does what, when, where, how and for how

long?

Does your plan of action:

If program plan or methods are new or unique explain why they are better than that previously used

Specify program/project design and why it was selected Define all important terms and acronyms Provide descriptions of data sources including participants,

how they will be selected, the number of participants Describe all procedures Basically describe a step-by-step work plan: who does

what, when, where and how

Project Proposal Methods

Quality of Key Personnel: Who Are these People? And, why are would we give them our money?

Purpose of this section is to convince the funding source that you are capable of doing what you say you can do

Emphasize the knowledge, skill and competencies the key personnel

Describe your experience in managing other projects Consultants In instances where you cannot identify a specific person,

provide the key elements of the job description or the qualifications required

Describe the roles and responsibilities of all staff, and level of effort of each by time or percentages

In the Key Personnel Section be Sure to Include:

Publications or projects/programs in which you and the project staff have been involved

The training, credentials, licensing, certifications of the key personnel

Other dissemination: Conference presentations, web sites, etc.

Agency or Institution Qualifications

Why should the award be made to your institution?

The Grants Office will help you with the information in this section.

Highlight institution’s capabilities, relation of the project to mission.

Facilities, support, library, computer, etc.

Program/Project Evaluation

Did we do what we set out to do? Did we do it well enough? Are we sure of our results?Did we learn anything we didn’t expect?

Program/Project Evaluation

Formative evaluation of objectives– how the project will be evaluated as it progresses

Summative evaluation of objectives– how the project will be evaluated when it is

finished

Program/Project Evaluation Design

Describe the Program/Project Evaluation Framework

Context, Input, Process, Product (CIPP)

Evaluation Consultation

Employ someone with program evaluation expertise Identify evaluation expert in key personnel and as a

member of your team Include their resume which will show track record of

success in program evaluation The evaluation consultant will assist in writing this

section

Sustainability

What happens when the money runs out?

Sustainability Funding agencies want to have a lasting impact and they want to know how

that is going to occur Include how you propose to continue the project beyond the funding that

you are requesting:

May include a “good faith” statement (pledge) from your district or agency Demonstrate sustainability with your resource plan (budget and business

plan) e.g. creating revenue stream for when the funding goes away How will this project become part of an established program? Will it generate marketable services or products or fees to sustain? Will it become part of your district or agency budget?

Report and Use the Information

Don’t let it sit on a shelf

Reporting and Using

Process by which your project is reported to other professionals and the public

Important to you and the funding agency Sometimes presented as summary or conclusion of the project plan How will you make the results or outcomes of your work available to

others? Will there be workshops, publications, or conferences? If you are producing materials how will they be advertised, marketed, and

distributed? Websites Social networking: facebook, twitter, etc

Plan Should Include:

Which results will be reported? To what audience(s)? How the results or products will be

disseminated, e.g., computer networks, cds, conferences, professional journals, or publication of books, chapters, or monographs?

Resource Plan and Budget

Developing The Resource Plan (Budget)

The Finance Office must be involved in this portion of proposal development.

The budget communicates the methods/project design section in financial terms so it must align with that section

Be Realistic: don’t overstate or understate Two sections to a budget

– the financial format which displays the budget into specific accounts and line items

– a budget narrative that describes how these figures were calculated and why the funding is needed

Budget Categories and line items

Salaries

Benefits Materials & Supplies Equipment Purchase Services Travel

Appendices

Resumes Letters of Commitment from Partners Letters of Support from others Think like a reader/reviewer: Other additional

information which would help to understand the proposal

Think green and don’t overdo adding pages

Letters, we have letters…

Letters of Commitment– Evidence of interest in project from participants– if project is funded they are ready with their contribution– what they will contribute– they will participate at the time that you need them

Letters of Support– We think it’s a good idea– referred to in text, put in appendix– how does project fit with mission/goals of college– Presents type of support

Review Criteria

Review and Edit Adhere to the funding agency’s review criteria Internal and External Reviewers Peers Expert Panel Funding Agency Staff Funding Agency Board of Directors

Typically points are assigned and awarded to the application sections, one missed or inadequate section could result in application being rejected

Think like a Reader/reviewer

Is the application easy to scan and “high” points easy to see

Break up text with graphs, paragraphs bulleted lists Illustrations, tables and graphs are effective in needs

section Tables and images also work well in the

methodology section Be sure that beginning sentence grab the attention of

the reader

Review and review again prior to submission

Set your timeline so that there is sufficient time for you to:

Be able to put the application aside for a day or two and then you do a final once-over

Have someone else read it and be able to tell you about your project / proposal

Fitness: pare down to ensure that it is as concise and clear as possible

Writing Approach and Style

Preparing and writing the application/proposal is a technical skill: work with someone who has had some success

Use action verbs to illustrate you mean business

Avoid first person

What Works Readable: Clear, concise and to the point Straightforward presentation (don’t overdo the

prose)

Proposal elements well organized, easy to find

Accurate table of contents

Adhere to funding agency directions

What doesn’t

Missed timelines

Directions not followed

Not addressing identified funding agency priorities

Believe it or not: incomplete proposal or application

Weak evidence, poor data

What doesn’t

Inability of applicant to deliver

Resource plan is inadequate: budget is understated in relation to project tasks

Proposal misses the funding agency’s specified priorities

Collaboration is Essential

The Team– You as the Leader– Your colleagues,

students and their families

– The community at large– Your finance office

In what sport can you fail 70% of the time and still be very successful?

Baseball Grant writing

Questions, comments, discussion

Since January 1, 2010 there have been five school related incidents that have affected students. The incidents range from a school bus accident injuring 17 students in the parking lot of a Marlboro School, a oil burner malfunction