Successful Grant Seeking and Writing Tips

1. Successful Grant Seeking and Writing Tips Cyndi Desrosiers, CPS Grant Support Specialist, Cheshire County Consultant January 16, 2013

2. About me… • I manage 4 million dollars worth of grants at Cheshire County including federal, state, foundation, and local grants • I have reviewed grants for the Federal Government and local agencies • I write grants as a consultant for non-profits • I also provide strategic planning, prevention ethics training, board development and other related services to non-profit agencies

3. Grant Office’s 10 Tips for Getting More Grants • Learn as much as possible about each program which you intend to apply. • Involve others in your project, but be judicious; have a purpose for their involvement. • Customize each proposal to the requirement of the funder. • Include only support letters that demonstrate a real commitment on the part of the sender. • Get reviewers’ comments for rejected proposals and use their feedback in the future proposals. Homeland Security Today Magazine, January 2011

4. Grant Office’s 10 Tips for Getting More Grantscontinued • Make grantseeking part of your agency’s strategy-don’t put all your eggs in one basket and look for funding from only a single program. • Be specific in your budget—most funders have generous allowances for budget length. • Don’t include materials other than those specifically requested by the funder. • Have an outsider edit your proposal before you submit it. • Folllow the funding guidance meticulously. Homeland Security Today Magazine, January 2011

5. THE FIVE Ws: WHO, WHAT, WHY, WHEN, WHERE • Who am I (the organization or institution I represent)? • What is my project? • Why do I need the money? • When do I need the money? • Where will the funds be directed? Grant Training Center, GTC 2009 Resource, Arlington, VA

6. And, why not three more? • What is my evaluation plan? • Who will benefit? • Who will implement the project? Grant Training Center, GTC 2009 Resource, Arlington, VA

7. The Organization’s Strategic Plan(Business Plan) What are your organization’s goals and objectives to fulfill its mission? State the mission and overall goals for your organization. Then consider the objectives required by your organization to meet each of the goals. Remember, the mission is usually only one sentence long. The goals are usually limited to one to three one-sentence goal statements. Each goal usually has two to five objectives. Objectives should be measurable. Your organization’s objectives may be still pretty general, but when you write your proposal, you will have to make sure that your objectives meet a number of criteria that we will specify at a section which follows. Therefore, it is good to start thinking about the differences between goals and objectives. Grant Training Center, GTC 2009 Resource, Arlington, VA

8. Know who you are… • Name of the organization • Mission of the organization • Goals of the organization • Objectives of the organization Grant Training Center, GTC 2009 Resource, Arlington, VA

9. Preliminary questions • What resources will you need if you are funded? • What capabilities do you or your organization already have?  • What kinds of organizational support do you have for writing the proposal and implementing the project? • What kind of organizational support do you still need?  Grant Training Center, GTC 2009 Resource, Arlington, VA

10. Building support and getting buy-in In answering the following questions, briefly describe your initial thoughts about the following items in relation to your proposed idea and your organization. Which of these questions can you readily answer and which ones will you need to research? • Identify two or three major organizational challenges or problems that your organization is currently facing. • How does your proposed idea or project relate to or help resolve these problems or challenges? • Who else in your organization would be useful to have on your proposal development team? • What could these people do to help you prepare the proposal? • What role would they play if the project gets funded? Grant Training Center, GTC 2009 Resource, Arlington, VA

11. Resources available What are the resources that you already have? Describe the resources that you already have that could help you implement your idea and write the proposal. • People • Special skills or knowledge • Experience with similar projects • Facilities • Equipment Grant Training Center, GTC 2009 Resource, Arlington, VA

12. Questions to ask and answer about your idea ??? To persuade not only funders but members of your organization to work with you on this proposal or to release some of your time and that of others to develop the proposal you should be able to answer the following questions. • Is my idea unique? Explain why. • Is my idea timely? Explain why. • Is my idea urgent? Explain why. • Is my idea compelling? Explain why. • If my idea is funded and the project implemented, will this project capitalize on my organization’s strengths? How? • If my idea is funded and the project implemented, will this project help overcome some of my organization’s weaknesses? How? Grant Training Center, GTC 2009 Resource, Arlington, VA

13. Building External Support • Networking—With whom can you network? • Personal contacts—What contacts have you made or should you make? • Meetings and conferences—Are there any upcoming meetings or conferences you should attend to meet people and talk about your project? • If your organization does not have the expertise or contacts or resources to implement your project, with whom could you collaborate? • Whom should you contact in potential collaborating organizations? • Who from your organization should make the initial contact? • What would be the advantage to these outside organizations of working with your organization on this project? Grant Training Center, GTC 2009 Resource, Arlington, VA

14. Logic Model Terminology Goals = Long-term outcomes Inputs = Resources, program investments Activities = Strategies, action steps Outputs = Deliverables, products, units of service Outcomes = Results, impact, objectives Karen Horsch, Evaluation Consultant, Endowment for Health

15. Proposal Outline Summary Needs Statement Program Description Evaluation Staff & Organizational Experience Budget Appendices/Supporting Documentation Children’s Services Council, Palm Beach County

16. Summary Usually limited to one page, this component of your proposal should briefly describe: • The problem you are addressing. • Your overall program goal, expected outcomes and program plan to address the problem. • Briefly highlight your organizational and staff qualifications for the program. • Your financial request from the funder Children’s Services Council, Palm Beach County

17. Needs Statement This section of your proposal should explain the following: • Why the proposed program/project is necessary. • Who (e.g., individuals, children, families) will benefit from the program. • Where (geographically) the need is. Children’s Services Council, Palm Beach County

18. The following represents five basic needs assessment approaches • Key Informant – testimony from people who know the problem • Community Forum  • Case Studies – example of clients in the population in need • Social Indicators – data which establishes the need • Survey – Random Children’s Services Council, Palm Beach County

19. Program Description • Description of the services to be provided. What services will be provided? Who will receive the services? Who will provide the services? When will the services be provided? Why you are providing these particular services? Whereservices will be provided? Children’s Services Council, Palm Beach County

20. Program Description • Your plan of action to achieve the program outcomes. This is often referred to as the program plan or the service delivery plan. Your plan of action should be designed so that it is clear that the expected outcomes for the program can be achieved through the implementation of your program plan. • The timetable for the program. This should reflect a thoughtful approach including time needed to realistically phase-in the program until it becomes fully operational. Children’s Services Council, Palm Beach County

21. EVALUATION = How the project will be measured and the results given to the donor QUANTITATIVE = hard data QUALITATIVE = Soft data – e.g., opinions, individual stories, surveys PROCESS = assesses project implementation OUTCOMES = assesses the extent to which outcomes are being achieved

22. EVALUATION Please state: • What results will be evaluated in your project? • How will you evaluate the results? • Who will evaluate the results? • When will the evaluation take place? • What hard data will you utilize? • What soft data will you utilize?

23. “Chains”of Outcomes Short-term Outcome Changes in Learning Intermediate Outcome Changes in Action Long-term Outcome/Goal Changes in Condition • New Knowledge • Increased Skills • Changed attitudes or opinions • Changed motivation or aspiration • Modified Behavior • Changed practices • Changed decisions • Improved access • Improved health • Improved quality of life Karen Horsch, Evaluation Consultant, Endowment for Health

24. Staff & Organizational Experience In this section you must describe both the qualifications of the key staff who will be assigned to direct and operate the program as well as the qualifications of the agency to administer the type of program you are proposing. Sometimes it is required that you provide the resumes of key staff. In the absence of identified staff to direct and operate the program, provide specific information regarding the qualifications you will be requiring of the staff to be hired. Children’s Services Council, Palm Beach County

25. Budget The budget generally includes the following primary components: • Expenses • Revenue • Budget Narrative Children’s Services Council, Palm Beach County

26. Appendices/Supporting Documentation • IRS 501(c)(3) Certificate • Articles of Incorporation • Resumes • Letters of Support • Most Recent Agency Audit Children’s Services Council, Palm Beach County

27. TRACK IN-KIND Name: ________________________________Organization/Affiliation: _____________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________ Email:_____________________________________ In Kind Hours Donated: ______ Hourly rate_________ Total In Kind Donation: ________________ Volunteer time? Yes___ No___ Date *Work Done In-Kind (It may include meetings, phone calls, technical work, travel for the project, etc.) Guidelines for Hourly Rate  (Please choose one as you see appropriate) Number of HoursTotal Contribution  Community Meeting/Activity Planning $40.00/hr or more Community Forum/Program Workshop Facilitation $35.00/hr or more Community mobilization/engagement $30.00/hr or more  General Outreach $20.00/hr or more  Technical Capacity Assistance $70.00/hr or more *http://www.simplyhired.com/a/salary/search Plus, equipment, meeting space, etc. Signature Or, use the volunteer rate= the Independent Sector has established the current rate of $ per hour in NH. This can be confirmed on the Points of Light web site.

28. SOUNDS SIMPLE…but • READ THE PROPOSAL- OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND AGAIN • FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS • RELATIONSHIPS DO MATTER • IF THEY ASK FOR AN MOU, GIVE THEM AN MOU, NOT AN MOA • IF THEY DIDN’T ASK FOR A LOGIC MODEL AND INSTEAD WANT A WORKPLAN, THEN…

29. SOUNDS SIMPLE…but • GET TO KNOW YOUR FUNDER • RELATIONSHIPS DO MATTER • DO WHAT YOU SAID YOU WOULD DO IN THE PROPOSAL OR FORGET ABOUT EVER BEING FUNDED AGAIN • KEEP LANGUAGE CONSISTENT • AVOID TANGENTS • BE SPECIFIC AND CONCISE

30. SOUNDS SIMPLE…but • DO NOT ASSUME THAT FUNDERS KNOW WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT YOU DO • FOLLOW THEIR FORMAT, NOT YOURS • INCLUDE CITATIONS AND WORK CITED • USE HEADINGS, ETC. SO READIBILITY IS EASY • WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK… • BE SPECIFIC • DID I SAY RELATIONSHIPS MATTER?

31. Resources for grants • http://www.grantproseinc.com/ includes grant alerts by fixed deadlines and rolling deadlines • www.Grantgopher.com • www.GuideStar.com • FundBook Grants database

32. Resources for grants • Grants.gov provides information on more than 1,000 grant opportunities for 26 federal grantmaking agencies. FindYouthInfo.gov has developed a customized search of Grants.gov to help you find open grant announcements for programs that serve youth and their families. • To use the tool, go to www.findyouthinfo.gov/GrantsSearch.aspx

33. Top Ten Twitter Accounts for Grant Information • Top Five Twitter Searches for Grants: • #rfp • #grant • #fundchat • #fundraising • #philanthropy • pndblog • @fdncenter • @grantspace • @nihforfunding • @HHSGov • @NSF • @usedgov • @thompsongrants • @gordanjayfrost • @dgreismann Source:GrantPose, Inc

34. www.findyouthinfo.gov/GrantsSearch.aspxSearch Filters Topics   [Select All | Deselect All] Afterschool Bullying Community Development Disabilities Education, Training and Employment Health and Nutrition Homelessness and housing Mental Health Mentoring Parenting Positive Youth Development Substance Abuse Transition-Age Youth Violence and Victimization Agencies  [Select All | Deselect All] Dept. of Agriculture Dept. of Defense Dept. of Education Dept. of Health and Human Services Dept. of Homeland Security Dept. of Housing and Urban Dev. Dept. of Justice Dept. of Labor Dept. of the Interior Dept. of Transportation Social Security Administration All other agencies

35. FARM GRANTS & LOANS LOANS • USDA: Intermediary Relending Program • NH Community Loan Fund PROGRAMS • The Fair Food Fund-Northeast • Environmental Quality Incentives Program through NRCS GRANTS/USDA • Rural Energy for America Program • Rural Business-Value-Added Producer Grants • Rural Business Enterprise Grant • Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Farmer Grants • Farm Labor Housing- direct loan and grant • Conservation Innovation Grants  through NRCS

36. OTHER FARM GRANTS • Conservation Innovation Grants  through NRCS • State Conservation Committee – Conservation Grant Program (Moose plate) OTHER POSSIBLE RESOURCES • Monadnock Conservancy • UNH Cooperative Extension • NOFA-NH • Cheshire County Conservation District

37. Logic Models University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension http://www.uwex.edu/ces/pdande/evaluation/evallogicmodelworksheets.html University of Wisconsin Grants Information Collection http://grants.library.wisc.edu/ http://researchguides.library.wisc.edu/content.php?pid=16143&sid=108666

38. Federal Grants Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (Listing of all federal programs, projects, services) https://www.cfda.gov/?s=main&mode=list&tab=list DUNS number request (Dun & Bradstreet’s Data Universal Numbering System) Free for all businesses required to register with the US Federal government for contracts or grants http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform Federal Forms www.fedforms.gov/organization.cfm

39. Online Data Sources Education Resources Information Center http://www.eric.ed.gov/ County Health Rankings http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/ State Health Rankings http://www.americashealthrankings.org/ US Statistical Abstract, State Rankings http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/rankings.html Census Quickfactshttp://swrpc.org/data - regional 2010 http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html

40. Online Data Sources Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/ US Census http://www.census.gov/ http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tractez.html US Government Publications http://www.gpo.gov/ Child Stats http://www.childstats.gov/ Federal http://www.fedstats.gov/

41. Online Data Sources US Health Statistics http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/ US Education http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/sdds/index.aspx US/comparative (health, education, population, labor force, economy, etc.) http://www.prb.org/DataFinder.aspx# Kids Count http://datacenter.kidscount.org/

42. Local Resources for Farms Cheshire County Conservation District Amanda Costello Littleton, District Manager http://cheshireconservation.org/ 756-2988 x 116 NOFA NH Ray Conner, Beginner Farmer Program Coordinator http://nofanh.org/ (603) 224-5022 Monadnock Conservancy Ryan Owen, Executive Director http://www.monadnockconservancy.org/ (603) 357-0600 UNH Cooperative Extension Carl Majewski, UNH Cooperative Extension http://extension.unh.edu/Agric/Agric.htm 352-4550

43. Cyndi Desrosiers, CPS, CASA/gal Grant Support Specialist Cheshire County cdesrosiers@co.cheshire.nh.us 603-355-3023 THANK YOU