Shetterley/Burgoyne University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education Finding the Money: Grant Funding in Continuing Education

Shetterley/Burgoyne University of Georgia

Center for Continuing Education

Finding the Money: Grant Funding in

Continuing Education

Shetterley/BurgoyneApril 2005

University of GeorgiaCenter for Continuing Education

First to Consider... Grants are agents for change Grants are not just a way to get money Develop some goals, big picture ideas Look for smaller scale projects that move

you toward your broader goals Keep lists of ideas, contacts, resources



Prior to Searching for Funding Think about your institution’s strengths Brainstorm ideas Choose some ideas to develop into future

proposals Strategize Cultivate collaborations and partnerships



What is Most Fundable? Innovation Expansion of proven methodologies into

new arenas Projects with clear, well-defined plans and

measurable goals Project that meets the needs and interests

of the funder



What is Hardest to Fund? Routine operating expenses Repairs and maintenance Programs serving wealthy suburbs Continuation of an existing program with no

major demographic or programmatic changes

Programs that are “in trouble”



Funder Types Internal

Example: Your institution Government (state, federal)

Example: Department of Education Private Foundations

Example: Goizueta Foundation Corporations/Corporate Foundations

Example: Kodak, Home Depot



How to Begin Either

A grant opportunity (RFP) crosses your desk and you say “that gives me an idea”

Or You are determined to do a particular project or

provide a service, so you seek funding



Then consider... The funder’s motivation The match between the funder’s

motivations and your ideas Your institution’s policies and rules

concerning external funding Writing the proposal



Funder’s Motivation: Why are they giving out money?

Internal sources To improve program or curriculum To encourage innovation To compete with like entities To raise public image (get good press) To be able to demonstrate that they have offered

professional advancement opportunities to their employees




Government To meet the requirements of a directive, initiative,

or law To help the economy To provide political advantages To create useful statistics To raise prestige among peers




Private Foundations To reap tax benefits As part of a legal settlement To meet their mission To raise their prestige Because they hope you or your population can

do something for them later




Private corporations To raise their public image To improve their visibility To increase their client base Because they hope you or your population can

do something for them later



How do you determine the funder’s motive and mission?

Visit their web site Look for clues in the RFP Talk to people who have worked with the

funder before Talk with the funder’s contacts If it’s internal, talk to the person who wrote

the RFP



Is it a match? Can you help the funder meet its needs?

Or

Can you modify the project you want to do into something that will appeal to the funder

and still accomplish your goal?



How to know if it is a match Who they fund What they fund Where they fund Award amounts Funding periods Deadlines Matching or in-kind requirements



Good match? Make sure your institution thinks so!

Get permission. Get the proper approvals at your institution. Follow the protocol.

Identify potential collaborators. Is there a professional who can help you write?

(especially for large complex projects) Follow the application instructions EXACTLY. Plan time to do the proposal and motivate

yourself.



The Proposal: Terms to Know RFP (Request for

Proposal) Letter proposal, Letter of

inquiry, Pre-proposal Full Proposal Grant vs. Contract Indirect or F& A Matching, In-Kind, Cost

Share

Narrative Methodology Quantifiable objectives Evaluation Sustainability



Three Stages for Proposal Development

Pre-writing Writing Post-writing



Pre-Writing Read the RFP (what forms you will need,

what you need to address, budget information, etc.)

Talk about your idea with the contacts. Plan and think about what you will need to

include in the proposal. Gather all your information or know where

to go and to get it.



Ready to Write Don’t think about what you want, think

about what the funder wants. Tell the funder clearly:

Why they want your project Why you are qualified to do it



Writing a Proposal Abstract, summary or first paragraph

Get their attention (impact) Tell your innovative idea Emotional appeal

Background History Problem Goals Your unique ability to address this issue



Project Description WHO will do it? (qualifications) WHAT will be done? (step-by-step) WHEN will each step be done? (timeline) WHERE will each part occur? HOW will the project get done? (process)



Other Parts of the Proposal Evaluation

External/Internal Quantitative/Qualitative Formative/Summative Product/Process

The Project’s Future Sustainability Can project be replicated? Expansion



Tips for Writing Really think through each part of the project. Communicate in concise, clear language. Avoid jargon and marketing phrases. Do not include things that do not contribute

directly to the proposed project (graphs, brochures, reports, etc.).

Adhere to the length restrictions. Make your words count.



Budget Itemized account of how funds will be spent Salaries, honoraria, fees, stipends, benefits Equipment Travel Supplies Subcontracts Other operating costs (meeting space, food,

registration fees, etc.)



Tips for Budget Development Don’t wait until after the proposal is written to do

the budget. Be aware of institutional rules/policies, salaries,

consultant rates, benefit rates, etc. Follow the format the funder provides. Also may

need to do a different budget for your institution. Make sure they match!

Ask for exactly what you will need to do the project. Don’t pad the budget.

Depending on the source of the money, there are regulations you must follow regarding accounting.



Budget Development Tips Get help if you need it. Figure in inflation, especially if it is a multi-

year project. Provide the appropriate budget detail and

narrative. Check and recheck your math. Know the difference between reimbursable,

fixed, and contracts limited to line items.



Post Writing Revise

Reread RFP and proposal to see if you have addressed everything

Get someone else (or two or three) to review the proposal for you

Checklist Do you have all the forms, signatures, attachments,

letters, etc.? Final check

Go over everything one more time.



Proposal Submission Electronic or paper submission Attachments or Appendices Copies – send correct number of originals and

copies Consider sending so you can verify delivery Most will be time sensitive Know if the funder will notify you when you

proposal arrives Know when the award will be announced



Things for CE to Look for in Partnerships and Funding

Opportunities to partner with others on campus Research grants Training grants Service grants

Becoming the “administrative home” for projects Grants to support institutes, partnerships



Grant Searches Grants.gov

Allows organizations to electronically find and apply for competitive grant opportunities from all Federal grant making agencies.

State Procurement websites Fdncenter.org

Searchable database of over 78,000 grant makers and 450,000 grants. Access through institution memberships.

Utilize your sponsored program and/or foundation staff at your institution



Overall Resources to Access Grants Resource Center

www.aascu.org

Internet http://www.oryxpress.com/miner.htm http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/rfpinfo.html http://teacher.scholastic.com/read180/discover/fu

nding/tips.htm



Overall Resources to Access Books

Hall, M.S. Getting Funded: A Complete Guide to Proposal Writing. Portland, Ore: Continuing Education Press, 1988.

Lief-Lehrer, L. Grant Application Writer’s Handbook. Boston, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 1995.

Documents

Shetterley/Burgoyne University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education Finding the Money: Grant Funding in Continuing Education