Pursuing Federal Grant Funding

Mona K. Koerner, Ph.D.Policy ConsultantKoerner Solutions

To generate enough excess revenue over expenses

to sustain the organization in order to carry out its mission by: Increasing resources and creating conditions that

make better use of those resources Allocating resources more efficiently among

competing uses Finding the right balance between income-generating

activities and mission-driven activities Planning for resource utilization so that resources are

allocated in a way that creates the greatest benefit

Goal of Resource Development

Pros

May provide larger grants than private sector May provide funding to pay for things that you

can’t otherwise find funding for Cons

Competitive and time consuming application process

Sometimes Onerous reporting requirements

Federal Funding

Block Grants to States and Entitlement Communities

HOME, ESG, CDBG, HOPWA MFA, City of Albuquerque

Low Income Housing Tax Credits Federal Home Loan Bank

Affordable Housing Program (CIP, HELP, SNAP, HAVEN)

Economic Development Program Partnership Grant Program

Federal Discretionary Grants Continuum of Care, other Departments, grants.gov

Federal Funding Processes

USDA Rural Development

Housing Application Packaging Grants Self-help Technical Assistance Grants Technical & Supervisory Assistance Grants Housing Preservation Grants Rural Community Development Initiative

Health and Human Services Planning Grants to Develop a Model for Intervention for Youth

with Child Welfare Involvement at Risk of Homelessness Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals – Services in Supportive Housing

Examples of Discretionary Programs

Enterprise Foundation– HUD Capacity Building

Grants Rural LISC Habitat for Humanity International Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation

National and Regional Intermediaries

Adequate Systems and Controls

Fund or Functional Accounting Finance Committee

Research Grant Programs Dedicated person (Not the ED)

Government Contract Registration System for Award Management

Preparing for Federal Funding

Action to be Taken Opening Date Closing Date Response Time Agency Division Purpose/Uses Match Requirements Funding Range Requirements

Funding Matrix

Formerly Central Contractor Registration (CCR)

and Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA)

System for Award Management (SAM) www.unitedstatesbusinessregistration.us Get a D-U-Ns Number from Dun & Bradstreet

Number

Government Contract Registration

Fit the Stated

Goals/Objectives of Program Thorough and Complete Answers the Questions Formatted Appropriately

Successful Federal Grant Applications

Carefully select the correct program Draft the application BEFORE the Notice

is released Begin with the budget Calculate the match correctly and

document Write the letters of support yourself Compete the forms last

Tips for Preparing Successful

Applications

Perform as promisedBe timely and thorough in reporting

Repeating or Renewing Funding

Plan ahead. This year’s resources were generated with

last year’s planning. Build relationships with funders, banks and

organizations that have done what you are trying to do. Develop the systems within your organization that will

allow you to make good resource allocation decisions. Improving efficiency and productivity will allow you to

do less fundraising. Pursue Federal funding only when it is cost effective to

do so and is consistent with the goal of generating more revenue than expenses.

Conclusion