Grant Writing and Budgeting Laura Rubin Huron River Watershed Council

Nine staff; budget of $750, % grant dependent Past history Grant writing experience

1 st Step: Project Idea Think it all out and know it thoroughly Be succinct; one sentence description Establish partnerships; contact them Leverage funds Estimate budget Timing

Research (don’t skip this step) What is out there? Libraries for CDs and publications Web searches List-Serves Services Word of mouth Other similar project funding

Research (don’t skip this step) Decide if it’s a good fit Who are they and what do they fund Search web, past 990s Look at trustees/board Timeline Know their region, focus, interests, people

Contact Contact funders or “contact” if allowed…… IF ALLLOWED, do it IF NOT, don’t ever

Read RFP Read RFP thoroughly a couple of times Follow it exactly in your writing Answer their questions Follow their format

Write Proposal Use clear and concise language Be straightforward Follow the format Set clear goal/s and objectives and complimentary tasks Evaluation Partnerships

Budgeting Salary and fringe Contractual Equipment and Supplies Other Direct Indirect Inflation and unknowns

Tips and Nuggets Establish relationships with funders and contacts Show them your excitement Be clear and simple; one sentence Persistence works