Guide to Identifying & Writing Grant

Proposals

Guide to Identifying & Writing Grant

Proposals

Stacie D. BrockmanEqual Employment Opportunity Officer

Office of Justice Programs

Office of Justice Programs OverviewOffice of Justice Programs Overview

What We Do:

OJP provides leadership and assistance in developing the nation’s capacity to:

– Prevent and control crime,– Improve the criminal and juvenile justice systems,– Increase knowledge about crime and related issues, and– Assist crime victims

Provide training, and technical assistance to state, local, and non-profit organizations involved in any aspect of the administration of justice for all areas of public safety

Administer and manage $7.8 billion (11,021 grants) totaling in federal grants to state and local grant programs through various programs and initiatives

Office of Justice Programs OverviewOffice of Justice Programs Overview

The Office of Justice Programs is a component of theUnited States Department of Justice.

The Office of Justice Programs also houses:

Bureau of Justice Statistics National Institute of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Office for Victims of Crime Community Capacity Development Office Office of the Police Corps and Law Enforcement

Education

Why Seek Funding?Why Seek Funding?

What Resources are Available?

Private: Corporations/Business/Foundations

State Funding Federal Funding

Why Seek Funding?Why Seek Funding?

Plan Projects Implement Projects Enhance Projects Pilot Projects

Evaluate Projects Augment Staff

Capabilities Purchase

Equipment

What Can Funding Help Me Accomplish?

Why Seek Funding? Why Seek Funding?

Good Reasons for Seeking Grants

A sincere desire to solve the problem or address the issue involved

A strong belief that your agency/organization is equipped to solve he problem or address the issue involved

A conviction that your agency can resolve, mitigate, or reduce the problem.

The Program Announcement or RFP conforms to your agency’s mission.

Why Seek Funding?Why Seek Funding?

Questionable Reasons for Seeking Grants

Following the Money

Obtaining Money for Applicant Agency

Sustainability

Identifying Funding SourcesIdentifying Funding Sources

Private Funding

Distinctive Rules and Requirements Ties between Project Goals and Foundation Mission Shorter Proposals Credibility is Key May or May Not be Reviewed Competitively Think Community Utilize Partnerships

Identifying Funding SourcesIdentifying Funding Sources

Private Funding Sources

Foundation Center: http://fdncenter.org/ Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: http://www.rwjf.org/index.jsp The Ford Foundation: http://www.fordfound.org/ The Pew Charitable Trust:

http://www.pewtrusts.com/ Annie E. Casey: http://www.aecf.org/ Corporate Philanthropy:

http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/foundation/corps.html

Identifying Funding SourcesIdentifying Funding Sources

State Funding Opportunities

Funding from State Legislature, Specific to State

Funding from Federal Formula Grants to States

- Follows Federal Grant Guidelines

- May Have Additional Requirements

Funding from Local Organizations

Identifying Funding SourcesIdentifying Funding Sources

Federal Funding

Understanding the How’s and Why’s of Federal Funding:

Budget Appropriations Process Review

Type of Funds: Discretionary v. Formula

Type of Award: Grants v. Cooperative Agreements

Earmarks

Identifying Funding SourcesIdentifying Funding Sources

Federal Funding Source Sites

U.S. Government Portal (FirstGov): http://firstgov.gov/

CFDA: http://12.46.245.173/cfda/cfda.html

Grants.Gov: http://www.grants.gov/

Federal Register: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html

Federal Agency Web Sites

Independently-Operated Consortium Web Sites: http://www.capitolcitypublishers.com/pubs/crime/

Identifying Funding ResourcesIdentifying Funding Resources

WHEN IN DOUBT…....

GOOGLE IT

Funding Resources Available Through OJPFunding Resources Available Through OJP

Two Main Categories

Formula Grants

Discretionary Grants

Formula Grant ProgramsFormula Grant Programs

Provides funds to assist states and local governments

States and local programming may address approved purpose areas

Awards based upon predetermined formulas that may be based upon factors such as the crime rate, population or other factors

May require cash match with nonfederal funds Maximum project periods Contact your State Agency for more information

(www.ojp.usdoj.gov/state.htm)

Types of Discretionary GrantsTypes of Discretionary Grants

Typically, funding totals $50-60 million Typically, funding totals $50-60 million

Congressional Earmarks

Sole Source Selection

Limited and Open Competition

Continuation Grants

Writing Your Grant ProposalWriting Your Grant Proposal

So You’ve Developed Your Project and Your Partnerships…..

How Do You Write A Grant Proposal?

Writing Your Grant ProposalWriting Your Grant Proposal

Principles of Effective Writing

An Effective Writer Keeps These Elements in Mind at All Times:

PurposeAudienceMessage

Writing Your Grant ProposalWriting Your Grant Proposal

Principles of Clear Writing

Keep Sentences Short Prefer the Simple to the Complex Use the Familiar Avoid Unnecessary Words Put Action in Your Verbs Write the Way You Talk Use Terms Your Reader Can Picture Tie in with Your Reader’s Experience Make Full Use of Variety Write To Express, Not to Impress

Common Mishaps to AvoidCommon Mishaps to Avoid

Developing a proposal at the last minute Not developing and following an outline Focusing on “what the funders want” only Promising the moon Not adhering to established criteria of the

RFP (statistics, timeframes, page numbers, MOUs, etc.)

Not telling the story (history of problem, circumstances, etc.)

If your application is not selected for funding?If your application is not selected for funding?

Request a copy of peer review comments

Ask to become a peer reviewer

Try, try again!

Website and Contact InformationWebsite and Contact Information

Website: www.ojp.usdoj.gov

Stacie D. Brockman

US Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

(202) 307-6013

email: Stacie.Brockman@ojp.usdoj.gov