Other People s Money. Contact me. Finding Grant Funding for your Branch Project

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1 Other People s Money G Finding Grant Funding for your Branch Project About Shelley Mitchell Shelley, a professional grant writer and consultant proudly works with established and emerging organizations in Humboldt County and beyond providing them with grant writing, strategic planning and development. She s raised millions of dollars over the course of her nearly 30 years in the fundraising profession. She has been a grant reviewer, non-profit executive and board member. Contact me If you want more information If you have questions If you want me to review a grant If you get a grant! shelley990@suddenlink.net 1

2 What is a Grant? Money Free money? Specific Do you have to pay it back? Why? Who Funds Grants? Foundations Government Corporations & Business Foundations Approximately 72,477 grant-making foundations in the U.S. in 2006 In 2009, Foundation giving up 14% In 2006, California s Foundations held about 16% of combined foundations assets. In 2006, California received about 12% of all Foundation giving. 2

3 Government Federal Ex. National Science Foundation (NSF) State Ex. California EPA County/Local Varies by city/county Ex. Headwaters Fund Corporations & Business Local, National & Global Civic associations Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary Financial Institutions Usually looking for recognition and a tax write off Who Can Apply? Depends on source of funds Non-profits Public Agencies Individuals??? 3

4 Types of Grants A. Research B. Operating C. Project or program development D. Capital E. Training F. Seed money/start up grant G. Technical assistance Origin of Grant Ideas Unsolicited: grant idea originated with you. Interesting and important, but often difficult to fund. Request for Proposals: (RFA/RFP): An announcement from a funder with specific guidelines often in response to a specific initiative. Solicited: grant idea originated and identified by the funder What is fundable? My office is messy, I need an office manager or assistant to get me organized My son is a B student and really wants to go to college. Can I get a grant to pay his tuition? My book group wants to go to Hawaii. Can I get a grant to pay for our trip? My car is broken 4

5 What makes a good project? Well defined Unique There is an unmet need Has a broad reach Not too large in scope; manageable Reasonable, grounded in reality You have the skill/expertise to lead and/or carry it out Make sure you re not Reinventing the wheel Duplicating another organization s/person s effort Biting off more than you can chew keep it manageable Keep in Mind Think BIG. You will refine, and your idea will shrink; start small, end up smaller Remember to think holistically don t focus on the minutia yet. Dream about solving big, important problems. TAKE YOUR TIME! Brilliant ideas don t just appear for most of us. 5

6 Some questions to ask Why is this project needed? How significant is it? Is the problem really solvable? How does it relate to existing projects? Is someone else doing it? Will this project lead into other opportunities? What difficulties may arise with this project? Your Project What, exactly, do you want to do? Why do you want to do it? Why is it imperative this project gets done now? If you can t answer these questions with passion, this is probably not the right project for you. Remember, your project should be: Feasible Effective Suitable Unique Have an impact Useful Sustainable 6

7 What is a good grant project? Before you start Strategic plan Fundraising plan Define the scope of your project Project timeline Are You Eligible? Can you do the project? Can you manage all that money? Can they give you money? Nonprofit status Fiscal sponsor SPF 7

8 Find the Right Funder Find the Right Funder Grant and resource center Funding Info Center Funding Directories and computer databases Other sources Online Research The Foundation Center Funder websites Corporate websites 8

9 Look for Geographic community Typical size of grants Funding interests Restrictions Community AcDon Grants Need to benefit girls and women Applicants must be women Funds can be granted to Individuals Nonprofit organizations AAUW Branches AAUW State organizations Community AcDon Grants Seed money to women, AAUW branches, AAUW state organizations, and local community- based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs or non- degree research projects that promote education and equity for women and girls. 9

10 Applicants Applicants must be women who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Nonprofit organizations must be based in the United States. Grant projects must have direct public impact, be nonpartisan, and take place within the United States or its territories. Special consideration is given to projects focused on K- 12 and community college girls' and women's achievements in science, technology, engineering or math One- Year Grants Maximum of $7000 Seed money for new projects. Topic areas are unrestricted, but should include a clearly defined activity that promotes education and equity for women and girls Two Year Grants Maximum of $10,000 Start- up funds for longer- term programs that address the particular needs of the community and develop girls' sense of efficacy through leadership or advocacy opportunities. Topic areas are unrestricted, but should include a clearly defined activity that promotes education and equity for women and girls Allow time for planning and collaboration 10

11 Extra points AAUW members AAUW Branches or state organizations STEM Projects To apply Online application Usually deadline is mid- January Decision in mid- April Grant starts in June Cover Sheet Be sure everything is filled in Signatures will be rejected without Project Director s signature AAUW Applications need to be signed by branch or state president Title short descriptive remove unneeded words 11

12 Need Statement Why is this project necessary? Why is this situation important? Use both factual (statistics) and human interest terms Make it as local as possible in terms of beneficiaries The solution is not the problem Avoid circular reasoning Project DescripDon Goals Objectives Activities Workplan Staffing Timeline Goals Goals: conceptual and abstract: Our after school program will help children read better Broad and abstract creates a vision of what you hope to accomplish 12

13 ObjecDves Objectives are measurable outcomes Specific Concrete Measurable Achievable During Project Term Sample ObjecDve Our after school remedial education program will assist 50 children in improving their reading scores by one grade level as demonstrated by standardized reading tests administered after participating in the program for six months Work Plan Activities Who will benefit? How will you involve them? Who are your partners? What are you going to do? What have you already done? Where will the project take place? Model/Pilot Projects 13

14 CollaboraDon Relate to other efforts? Will it extend the work that has been done? Will it avoid mistakes/errors from the past? Will it strengthen collaboration? Staffing and AdministraDon Who is going to do the work? What are their credentials? Job descriptions Expertise of current staff Experience administering similar projects How this project will fit into organization Who will be guiding the project? Board of Directors What resources will you bring? Timeline When will you start the project? How long will it take? What milestones can the funder expect? 14

15 Logic Model Development Resources: Inputs Activities: What you will do with the resources Outputs: What happens immediately? Outcomes: What will happen within a year? Impact: What will happen within 5-10 years? Budget An estimate of how much money you ll need to complete your project Three column Budget Budget Narrative Inter- related to other parts of the proposal other funding/matching funds Sustainability/Future Funding Finite? Capacity building? Attractive to future funders Assure funder that project won t go away after the grant is over Can also show community support Commitments of funding vs. a plan 15

16 EvaluaDon Outcomes what impact will your project have? Can be difficult to define or measure Formative evaluation Summative evaluation Process vs. Product Online Grant Submission Print the blank application Write your responses in word processing program Spell check and count words program won t accept response if it s too long Print before you send You can call tech support in Iowa if you need to Final Thoughts Double check the guidelines: Follow the Directions! Have someone else read it Proofread- - spelling, grammar, syntax Always be honest with yourself and the funder 16

17 Questions? 17