Federal Grants Short Course An Introduction By Sally Hintz, office of Senator Maria Cantwell

Federal Grants Short Course Goals To provide information and advice on searching and applying for competitive federal grants. To educate constituents on the Congressional Delegation’s role in obtaining federal funding.

Grants staff from the offices of Senators Murray and Cantwell Sheila Babb, Grants and Appropriations Coordinator (206) Melanie Mihara, Grants Coordinator (206)

NW Regional Staff from the offices of Senators Murray and Cantwell Rita Beal, NW Washington Director Office of Senator Patty Murray (425) Sally Hintz, NW Washington Director Office of Senator Maria Cantwell (425)

Senator Cantwell’s Committee Assignments Commerce, Science and Transportation Chair, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard Energy and Natural Resources Finance Small Business and Entrepreneurship Indian Affairs

Researching Grants Search for current funding opportunities Apply for grants online Receive electronic updates

Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Comprehensive list of all federal programs including technical assistance and equipment.

How to read a CFDA Announcement Objectives Types of Assistance Use and Use Restrictions Applicant Eligibility Obligations Range and Average of Financial Assistance Related Programs

Senator Murray’s Grants Gateway

Non-Profit and Philanthropy Resource Center

Ways a Congressional Office Can Be of Assistance Letters of Support Two weeks notice Summary or Abstract of proposal Who we should address letter to at federal agency How we should get the letter to you ( , hard copy) Note: Some agencies prefer letters to arrive with the grant, some prefer letters be sent to the agency’s Congressional Liaison.

Ways a Congressional Office Can Be of Assistance (Cont.) Information Gathering Identify agency contacts Reiterate support Check status of review process Peer reviewer’s notes Appeals process Funding notifications

Three Grant Dealbreakers The application came in late. The application was longer than the agency guidelines. The dollar amount requested was over the award ceiling. Failure to comply with any of these three rules means the proposal will not even be read.

Four Grant Myths Anyone can get a federal grant Members of Congress decide who gets a grant and can review applications. If you get a grant, it will take care of everything. It’s easy to get grants—it’s free money.

Tips for a Successful Application Agencies like to fund partnerships Get partnerships and in-kind donations in writing Don’t duplicate services already in a community Don’t stretch what your organization is actually capable of Follow grant instructions precisely You are responsible for the actions of your grant writers, consultants and partners– you will be audited.

If your application is not successful… Learn from your mistakes. Review denied applications with agency staff Consider other funding sources available, including loans, equipment and technical assistance Consider attending an agency workshop on the program or online course.

Conclusions Planning and patience are necessary when applying for federal funding. Information on federal funding is readily available. You must have realistic expectations.