writing a successful foundation grant

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WRITING A SUCCESSFUL FOUNDATION GRANT

OCTOBER 2009

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Understanding the Relationship

Sponsor Applicant

The main interactions are funding and reporting.

Federal Agency

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Understanding the Relationship

Donor Applicant

Applicants: have the ideas and the capacity to solve problems, but not the dollars

Foundations: have the financial resources but not the other resources needed to create programs.

Foundation

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Building the Relationship

Roadmap Vision Statement

Previous Award Recipients Board of Trustees

Understand the Mission of the Foundation

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Building the Relationship

Attend Workshop

Talk with Previous Recipients Letter of Inquiry

Make Contact with the Foundation

Contact Program Manager

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Gifts versus Grants Gift: a voluntary and irrevocable transfer of money, services

or property from an external donor where no commitment of resources or services other than, possibly, the committing to use the gift as the donor specifies

Overseen by the Office of Development

Grant: an externally funded activity where there is an agreement representing the transfer of money or property from a sponsor in exchange for specific services. The agreement is enforceable by law, and performance is usually accomplished in a specific time frame, with support being revocable for cause.

Overseen by the Office of the Vice President for Research

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Assessing the Fit

Does the project fit with the philosophy and mission of the Foundation?

Does the proposal address a critical need?

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Making your Case – components of a winning proposal

Project Summary

Project Description

Budget

Supplemental Documents

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Project SummaryWrite this last!!!!

Some consider this the most important section.Make the argument!

Be certain to include:Problem/NeedSolution• Objectives and major activities• Outcomes• Expertise

Funding requirements

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Project Description

Statement of NeedImplementation PlanOutcomesEvaluationSustainability

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Statement of NeedWhy is this project necessary, timely? How does it fit within the mission/vision of the

Foundation?How does it fit into the body of knowledge within your

field?

TIPS: • Present statistics that are relevant to your target

population, accurate, and up-to-date.• Avoid overstatements or emotional appeals • State why the problem you address is worse than others

or the solution you propose makes more sense than others – But don’t be overly critical of others.• Describe how your work complements, but does not

duplicate, the work of others.

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Implementation PlanObjectives, Activities, Timelines, MetricsManagement Plan

Roles and responsibilities Prior experience/expertise Communication – internal and external

TIPS:•Goals versus Objectives

o Objectives are the measurable outcomes of the program. They define your activities.

o Objectives must be tangible, specific, concrete, measurable, and achievable in a specified time period.

•Be realistic in setting objectives. Don't promise what you can't deliver.

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Goals and ObjectivesGoal: Our after-school program will help children read better.

Example Objectives: Behavioral - A human action is anticipated. Fifty of the 70 children participating will learn to swim.

Performance - A specific time frame within which a behavior will occur, at an expected proficiency level, is expected. Fifty of the 70 children will learn to swim within six months and will pass a basic swimming proficiency test administered by a Red Cross-certified lifeguard.

Process - The manner in which something occurs is an end in itself. We will document the teaching methods utilized, identifying those with the greatest success.

Product - A tangible item results. A manual will be created to be used in teaching swimming to this age and proficiency group in the future. Source: Foundation center: Proposal Writing Short Course

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Timelines

Gantt Chart

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Objective 1: XXXX

Activity 1a X

Activity 1b X

Objective 2: XXXX

Activity 2a X X

Activity 2b X X

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Outcomes

Broader Impacts Educational components Benefits to society Diversity

Portability

Scalability

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Evaluation

Things to consider:Formative vs. SummativeQualitative vs. QuantitativeInternal vs. External ReviewMetrics vs. Milestones

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Sustainability

Demonstrate long-term financial viability of the project. Finite project Capacity building –will contribute to its

own self-sustainability Attractive to other investors

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Budget

Objectives and activities dictate staffing and administrative requirements. Make sure all budget items are directly linked with an objective.

Budget Breakdown Personnel Travel Supplies Equipment Other

Budget Justification

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Indirect Costs

Ohio University has federally and state-negotiated indirect cost rate (IDC) agreements.

e.g., 47.5% Research; 48% Instructional; 39% Public Service

Some sponsors/programs limit the IDC

IDC are assessed on direct costs less: Equipment Scholarship Participant costs Subcontracts over $25K Patient care costs

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Indirect Costs

Example:

Supplies: $10,000Travel: $5,000Printing: $1,000Equipment: $15,000Total Direct Costs: $31,000Modified Total Direct: $31,000-$15,000 = $16,000Indirect Costs (47.5%): $7,600 Total Project: $38,600

Some sponsors dictate total project costs, others specify total direct costs and allow IDC on top of that.

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Supplemental Documents

Biographical InformationLetters of Support (financial not moral)Letters of AccessSurvey Instruments

Other

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Logic ModelSource: W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Logic Model Development Guide