After the Grant University of Texas – Pan American Southwest Border Nonprofit Resource Center Presented by Lucila Lagace

The Funded Proposal Contact Info Organizational background Project description Statement of Need Anticipated effect Population Served Work plan and Activities Logic Model Request Amount Proposed Budget Fundraising Plan Partnerships & Collaborations Evaluation Plan Attachments and organizational documents

The proposal is the roadmap for the funder.

What are you held to Grant Contracts or agreements Matching requirements and conditional grants Financial Management Program Implementation Reporting Building a relationship with your funder - communication

Grant Award Letter or Agreement 1. Read it…carefully 2. Check for signatures, conditions, or additional information request 3. Share the letter and grant agreement 4. Meet with your finance office 5. Alert program and finance to due dates for reports – plan for lead time

Important items you may miss… Publicity guidelines – acknowledging the funder in all publications Intellectual property Records and Audits Modifications/extension of grants Consequences of noncompliance

Managing the Grant Project Defining the Roles Grant Requirements and responsibilities to the donor Coding the grant ▫Restricted vs Unrestricted Recognizing the donor Scheduling the deliverables and next steps

Managing the Grant Project 2 Announcing the grant Monitoring the grant Managing departures Evaluation Preparing Reports Renewal funding Keeping required records Organizing the donor and grant files

Communicating with the Funder First thing is first – say “thank you” Donor Recognition Building donor enthusiasm Pique your funder’s interest Less is more – quality over quantitiy

When do you need a Face-to-Face You moved Major staffing or leadership change You are holding a conference, gathering, or other event

The Site Visit Arrange it at the right time Send clear and concise directions Involve a client Don’t hand out materials or packets Be prepared to discuss current opportunities and challenges in an honest and open way.

“ Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.” ◦Peter Drucker

Best Practices Importance of having a culture of learning Develop a data collection plan Choosing a performance management data system ▫Excel, civicore, social solutions, nfocus Sharing lessons learned

The Grant Report Cover sheet Narrative Financial report Additional information/attachments

What do funders want to know? Impact Are objectives achieved or exceeded 20/20 hindsight, what would you have done differently – what have you learned? Changes

Smart Practices Know what is expected Format matters Deadlines matter Honesty matters Tell a story No need to reinvent the wheel Why bother? Missed deadlines and incomplete reports bring into questions your ability to manage your programs and your organization, and can result in missing grant cycles or not being considered for future funding.

The Next Grant Communicate, communicate, communicate Results-based approach Internal Matters: Governance and sustainability Stewardship – Your funder as your friend Reporting bad news Your funder as your advocate

Burning Questions

Lucila Lagace