Grant Writing WorkshopGrant Writing Workshop

Presented by DiAnne BrownPresented by DiAnne BrownSCUSD Grants CoordinatorSCUSD Grants Coordinator

Objectives of this workshop:Objectives of this workshop: Learn how to put together a winning Learn how to put together a winning

grant application for a foundation or grant application for a foundation or corporate funding source from start to corporate funding source from start to finishfinish

Learn where to find grant fundsLearn where to find grant funds Learn not to be intimidated by the Learn not to be intimidated by the

process!process!

What is a grant?What is a grant?

A grant is a monetary award A grant is a monetary award given by a funder given by a funder

What is a grant application?What is a grant application?

A grant application is a written request A grant application is a written request asking for moneyasking for money

Who gets grant money?Who gets grant money?

Grant money is given to a non-profit Grant money is given to a non-profit organization that has written a winning grant organization that has written a winning grant application to a funding sourceapplication to a funding source

Who provides grant funds?Who provides grant funds?

FoundationsFoundations CorporationsCorporations Clubs & OrganizationsClubs & Organizations County, State & Federal AgenciesCounty, State & Federal Agencies

The Grants process: two scenariosThe Grants process: two scenariosFirst ScenarioFirst Scenario

You are notified about a funding opportunity You are notified about a funding opportunity that would be perfect for your program or that would be perfect for your program or project through an RFA or RFP (Request for project through an RFA or RFP (Request for Application/Proposal)Application/Proposal)

Second Scenario:Second Scenario:

You have a program or project that You have a program or project that needs funded but a source of funding needs funded but a source of funding has not yet been identified.has not yet been identified.

We will focus on this scenario first…We will focus on this scenario first…

Step One:Step One:

Define Your ProjectDefine Your Project

1. 1. Clarify the purpose of your project.Clarify the purpose of your project.2. What will funding cover? 2. What will funding cover? 3. Who is your target audience?3. Who is your target audience?4. Identify potential partners 4. Identify potential partners 5. Draft a proposal timeline that includes the 5. Draft a proposal timeline that includes the planning phase, the period of searching for funds, planning phase, the period of searching for funds, proposal writing, and the proposal deadline(s).proposal writing, and the proposal deadline(s).

Project Planning

Step Two:Step Two:

Define the Goals and Define the Goals and Outcomes of your ProjectOutcomes of your Project

Goal:Goal: a statement of general purpose and a statement of general purpose and

direction—it is the ultimate end result.direction—it is the ultimate end result.

example: “example: “The goal of our program is to The goal of our program is to provide students with the skills they need provide students with the skills they need to become tomorrow’s leaders.”to become tomorrow’s leaders.”

Objective:Objective: a statement describing what the project will achieve. a statement describing what the project will achieve.

Objectives are always measurable and should be Objectives are always measurable and should be SMARTSMART:: Specific Specific Measurable Measurable Attainable/achievable Attainable/achievable Realistic Realistic Time-bound Time-bound

Example: Example: “We will serve 300 students in the 2011-12 “We will serve 300 students in the 2011-12 school year.”school year.”

Outcome:Outcome: the result of program operations or activities the result of program operations or activities

or the effects produced by the program. or the effects produced by the program. Outcomes may be tied to a specific objective, Outcomes may be tied to a specific objective, or may be the cumulative result of objectives.or may be the cumulative result of objectives.

example:example: ““at least 20 students will advance at least 20 students will advance

one grade level after participation in the one grade level after participation in the program.”program.”

Step Three:Step Three:

Identify the Right Identify the Right Funding SourcesFunding Sources

Find a Funder who is interested Find a Funder who is interested in your project and priorities in your project and priorities

• Start first with Sacramento area private Start first with Sacramento area private foundations and corporate fundersfoundations and corporate funders

• Visit the Sacramento Non-Profit Resource Visit the Sacramento Non-Profit Resource Center (www.nprcenter.org) and use the Center (www.nprcenter.org) and use the Foundation Center Directory to research Foundation Center Directory to research foundationsfoundations

• Or subscribe to the Foundation Center: Or subscribe to the Foundation Center: www.fconline.foundationcenter.orgwww.fconline.foundationcenter.org

California Endowment Foundation, Building Healthy California Endowment Foundation, Building Healthy Communities http://sacbhc.orgCommunities http://sacbhc.org

Sierra Health Foundation www.sierrahealth.orgSierra Health Foundation www.sierrahealth.org Teichert Foundation www.teichert.comTeichert Foundation www.teichert.com Kaiser Permanente Community Benefits Grants Program Kaiser Permanente Community Benefits Grants Program

http://info.kp.org/communitybenefit/html/grantmaking/northerhttp://info.kp.org/communitybenefit/html/grantmaking/northern-california/applications.htmln-california/applications.html

Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission www.sacmetroarts.org

Sacramento Region Community Foundation www.sacregcf.org Funding for schools: www.grantwrangler.comFunding for schools: www.grantwrangler.com

Sacramento Funding Sources:

Corporate FundersCorporate Funders• Home DepotHome Depot• LowesLowes• TargetTarget• StarbucksStarbucks• Whole FoodsWhole Foods• Nugget MarketNugget Market• Kohl’sKohl’s• Check out their websites for funding Check out their websites for funding

programs and deadlinesprograms and deadlines

Step Four:Step Four:Review the Proposal Review the Proposal

GuidelinesGuidelines

Guidelines usually tell you about:Guidelines usually tell you about: submission deadlinessubmission deadlines eligibilityeligibility proposal format (font size, margins, number of pages, etc.)proposal format (font size, margins, number of pages, etc.) review timetablereview timetable budgetsbudgets funding goals and prioritiesfunding goals and priorities award levelsaward levels evaluation process and criteriaevaluation process and criteria whom to contactwhom to contact other submission requirementsother submission requirements

Step Five:Step Five:Update your Timeline and Update your Timeline and

submit a Grant Overview Form submit a Grant Overview Form to the school site principalto the school site principal

Step Six:Step Six:

Write the ProposalWrite the Proposal

The NarrativeThe Narrative Narratives typically must satisfy the following Narratives typically must satisfy the following

questions:questions:

What do we want?What do we want?

What concern will be addressed and why it is What concern will be addressed and why it is important?important?

Who will benefit and how?Who will benefit and how?

What specific objectives can be accomplished What specific objectives can be accomplished and how?and how?

How will results be measured?How will results be measured?

How does this funding request relate to the How does this funding request relate to the funder’s purpose, objectives, and priorities?funder’s purpose, objectives, and priorities?

Who are we (organization, independent Who are we (organization, independent producer) and how do we qualify to meet this producer) and how do we qualify to meet this need?need?

Parts of the NarrativeParts of the NarrativeStatement of Need:Statement of Need:

The statement of need will enable the reader The statement of need will enable the reader to learn more about the need for your project.to learn more about the need for your project.

It includes purpose, goals, measurable It includes purpose, goals, measurable

objectives, and a compelling, logical reason objectives, and a compelling, logical reason why the proposal should be supported. why the proposal should be supported.

Specific data regarding your school site or Specific data regarding your school site or district can be found on the California district can be found on the California Department of Education website: Department of Education website: www.cde.ca.gov. www.cde.ca.gov.

Parts of the NarrativeParts of the NarrativeApproachApproach::

The method and process of accomplishing The method and process of accomplishing your goals and objectivesyour goals and objectives

Explain what you’re going to do and how Explain what you’re going to do and how you’re going to do it you’re going to do it

Include personnel with names of key staff and Include personnel with names of key staff and consultants, if possible (who is going to do consultants, if possible (who is going to do what)what)

Parts of the NarrativeParts of the NarrativeEvaluation:Evaluation:

Determine the impact on the audience you Determine the impact on the audience you serve and the measurable outcomes of your serve and the measurable outcomes of your grant project. grant project.

Most sound evaluation plans include both Most sound evaluation plans include both

qualitative and quantitative data. qualitative and quantitative data.

Examples: Examples: pre-and-post tests, surveyspre-and-post tests, surveys

Parts of the NarrativeParts of the NarrativeProject Work PlanProject Work Plan::

Paints a picture of project flow that includes Paints a picture of project flow that includes start and end dates, schedule of activities, start and end dates, schedule of activities, who is responsible for what, and projected who is responsible for what, and projected outcomes. The work plan is a “map” of your outcomes. The work plan is a “map” of your project or program.project or program.

Parts of the NarrativeParts of the Narrative

CredentialsCredentials:: Information about the applicant that certifies Information about the applicant that certifies

ability to successfully undertake the proposed ability to successfully undertake the proposed effort. Typically includes institutional or effort. Typically includes institutional or individual track record and resumes.individual track record and resumes.

Explain why you are qualified to do what you Explain why you are qualified to do what you are proposing to do.are proposing to do.

Parts of the NarrativeParts of the Narrative

The HOOK:The HOOK: The HOOK aligns the project with the purpose, The HOOK aligns the project with the purpose,

and goals of the funding source. This helps the and goals of the funding source. This helps the funder understand why he should fund your funder understand why he should fund your project.project.

Parts of the NarrativeParts of the NarrativeSustainabilitySustainability

How will you continue the project or program How will you continue the project or program after the grant period ends?after the grant period ends?

Can you identify additional funding sources? Can you identify additional funding sources?

The BudgetThe BudgetBudgets are Cost Projections. Funders use these factors to assess Budgets are Cost Projections. Funders use these factors to assess budgets: budgets:

►Can the job be accomplished with this budget?Can the job be accomplished with this budget?

►Are costs reasonable for the market - or too high or low?Are costs reasonable for the market - or too high or low?

►Is the budget consistent with proposed activities?Is the budget consistent with proposed activities?

►Is there sufficient budget detail and explanation?Is there sufficient budget detail and explanation?

Only include in the budget what the funder will fund. Many funders provide Only include in the budget what the funder will fund. Many funders provide mandatory budget forms that must be submitted with the proposal. Always mandatory budget forms that must be submitted with the proposal. Always use those!use those!

Supporting MaterialsSupporting Materials

►Letters of SupportLetters of Support►ResumesResumes►Exhibit TablesExhibit Tables►ChartsCharts

Authorized SignaturesAuthorized Signatures

► Authorized signatures (such as the school site principal) Authorized signatures (such as the school site principal) are sometimes required. Without these, proposals may are sometimes required. Without these, proposals may be rejected. Be sure to allow yourself time to acquire a be rejected. Be sure to allow yourself time to acquire a needed signature. The district offices requires 10 days needed signature. The district offices requires 10 days for signatures.for signatures.

Specifications Specifications

►Tailor proposal writing to specifications found in Tailor proposal writing to specifications found in the guidelines. Include only the number of the guidelines. Include only the number of pages allowed. Observe the format. pages allowed. Observe the format.

Submission checklistSubmission checklist

►The complete proposal must be submitted on The complete proposal must be submitted on time in the requested format with the requested time in the requested format with the requested number of copies and original authorized number of copies and original authorized signatures. signatures.

Step Seven:Step Seven:

Follow-UpFollow-Up

Contact the funding source about the Contact the funding source about the status, evaluation, and outcome of status, evaluation, and outcome of your proposal your proposal

Back to the First scenario:Back to the First scenario:You have a program or project that needs You have a program or project that needs

funded but a source of funding has not been funded but a source of funding has not been identified yet….identified yet….

After you’ve done your funding search and After you’ve done your funding search and have identified potential funders, write a have identified potential funders, write a Letter of IntentLetter of Intent

The Letter of IntentThe Letter of Intent – – no more than three pagesno more than three pages

The introductionThe introduction The organization descriptionThe organization description The statement of needThe statement of need The methodologyThe methodology Other funding sourcesOther funding sources The final summaryThe final summary

The IntroductionThe Introduction

Serve as the executive summary Serve as the executive summary Includes the name of your organizationIncludes the name of your organization The amount needed or requestedThe amount needed or requested A description of the projectA description of the project Staff qualificationsStaff qualifications Brief description of evaluation methodBrief description of evaluation method TimetableTimetable

The Organization DescriptionThe Organization Description

Be conciseBe concise Focus on the ability of organization to Focus on the ability of organization to

meet the stated needmeet the stated need Include a brief historyInclude a brief history Describe your current programs while Describe your current programs while

demonstrating a direct connection demonstrating a direct connection between what you are doing now and what between what you are doing now and what you want to do with the fundingyou want to do with the funding

The Statement of NeedThe Statement of Need

Must convince the reader that there is an Must convince the reader that there is an important need that can be met by your important need that can be met by your projectproject

Describe your target population and Describe your target population and appropriate statistical data in abbreviated appropriate statistical data in abbreviated formform

Use several concrete examplesUse several concrete examples

The MethodologyThe Methodology

Present a clear, logical, and achievable Present a clear, logical, and achievable solution to the needsolution to the need

Briefly describe the project, including Briefly describe the project, including major activities, project staff, and desired major activities, project staff, and desired objectivesobjectives

Other Funding SourcesOther Funding Sources

Include a brief sentence or paragraph Include a brief sentence or paragraph about other funding sources being about other funding sources being approached for support of this projectapproached for support of this project

The Final SummaryThe Final Summary

Restates the intent of the projectRestates the intent of the project

Affirms your readiness to answer further Affirms your readiness to answer further questionsquestions

Thanks the potential funder for Thanks the potential funder for considerationconsideration

Funding NotificationFunding Notification If you were not funded, contact the If you were not funded, contact the

funder to see why. Ask how you can funder to see why. Ask how you can improve your application and when you improve your application and when you can apply again.can apply again.

If you were funded, contact the funder If you were funded, contact the funder with your thanks. Develop a good with your thanks. Develop a good relationship!relationship!

For Additional HelpFor Additional Help

Contact DiAnne Brown, SCUSD Contact DiAnne Brown, SCUSD Grants Coordinator at 643-9101 or Grants Coordinator at 643-9101 or dianne-brown@scusd.edudianne-brown@scusd.edu

See sample proposals at: See sample proposals at: http://www.k12grants.org/sampleshttp://www.k12grants.org/samples