Submission Writing Fundamentals – Part 1

1. Submission Writing Fundamentals – Part 1 2013 Webinar Series Leonie Bryen

2. Learning Outcomes • Identify & research community needs and solutions • Support project proposal with research and links to policy and/or strategies • Consider project feasibility and a range of sources of support

3. Learning Outcomes cont’d… • Plan a project proposal • Respond to funding application questions and criteria • Develop a project budget • Develop project evaluation and review methods • Submit proposal or submission

4. What is a Grant? Money that is provided to community groups or organisations in order to carry out work that benefits the community and meets identified community needs. • Legal Entity • Not-for-profit • Fit with policy & criteria

5. What is a Proposal? An unsolicited request for partnership or resources. • Usually made to business entities • Can be made to govt. departments

6. Keeping it in the ‘in’ pile. 3 funding options: • Government • Philanthropic trust or foundation • Business entity

7. Steps in Submission Writing • Be clear about the purpose and objectives of your group/organisation. • Match the needs of your project to the real needs of the community. • Examine all areas of potential support (funding, partnership or project income). Be sure the purpose of the grant matches the funder’s criteria.

8. Steps in Submission Writing 4. Develop a plan for the submission. 5. Prepare a budget outlining the cost associated with the project. 6. Develop evaluation strategies & performance indicators. 7. The actual writing and presentation of the submission/proposal.

10. Steps in Writing a Submission/Proposal 1. Be Clear about the Purpose and Objectives of your Organisation • Ensure the project fits with your objectives and has internal support • Prepare to answer questions about your organisation

11. Your Organisational Statement • Outlines the purpose and objectives of your organisation, enabling the funding body to assess project ‘fit’ with your core business • Describes the history and track record of your organisation, giving the funding body information about your capacity to manage the project • Gives a sense of the longevity and level of community support for your organisation.

12. Your OrganisationalStatement WHY Why does your organisation/group exist? WHAT What does your group/organisation do? HOW How does it operate? WHO Who does your organisation/group provide services/activities to? WHEN When do you provide services/activities? WHERE Where do you provide your services/activities?

13. 2. Matching your Project to Community Needs Steps in Writing a Submission/Proposal A problem/need statement is a key element of your submission that makes a clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem or need to be addressed. A good problem/need statement gives the reader a clear picture of whohas the need and what need they have.

14. Your Need Statement • Focus upon a specific problem or issue you want to solve or address • Don’t make assumptions about the reviewer • Use statistics, data and evidence to support the need • Make a connection between the organisation and the issue • Demonstrate your knowledge • Lay the foundation for how you will address the need

15. Interested Involved Stakeholders Impacted Implementing Stakeholder Analysis

16. Stakeholders • Interested– groups/orgs/individuals who will be interested in the outcomes of your project. • Impacted - groups/orgs/individuals who will be affected by your project. • Involved- groups/orgs/individuals who may partner with you to deliver the project or otherwise be involved. • Implementing - groups/orgs/individuals who are already doing something similar.

17. Collecting Data to Support Your Need Statement Felt Needs Needs identified by individuals or groups in the community from their own experience. This could involve: • Surveys • Interviews • Focus Groups • Case Studies • Public Meetings • Testimonials

18. Collecting Data to Support Your Need Statement Demonstrated Needs Needs that are demonstrated through observable actions. Document: • Experience of past programs • Numbers of people involved in need related activities • Inquiries about services • Pilot program results • Gaps in services

19. Collecting Data to Support Your Need Statement Comparative Needs Needs that can be determined by looking at what could/should be expected in comparable groups or communities. • Comparing with other communities • Consulting ‘experts’ • Using statistics • Referring to studies and research • Citing relevant government policies

20. Creating a Benefit Statement • Which target group/s will benefit from the project • How many people will benefit; and • How the community at large will benefit

21. Creating a Benefit Statement • Identify who is the target group of your proposed project. They are also often referred to as the consumers/ beneficiaries/ service users. • Estimate how many individuals within the target group/s will benefit as a result of your proposed project. • Define what are the tangible and intangible benefits for the target group/s and for the community.

22. 3. Locating Support and Funding Steps in Writing a Submission/Proposal

23. Where to find grants • Qld Government - Grants Wizard • Our Community - Easy Grants Database • Philanthropy Australia – Directory of Philanthropy https://www.smartservice.qld.gov.au/services/grants/discoverbywizard.action http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/funding/grant_main.jsp#eg http://www.philanthropy.org.au/seek-funding/access-grant-makers/

24. Funding Centre : Our Community

26. Philanthropy Australia

27. Qld Government http://pan.search.qld.gov.au/search/search.cgi?query=grants&x=0&y=0&num_ranks=10&tiers=off&collection=qld-gov&profile=qld&form=grants

28. Federal Government

29. Understanding the Context Policy Funding Program & Criteria Policy Review Assessment of funded services

30. Grants • Collate and review funding body guidelines and questions and information about potential sponsors • Prioritise potential funding sources – Focus on the type of support you want • Examine Requirements – Does your project meet Guidelines? • Discuss proposal with potential funding bodies & sponsors • Assess organisations current support/resources for the project proposal • Consider feasibility of your project

31. Proposals Partnership – Community or Community Business • Establish a Basis for Partnership • Negotiate a Partnership Agreement (Memorandum of Understanding or Agreement) • Sustaining a Partnership

32. Proposals Sponsorship Proposal • Project outline including: • need for and outcomes/benefits of project and number of people involved (exposure) • Marketing Plans • Evaluation Plans • Brief Overview of your organisation • Benefits you are offering the sponsor

33. Social Enterprise “A Social Venture is a business that exists solely to impact positively on society” Social Ventures Australia • Teaching a man to fish – move away from dependency • Sustainable support – generate funds to continue rather than continue to receive funding • Assumption that a ‘free market’ approach that encourages social investment is always the best approach (ignores need for structural changes)

34. Patrick Moriarty's Top 10 Tips for Getting a Grant

35. Resources For additional resources on Writing Submissions and Proposals visit… volunteeringqld.org.au