1 Grant Seeking Myths & Realities Prepared by Barry Nazar, DPA, Temple University Presented at the Jersey City Grantsmanship Training November 6, 2009, Jersey City, NJ

2 Myth: Reality: Grants are “something for nothing” Grants are rational deals between colleagues

3 Myth: Reality: Writing grant proposals is an ordeal Proposal writing is predictable and simple

4 Myth: Reality: All you need is one well-written grant proposal Winning grants depends on pinpointing matches and tailoring proposals

5 Myth: Reality: You need to “know someone” to get a grant You don’t need to know anyone to start, and relationships can be built as you go

6 Myth: Reality: Grants are too inconsistent to deserve the attention of fundraising staff Grants are consistently useful for certain projects and needs

7 Myth: Reality: Grants are few, huge, and national Grants are most often small, numerous, and local

8 Myth: Reality: Taking grant funding means selling out your program You control your programs, and you can select donors that fit with your mission

9 Grant Seeking Basic Cycle of Activities LearnMatchInvite Follow Up Evaluate

10 Learn: 1.Your Organization’s needs & strengths 2.Your Community & it’s needs 3.Your potential Funders & their goals

11 Match 1.Organize the list of Organization Needs & Programs 2.Organize the list of Funders and their goals 3.Match Programs and Goals

12 Invite 1.Phone call / 2.Letter of Inquiry 3.Meeting 4.Site Visit 5.Concept Paper 6.Full Proposal

13 Follow Up 1.Keep copy of original proposal on file 2.Inform in-house people: board, staff 3.Maintain a tracking form of all proposals outstanding 4.Note funder requirements for reporting 5.Update funder if other sources contribute to project 6.Aim to build collegial relationship with funder

14 Evaluate 1.Review the previous steps and adjust 2.Find out why proposal funded or not funded 3.Examine work effort and efficiency 4.Update changes in Organization programs 5.Update changes in Community needs 6.Determine next grant/funder to pursue

15 LearnMatchInvite Follow Up EvaluateYOU Exercise 1, Agency Scan Exercise 2, Project Scan Write Proposals Writing Tips Elevator Speech Logic Models Implementation Plan Locate Key Funding Sources Reporting & Performance Jersey City System This Workshop

16 If you need the money now, you have started too late Before You Begin Writing the Grant Proposal: Rule #1: Believe that someone wants to give you the money!! Project your organization into the future Start with the end in mind...look at your organization's big picture. Who are you? What are your strengths and priorities? Create a plan not just a proposal Do your homework: Research prospective funders. Try and search locally first. Target funding source that has interest in your organization and program.

17 Set Up an Office to Manage Your Grant Seeking Operations

18 Key Files to Maintain in Your Grant Seeking Office Organization & Program Files: Organization Resume Board List Bios of key people 501(c)(3) letter Organization budget for current year Current financial statement Last two audited financial statements Most recent IRS 990 By-Laws Anti-discrimination policy Letters of support Newspaper clippings Stories Project summaries

19 Key Files to Maintain in your Grant Seeking Office Community Files: Press clippings Anecdotes Statisitics Published reports Newsletters & materials from other nonprofits Other community-related information or files

20 Key Files to Maintain in your Grant Seeking Office Funder Files: Set up a folder for each funder candidate Sort Alphabetically Create a corresponding computer folder Keep these synchronized Special Files: Keep information that is in flux (4 files) (1) To read and consider (2) Funders to contact (3) Folders to make (collection notes) (4) Grant tracking (ongoing record

21 Why Do You Want to Do All This Stuff? Checklist of Application Materials Please be sure to include the items on the checklist that apply for your particular case in your application packet. Each item should be clearly identified and arranged in the following order. In order to help conserve paper, please provide double-sided copies whenever possible. Application for Federal Assistance, SF 424. The Federal Standard Form SF 424A A one page summary cover sheet. Narrative of the proposal not to exceed 10 pages. Key Contacts information sheet. Detailed, itemized budget. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters. Certification Regarding Lobbying. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities. Letters of commitment, memoranda of understanding, or other documents. Resumes or biographical information regarding the lead investigator and other key personnel in the grant application. Any additional information deemed useful by the applicant. Please include one original (with original signatures where appropriate) and four copies of the application pa cket.