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GRANT WRITING:12 STEPS TO WINNING PROPOSALS

Lisa Paulson

#NAFNext2014

What is your elevator speech?

Can you explain the program both concisely and in detail for the proposal? Do you fully understand the program needs and feel

passionate about it? If you do not understand it, you cannot write about it.

STEP ONE: KNOWLEDGE AND PASSION

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Is your request for funding the entire budget, or just one portion of the budget for a specific program?

Can you explain how the program fits into the overall budget? Do you understand the program budget and how the funds

specifically being requested will be spent? Questions may be asked later, and accountability for what you

have written is crucial.

STEP TWO: KNOW THE BUDGET

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Be Honest

Does the program fall under the mission of your organization?

Do you believe it is worthy of funding?Is your Board 100% in support of this request?

STEP THREE: MISSION? WHAT MISSION

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Grant Research Tools

The Foundation Center On-line: http://foundationcenter.org/

The Grantsmanship Center – Funding by Statehttps://www.tgci.com/funding-sources

STEP FOUR: RESEARCH & MORE RESEARCH

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STEP FIVE: MAKING CONTACT

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Take the time to make contact

Making a phone call, requesting a face to face meeting can save you time in the long run

When writing your grant put yourself in the shoes of someone who knows absolutely nothing about your organization.

Don’t assume they know anything about you!

Don’t use acronyms or abbreviations

Have one to two others review your grant before submitting

Be careful with cut and paste on several different applications

STEP SIX: WRITING

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Review the submission guidelines several times.

Some submissions are on-line, some may want a program summary written on one page, single spaced, etc.

Include all items the funder is requesting – if you don’t have

what they want – call them!

Avoid submitting at the final hour – I guarantee your work will look rushed

STEP SEVEN: GRANT GUIDELINES & DEADLINES

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Be Patient but not ComplacentWhile waiting for an answer keep posting on social media and

doing PR submissions about all of your good work.

The guidelines will usually give a timeline – if the notification period has passed it is perfectly fine to call and inquire about

the status of your request

STEP EIGHT: COMMUNICATION WHILE WAITING

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What type of NO was it – can it be a YES later?

STEP NINE: WHAT IF IT IS A “NO”

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Thank you letter on organization stationery should go out within 48 hours of the receipt/notification of the grant.

Use Social Media to thank them - list them on your website(check to make sure this is Ok with them first!)

Submit Press Releases to the local media

Send a thank you letter signed by the students with an enclosed picture.

Make sure your Board and staff are aware of the grant

STEP TEN: THANK YOU & ACKNOWLEDGE

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Read the Contract

Are there reports due? Get them on your calendar right away.

If they don’t ask for reports, submit one anyway

Regular communication binds donors more closely to your organization and can lead to additional financial support

STEP ELEVEN: REPORTS & MORE REPORTS!

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Even after the grant award has been spent and the final report sent

• Keep them on your mailing list• Send them e-newsletters• Invite them to your events

The next check could be bigger!!

STEP TWELVE: KEEP THEM IN THE FAMILY

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Contact Information:

Lisa PaulsonMaui Hotel & Lodging Association

Phone: 808-244-8625E-mail: lpaulson@mauihla.org

Thank you for sharing your afternoon with me!