Grant Process

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Grant Process

Proposal Preparation

Proposal Writing

Project Implementation

Evaluation and Assessment

Reporting

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Grant Process

Phases can overlap.

Program Management must be aware of all phases.

Collaboration is key: no one can do it alone.

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A Proposal Development Model

Identify Your Strengths, Weaknesses, and Identity

Identify A Project That Supports Your Core Mission/ Philosophy

Develop The Project

Assess Need for the Idea Research the Idea

Build Support and Involvement

Identify Alternate Approaches

Prepare Project Description

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A Proposal Development Model

Research Potential Sponsors

Prepare Project Description

Select Funding Source Identify Sponsor That Match Your

Mission

Plan Proposal WritingLetters of Inquiry Mini Proposals

Write Proposal

Submit Proposal

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What to Do Before You Start Writing

Plan, Plan, Plan

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Identify Strengths, Weaknesses, & Identity

Stick to your core mission, who you are, and what you do.

Be honest.

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Identify and Develop A Project That Supports Your Mission

KEY: Collaborate within your organization to get ideas.

Can you do the project? Reality Check

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What do you want to do, how much will it cost, and how much time will it take?

What difference will the project make and for whom: your organization, your field, the community, state, nation, world, etc.?

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What has already been done in the area of your project? By whom? What were the results?

Can the problems you claim to be addressing actually be solved?

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How will you accomplish your goals? What is your plan? How will the results be evaluated?

How will the project be maintained once it's implemented?

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Why should you (your organization), rather than someone else, do this project?

Why should this project be done now?

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Write A Short, Detailed Project Description (or Mini-Proposal)

No more than 4 pages Problem/need which project addresses Previous work done Proposed solution Resources Timeline Outcomes (for you and for people you serve)

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Consider the project budget and sponsor(s).

Consider the sponsor(s): Write to your audience.

Who are you?

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The Concept The Program/Project Expenses

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Research Potential Sources of Funding

Your goal: Identify a sponsor that matches your mission.

Sponsor: Government, Corporate, Foundations

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Research Potential Sources of FundingSources: Notices, Directories,

Colleagues

The best source of information?Be honest.

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Obtain Sponsor Guidelines and Information

Some prefer phone contact, others have detailed guidelines. Some want an letter of inquiry, others want a full proposal. Some have specific dates for submittals, others are open.

CONTACT PROGRAM OFFICER. READ GUIDELINES.

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Obtain Sponsor Guidelines and Information CONTACT PROGRAM OFFICER. READ THE GUIDELINES. Obtain copies of previously funded

grants. Collaborate with other programs.

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Obtain Sponsor Guidelines and Information

CONTACT THE PROGRAM OFFICER!

READ THE GUIDELINES!

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Clarify Any Questions Before You Start Writing

Understand exactly what the sponsor wants.

READ THE GUIDELINES! Develop a question list for the sponsor

and any collaborators.

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Plan the Labor Before You Start Writing

Use your resources effectively. Collaborate within your organization.

Tools: storyboarding, writing/editing teams, timelines, management buy-in.

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Writing the Proposal

General: Follow the Guidelines! Use the project description/mini-proposal

to keep on track. Write to your audience. Put yourself in

the reader’s position.

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Basic Components of Proposals

Summary (Executive Summary) Problem Statement (Statement of Need) Project Description Project Budget

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Executive Summary General Statement and Summary of the

Entire Proposal Problem Solution Funding Required Organization and Expertise

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Executive Summary First Impression of the Proposal The Most Important Section of the

Document (arguably) Keep The Reader Interested-Keep On

Reading! Limit to One Page (usually)

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Problem Statement/Statement of NeedWhy Your Project Is NecessaryDescribe the problem, present the

facts, and be concise.Your Opportunity To Make The

Argument

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Problem Statement/Statement of Need

Describe who will benefit and how.

Is the problem worse than others?

Does your project address the need differently or better than other projects?

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Problem Statement/Statement of Need

Try to avoid circular reasoning.Example:“We don’t have an antimatter modulator. An antimatter modulator will solve the problem.”

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Project DescriptionObjectivesMethodsStaffing/Administration/ManagementEvaluationSustainability

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Project DescriptionObjectives (what)Methods (how)Staffing/Admin/Management (who)Evaluation (do what agreed upon)Sustainability (can/should it

continue and get more support)

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Project Description: Objectives

Measurable Outcomes of Your Project Objectives define the methods. Well-articulated objectives are critical to

success. Objectives are more specific than goals.

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Project Description: ObjectivesGoal vs. Objective Example: Goal: Our new warp drive will work

better than current engines. Objective: Our warp drive will propel

light-to-medium weight vehicles to sustained speeds of over 186,282 miles per second with a fuel economy equivalent to 12 million miles per ton.

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Project Description: Methods Specific Activities To Achieve Objectives Should Match Objectives Description of Project Start to Finish Explain Why Your Methods Will Work Help the reader understand how the

project will be implemented. Establish your credibility.

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Project Description: Staffing Discussion of Who Will Do the Work Numbers, Brief Qualifications, Specific

Roles on Project Plans for Administering the Project Special Resources Available Organizational Roles (if Partnering)

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Project Description: Evaluation Measurement of Project (results) and/or

Analysis of the Process (how conducted) Usually Presented in a Formal Plan Can Be Used Internally or Shared Great Management and Learning Tool Should Be Built into the Project

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Project Budget

Must accurately reflect project expenses. Must be consistent with project

description. Can be general or detailed. Usually accompanied by budget

narrative for detail or unusual line items.

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Project Budget

Can include other revenue sources. Can include in-kind contribution. Can include overhead expenses. CHECK THE GUIDELINES!

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Basic Components of Proposals

Summary (Executive Summary) Problem Statement (Statement of Need) Project Description Project Budget

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Basic Grant Tips and Help

Frequently Asked Questions:

Letter of inquiry vs. full proposal? Level of detail in the budget? How do sponsors process and evaluate

proposals? How do I organize a complex proposal?

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What do I do after the proposal is submitted?

What if the proposal is turned down and denied funding?

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Some Additional Tips:

Find a mentor. Make a commitment to learning. 80% of grant winning is planning. You won’t win if you don’t ask or apply. Find out what sponsors want, and give it.

Grant Process

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