James M. Thompson, PhD

Southeast Center for Strategic Community Development

April 11, 2010

African American Caucus Grant Training

To demonstrate effective strategies of turning your project ideas into potential grant proposals

To gain a general understanding of the basics of grant writing

To become familiar of each component of the grant writing application and process

You should… Follow directions Know your

audience Be concise Be optimistic Have passion Know what you

are seeking and purpose

You should not…

Make assumptions

Exceed the maximum number of pages, graphs, charts, budget, etc.

Be late

Think of your ideal, completed project Who will it impact? How will you ensure potential funding

agencies that you will complete the project by the grant deadline?

If your project is funded, will you have the resources to execute the project in a timely fashion?

Why should your project receive funding over other applicants?

Cover Letter Proposal Summary Introduction Problem Statement or Needs

Assessment Program Objectives Methodology Evaluation Proposal Budget

First impression to market your idea Brief description of the proposed project Neatly written and to the point on

letterhead Address it to a specific individual at the

funding agency Show confidence in your proposal Don’t sound desperate Be objective

Usually a maximum of one page A concise snapshot or summary of the

entire grant proposal Establishes the foundation for the

application Should peak readers’ interest to want to

know more about your project idea Some readers may not read the entire

proposal if the summary is poorly written.

Establish credibility with your readers Who are you? Why should we fund your project? Describe any prior experiences and

qualifications working with grants. Describe your school in terms of size,

student demographics, special needs, goals, mission, philosophy, etc.

Be realistic – you are not trying to save the world!

Conduct research, collect statistical data, and be able to articulate the real issues

What are some best practices? Who is your target population? What is your anticipated change to your

target population? What is so unique about your approach

to making the proposed change?

Directly related to the problem statement or needs assessments

Increase, decrease, reduce, improve… Measurable (numbers) criteria that will

guide you through each step of the implementation

Who will be doing what? When will it happen?

Directly related to the program objectives

What steps will be taken in order to accomplish the program objectives?

Justify to readers your capabilities of implementing the proposed project

Include best practices and current research

How will participants be selected? How will staff be recruited and trained? Time charts

Collect data throughout the life of the grant

Results EvaluationWere you able to effectively implement

your program and accomplish each objective?

Process EvaluationWere you able to execute the program as

outlined in your proposal?Did you have to implement other measures

and objectives during the life of the grant in order to meet the objectives?

Accuracy is the key – double check Do not exceed the maximum grant

amount Research each item included in the

budget Follow the application format

Be sure to set aside enough time to submit your grant proposal

Arrange time in advance for signatures Do you have to submit several

photocopies along with the original grant proposal?

Wait patiently and be optimistic Continue to search for other potential

funding agencies Recycle your proposed idea It is not the end of the world nor is it the

game of baseball! Learn from prior pitfalls and mistakes Continue to hone your grant writing

skills

Click tg edit Master title style

Thanks for your attendance and best wishes in your grant writing endeavors!