Grant Development Overview Presented by: Presented by: Columbia-Pacific Resource Conservation & Economic Development District Jesus (Jesse) Cardenas Executive Director

Potential Funding Sources Private Foundations Private Foundations Federal Programs Federal Programs

Foundations There are over 300,000 private foundations operating in the United States There are over 300,000 private foundations operating in the United States Less than 10% of all foundations give more than 50% of all grants Less than 10% of all foundations give more than 50% of all grants Private foundations are required by law to distribute 5% of the market value of their assets each year Private foundations are required by law to distribute 5% of the market value of their assets each year Grant application guidelines can vary Grant application guidelines can vary Specific eligibility requirements Specific eligibility requirements

Online Grant Development Resources Online Funding Database Subscription Service Providers Online Funding Database Subscription Service Providers Should be comprehensive & keyword searchable Should be comprehensive & keyword searchable Should contain detailed information and profiles on foundations/corporations Should contain detailed information and profiles on foundations/corporations Writing resources should include Letter of Inquiry (LOI)/Request for Proposal (RFP) award winning templates Writing resources should include Letter of Inquiry (LOI)/Request for Proposal (RFP) award winning templates Client Support Client Support

Big Online America – Grant Service Provider – Funding Resource: A comprehensive, keyword and field searchable database with detailed information and profiles on 25,000 foundations, and government grant makers. Writing Tools: Award-winning templates for the writing of funding proposals and letters of inquiry. Client Support: Assists clients with product training and provides advice and direction for maximizing usage of the BIG Online database. Grant Development Services (GDS): Offers a complete range of fundraising consulting services Funding Resource: A comprehensive, keyword and field searchable database with detailed information and profiles on 25,000 foundations, and government grant makers. Writing Tools: Award-winning templates for the writing of funding proposals and letters of inquiry. Client Support: Assists clients with product training and provides advice and direction for maximizing usage of the BIG Online database. Grant Development Services (GDS): Offers a complete range of fundraising consulting services

Foundation Center Online Also known as FC Online Also known as FC Online ColPac has established an annual subscription ColPac has established an annual subscription Annual subscription rate in the amount of $2,195 is split among user organizations Annual subscription rate in the amount of $2,195 is split among user organizations Non paying organizations can use FC Online in the ColPac office under the supervision of ColPac office staff Non paying organizations can use FC Online in the ColPac office under the supervision of ColPac office staff

Types of Foundations National General Purpose Foundation National General Purpose Foundation Special-Purpose Foundations Special-Purpose Foundations Family Foundations Family Foundations Community Foundations Community Foundations Corporate Foundations Corporate Foundations

National General Purpose Foundation Represents 200 – 300 foundations Represents 200 – 300 foundations Account for nearly 60% of all foundation assets Account for nearly 60% of all foundation assets Support one or more general subject areas such as education, environment, health, etc. Support one or more general subject areas such as education, environment, health, etc. Prefer proposal national in scope which solves universal problems in an innovative manner Prefer proposal national in scope which solves universal problems in an innovative manner

Special-Purpose Foundations Support one specific subject area such as cancer research Support one specific subject area such as cancer research Generally they only fund projects that significantly impact their area of interest Generally they only fund projects that significantly impact their area of interest

Family Foundations Support programs valued by the family members of the person who established the foundation Support programs valued by the family members of the person who established the foundation Most family foundations have geographic preferences Most family foundations have geographic preferences Usually operated by the family members Usually operated by the family members

Community Foundations These foundations support a specific geographic region These foundations support a specific geographic region Most community foundations obtain their money from local citizens for specific types of local projects Most community foundations obtain their money from local citizens for specific types of local projects

Corporate Foundations These foundations administer the charitable contributions of the company represented These foundations administer the charitable contributions of the company represented Most corporate foundations limit their support to the geographic regions where the corporation operates Most corporate foundations limit their support to the geographic regions where the corporation operates Generally not “risk-takers” do not like to be the first to fund a new program Generally not “risk-takers” do not like to be the first to fund a new program The Boeing Company, Ford Foundation The Boeing Company, Ford Foundation

Contacting Private Funding Sources Generally begins with a letter of inquiry limited to 3 pages Generally begins with a letter of inquiry limited to 3 pages Keep in mind that many foundations may or may not accept phone calls at the beginning of the proposal process Keep in mind that many foundations may or may not accept phone calls at the beginning of the proposal process Your letter is the vehicle by which the foundation begins to evaluate the relevance of your proposal to their established guidelines Your letter is the vehicle by which the foundation begins to evaluate the relevance of your proposal to their established guidelines

Letter of Inquiry Includes Summary explanation of your proposed project and organizational background Summary explanation of your proposed project and organizational background Why there is a need for the project – explain problem and proposed solution Why there is a need for the project – explain problem and proposed solution Who will benefit from the project Who will benefit from the project Amount required from funder Amount required from funder Resources (including cash) already committed and raised for project Resources (including cash) already committed and raised for project Your project’s contact information Your project’s contact information

Federal Funding 300% greater than private support 300% greater than private support U.S. Federal Government largest grantor U.S. Federal Government largest grantor Grant projects relevant to funding agency Grant projects relevant to funding agency Accepts solicited/unsolicited proposals Accepts solicited/unsolicited proposals Announce RFP’s in Federal Register Announce RFP’s in Federal Register Specific eligibility requirements Specific eligibility requirements

Electronically find & apply for competitive grant opportunities from all Federal grant- making agencies Electronically find & apply for competitive grant opportunities from all Federal grant- making agencies Navigate using tabs: Navigate using tabs: Get Started, Get Registered, Find Grant Opportunities, Apply for Grants, Customer Support, etc. *Note: The complete registration process can take up to 5 weeks! can take up to 5 weeks!

Find Grant Opportunities Tab Ability to search for Federal government- wide grant opportunities Ability to search for Federal government- wide grant opportunities Ability to set-up a user profile Ability to set-up a user profile Ability to sign up for electronic notification of future grant opportunities Ability to sign up for electronic notification of future grant opportunities Keep in mind that there is a lengthy registration process for authorization to use grants.gov! Keep in mind that there is a lengthy registration process for authorization to use grants.gov!

U.S. Government Solicited Proposal Is in response to a formal government agency's program announcement Is in response to a formal government agency's program announcement Requires strict adherence to government agency guidelines Requires strict adherence to government agency guidelines Requires the use of specific government forms i.e. SF424A,B,C, Certifications, Assurances Requires the use of specific government forms i.e. SF424A,B,C, Certifications, Assurances Full Application Package available in grants.gov Full Application Package available in grants.gov

U.S. Government Unsolicited Proposal Prepared and submitted by an organization on its own initiative Prepared and submitted by an organization on its own initiative Requires contact with applicable government agency to determine interest, need for a formal proposal, availability of funds Requires contact with applicable government agency to determine interest, need for a formal proposal, availability of funds

Government Funding Opportunities Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Fish and Wildlife U.S. Fish and Wildlife National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) USDA Rural Development USDA Rural Development Economic Development Administration Economic Development Administration Department of Health & Human Services Department of Health & Human Services Department of Energy Department of Energy Administration for Native Americans Administration for Native Americans

Contacting Government Funding Source Call or applicable agency and speak to a program officer (contact information usually listed in grant announcement) Call or applicable agency and speak to a program officer (contact information usually listed in grant announcement) Describe your organization and project Describe your organization and project Convey a positive attitude towards your proposed project Convey a positive attitude towards your proposed project

Questions You Should Ask Can proposal be reviewed prior to deadline? Can proposal be reviewed prior to deadline? Amount of average grant award? Amount of average grant award? Common mistakes in proposals? Common mistakes in proposals? Review and evaluation process? Review and evaluation process? Recommendations key points? Recommendations key points? Previously funded proposal availability? Previously funded proposal availability?

Expectations? This all takes time This all takes time If the foundation is interested in your project’s LOI they will request a full proposal If the foundation is interested in your project’s LOI they will request a full proposal Government agencies usually have strict application deadlines Government agencies usually have strict application deadlines

Proposal Preparation Includes What the project will accomplish What the project will accomplish What are the short and long-term project goals What are the short and long-term project goals What are the project objectives (measurable) What are the project objectives (measurable) Who will the project benefit Who will the project benefit Who is responsible for completing goals and objectives Who is responsible for completing goals and objectives How and when will the objectives be completed How and when will the objectives be completed How will you monitor the project (evaluation process) How will you monitor the project (evaluation process)

Statement of Need Critical for gaining interest and motivating a potential funder Critical for gaining interest and motivating a potential funder Keep in mind that without a pressing need the funding will not be provided Keep in mind that without a pressing need the funding will not be provided

Your Organization Information Inform the funding source that your organization’s mission is in unison with your proposed project as well as the grantor’s criteria Inform the funding source that your organization’s mission is in unison with your proposed project as well as the grantor’s criteria Describe your organization Describe your organization Explain how your project will continue after the funding ends (sustainability) Explain how your project will continue after the funding ends (sustainability) Identify staff or volunteers who are uniquely qualified to complete the project Identify staff or volunteers who are uniquely qualified to complete the project

Project Budget Includes All project direct/indirect expenses All project direct/indirect expenses All contractual expenses All contractual expenses All capital equipment expenses All capital equipment expenses All cost share sources as required All cost share sources as required Budget should represent all funds required to complete the project Budget should represent all funds required to complete the project Identify potential project revenue Identify potential project revenue

Locating a Funding Source Research, Research, & more Research Research, Research, & more Research Concentrate on matching your project with potential funder requirements Concentrate on matching your project with potential funder requirements Send Letters of Inquiry to prospects identified as a good match Send Letters of Inquiry to prospects identified as a good match When allowable contact an agency directly When allowable contact an agency directly

Writing the Proposal Follow the funding source guidelines Follow the funding source guidelines Research proposals with similar projects that have obtained funding Research proposals with similar projects that have obtained funding Familiarize yourself with the reviewing process Familiarize yourself with the reviewing process If possible establish a working relationship with agency contact If possible establish a working relationship with agency contact

Proposal Structure Follow these rules Neat, Clean, Easy to Read Follow these rules Neat, Clean, Easy to Read Include a Table of Contents if over 5 pages Include a Table of Contents if over 5 pages Use Headings, Sub-Headings, and (some) Graphics Use Headings, Sub-Headings, and (some) Graphics Double Space (if guidelines allow) Double Space (if guidelines allow) Keep it Brief, Concise, and to the Point Keep it Brief, Concise, and to the Point

Proposal Content Establish a logical flow from the Project Summary through the Budget Establish a logical flow from the Project Summary through the Budget Use words that will gain the reviewer’s attention (emphasis on benefits) Use words that will gain the reviewer’s attention (emphasis on benefits) Stress an urgent need for your project Stress an urgent need for your project Use verifiable accurate facts & data Use verifiable accurate facts & data

Proposal Review Prior to submitting have your proposal reviewed by several people Prior to submitting have your proposal reviewed by several people Be prepared to make revisions as required Be prepared to make revisions as required Do not knot totally rely on Spell Check!! Do not knot totally rely on Spell Check!! Make sure you have followed the agency guidelines Make sure you have followed the agency guidelines

Summary Pre-planning is critical prior to beginning a grant application Pre-planning is critical prior to beginning a grant application Your organization’s needs assessment is the first step in grant development Your organization’s needs assessment is the first step in grant development Project must be thought out well before the grant application development process begins Project must be thought out well before the grant application development process begins Avoid last-minute grant applications Avoid last-minute grant applications

Jesus (Jesse) Cardenas Executive Director Columbia-Pacific Resource Conservation & Economic Development District (360) Pioneer Ave., W Montesano, WA