Pursuing Federal Grant Funding
Mona K. Koerner, Ph.D.Policy ConsultantKoerner Solutions
To generate enough excess revenue over expenses
to sustain the organization in order to carry out its mission by: Increasing resources and creating conditions that
make better use of those resources Allocating resources more efficiently among
competing uses Finding the right balance between income-generating
activities and mission-driven activities Planning for resource utilization so that resources are
allocated in a way that creates the greatest benefit
Goal of Resource Development
Pros
May provide larger grants than private sector May provide funding to pay for things that you
can’t otherwise find funding for Cons
Competitive and time consuming application process
Sometimes Onerous reporting requirements
Federal Funding
Block Grants to States and Entitlement Communities
HOME, ESG, CDBG, HOPWA MFA, City of Albuquerque
Low Income Housing Tax Credits Federal Home Loan Bank
Affordable Housing Program (CIP, HELP, SNAP, HAVEN)
Economic Development Program Partnership Grant Program
Federal Discretionary Grants Continuum of Care, other Departments, grants.gov
Federal Funding Processes
USDA Rural Development
Housing Application Packaging Grants Self-help Technical Assistance Grants Technical & Supervisory Assistance Grants Housing Preservation Grants Rural Community Development Initiative
Health and Human Services Planning Grants to Develop a Model for Intervention for Youth
with Child Welfare Involvement at Risk of Homelessness Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals – Services in Supportive Housing
Examples of Discretionary Programs
Enterprise Foundation– HUD Capacity Building
Grants Rural LISC Habitat for Humanity International Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation
National and Regional Intermediaries
Adequate Systems and Controls
Fund or Functional Accounting Finance Committee
Research Grant Programs Dedicated person (Not the ED)
Government Contract Registration System for Award Management
Preparing for Federal Funding
Action to be Taken Opening Date Closing Date Response Time Agency Division Purpose/Uses Match Requirements Funding Range Requirements
Funding Matrix
Formerly Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
and Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA)
System for Award Management (SAM) www.unitedstatesbusinessregistration.us Get a D-U-Ns Number from Dun & Bradstreet
Number
Government Contract Registration
Fit the Stated
Goals/Objectives of Program Thorough and Complete Answers the Questions Formatted Appropriately
Successful Federal Grant Applications
Carefully select the correct program Draft the application BEFORE the Notice
is released Begin with the budget Calculate the match correctly and
document Write the letters of support yourself Compete the forms last
Tips for Preparing Successful
Applications
Perform as promisedBe timely and thorough in reporting
Repeating or Renewing Funding
Plan ahead. This year’s resources were generated with
last year’s planning. Build relationships with funders, banks and
organizations that have done what you are trying to do. Develop the systems within your organization that will
allow you to make good resource allocation decisions. Improving efficiency and productivity will allow you to
do less fundraising. Pursue Federal funding only when it is cost effective to
do so and is consistent with the goal of generating more revenue than expenses.
Conclusion