Tips for a Successful Federal Grant Application

1. Tips for a Successful Federal Grant Application Deborah Rosenbloom Director of Programs Jewish Women International www.jwi.org

2. Overview • Preparation • Searching for Opportunities • Applying • Partnerships • Timeline/Process

3. DUNS • Data Universal Number System • Tracks allocation of federal funds • Register now: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform

4. 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 CCR Central Contractor Registration

5. 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 AOR process

6. Registration Checklist + Details 1. Step by Step Guide to Registration http://www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf 2. Applicant User Guide http://www.grants.gov/assets/ApplicantUserGuide.pdf

7. How to locate grants • List-serves • Check websites • Subscribe: www.grants.gov

8. 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)

9. T/A Conference Call • Register • Read RFP • Determine questions • Email or ask questions

10. Realistic project • responsive to request • collaborative partners • capacity to accomplish • Expertise, budget, timeframe

11. Critical to Success • Call grant office for clarification • Collaborate with community stakeholders • Start early and don’t give up

12. Partnerships • Why? • Who? • What makes a good partner? • Working relationship: reach out now • Complements your expertise • Brings additional resources • Increases likelihood of successful project

13. 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

14. 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

15. Narrative • Statement of need • Measurable objectives • Program description and plan • Organizational capacity • Staff expertise • **Don’t assume reader is familiar with your organization or work**

16. Four Key Questions • Why do you need the funding? • What you will do with the funding? • Why you? – capacity and resources you and partners bring to the project • How much $$ do you need? • Be sure Need Statement connects to the Project.

17. Abstract • Don’t write at last minute • Selling tool • Strong, dynamic summary of project

18. Budget and Budget Narrative • Be realistic • Relate to project • Clearly show how $$ will be spent

19. Partner letters (MOU) • Clearly state history/relationship • Clearly state responsibilities in project and how will work together

20. Letters of Support • List of potential letters • Assign staff and timeline • Provide description of project • Provide address and solicitation #

21. 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

22. Questions? Deborah Rosenbloom drosenbloom@jwi.org www.jwi.org