T HE M AUREEN AND M IKE M ANSFIELD C ENTER : W RITING E FFECTIVE F UNDING P ROPOSALS 2014 E CONOMIC E MPOWERMENT P ROGRAM

Why Seek Funding Potential Sources of Funding Key Points of Your Funding Proposal

Each of you is involved in very valuable work. There are many government, international, and private organizations who would be interested in supporting you. Even a small grant will help you with visibility and to establish a track record to pursue larger grants.

Embassies – connect with public affairs staff, economic staff, libraries. US Embassy Alumni organizations – in your home country and electronically. International Organizations International Businesses This program is not designed to connect you with sources of funding. This program is designed to help you network, which could lead to funding opportunities.

By participating in this program, you are eligible to apply for funds to help implement your action plan. The funds could be between $500-$3,000 depending upon the quality of your proposal, your established need, and the total number of requests submitted. Be flexible in your request.

Training Seminars Farm Equipment Books and Educational Materials Computer Equipment Support of Visiting Experts Travel for your clients Micro-loans for your clients IT support/website or app development Seed money for storefront rental We are very flexible and open to your ideas!

You may apply as early as June 13, 2014 You must apply no later than January 20, 2015 All funding decisions will be made by February 15, 2015

No later than 30 days after the completion of your activity, please send a minimum two-page report explaining how you followed your grant proposal, your success in meeting objectives, and anything that changed. Please send 3-5 photos of your activities. Please send a financial report demonstrating whether you used the funds as proposed.

Most Important Tip: Follow the Rules! Most requests for grant funding will be very detailed. Follow their guidelines and re-use the language they use in their RFP (Request for Proposal) or RFGP (Request for Grant Proposal). Most requests fail because they don’t follow the guidelines!

This should be a one page summary of your goals and objectives, the dates of your project, the cost, the beneficiaries, and what makes your proposal special. Be sure to emphasize what makes your proposal unique and important. The quality of your summary determines how reviewers will look at the remainder of your proposal.

Assessment of Need Why is your project important? Why should it be funded? Objectives and Outcomes Be specific about what you will accomplish Program Highlights What will you do in this program? Prove that you can do it by showing when you have done it before.

Background Information on Your Organization Your History Your Expertise Your Staff Roles and Responsibilities of Staff An Evaluation Plan How will you demonstrate you did what you promised to do?

Be very detailed to show exactly what you will do with the funding, when, and who is responsible for doing it.

Be Reasonable In Your Expectations Request the funds you need while trying to keep the amount as low as possible Don’t budget for “contingencies” Don’t budget for future raises Be sure to detail and explain every line.

A request for funds is where you show all the wonderful things you have done in the past and why you can do even more in the future. Be proud and showcase your achievements!