A Guide to Grant Writing in the Arts Presented by the MSU Writing Center Grace Bernhardt and Brit Austin

Our Objectives for Today  To give you a brief overview of the grant writing process;  To provide you with resources to start your grant-seeking process.

Overview of The Grant Writing Process  Define your project  Locate appropriate funding sources  Read through proposal guidelines  Contact the funding agency  Develop a plan  Write the proposal  Submit the proposal  Follow up

Define Your Project  You must start the process by defining what it is you want to do and why.  Identify a need for the work you want to do.

Locate Funding Sources  With a project in mind, begin researching grant agencies.  Michigan sources: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation General Motors Grants (for organizations)  Other states: Kentucky Foundation for Women Arts Midwest

Locate Funding Sources  Determine grantmakers’ goals, objectives, and priorities.  If your project does not match their goals, you are less likely to be funded.

Read through Guidelines  Thoroughly read and understand the guidelines!  Make sure you are eligible!  Note things like the submission deadline, page limit, required attachments!  Note the format that your proposal should be in!

Contact the Funding Agency  Making personal contact is a good way to make yourself stand out.  Ask for clarification or further explanation of the guidelines.

The Pieces of a Proposal  Determine what pieces you will need to include in your proposal. Cover sheet, Narratives:  Needs assessment,  Project goals and objectives,  Methodology,  Evaluation, Budget/Funding Requirements, Qualifications, Conclusion, Appendices.

Cover sheet  One page  Typed on letterhead  Overview of the organization  Purpose and reason for funding request  Amount of the funding request  Show how you meet the grant makers goals and mission

Narratives  Narratives answer: What do we want? What concern will be addressed and why it is important? Who will benefit and how? What specific objectives can be accomplished and how? How will results be measured? How does this funding request relate to the funder’s purpose, objectives, and priorities? Who are we (organization, independent producer) and how do we qualify to meet this need?

Needs assessment  Problem Statement  3-4 Pages  Purpose, goals, measurable objectives, and a compelling, logical reason why the proposal should be supported.  Background provides perspective and is often a welcome component.

Project goals and objectives  1–2 pages  Describe the proposed project outcome and accomplishments.  Include: your overall goal(s) specific objectives or ways in which you will meet the goal(s).

Methodology  4+ pages  Restatement of problems and objectives.  Clear description and explanation of program/project scope and activities.  If relevant to the project state the sequence of activities, staffing, clients, and client selection.  Time line of activities.

Evaluation  In general: 1-2 pages Determine the plan for meeting performance and producing the program/project. Justify how you will measure the effectiveness of your activities. State the expected outcome/achievement at the end of funding period.

Evaluation (cont’d)  Evaluations should include Plan for evaluating accomplishment of objectives. Plan for modifying process and methodology. Provide methods - criteria, data, instruments, analysis.  In some cases: Some grantmakers require very technical measurements of results. Inquire about expectations.

Budget/Funding Requirements  Most grants will require you to submit a budget which lays out how you will allocate the money if awarded the grant.  Be sure to only include items that the funder will cover--some funders will not cover administrative or overhead costs.  Present a reasonable and well-thought out budget.  Some funders will supply a form to fill out.

Qualifications  Your qualifications will show your past projects and work that make you qualified to carry out the proposed project.  Typically you will include a copy of your resume or CV.

Conclusion  Summarize the important points of your project proposal and highlight why you should be funded.  Be convincing!

Appendices  The attachments to your proposal will vary but often include: letters of support, proof of tax exempt status if you are part of a non-profit organization, or other financial documents.

How to Describe your Project  Make clear … What project you wish to undertake, Why this proposed work is meaningful and valuable to others in the field or the public, Who you are and why you are qualified to undertake the proposed project,

How to Describe your Project (cont’) What you have previously worked on, How you plan to accomplish your objectives, How your funding request fits with the grantmaker’s purpose and objectives.

Writing Style  Use clear language in describing your proposed project.  Limit jargon that your reader might not be familiar with and explain terms as needed.  Be persuasive! Convince them your work is valuable Include pieces of your previous work when possible

Submit your Proposal  Plan to submit your proposal before the submission deadline.  Follow all guidelines for submission  make sure your proposal is in the correct format and submitted the correct way (by mail, electronically etc.)

Follow Up with the Grant Agency  Confirm they received your proposal.  Inquire as to any next steps.

Mistakes to Avoid  Starting too late  Not following instructions  Applying for the wrong grant or not meeting eligibility requirements  Missing deadlines  An underdeveloped project  Bad grammar, punctuation, spelling  Not learning from past grant applications

Proposal Writing Online Courses (for a fee)  Foundation Center ut/proposalwriting.html ut/proposalwriting.html  Money for Art.com  WRA 451: Grant and Proposal Writing at MSU

Grant Agencies in Michigan  Charles Stewart Mott Foundation  General Motors Grants provide “support to organizations that promote appreciation of the arts, recognition of diverse cultures and awareness of arts in education programs.” ommunity/guidelines/index.html ommunity/guidelines/index.html  Top 50 Michigan Foundations that Give Grants dations.asp dations.asp

Grant Agencies in Michigan, cont’d  Michigan Community Foundations Grants.htm Grants.htm

Grant Agencies in Other States  Idaho Commission on the Arts  Kentucky Foundation for Women

Grant Funding Databases  National Endowment for the Arts Database:  Foundation Center Database: E-newsletter:  Creative Capital

Grant Funding Databases (cont’d)  MSU Database tm tm  NYFA Interactive d=1 d=1  Arts Midwest

Proposal Writing Tips  Arts Resource Network nal_growth/business_of_art/grant_proposal_w riting.asp nal_growth/business_of_art/grant_proposal_w riting.asp  Corporation for Public Broadcasting  Arts and Humanities Proposal Writing ite.html ite.html

Fellowships and Internships  MSU Graduate School  MSU Arts & Letters: ng.htm ng.htm  Metropolitan Museum of Art in N.Y.C. hip.html hip.html  National Gallery of Art in D.C.  The Getty in L.A. ties/ ties/

Further Questions? MSU Writing Center Phone: Or Walk In