PADM 7860 Grant Writing & Management: Intro & Overview - or Frequently Asked Questions

1. PADM 7860 Grant Writing & Management: Intro & Overview - or Frequently Asked Questions Jerry Merwin

2. Week 2 Topics/FAQs for Discussion • How do I identify an organization that might need some help with a grant? • Where do I find a funding source for the project? • Why do we see the different terms like grantor, funding source, foundation, etc.? • How are grant applications and requests for funding different? • What do I do if the funding source has terms or concepts in their request for proposals (RFP) that are confusing?

3. How do I identify an organization? • Start close to home. • Do you know of any nonprofits, schools, colleges, or local government agencies that might need funding? • Some examples might include boys and girls clubs, YMCA or YWCA, shelters for battered or abused spouses or children, homeless shelters or soup kitchens, America’s Second Harvest, Habitat for Humanity, historical societies, the SPCA, Community Development offices in city government, or similar organizations, etc. • One of our MPA students in the Valdosta area did an internship with the local technical college and wrote a grant. They ended up hiring him to do grant writing part time.

4. How do I identify an organization? (Page 2) • Start close to home. (Continued) • Do you know of anyone who works at any organization doing grant writing? • They might know of some projects. • Networking within our class. • I will put up a discussion thread for brainstorming on this topic. • Maybe one of our students will have an idea that sparks a thought for a project for another student.

5. Where do I find a funding source for the project? • Look at the web links page on our class pages (both on the VSU web and on WebCT). • Some quick examples of sources for information on funding : • In Georgia we have Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Offices (connected to Soil and Water Conservation Districts). • They have information on funding sources and often provide help in networking with others in the area who might be doing similar work. • I am not sure if this resource is available in all states, but they are also in Florida – so check in your area. (Check the USDA site to find state contacts. They can put you in touch with local offices.)

6. Where do I find a funding source? (Page 2) • Look at the web links page on our class pages (both on the VSU web and on WebCT). • Some quick examples (Continued): • The Foundation Center - fdncenter.org with offices in many states (such as Atlanta, GA). • They distribute searchable CDs with funding sources in various categories (by the type of project they will fund, by the locations they serve, etc.) to member organizations. • Membership is not cheap, but you might find someone in your area (a foundation, college grants office, or nonprofit) who owns the CDs and will let you search them. • Georgia Center for Nonprofits - www.gcn.org provides training and other resources to nonprofits (and there are probably similar organizations in other states). • GCN Membership depends on annual operating budget of the nonprofit and is as low as $100 per year.

7. Why do we see grantor, funding source, & foundation? • There are many types of organizations and or agencies that provide funding for projects: • Federal Government Agencies such as Department of Education, Department of Agriculture (funds economic development projects and other things besides strictly agricultural activities), etc. • State Agencies sometimes have money, might also serve as intermediary for Federal Agencies. • Local Governments might have access to money that is not available to nonprofits, but a partnership might result in win-win for both. • Private Foundations fund various types of projects, depending on their missions. • Corporations often have their own foundations and give money to meet certain criteria.

8. How are grant applications and requests for funding different? • Some funding sources, possibly foundations or corporations, prefer not to call the money they give out a grant. • You need to be flexible and open to differing preferences, terms, etc. • Ask if they provide funding…

9. What do I do if the RFP is confusing? • Find out if the funding source has an “annual report” that provides stories or profiles of successful projects. (If so, they will probably send you a free copy.) • Sometimes the documentation for the grant application will have some explanation or clarification of the terms, concepts, or requirements. (Oh damn, you mean I have to read the directions? I hate that.)

10. What do I do if the RFP is confusing? • Look in the RFP and try to identify a contact person at the funding source to answer questions. • I suggest you contact someone in the offices of the funding source to ask these questions. • It is routine to have a source who will provide guidance. • They are often known to give you little "secrets" to success that we would never know if we do not contact them. • You might start with a telephone call.

11. What do I do if the RFP is confusing? (Page 2) • Contact someone at the funding source. (Continued) • If you think it is worthwhile, you might even consider a trip to visit their offices and talk to the people who work with the foundation or grant source. • These are not typically the ones who determine the awards. • That is often a board or committee. • But, the staff will generally be well-versed in the preferences of the people who do decide about who gets the money. • Depending on the response you get from the telephone call, you could offer to send them the concept statement. • Often, they will give you feedback and perhaps even make suggestions about ways to improve the project description to better match their requirements.