Copyright © 2010 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. The Art of Grant Writing Melinda S. Turner, Superintendent

Copyright © 2010 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org

The Art of Grant Writing

Melinda S. Turner, Superintendent

Owsley County School District

Booneville, Kentucky


What is Grant Writing?

A term used to describe the process of writing a proposal for funding a nonprofit organization’s programs, operations, or projects.


What Does a Grant Writer Do?

Crafts a well-considered document that outlines—

• How the money will be used• What receiving the money will accomplish• Who will undertake the tasks described in

the proposal


A Successful Grant Writer…

• Feel empathy for your readers.• Always meet your deadlines.• Thoroughly read and follow instructions.• Be a good “test taker”.


Insider Tip

Whether you are writing to guidelines or an RFP, the grant proposal is formulaic—It includes instructions that must be followed exactly. You also must use the accepted language and approach set forth by your reading audience.


Looking for Grant Opportunities.

• Reactively—As a response to a Request for Proposals(RFP)

• Proactively—By searching for matches between foundation guidelines and your mission.


Types of Grants

• Capital: Funds for construction, acquisition, or renovation of buildings

• Programmatic: Funds to support staffing, equipment, and other items to launch a special project

• Operational: Funds to support ongoing operations, such as staffing, etc.


What Makes a Grant ProposalSuccessful?

• Provides a creative response to a problem or need

• Demonstrates potential for sustainability


Follow the MONEY….

• Government Funding Sources• Local Congressional Representatives• Foundations

1. Large Family

2. Corporate

3. Community


Insider Tip

Some foundations are beginning to change their guidelines to look for ways to fund operations in nonprofits that are vital to the community or that have demonstrated ‘best practices” in their fields. However, most foundations still prefer to fund unique projects developed in response to a community need.


Common Grant Application Format

1. Executive Summary

2. Purpose of Grant

3. Evaluation

4. Budget Narrative/Justification

5. Organization Information

6. Attachments


Executive Summary

• Why you are requesting the grant• What outcomes you hope to achieve• How you will spend the funds if the grant is

awarded


Purpose of the Grant

• Statement of need• Description of target population/benefits• Description of project goals, measurable

objectives, action plans• Timetable for Implementation• Partners/Roles• Qualifications of key staff/volunteers• Long-term strategies/sustainability


Evaluation

• How will success be defined and measured

• How results will be used• How constituents will be involved


Insider Tip

You may not deviate from the outline in the RFP—ever! If you don’t follow the outline exactly, you can be assured that a grant proposal will be awarded funding, but it won’t be yours. Remember, volunteers are often reading and scoring dozens of proposals at a time. They must be able to find the information where they expect to find it and assign a proper score.


Budget Narrative/Justification

• Grant Budget—Format• Budget Details—How each budget item

relates to the project and how amount was calculated

• List any amounts requested of other funding sources

• Prioritized Budget Items –Should partial funding become available


Organization Information

• Brief summary of organization’s history• Brief statement of mission and goals• Description of current programs, activities,

and accomplishments• Organizational chart –staff, etc.


Attachments

• Copy of IRS determination letter—tax exempt status

• Financial Information• Letters of support• Annual report, if available


Submission of Grants

• Paper submissions are becoming rare• Online submission can be confusing and

time consuming• Plan at least a day for uploading, and, to

be safe, plan this activity for the day before the deadline in case of technology issues.


Finding Grants

• Local Government Funds• Local Grants with Pass-Through Money• State Government Grants• Federal Government• Federal Register


Insider Tip

Register your nonprofit organization with Grants.gov even if you don’t think you’ll be applying for a grant in the coming year. When you do find a grant opportunity, this will be one tine-consuming hurdle out of the way.


Websites….

• Grants.gov (Review RFPs)• www.guidestar.org (tax statements

indicating charitable gifts) for researching foundations

• www.foundationcenter.org (allows you to sign up to receive regular notices of grant announcements)

http://www.guidestar.org/

http://www.foundationcenter.org/


Websites

• U.S. Department of Education

www.ed.gov/index.jsp• U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services

www.dhhs.gov• Alliance for a Healthier Generation

www.healthiergeneration.org

http://www.ed.gov/index.jsp

http://www.dhhs.gov/

http://www.healthiergeneration.org/


Congratulations—

You will become a writer of multiple award-winning grant applications. It will happen,

trust me—


ENJOY the Grant-Writing JOURNEY !

Have FUN in DALLAS !

Documents

Copyright © 2010 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. The Art of Grant Writing Melinda S. Turner, Superintendent