Writing Winning E-Grant Proposals. Sara F. Jones, MLS

Transcription

1 Writing Winning E-Grant Proposals Sara F. Jones, MLS

2 Identify the Need Make the Plan Enhance or start a program or service Determine exactly what needs to be funded Make sure it fits within the objectives of the funding organization Discuss and realistically evaluate sustainability

3 Go where the grants are Government Nevada Arts Council Nevada Humanities National Endowment for the Arts National Endowment for the Humanities

4 Corporate Look within your community IGT NV Energy Office Depot Southwest Starbucks Target Wal-Mart Others.

5 Private Foundations Independent or Private Foundations Company Sponsored Foundations Community Foundations

6 Karsh, Ellen and Fox, Arlen Sue. The Only Grant-Writing Book You ll Ever Need.. Third Edition, 2009.

7 Research Foundation Centers Nevada State Library and Archives (NSLA), Carson City Business Resource Innovation Center (BRIC), Carson City Flamingo Library, Las Vegas University of Nevada Research Libraries (Reno and Las Vegas) Start your search close to home

8 Read Grants Read successful grant proposals Become a reviewer for local, state, or national grants Ask colleagues to share their successful grant proposals with you

9 Karsh, Ellen and Fox, Arlen Sue. The Only Grant-Writing Book You ll Ever Need.. Third Edition, 2009.

10 Scrutinize the entire application First Reading Date the grant is due do you have enough time to write and complete and compelling proposal? How information is requested Formatting rules: size of print, type of font, number of characters per section Maximum length of narrative Supplemental materials, if any

11 Read, read, read 1 st time - for specific directions, due date, length, online submission issues 2 nd reading - for buzz words, how points are scored, how your project fits grantor s priorities 3 rd reading - for high point areas (grant sections worth the most points in the scoring rubric) and/or any areas for which you need clarification from the grantor

12 Get ready to write Tools computer, printer, internet access, back-up system for saving application and for uploading grant if your internet connection fails Download application and copy into Word or other standard word processing program Write draft according to specific questions asked and number of words or characters specified Save as you go, save with established version criteria Submission may be in PDF or other specific file criteria be sure to find out if you need converter tools ahead of time.

13 Speak Clearly Define terms (spell out all acronyms the first time) Do not use jargon Avoid redundancy; if grant questions ask for the same or similar information, change your wording for each instance. Consider your reader Use consistent style and format Use the language of the grantor Describe and state precisely Appearance does matter (avoid fancy) most online grant applications have fixed formats that do not allow the addition of graphics

14 Karsh, Ellen and Fox, Arlen Sue. The Only Grant-Writing Book You ll Ever Need.. Third Edition, 2009.

15 Parts of the Proposal Project Summary Statement of Need Goals and Objectives Plan of Action Budget The first 4 may be combined in the project narrative or may be asked as separate sections

16 Budget Phases multi-year grants In-Kind check grantor s definition Categories (use the ones the application provides) Materials/supplies Equipment Salaries Employee benefits Travel Consultants, professional services and contracts Personnel Communications Publicity and publications Other

17 Budget A budget that does not match the proposal will jeopardize the success of your grant. Estimate accurately Make changes carefully Show multiple funding sources Be honest Caution: You may need to adjust budget before you upload the application. When entering budget figures in multiple places, make sure that they agree throughout.

18 Personnel Check to see what the grantor requires. These may be part of the supplemental materials to be submitted as hard copy or you may be asked to upload files. Credentials Job Descriptions Resumes often one page only Biographical Sketches

19 Evaluation Formative (process) or Summative (product) Output vs. Outcome quantitative (numbers) or qualitative (how the program changed or affected something or someone) Interim Reports do not wait until the final report to discuss any necessary changes in the project with the grantor. Review other evaluation components from successful grants

20 Timeline Sustainability Other parts of the proposal Letters of Support Certification and Signatures Attachments, Supporting Documents, and Appendixes Dissemination- Sharing projects, sharing stories, thanking supporters of the grant program- funders often want to know your plan for telling others of your project.

21 Edit, edit, edit Read and reread, write and rewrite You can t overdo proofreading have someone in your organization edit and proofread your proposal prior to submission. Have someone outside read the proposal draft if they have no stake in the grant, they are more likely to provide helpful feedback on whether the proposal is clear, concise, and compelling.

22 Assess your proposal Read some winning grant proposals If you need to call the grantor for clarification, make a list of questions in advance and ask for a phone appointment. Customize the grant for the granting agency don t use a boiler plate or generic proposal for multiple funders. Answer any questions that may come up in the grant application do not wait to defend issues that may be raised by readers/reviewers, as you may not have an opportunity to provide clarification once the grant is submitted.

23 Follow directions exactly Make a checklist of what you need to do: Checking budget for accuracy and completeness Signatures whose do you need? Will they be available? Appendixes if required Cover letter if required Copies (for your files, for Board, parent agency) Supplemental materials if required Mailing/online submittal - deadlines

24 Keep records Budget Reporting Final report Follow through Oversight Committee who else is involved in the project? Are there partners who need to be kept abreast of progress? Evaluation planned, ongoing Extension of grant/reapplication

25 If you are successful, celebrate and share Get the word out Share the limelight credit all who were involved in the process Keep a scrapbook Press releases, newsletters, associations journals, articles, websites

26 If you are unsuccessful, turn rejection into success Be professional Find out the reasons for rejection Learn from the experience Try again

27 Resources Americans for the Arts The Arts Funding Response and Readiness Kit Community Development Block Grants Rural Development Anderson, Cynthia. Write Grants, Get Money. (2002) Brown, Larissa Golden and John Martin Brown. Demystifying Grant Seeking: What You Really Need to Do to Get Grants (Jossey-Bass Nonprofit and Public Management Series) Karsh, Ellen and Fox, Arlen Sue. The Only Grant-Writing Book You ll Ever Need. Third Edition 2009