Submission Writing Fundamentals – Part Webinar Series Leonie Bryen

Identify & research community needs and solutions Support project proposal with research and links to policy and/or strategies Consider project feasibility and a range of sources of support Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes cont’d… Plan a project proposal Respond to funding application questions and criteria Develop a project budget Develop project evaluation and review methods Submit proposal or submission

What is a Grant? Money that is provided to community groups or organisations in order to carry out work that benefits the community and meets identified community needs. –Legal Entity –Not-for-profit –Fit with policy & criteria

What is a Proposal? An unsolicited request for partnership or resources. –Usually made to business entities –Can be made to govt. departments

Keeping it in the ‘in’ pile. 3 funding options: Government Philanthropic trust or foundation Business entity

Steps in Submission Writing 1.Be clear about the purpose and objectives of your group/organisation. 2.Match the needs of your project to the real needs of the community. 3.Examine all areas of potential support (funding, partnership or project income). Be sure the purpose of the grant matches the funder’s criteria.

Steps in Submission Writing 4. Develop a plan for the submission. 5. Prepare a budget outlining the cost associated with the project. 6. Develop evaluation strategies & performance indicators. 7. The actual writing and presentation of the submission/proposal.

1. Be Clear about the Purpose and Objectives of your Organisation –Ensure the project fits with your objectives and has internal support –Prepare to answer questions about your organisation Steps in Writing a Submission/Proposal

Your Organisational Statement Outlines the purpose and objectives of your organisation, enabling the funding body to assess project ‘fit’ with your core business Describes the history and track record of your organisation, giving the funding body information about your capacity to manage the project Gives a sense of the longevity and level of community support for your organisation.

Your Organisational Statement WHY Why does your organisation/group exist? WHAT What does your group/organisation do? HOW How does it operate? WHO Who does your organisation/group provide services/activities to? WHEN When do you provide services/activities? WHERE Where do you provide your services/activities?

2. Matching your Project to Community Needs A problem/need statement is a key element of your submission that makes a clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem or need to be addressed. A good problem/need statement gives the reader a clear picture of who has the need and what need they have. Steps in Writing a Submission/Proposal

Your Need Statement Focus upon a specific problem or issue you want to solve or address Don’t make assumptions about the reviewer Use statistics, data and evidence to support the need Make a connection between the organisation and the issue Demonstrate your knowledge Lay the foundation for how you will address the need

Stakeholder Analysis Involved Implementing Impacted Interested Stakeholders

Interested – groups/orgs/individuals who will be interested in the outcomes of your project. Impacted - groups/orgs/individuals who will be affected by your project. Involved - groups/orgs/individuals who may partner with you to deliver the project or otherwise be involved. Implementing - groups/orgs/individuals who are already doing something similar.

Felt Needs Needs identified by individuals or groups in the community from their own experience. This could involve: Surveys Interviews Focus Groups Case Studies Public Meetings Testimonials Collecting Data to Support Your Need Statement

Demonstrated Needs Needs that are demonstrated through observable actions. Document: Experience of past programs Numbers of people involved in need related activities Inquiries about services Pilot program results Gaps in services Collecting Data to Support Your Need Statement

Comparative Needs Needs that can be determined by looking at what could/should be expected in comparable groups or communities. Comparing with other communities Consulting ‘experts’ Using statistics Referring to studies and research Citing relevant government policies Collecting Data to Support Your Need Statement

Creating a Benefit Statement Which target group/s will benefit from the project How many people will benefit; and How the community at large will benefit

Creating a Benefit Statement 1.Identify who is the target group of your proposed project. They are also often referred to as the consumers/ beneficiaries/ service users. 2.Estimate how many individuals within the target group/s will benefit as a result of your proposed project. 3.Define what are the tangible and intangible benefits for the target group/s and for the community.

3. Locating Support and Funding Steps in Writing a Submission/Proposal

Where to find grants Qld Government - Grants Wizard Our Community - Easy Grants Database Philanthropy Australia – Directory of Philanthropy

Funding Centre : Our Community

Philanthropy Australia

Qld Government nks=10&tiers=off&collection=qld-gov&profile=qld&form=grants

Federal Government

Policy Funding Program & Criteria Assessment of funded services Policy Review Understanding the Context

1.Collate and review funding body guidelines and questions and information about potential sponsors 2.Prioritise potential funding sources – Focus on the type of support you want 3.Examine Requirements – Does your project meet Guidelines? 4.Discuss proposal with potential funding bodies & sponsors 5.Assess organisations current support/resources for the project proposal 6.Consider feasibility of your project Grants

Proposals Partnership – Community or Community Business Establish a Basis for Partnership Negotiate a Partnership Agreement (Memorandum of Understanding or Agreement) Sustaining a Partnership

Proposals Sponsorship Proposal Project outline including: –need for and outcomes/benefits of project and number of people involved (exposure) –Marketing Plans –Evaluation Plans Brief Overview of your organisation Benefits you are offering the sponsor

Social Enterprise “A Social Venture is a business that exists solely to impact positively on society” Social Ventures Australia Teaching a man to fish – move away from dependency Sustainable support – generate funds to continue rather than continue to receive funding Assumption that a ‘free market’ approach that encourages social investment is always the best approach (ignores need for structural changes)

Patrick Moriarty's Top 10 Tips for Getting a Grant

For additional resources on Writing Submissions and Proposals visit… volunteeringqld.org.au Resources