Tips for a Successful Federal Grant Application
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Transcript of Tips for a Successful Federal Grant Application
Tips for a Successful Federal Grant Application
Deborah RosenbloomDirector of Programs
Jewish Women Internationalwww.jwi.org
Overview• Preparation• Searching for Opportunities• Applying• Partnerships• Timeline/Process
DUNS• Data Universal Number System• Tracks allocation of federal funds • Register now:
http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform
CCR Central Contractor
Registration• Apply at www.ccr.gov
– Can take 3 business days if already have TIN or EIN
– If not, get TIN/EIN from IRS – takes 2 weeks!
**RENEW ANNUALLY**(5 business days)
• For help: https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/doc/
UserAccount.pdf– If problem after registering:
www.fsd.gov
• E Biz POC (point of contact)
• Special Password: M Pin• E Biz POC to designate
AOR who may submit
AOR = authorized organization representative
AOR process• AOR needs user
name/password– Must wait 1 business
day after getting CCR– Then complete profile
on Grants.gov– Must know DUNS to
complete profile• User name/password
= electronic signature
• E Biz POC gets email AOR applied for user name/password
• E Biz POC logs on grants.gov using M PIN to approve
• AOR gets confirmation email
Registration Checklist + Details
1. Step by Step Guide to Registrationhttp://www.grants.gov/section910/
Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf
2. Applicant User Guidehttp://www.grants.gov/assets/
ApplicantUserGuide.pdf
How to locate grants• List-serves
• Check websites
• Subscribe: www.grants.gov
Request for Proposals (RFP) Posted
• Submit Letter of Intent (LOI)• Register for TA Conference Call• Ensure organization has completed
DUNS, CCR, E Biz POC, AOR process!• Complete standard assurances• Get signatures!• Get Financial statements (usually
audit)
T/A Conference Call• Register
• Read RFP
• Determine questions
• Email or ask questions
Realistic project• responsive to request
• collaborative partners
• capacity to accomplish – Expertise, budget, timeframe
Critical to Success
• Call grant office for clarification
• Collaborate with community stakeholders
• Start early and don’t give up
Partnerships• Why?• Who?
– What makes a good partner?• Working relationship: reach out now• Complements your expertise• Brings additional resources• Increases likelihood of successful project
Writing the proposal• Read RFP again • Call grant office for clarification, if
needed• Assign staff responsibilities for grant • Internal timeline• Start collecting letters of support
Basics of writing• Over write, edit later• Use bullets, lead the reader• Keep editing and share with partners• Be sure proposal is responsive• Use language from solicitation• Double check font size, page length• Outsider to read for clarity and typos
Narrative• Statement of need• Measurable objectives• Program description and plan • Organizational capacity• Staff expertise• **Don’t assume reader is familiarwith your organization or work**
Four Key Questions 1. Why do you need the funding?2. What you will do with the funding?3. Why you? – capacity and resources
you and partners bring to the project4. How much $$ do you need?
Be sure Need Statement connects to the Project.
Abstract• Don’t write at last minute
• Selling tool
• Strong, dynamic summary of project
Budget and Budget Narrative
• Be realistic
• Relate to project
• Clearly show how $$ will be spent
Partner letters (MOU)
• Clearly state history/relationship
• Clearly state responsibilities in project and how will work together
Letters of Support• List of potential letters• Assign staff and timeline• Provide description of project• Provide address and solicitation #
Before Uploading & Sending
• Check for correct signatures• Double check on page limit/font• Follow order of documents as
requested• Upload early in day • Post hardcopy by deadline• Save copy for your files
Questions? Deborah Rosenbloom [email protected]
www.jwi.org