GRANTWRITING Nailing Your Needs Statement Tara Gohr & Aly Sanchez The Grant Plant, Inc.
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Transcript of GRANTWRITING Nailing Your Needs Statement Tara Gohr & Aly Sanchez The Grant Plant, Inc.
GRANTWRITING
Nailing Your Needs Statement
Tara Gohr & Aly SanchezThe Grant Plant, Inc.
IntroductionsWhat are needs statements?What should be included?How do you make your best case with data?Putting it all togetherQuestions
Presentation Topics
What are needs statements?
Placement of the Needs Statement
Function of the Needs Statement
Function of the Needs Statement
Problem or need for an external constituency
Function of the Needs Statement
What you propose to do to address the problem
Function of the Needs Statement
Action
Action
OR
OR
Importance of Needs Statements
In short, you
answer the
question:
“Why care?”
Demonstrates that there is a problem that:• Is important• Is significant• Is urgent
Builds trustRelates to your mission statementRelates to the funder’s priorities
Takeaways
Establishes the problem. Describes conditions outside your agency.Leads to the helpful actions you propose.Is your first impression.
Needs Statement Contents
Contents for needs statements
Major Content Types
Problem description Problem recognitionProblem implicationsProblem hurdlesProblem urgencyWhat solving problems meansHuman interest story
Contents: Problem Description
Major Content Types
Problem description - The 5 W’s Who? What? Where? Why? When?
Problem versus Symptoms
Cause: Flu
Problem vs. Symptoms -- Leads to Solution
Symptoms
Cause Rabbit Hole
…Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling down a very deep well….
Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
Contents: Recognition
Major Content Types
Problem recognition Who else sees it? Community stakeholders views High profile views
Contents: Implications
Major Content Types
Problem implications What are resulting problems? If not resolved? What happens to community? What happens to target audience? Cost to society?
Contents: Hurdles
Major Content Types
Problem hurdles Gap Knowledge gaps Current Work What has prevented
resolution/improvement Logjams and speed bumps
Contents: Urgency
Major Content Types
Problem urgency Why now?
Order Now!
Contents for needs statements
Major Content Types
Human interest story Similar client Similar circumstances Positive resolution Demonstrates your interventions
Takeaways
Orient: Covers the Five W’sEngage: Problem urgency and importanceNarrow Solution: Challenges and gaps
Data and Statistics
Data and Statistics Intro
“There are lies, damn
lies, and statistic
s”
- Benjamin Disraeli, British Prime
Minister
Role:SupportingRely on ContextObjective
Basic RulesTimelyUnbiasedReliable
Example - Aspartame
ActivityPopular emailThree reasons it worksThree reasons it fails
Data Searches
Example SitesUS Census – www.census.gov
FreeDemographics - www.freedemographics.com USDA Economic Research Service - www.ers.usda.gov
Department of Health & Human Services - www.hhs.gov/reference/ www.aecf.org/KnowledgeCenter.aspx,HHS Reference Collection - http://datacenter.kidscount.org/ New Mexico Economic Development Department – www.edd.state.nm.usAECF Knowledge Center: http://www.aecf.org/KnowledgeCenter.aspx AECF Kids Count Data Center: http://datacenter.kidscount.org/ NM Economic Development Department – www.edd.state.nm.usNM Department of Health: www.health.state.nm.us
Statistics Wrap Up
DescribesComparesTrendsPredictsExplains
Demographic SitesFederal AgenciesState AgenciesFoundation WebsitesArticle/Journal Collections
News Outlets
Data Functions Key Sources
Putting it all Together
Statement Process
Statement Structure
Zoom In or Zoom OutSpatialChronologicalFunder BridgeSymptoms to RootsTopicalImpact Levels
?
Need Statement Weaknesses
Not providing information requested in the RFPProposing something outside the scope of the RFPUsing outdated or suspect informationGathering insufficient dataStatistical pile-upUnfamiliar concepts or termsLong, convoluted sentences
Need Statement Tips
Address the 5 W’s“Weighty Words”Get ‘em in the heart, get ‘em in the headThe 4 C’sThoughtful wording of statisticsUse formatting skillfullyCheck scoring, rating criteria
Finally…
The bottom line is that to have a fundable project, it must potentially solve the problem your organization and the
grantmaker are interested in and must generate results that can be measured in
some way.
Questions
The Grant Plant is dedicated to providing superior and affordable resource development services to assist nonprofit organizations in enhancing the quality of life for New Mexico residents.We offer a range of services, including data and prospect research, grant writing, editing, and reporting.E-newsletter sign –up online. Grant calendar: http://www.thegrantplantnm.com/Calendar.htm Contact us at:
505-839-1464 (phone)1-800-615-8557 (fax)
www.thegrantplantNM.comE-mail: [email protected]
Bibliography
Black, M., Kagan S., Melaville, A., & Ray, K. Cooperation, Coordination, and Collaboration. 2003.Carter New, C. & Quick, J.A. Grantseeker’s Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Funding. 1998.Clarke, Cheryl A. Storytelling for Grantseekers. 2001.Miner, L.E., & Miner, J.T. Proposal Planning and Writing. 2003.Morison, K. A Guidebook for Federal Grant Reviewers. 2002.Williams, C. Grantsmanship and Proposal Writing Seminar Manual. 2003.
Websites Consulted
Annie E. Casey Foundation: www.aecf.org Census: www.census.gov CFDA: www.gsa.gov/fdac/queryfdacFederal: www.dhhs.gov, www.ers.usda.gov FirstGov: www.firstgov.govGrants.gov: www.grants.govFederal Register: www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/New Mexico Register: www.nmcpr.state.nm.us/nmregisterNew Mexico Funding Directory: www.research.unm.edu/funding_opportunities/nmfd/Foundation Center: www.fdncenter.orgGrantSelect: www.grantselect.comGuidestar: www.guidestar.orgGrantStation: www.grantstation.com State: www.health.state.nm.us, www.edd.state.nm.us