Grant-Writing: Effective Strategies and Processes

Learning Objectives See grant writing as a holistic process Identify and understand processes to facilitate grant writing in your work Learn to use outcome-based program design tools, specifically for grant-writing purposes

ICEBREAKER

Context: Funders and Funding Economic environment Types of funders Sector trends

CHALLENGES IN GRANT-WRITING What challenges do you face when writing grants?

Some Challenges We Identified: Lack of experience Framing our message—using funder language Finding the right ‘fit’ How to present our budget Where to find funding sources

Funding Sources Youth-led Funders: Laidlaw Foundation: Youth Opportunities Fund: Opportunities-Fund.asp Opportunities-Fund.asp United Way Peel Youth in Action: programs/youth-in-action-grants programs/youth-in-action-grants

Funding Sources Sign up for newsletters ArtReach (at bottom of page): Grassroots Youth Collaborative: t t Imagine Canada: tools tools

STRATEGIES FOR GRANT-WRITING SUCCESS

Finding a Funder Fit How do we determine if the funder or funding program is right for us?

Finding a Funder Fit: Some Considerations Know the funder -mission, values, what they represent -how they make selections Know the grant program -eligibility criteria -who and what they funded in the past -size of the fund (amount they disburse) -what they fund: project, operations, capital?

Framework: Telling the Story Ascending Action: Identify the context, problem, characters… Climax: Identify and explain the solution Descending Action: Identify what has been learned, suggest follow-up actions

Ascending Action: Building a Case for Funding Identify the context, problem, characters… In the context of grassroots organizations, what do context, problem, characters mean? – This will also help you identify your funder fit!

Building a Case: Your Identity Why: your mission/mandate, expertise Who: ages of leadership and clientele (who are you and who do you serve?) Where: what part of the world When: timeframe (remember: funder’s timeframe may be different that you expect)

Building a Case: Your Identity II What: what do you do How: what activities, strategies do you use to achieve your mission

Building a Case: The External Situation Amass evidence: Primary Data Collect information, feedback, ideas from youth, community etc… – Embed feedback collection in your work: surveys, sticky notes, suggestion box, reach out to past clients, colleagues, and other organizations Host pilot projects (smaller versions of your idea) and measure success

Building a Case: The External Situation II Amass evidence: Secondary Data Review reports and use the data and language to build your case – Stepping Up: youthopportunities/steppingup/contents.aspx youthopportunities/steppingup/contents.aspx Use data and anecdotal explanation Speak to the HEAD + HEART

Ascending Action: Building a Case for Funding Using this information, build a rationale: 1.Why this work/idea/issue? 2.Why you/your group/your organization? 3.Why now?

Climax: Making Your Ask Activity: each group will have minutes to put together a logic model -try starting at the end first: what are you trying to achieve? What change do you want to make?

Problem/Issue Outcomes: positive impact or change

Example ResourcesActivitiesOutputsOutcomes What do you need to do your work? What are you offering to the community? How much are you doing? How many people are attending? What changes are you trying to make in your community?

Making Your Ask: Using a Program Design Tool Makes designing your project manageable Gets everyone on the same page Write down all the important elements Gives structure and clarity Identifies gaps Refine your idea

Descending Action: Building an Evaluation Use your program design tool to build and evaluation Activity: Using your program design tool, identify how you can measure the outcomes (indicators)

Example OutcomesIndicators (Measurements) What changes are you trying to make in your community? How can you measure those changes?

Indicators/Measurements Be able to demonstrate to a funder that you have thought through how you are going to measure your impact Want to demonstrate change, which means you may have to collect data at the beginning of your project and throughout

Framework: Telling the Story Build a case Make your ask Demonstrate the impact

Some additional tips… Ask someone who doesn’t know your work to review your application – To identify unclear requests – To identify unclear language – To give insight on what resonates with people (data, stories)

ACTIVITY: USE YOUR LOGIC MODEL TO SHARE A BRIEF OUTLINE OF YOUR PROGRAM—WE WILL SHARE POTENTIAL FUNDERS OR FUNDING PROGRAMS

Want to stay in contact? Christa

THANK-YOU FOR PARTICIPATING! Please feel free to share your feedback—it’s important to us!