Grants Development

PBS 136 – GrantsmanshipOctober 20, 2008

Chapter 4

Today’s Agenda

• Review Letters of Intent: 6:00–6:30• Go over Chapter 4 (Statement of

Need): 6:30–8:00• Break at 7:15-7:30• LAB: Revise LOI and/or construct

draft Statement of Need: 8:00-9:00

Future Presenters - Revised

• November 3rd:April Haynes – Director, Martinsville Area Community Foundation.

• November 10th:Tiffany Haworth - Resource Development Director, United Way of Henry County & Martinsville.

• December 1st: Michelle Jones - Associate Director, Office of Community Capacity Building, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

• December 15th: Jeffrey Mansour - Senior Program Officer, The Harvest Foundation.

LOI – Common Mistakes

• Not all sections were included:– Intro– About: Organization– Statement of Need– Overview of Activities– Planned Outcomes– Estimated Budget– Conclusion

• How do you fit the mission of the funder?

LOI – Common Mistakes• Assembly of information did not result in a

cohesive letter.• Use of jargon/acronyms.• Run-on sentences, grammar and punctuation.• Use of first person pronouns (I, me, my).• Lack of budget information: Budget for the grant

and not for the organization!!!• Formatting: Good grants get lost in bad

layout/look:– Font changes– Font sizes– Use of bullets– Itallics and underlining

Statement of Need• Learn more about the issues.• Present facts and evidence that support the

project. Info comes from:– Your organization.– Government agencies.– Recognized experts/authorities.

• Makes funder understand that you understand the project/problem.

• Should be succinct and persuasive.• Builds a case and tells a story.

Statement of Need• There is no more embarrassing situation

than when you are exposed as not having done your homework!!!

• Information should be:– Project specific– Accurate– Timely– Relevant

Statement of Need• Sources of data:

– Media– Governments– Associations– Advocacy agencies– Colleges and Universities– Think tanks– You!!! (Needs assessments, surveys, focus groups,

interviews, etc.)

• How do you determine the validity of data? In the end, follow the money…

Statement of NeedSix steps to making a compelling case:1. Pick your data:

• Local to national, narrow to broad.• Base it on the geography of the service.• Base it on the geography of the funder.• Base it on the grant specifics.

2. Show the problem can be solved:• Create hope!!!• Too grim = no $.• Too “Mary Poppins” = no $.

Statement of NeedSix steps to making a compelling case:3. Is you project a model?

• If yes, can you replicate• Models can open you up to more $.• If not a model, do not try to make it a

model!!!

4. Is the need acute? Is you problem so bad that it warrants special attention?

Statement of NeedSix steps to making a compelling case:5. How does your approach differ from others?

• In what ways?• If the same why?• Do not be negative of or criticize other approaches.• Show collaboration where appropriate.

6. Avoid circular reasoning• Do not present the absence of your solution as a problem.• Show/create need then solve.• Example of circular reasoning: The reason we need a

fitness center in our community center is because we do not have a fitness center.

Statement of Need• Use of the following is encouraged:

– Anecdotes.– Real-life examples.– Actual quotes.– Client and not organizational needs.– Hope!!! = Solution.