Grant’s Assistance Hotline: 1.866.973.2760 Preparing for a Grant Unlocking the Potential Native Learning Center Seminole Tribe

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: 1.866.973.2760 www.NativeLearningCenter.com

Preparing for a Grant

Unlocking the Potential

Native Learning Center Seminole Tribe of Florida


Preparing for a Grant

The purpose of this training is to help you diagnose the grant process, evaluate your idea, plan your project, and organize,

write and package your proposal for success and sustainability.

Components of a Successful grant

Strong Idea Strong Application

Strong Support


For additional help

Technical Assistance Hotline

1-866-973-2760


Your Presenter

Vince Franco Grants Compliance Manager

Native Learning Center (NLC)

6363 Taft StreetHollywood, Florida 33024

[email protected]

1-954-985-2300

Ext. 10651

mailto:[email protected]


Any Questions?

• If you have a question please use the hand tool to raise your hand and type your question into the chat box (next slide).

• The presenter will work to answer your questions as quickly as possible. Questions will be answered in the order they were received.

• Please remember to complete the class survey at the end of this course.


How to ask a question


Technical Issues? Unable to hear us?


Topics

• Introduction• Grant Cycle• Planning, Research and Assessment of Your Project• Grant Opportunities• Evaluating Your Idea• Organizing, Writing, and Packaging• Award and Implementation • Grant Stewardship and Sustainability• Closeout


Introduction


Introduction

The difference between having a grant proposal accepted or rejected often

depends on planning, research and assessment, as well as following the rules,

and in meeting deadlines.

A grant proposal must engage the funder and show measurably how the grant will make a difference and be used effectively to complete a worthy goal that benefits both parties.


Grant Cycle


Grant Cycle

• Planning, Research, and Assessment• Grant Opportunities• Application Evaluation (Is it a good fit?)• Organization and Measureable Results• Application Development, Packaging, and Submission • Award and Implementation• Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluating• Closeout


Planning, Research and Assessment



What are the components of a successful grant application?

• Strong Idea

• Strong Application

• Strong Support



What determines which grants are funded?

• Merit

• Program Considerations

• Availability of Funds


Planning, Research and AssessmentSo why plan, research and assess? You are more likely to get:

• A logical and thought out concept.

• An adequate amount of time to complete your application.

• A better grant application.

• A more compelling proposal.

• More connection with the funder.



Remember, before you start:

• Develop and review a needs assessment.

• Talk to community, staff and others as appropriate.

• Carefully read instructions for the application.

• Propose a project about which you are passionate and totally committed to doing.


Grant Opportunities


Grant Opportunities

• Grants.gov www.grants.gov is designed to help you search for grant opportunities throughout the federal government.

http://www.grants.gov/


Grant Opportunities

• You have options: Search the Find Grant Opportunities online, in real time. Or…


Grant Opportunities

• Subscribe and receive email alerts detailing new grant postings.• You can also conduct a detailed search using different criteria.

Let’s look a little closer at these options.


Grant OpportunitiesBasic Search Browse by Category Browse by Agency

Advanced Search


Grant OpportunitiesYou can download and complete a grant application at any time, but to submit the application you must be registered with Grants.gov. Before applying for a grant, the steps below must be completed. • Request a Data Universal Number System (DUNS), a 9-digit

federal identification used to track federal grant money. Go to: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do or call 866-705-5711.

• Register with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at www.ccr.gov recently converted to the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov. This system collects, validates, stores and disseminates data in support of federal grant awards.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do

http://www.ccr.gov/

http://www.sam.gov/


Grant Opportunities

• Download grant application packages.


Grant Opportunities

• Another source of grants is through the Foundation Center at www.foundationcenter.org.

http://www.foundationcenter.org/


Grant Opportunities

• Foundation Center provides for a foundation search.


Grant Opportunities


Evaluating Your Idea


Evaluating Your IdeaThe following questions are a tool to flesh out an idea and a starting point to test your readiness to write a grant proposal.

• What are you passionate about?• What is the problem (or need) and why is it important?• How is existing knowledge, practice or system

inadequate?• Why is your idea better?• How is it new, unique, or different?• What will it contribute and who will benefit from it?


Evaluating Your Idea• Can you identify the resources needed for your idea?• Can you develop specific goals for your idea?• Can you identify short-term outputs from your idea?• Can you define long-term results from your idea?

Resources Goals Outputs (ST) Results (LT)Staff Hire one (1) additional

staff person in 2012 Increase clients served by

14% in 2013Over 1000 clients

served in 2013Facility

Technology


Organizing, Writing and Packaging



• Start early

• Seek advice from colleagues

• Start with a good idea

• Review grant criteria

• Carefully follow instructions



The basic components of a grant proposal should include the following:

• Summary or Abstract• Introduction for your organization• Problem or needs statement• Project objectives• Project design• Project evaluation• Future funding or sustainability• Project budget



Basic Components of a Grant Proposal

Summary or Abstract Outlines the proposed project

Introduction Description of the organization (staff, BOD, goals, & operation)

Problem or Need Clear, concise, well-supported statement of the issue

Project Objectives Specific, goal-oriented, realistic and measurable activities

Project Design A detailed narrative of the plan of action

Project evaluation Careful review of performance, operation and improvement

Future Funding Explanation of long-term planning and sustainability

Project Budget Revenue and expense with a description


Award and Implementation



A successful grant application:

• Demonstrates proper merit.

• Meets all requirements.

• Shows realistic ability to carry out the project.

• Adheres to submission deadlines and instructions.

• Presents project in a logical manner.

• Explains evaluation criteria.



Post award monitoring includes:

• Tracking receipt of required financial and progress reports.

• Reviewing these reports for deficiencies.

• Maintaining records of all communications.

• Conducting site visits, when necessary.

• Responding to requests for information on the grant.


Grant Stewardship and Sustainability



• How will this project be continued when grant funds end?

• Describe how you will replace grant funds.

• Specific, realistic and documented plan.

• Grant funders know your project is a work in progress.

• The key opportunity is to demonstrate that your organization does good planning.



• A grant funding plan that is heavily dependent on grant funds will be considered week.

• List the sources of income and amounts.

• State which resources are committed, pending, or to be requested.

• Letter of commitment from partners can make or break a program.


Closeout


Closeout

• Reviewing expiring grants.• Obtaining certification that objectives have been met.• Resolving any known issues (ensuring costs are

allowable, or the proper disposition of grant-purchased property, etc.).

• Ensuring the grant file is complete.• Complete a final business review, if any.• Check to make sure all final reports are submitted and

approved.• Or take other action as appropriate to officially close

the grant.


Review


Review

• Introduction• Grant Cycle• Planning, Research and Assessment

of Your Project• Funding Announcements• Evaluating Your Idea• Organizing, Writing, and Packaging• Award and Implementation • Grant Stewardship and Sustainability• Closeout

Components of a Successful grant

Strong IdeaStrong

Application Strong Support


Technical Issues? Unable to hear us?


Closing Notes

If you have any questions or need help, call The NLC Grants Technical Assistance Hotline at 1-866-973-2760!

Catch all the latest stuff from the Native Learning Center on our webpage at www.nativelearningcenter.com or on

Facebook or Twitter.


Thank You! Please visit our Website

www.NativeLearningCenter.com

http://www.nativelearningcenter.com/


Next Webinar!Title: Best Practices for Keeping Your

Culture Alive: Protecting Artistic Works

Focus Area: CCECourse Number: TBDDate: August 22, 2012

Time: 2:00-3:00pm ESTInstructor: TBD

Registration is free!

Documents

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: 1.866.973.2760 Preparing for a Grant Unlocking the Potential Native Learning Center Seminole Tribe