Essential Ingredients for Acquiring Resources Jennifer Downey The University of Southern Mississippi College of Health Dean’s Office

Where Do You Start? Clearly define what it is you want

Where Do You Start? Clearly define what it is you want Research and cultivate appropriate funders

Funding Sources Public Federal State

Funding Sources Public Federal State Private Private foundations Corporate grantmakers Public charities Community foundations

Public Funding Resources Grants.gov Code of Federal Domestic Assistance Federal Register index.html

Private Funding Resources Annual Register of Grant Support The Foundation Center ( The Foundation Directory ( Hoover’s Online (

Approaches to Research Subject approach

Approaches to Research Subject approach Geographic approach

Approaches to Research Subject approach Geographic approach Type of support approach

Funding Source Research Assess expectations and requirements

Funding Source Research Assess expectations and requirements Application deadlines

Funding Source Research Assess expectations and requirements Application deadlines Eligibility

Funding Source Research Assess expectations and requirements Application deadlines Eligibility Funding restrictions

Funding Source Research Assess expectations and requirements Application deadlines Eligibility Funding restrictions Types of projects

Details, details Register with grants.gov applicants/applicants/get_registered.jsp

Details, details DUNS number displayHomePage.do The information you will need: –Name of organization –Organization address –Name of the CEO/organization owner –Legal structure of the organization (corporation, partnership, proprietorship) –Year the organization started –Primary type of business –Total number of employees (full and part time)

Details, details Central Contractor Registration

Details, details EIN number small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html

Details, details Download electronic application from grants.gov

Details, details State Single Point of Contact spoc.html MISSISSIPPI Janet Riddell Clearinghouse Officer Dept. of Finance and Administration 1301 Woolfolk Building, Suite E 501 North West Street Jackson, Mississippi Telephone: (601) Fax: (601)

Preparing to Write

Writing Stage Cover letter Summary/Abstract Introduction Goals and Objectives Budget Evaluation Significance

The Cover Letter Use letterhead

The Cover Letter Use letterhead Avoid jargon

The Cover Letter Use letterhead Avoid jargon Provide reason for writing

The Cover Letter Use letterhead Avoid jargon Provide reason for writing Establish credibility

The Cover Letter Use letterhead Avoid jargon Provide reason for writing Establish credibility Define problem or need

The Cover Letter Use letterhead Avoid jargon Provide reason for writing Establish credibility Define problem or need Request the funds

The Cover Letter Use letterhead Avoid jargon Provide reason for writing Establish credibility Define problem or need Request the funds Close with desire to discuss

The Title Should convey the main idea of the proposal

The Title Should convey the main idea of the proposal Should follow any guidelines regarding length

The Title Should convey the main idea of the proposal Should follow any guidelines regarding length Should be succinct but clear

The Summary or Abstract Be brief—guidelines may limit the length

The Summary or Abstract Be brief—guidelines may limit the length Clearly indicate project purpose and methodology

The Summary or Abstract Be brief—guidelines may limit the length Clearly indicate project purpose and methodology Show potential impact and how it will be measured

The Summary or Abstract Be brief—guidelines may limit the length Clearly indicate project purpose and methodology Show potential impact and how it will be measured Close with a strong summary statement

The Introduction Present an overview of the project’s main goal and why that’s important

The Introduction Present an overview of the project’s main goal and why that’s important Briefly describe objectives

The Introduction Present an overview of the project’s main goal and why that’s important Briefly describe objectives Include available data, especially area-specific data

The Introduction Present an overview of the project’s main goal and why that’s important Briefly describe objectives Include available data, especially area-specific data Give sources of data (footnote or reference in the text)

The Goals and Objectives Show what will be accomplished, stated in measurable terms

The Goals and Objectives Show what will be accomplished, stated in measurable terms Tell who, what, when, where, how, and with what results

The Goals and Objectives Show what will be accomplished, stated in measurable terms Tell who, what, when, where, how, and with what results Include activities and timelines

The Budget Follow format exactly

The Budget Follow format exactly Use their forms

The Budget Follow format exactly Use their forms Provide justification

The Budget Follow format exactly Use their forms Provide justification Follow restrictions and limitations

The Evaluation Section Should show how all goals, objectives, and aims will be measured

The Evaluation Section Should show how all goals, objectives, and aims will be measured Should include time lines for all data collection and analysis

The Evaluation Section Should show how all goals, objectives, and aims will be measured Should include time lines for all data collection and analysis Can include both process and outcome measures

The Evaluation Section Should show how all goals, objectives, and aims will be measured Should include time lines for all data collection and analysis Can include both process and outcome measures Can include both quantitative and qualitative data

The Significance Section Tell the funder why the project is important

The Significance Section Answer the question “so what?”

The Significance Section Show how this proposal is different from other projects

The Significance Section If significance is not listed as a section, include information in the introduction section, cover letter or support letters

Tips for Support Letters Use organizational letterhead

Tips for Support Letters Use organizational letterhead Obtain them from those who will actively support the program

Tips for Support Letters Use organizational letterhead Obtain them from those who will actively support the program Indicate the organization’s potential support for the project

Tips for Support Letters Use organizational letterhead Obtain them from those who will actively support the program Indicate the organization’s potential support for the project Check to see if and how letters can be included

Tips for Support Letters Use organizational letterhead Obtain them from those who will actively support the program Indicate the organization’s potential support for the project Check to see if and how letters can be included Start early; mail an abstract and sample letter, and indicate how they should be submitted

Ingredients for Success Follow directions

Ingredients for Success Follow directions Rule #1: Funder is always right.

Ingredients for Success Follow directions Rule #1: Funder is always right. Rule #2: When in doubt, refer to rule #1

Ingredients for Success Follow directions Rule #1: Funder is always right. Rule #2: When in doubt, refer to rule #1 Keep submitting proposals

Helpful Hints for Success Match your idea to the right funding source

Helpful Hints for Success Match your idea to the right funding source Follow the instructions and format exactly

Helpful Hints for Success Match your idea to the right funding source Follow the instructions and format exactly Answer all the funders’ questions

Helpful Hints for Success Match your idea to the right funding source Follow the instructions and format exactly Answer all the funders’ questions Provide all requested information

Helpful Hints for Success Match your idea to the right funding source Follow the instructions and format exactly Answer all the funders’ questions Provide all requested information Use the language of the funder

Helpful Hints for Success Make sure your request matches the amount the funder is offering

Helpful Hints for Success Make sure your request matches the amount the funder is offering Don’t promise more than you can deliver

Helpful Hints for Success Make sure your request matches the amount the funder is offering Don’t promise more than you can deliver Establish credibility/capacity

Helpful Hints for Success Make sure your request matches the amount the funder is offering Don’t promise more than you can deliver Establish credibility/capacity Have someone review and critique

Helpful Hints for Success Make sure your request matches the amount the funder is offering Don’t promise more than you can deliver Establish credibility/capacity Have someone review and critique Keep it clean, factual, and professional

Resource for Help Jennifer Downey, MA College of Health Dean’s Office The University of Southern Mississippi 601/