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ILCC Grant Writing Basics
Webinar
Webinar GoalsI. Idea behind grant
writingII. Designing the ProjectIII.Essential components IV. Identifying funding
sources
Why do grantors fund projects?
O Self-interests Promote products and
increase profitsO Public awareness Cater to their valuesO ResearchO Looking to make
a good investment
Project reflects the reputation of the grantor
O Desire to solve a problem
What are grantors looking for?
O Legal status 501(c)3 –tax-exempt nonprofit 509(a)1 - typically schools and museums that
receive substantial support from a government unity or the general public
O Mission that matters A clear purpose that supports grantor’s prioritiesO Good track record Were you awarded in the past? How did it go?O Leadership Develop a cohesive and diverse team that is supported by the communityO Perks Incentives or recognition for successful workO Plan
Writing StylesWrite on a ninth or tenth grade reading level
Use laymen’s terms – do not try to impress the reader!Avoid using acronyms, jargon, slang, and contractions
To set the tone, try to use terms to portray an image For example: To write a problem statement use depressing,
negative terms (worst, lowest, bottom) or for a solution statement use positive terms (best, top, enhance)
Use capacity-building type words to show that you are taking action to address the problem(s)
(assess, provide, build, serve, develop, integrate, prepare, report, support, coordinate)
Research Associates: The Grant Experts
Designing the ProjectA) Define the Problem – fund your solution to a problemBroad Problem: the attention grabber Ex: number of youth incarcerated
Real Problem: “the problem is caused by…” Ex: racial inequalities in our justice system funnel poor minority children into prison instead of productive adulthood
B) Needs AssessmentO Identify the target population – Why here?Ex: 18-25 year old minority males in IllinoisO Evidence of the problem in the communityCompare gender, race, age, incarceration rate, etc. (surveys, statistics,
interviews, past research, input from target population, etc.)
Grantseeker's Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Funding
Research Associates: The Grant Experts
Developing Convincing Problem Statements
I. The problem is:
II. The problem is caused by:
III. The following statistics document the severity of our problem:
IV. Long term and without intervention:
V. How we will approach the problem:
Problem Statement Tips
O Focus your efforts towards one well-defined problem
O Write for a person who knows nothing about your community or topic
O Relate to your target population
O Remember that you will be providing a solution
O Something that can be:
a) Implementedb) Copiedc) Measured
Request for Proposal (RFP)Read the guidelines carefully, then read them again.
On average, 60% of proposals received by funders are eliminated or first review because he/she did not follow directions!
Definition of a legal application Are you eligible?Rules and formatmargins, font, spacing, evaluation process andrestrictions, number of pagesLength of the projectSubmission deadlines, time tableSize of the budgetIs it worth your time?Use the terms in the RFPMission/Goal, Need/ProblemContact information
Grantseeker's Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Funding
Define Mission, Goals, and Objectives
A) MissionO Large item, broad, far-reaching solutionO Ex: “To improve teaching practices”
B) GoalsO Realistic, attainable, measureableO Clarify what you want to accomplish
C) ObjectivesO Substeps needed to accomplish your goalsO Define minimum measures of success
Grantseeker's Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Funding
Example #1 Goal: To improve production quality
Objective 1: Recruit advanced production talent
Objective 2: Train mid-level producers
Objective 3: Upgrade production equipment
QuestionsO Do the objectives relate to
the goal?
O Is it clear what the applicant intends to do?
O Is there anything else that you think the applicant should include?
Example #2 Goal: Student Achievement: To assist Illinois high school students in maximizing their academic potential by meeting the Illinois State Academic Standards
O Objective 1: To increase the # of students taking the SAT and ACT college entrance exams in CPHS by at least 5% per school year of the grant program
O Objective 2: To increase SAT and ACT scores of students in CPHS by at least 5% per school year for the second and third years of the grant program
O Objective 3: To increase the percentage of students passing the Illinois Exit Exam in CPHS by at least 5% per school year for the second and third years of the grant programs
Research Associates: The Grant Experts
Program NarrativeO What will you do with your money?
- Goals- Program overview
O How are you going to do your project?- Include an advisory committee and collaboration plan- Specific role of your supporting cast
O Describe the target populationWhom are we targeting for this program – and why?How will we engage them in our program?
O How will results be measured?- Activities: a) relate to the problem and b) can be measured- Cite with literature and support
O Conclusion: Why is it important?- How the project meets and exceeds the requirements outlined in the RFP?- What you intend to accomplish with your project
Grantseeker's Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Funding
Evaluation
O Show them that you know what you want to learn!
O Even if a plan is not required, you should explain how you intend to judge whether or not your project was successful
O Continuous improvement plan: could the project move towards self-sufficiency?
O Plan your project so that each activity is documented; the records can be used to evaluate the project
O Include multiple but achievable ways to assess success using qualitative and quantitative evaluation measures.
Goals Evidence
At least 90% of District teachers will receive training on technology into the curriculum to improve student
learning by 10/11
Evidence of training including dated agendas and rosters
District students will demonstrate an average improvement of at least 10% in academic performance in math as measured by state standards when coming
spring 2011 to spring 2012 scores
District scores in spring 2011 to spring 2012
DisseminationO Let them know that you are
making a difference
O Project replication
O Perks: - do you have a plan to recognize
your funder?- plan to generate more resources?
O Publications
O Use new and existing networks Share your project broadly!
Research Associates: The Grant ExpertsGrantseeker's Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Funding
O Cost estimates should be credible and realistic
O Include all items that your organization will contribute to
the support of the project
Your budget should answer the following:
a) Can the job be accomplished with this
budget?
b) Is the budget consistent with the proposed
activities?
c) Is there sufficient budget detail and explanation?
Budget
Budget CategoriesO Direct Costs: Monies you are asking for in the grant proposal.
Ex: personnel, contractual, equipment, materials, supplies, travel
O Indirect Costs: Local costs (usually administrative) associated with operating a program. Ex: electricity, room upkeep or the time it takes to maintain records.
O In-Kind Contributions: Non-cash contributions. Services, goods, and cash donated to the grant program by you and/or your partnersEx: Is your office space or meeting space donated? Figure out the going rate of square footage divide rate = Match Money
O S p a c e r e n t a l : 4 8 2 s q f t . x $ 8 / s q f t . = $ 3 , 8 6 3 . 0 0Do you have volunteers? Tally how much they would earn
doing the same job paid.
Stahley Cummings
Program SummaryO Begins with the overall purpose and goal of
the program
O No more than one page
O Briefly describes the need that the program with addressInclude any particularly compelling statistics
O Outline the proposed program strategies
O Briefly addresses project oversight, including evaluation plansInclude evaluation with each goal or objective
O Ends with anticipated benefit or outcomeLeave the reader with a good feeling
Research Associates: The Grant ExpertsGrantseeker's Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Funding
Researching private funding sources
Corporations Foundation
Grantseeker's Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding FundingResearch Associates: The Grant Experts
Location: Local (sometimes national, regional, or state)
Interest: Assisting employees, promoting their products, training the future workforce, public awareness
Where to find them: Chamber of Commerce, Ward’s Business Directory, State Business Directory
O Location: National, regional, state, or large in scope (depends on size and type)
O Interest: Well-being of communities, testing new strategies, disseminating information
O Where to find them: The Foundation Center (available online and at your local library), internet searches
Government Grant SourcesO Local governmento City and county governmentso Small and allocated annuallyo Contact your local city or county planning departmentsO State Governmento Simple to moderately complex to applyo Typically distribute smaller awards for one-year funding o Use an internet search engine and type in your state’s
name or a specific state agency. Also search state directories of funding sources.
O Federal Governmento Are the most complex, competitive and lengthy type of proposalo Offer larger awards and fund for multiple yearso Listed in www.grants.gov or CFDA (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance)
Other SourcesState 1) The Grantsmanship Centerhttp://www.tgci.com/funding/state.asp?statename=Illinois&statefile=illinois&statecode=IL&stateurl=http://illinois.gov/2) Illinois State Board of Educationhttp://www.isbe.state.il.us/
Federal1) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Servicehttp://www.samhsa.gov/grants/2) Department of Educationhttp://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html3) Resource Associateshttp://www.grantwriters.net/latest-grants.php#
Finishing TouchesO Required Forms If requested, provide them at the frontO Table of Contents Include a Table of Contents, even if the RFP does not require oneO AppendixAdditional details information that would be useful for the reviewer (resumes, job descriptions, reference page)O Letters of SupportClearly specify the support that the agency will provide the program
ResourcesNew, Cheryl C., and James A. Quick. Grantseeker’s Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Funding. Canada: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1998.
Certified Grant Specialist. Research Associates, 2005.
Stahley-Cummings, Melissa. (2011, August 16). Grant Writing Workshop [Powerpoint]. AmeriCorps VISTA. Wyoming.
