Grant Writing and Opportunities for Friends Funding Your Program: How do you make it all happen?
First Step: Project Planning How to plan and define your project
Identify the Problem/Need Define the nature of the need: Is it a physical need? Is it a wildlife resource need? Is it an educational need?
Assess the Problem/Need Who does the problem affect? A community? A watershed? Is it a statewide problem? National/global? The critters? How are they affected?
Identify the Causes Why does the problem occur? Limited or no understanding of the challenge? Is a resource unavailable? - materials - equipment - labor Are additional skills needed? Is communication limited?
Address the Problem/Need Will a partnership solve or significantly improve the situation? Are there other members in the community who face the same problem? Do prospective partners have a reason to participate?
Develop Project Goals How will you and your partners address the problem/need? What outcomes would you like from this project? How will the improved situation benefit your Friends group, the refuge, the community, other partners?
Evaluating Your Project How will you know if your project was successful? What short and long term changes do you expect as a result of your project? How will you determine if your methods worked?
Budget What s needed to address the problem/need? Goods, materials, supplies Equipment Labor Technical assistance or contractor support
Do You Need a Grant Proposal? Do you have the skills and materials within your organization/partnership to complete the project? Could your need be addressed by having local businesses provide materials or make other contributions?...think potential new partners! Could a community fundraiser fulfill your needs? If you answered yes to any of these questions you may NOT need to write a grant proposal.
Assign Responsibility and Budget Your Time Agree to who will write the grant proposal Make a schedule!! - 80% planning the project - 20% writing the grant proposal
Next Steps: How to Start the Grant Writing Process Where s the $$? Four types of Grants: - Federal - State - Foundation - Corporate
Federal Grants ($400 billion) Grants.gov for $400 billion in grants (http://www.grants.gov/) Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Federal Register Specialty Catalogs - EPA Catalog of Federal Funding Sources for Watershed Protection
Foundations and Corporations $295 billion to nonprofits in 2006 Where the $$ comes from: Where it goes: 4% Corporations 12% Foundations 8% Bequests 76% Individuals 7% environment and animal 3% science and technology 25% education 65% other
Finding Grant Resources Foundation Directories Corporate Funding Directories Environmental Grantmaking Foundations Directory Chronicle of Philanthropy
Online Grant Finding Resources Foundation Center Online (http://foundationcenter.org/ ) - Foundation and funder searches - Tools and grant writing resources - Library collections Specialized sites, (e.g., http://www.schoolgrants.org) Environmental Grantmaking Foundation (http://www.environmentalgrants.com/) The Grantsmanship Center (http://www.tgci.com) Chronicles of Philanthropy (http://www.philanthropy.com/)
Research Grant Funders Do Your Homework - Find Out: Their purpose and mission How much they have and give When they give What they recently funded What their current interest(s) are (request or download grant guidelines or RFP) Who the program contact person is
What to Look For Are you an eligible applicant? Does your project meet the funder s geographic and programmatic interest? What is the funder s range of grants it gives? What is the application process and when are applications due? What are the grant criteria?
Writing the Grant General Tips: Follow directions Use specific guidelines Be mindful of deadlines Be concise! Have someone else edit
Writing the Grant General Tips (cont.): Don t change font to fit into smaller space Don t add appendices unless asked Call the program contact with questions Only approach a board member if you know them or have someone that know them!
Components of a Grant Summary/Abstract Introduction Problem/Need Statement Objectives Methodology Evaluation Budget
Summary/Abstract It s the first thing read, your chance to interest the reader May be the only portion read in the initial cut Previews the proposal and succinctly illustrates you main points Must be brief
Summary/Abstract (cont.) Components: Identify applicant and partners State the problem/need State the objectives State the methods you ll use to meet your objectives State the total project cost, funds already committed, and amount your requesting
Introduction Describes the qualifications of the applicant and the project partners: Highlight your credibility Indicate when, how, and why your org. was formed Describe your purpose and goals Describe prior and current activities related to proposal Provide evidence of related accomplishments
Introduction (cont.) Describe the size and characteristics of your constituency Highlight relevant partnerships Show credibility in the area you re seeking support Use data to prove credibility
Problem/Need Statement What is the problem or issue Define the scope localize the problem Prove the problem or need with examples, and quotations - support with data Why is your project important - highlight the urgency of the problem/need Describe the negative results if the problem is not addressed What specific refuge and/or organizational need does your project address
Objectives Objectives describe what the project will accomplish and must be measurable: Tangible and measurable - How many will be affected? - How much will be provided? - By when? Outcomes who and what will benefit from your project Behaviors Desired quantities Use action verbs: Increase, Decrease, Restore
Methodology Methodology describes how you will implement your project and your timetable for completing activities: What is the process? Who will complete it? When will it be completed? Provide sufficient detail about how you plan to meet objectives
Evaluation Evaluation describes how you will measure the success of the project, i.e., did you accomplish your objectives: What short and long term changes expected How will you measure these changes/outcomes How will evaluation be used to improve program
Budget Budget outlines and details costs of project and sources of support: Follow the funder s format Must be accurate and add up correctly Should be reasonable Should not create more questions Accepted rate for volunteer time is $20.25 Include partner matches and/or inkind
Problems to Look Out For Lack of coordination Unrealistic budget Weak outcomes Need for ongoing support
Be most competitive by Coordinating Having strong outcomes Having a realistic budget Being innovative and resourceful Being brief, well organized, on time Knowing the funder s grant cycles Working with a proofreader
Remember, Funders Are Partners! Build a relationship Be courteous Respect their time Know their interests Discuss opportunities Follow-up in a timely manner
And Partners Like to be Recognized The Chronicle of Philanthropy Made possible by grants from the Dasher, Dancer and Vixen Foundations
What if You Don t Get the Grant? Follow-up - Ask: Where the deficiencies were How to make future proposal more competitive Any other funder recommendations? Don t burn any bridges!
You Got the Grant! Celebrate!! Yahoo!!
Grant writing is a step by step process that YOU can do!
THANK YOU!
Trevor H. Needham, National Coordinator Community Partnerships and Friends Programs National Wildlife Refuge System Arlington, VA 22203 Tel: 703-358-2392 Fax: 703-358-2517 email: trevor_needham@fws.gov Editor s Note: Trevor Needham is no longer employed by USFWS.