Post on 25-Feb-2016
description
KRISTEEN CHRISTIANASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT
VALENCIA COLLEGE
DEMYSTIFYING THE GRANT WRITING PROCESS
Kchristian6@valenciacollege.edu(407) 582-2909
COMPONENTS OF A GRANT PROPOSAL
• Abstract or summary
• Introduction or organization background
• Problem or need statement
• Project Goals and Objectives
COMPONENTS OF A GRANT PROPOSAL• Methods or implementation strategy
• Key personnel
• Project evaluation
• Project budget and budget narrative
• Sustainability plan
WHERE TO START
• Identify a significant need
• Does the significant need impact your students, department, organization, or community?
HOW DO YOU KNOW?
• What data supports your need?
• Is this a local, state, national need?
• Is there comparative data?
HOW SIGNIFICANT IS THIS PROBLEM?
• List all of the long-term implications if this problem is not addressed.
SO THERE IS A PROBLEM…
Now ask…• What are the possible causes for this problem? Make a
list!• Can you categorize the causes? • Is it an access or information problem?
Look at your list again…• What items are out of your control? Strike those!
PROBLEM STATEMENT
• The list left should be items that you have control or influence over.
THINK ABOUT THIS
• Is the problem measurable?
• The causes will be addressed in the methods section of the proposal.
This is an important connection!!!
GOALS• Goals are large statements of what you hope to
accomplish or see.
• Goals are not measurable.
• Goals create the setting for the proposal.
OBJECTIVES
• Objectives are operational and measurable.
• Two kinds of objectives:• Outcome objectives• Process objectives
OUTCOME OBJECTIVES
• Outcome objectives measure program’s effectiveness
PROCESS OBJECTIVES
• Process objectives measure the steps that the organization is taking to meet the goal.
• Examples of process objectives:• To establish• To attend• To purchase• To implement• To train
IMPORTANT
• To increase or decrease something is not an objective.
• To make it an objective add by what degree the increase or decrease will happen.
• All outcomes must be written in terms of the participants or learners, not the organization!!!
USE THE S.M.A.R.T. APPROACH
• Specific• Measurable• Action Oriented• Realistic• Time and resource limited
METHODS/ACTIVITIES/IMPLEMENTATION
• This is the most detailed part of the proposal and scored the most points.• It describes who, what, when and how• List all of the tasks/activities• Who is responsible• Add the timeline• How will you know this is accomplished?
EVALUATION
• Relates to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the proposal.
• Begin with the evaluation in mind
EVALUATION CONSIDERATIONS
• What data will be needed?
• Who and how will the data be collected and used?
• What measures will be used to collect the data?
• Is an outside evaluator needed or required?
TWO TYPES OF EVALUATION
• Formative evaluation is part of the implementation plan.
• Summative evaluation asks, “have you achieved the outcome objectives?”
"WHEN THE COOK TASTES THE SOUP, THAT’S FORMATIVE; WHEN
THE GUESTS TASTE THE SOUP, THAT’S SUMMATIVE." - ROBERT STAKES
MEASURES
• Focus groups
• Surveys, questionnaires, checklists
• Pre-post tests
• Anecdotal information
• Case studies
• Interviews
BUDGET - A PICTURE OF THE PROPOSAL USING NUMBERS
• Must relate to the activities in the grant proposal
• Be realistic
BUDGET ITEMS
• Personnel - salary and fringes• Consultant and contractual• Travel• Supplies• Equipment• Other• Indirect costs • Administrative costs
A WORD ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY
• A sustainability plan must be included in the proposal.
• Highest level of governance must agree to the plan.
REMEMBER
• Read the RFP carefully and make notes.
• Most important information first.
• Use specific examples.
• Vague signals poor planning.
• Use grandma’s rule!!!
GRANT PROPOSALS/AWARDS• Will be rejected more than funded.
• Are an investment for the funding source.
• Offer -0- budget relief.
• Funding sources want to fund something unique, not current operating expenses.
• Are seed money for new projects.
• Not a short-term problem solving for long-term problems.
PROVE TO THE FUNDING SOURCE THAT YOU:
• Have a broad based understanding of the problem.
• Have read and understand the current literature in your discipline.
• Are qualified to design and deliver a solution to the problem.
• Have a reasonable plan and budget!
• You have a plan for sustainability
WINNING PROPOSALS…
• Overwhelm the reader with hard core facts and details.
• Bring the proposal to life - add stories and visuals.
• Textboxes often do not follow same formatting!
Questions