GRANT WRITING 101 Arkansas Library Association October 26, 2009 Hot Springs Judith Gibbons

GRANT WRITING 101 “If you want money: ask for advice.” “If you want advice: ask for money.”

GRANT WRITING 101 Goals Learn the basics of grant writing Plan to research grants Make a commitment to write a grant

GRANT WRITING 101 Let’s Talk About Grants!

GRANT WRITING 101 Thinking about grants Does it support the library mission? Does it fill a community need? Can you sustain the program?

GRANT WRITING 101 Who writes grants? Professional grant writers Volunteers You

GRANT WRITING 101 Follow your Strategic Plan, Vision and Mission

GRANT WRITING 101 Think SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

GRANT WRITING 101 The grant supports Library goals Library objectives Library activities

GRANT WRITING 101 “The more thoroughly you conduct your research, ask smart questions and cultivate foundation contacts, the more your organization will stand out from the crowd.” Andy Robinson

GRANT WRITING 101 Credibility of Library Leadership Money Management Donor Base

GRANT WRITING 101 Potential Funders Individuals Government Business Foundations Non-Profit Organizations

GRANT WRITING 101 Arkansas Funders The Walton Family Foundation Walmart Foundation J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation

GRANT WRITING 101 Government funders Grants.gov Library Service and Technology Act Arkansas State Government

GRANT WRITING 101 Your research Match the foundation interest area Match the foundation guidelines

GRANT WRITING 101 Review Due date Technical requirements Impact on library

GRANT WRITING 101 Letter of inquiry Introduction of institution Outline your plan Talk money Ask for assistance Be positive

GRANT WRITING 101 Types of Grants Block Capital Challenge Matching Program Start-up Technology Operating

GRANT WRITING 101 Foundation Center 324,000 grants 352,000 donors 3,900 links to grant-makers 2,200 links to corporate web sites

GRANT WRITING 101 Arkansas Core Collections Fayetteville Public Library University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Central Arkansas Library System Charles A. Frueauff Foundation Arkansas State University

GRANT WRITING 101 Partnerships Benefits Versus Deterrents

GRANT WRITING 101 Community Partnerships Increased resources More staff/supporters Heightened visibility

GRANT WRITING 101 Community Partnerships Common goals Shared responsibilities Benefits for community Open communication

GRANT WRITING 101 Project Name Traveler One Book, One City Finding the Writer Within Late Bloomers

GRANT WRITING 101 Combine Stories & Data

GRANT WRITING 101 Stories Transformation of Lives Improve Communities

GRANT WRITING 101 Data Realistic Accurate Targeted

GRANT WRITING 101 Outline Who What Why When Where How

GRANT WRITING 101 Work SMART Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Time-related

GRANT WRITING 101 Outputs Your deliverables Your products

GRANT WRITING 101 Outcomes Change in behavior, attitude or knowledge Long-term impact Benefits

GRANT WRITING 101 Outcomes Inform Educate Engage Succeed

GRANT WRITING 101 Starting Out Divide up the application Research Brainstorm Discuss Outline Write first draft

GRANT WRITING 101 Write for Real People No jargon Create pictures with words Use explanations Give examples

GRANT WRITING 101 Preliminaries Opportunity for draft review Screening criteria Opportunities for telephone advice Chance to view winning applications Second round possibilities

GRANT WRITING 101 Simplified Proposal Summary Need Solution Logistics Evaluation Sustainability

GRANT WRITING 101 Format Library letterhead 12 point type Inch to inch-and-a-half margins White or beige paper Electronic submission

GRANT WRITING 101 Style Consistent Correct Comprehensive

GRANT WRITING 101 Team Leadership Coordinators Stakeholders Researchers Writers Implementation team

GRANT WRITING 101 Collaboration Set intermediate deadlines Write separately Schedule frequent meetings Circulate one copy of final draft One individual writes manuscript

GRANT WRITING 101 Checklist Followed instructions Included necessary documents Math and spelling is correct Secured appropriate signatures Met the deadline

GRANT WRITING 101 Follow-up Follow instructions Track funds Meet deadlines Keep funder informed Express thanks

GRANT WRITING 101 Some Reasons for Rejection Outside funder priority area Request doesn’t follow guidelines Application is poorly written Weak or non-existent evaluation Lacks potential for self-sufficiency

GRANT WRITING 101 Other Reasons for Rejection Similar project recently completed Old concept Project too ambitious Obvious cut and paste job

GRANT WRITING 101 Other Reasons for Rejection Similar project recently completed Old concept Project too ambitious Obvious cut and paste job

GRANT WRITING 101 “We are going to approach philanthropy with the same lack of reverence we gave to the traditional methods of the retail business when we started out.” Sam Walton