Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Preparing for a Grant Unlocking the Potential Native Learning Center Seminole Tribe of Florida

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Preparing for a Grant The purpose of this training is to help you diagnose the grant process, evaluate your idea, plan your project, and organize, write and package your proposal for success and sustainability. Components of a Successful grant Strong Idea Strong Application Strong Support

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: For additional help Technical Assistance Hotline

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Your Presenter Vince Franco Grants Compliance Manager Native Learning Center (NLC) 6363 Taft Street Hollywood, Florida Ext

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Any Questions? If you have a question please use the hand tool to raise your hand and type your question into the chat box (next slide). The presenter will work to answer your questions as quickly as possible. Questions will be answered in the order they were received. Please remember to complete the class survey at the end of this course.

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: How to ask a question

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Technical Issues? Unable to hear us?

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Topics Introduction Grant Cycle Planning, Research and Assessment of Your Project Grant Opportunities Evaluating Your Idea Organizing, Writing, and Packaging Award and Implementation Grant Stewardship and Sustainability Closeout

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Introduction

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Introduction The difference between having a grant proposal accepted or rejected often depends on planning, research and assessment, as well as following the rules, and in meeting deadlines. A grant proposal must engage the funder and show measurably how the grant will make a difference and be used effectively to complete a worthy goal that benefits both parties.

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Grant Cycle

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Grant Cycle Planning, Research, and Assessment Grant Opportunities Application Evaluation (Is it a good fit?) Organization and Measureable Results Application Development, Packaging, and Submission Award and Implementation Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluating Closeout

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Planning, Research and Assessment

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Planning, Research and Assessment What are the components of a successful grant application? Strong Idea Strong Application Strong Support

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Planning, Research and Assessment What determines which grants are funded? Merit Program Considerations Availability of Funds

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Planning, Research and Assessment So why plan, research and assess? You are more likely to get: A logical and thought out concept. An adequate amount of time to complete your application. A better grant application. A more compelling proposal. More connection with the funder.

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Planning, Research and Assessment Remember, before you start: Develop and review a needs assessment. Talk to community, staff and others as appropriate. Carefully read instructions for the application. Propose a project about which you are passionate and totally committed to doing.

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Grant Opportunities

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Grant Opportunities Grants.gov is designed to help you search for grant opportunities throughout the federal government.

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Grant Opportunities You have options: Search the Find Grant Opportunities online, in real time. Or…

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Grant Opportunities Subscribe and receive alerts detailing new grant postings. You can also conduct a detailed search using different criteria. Let’s look a little closer at these options.

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Grant Opportunities Basic Search Browse by Category Browse by Agency Advanced Search

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Grant Opportunities You can download and complete a grant application at any time, but to submit the application you must be registered with Grants.gov. Before applying for a grant, the steps below must be completed. Request a Data Universal Number System (DUNS), a 9-digit federal identification used to track federal grant money. Go to: or call Register with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at recently converted to the System for Award Management (SAM) at This system collects, validates, stores and disseminates data in support of federal grant awards.

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Grant Opportunities Download grant application packages.

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Grant Opportunities Another source of grants is through the Foundation Center at

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Grant Opportunities Foundation Center provides for a foundation search.

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Grant Opportunities

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Evaluating Your Idea

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Evaluating Your Idea The following questions are a tool to flesh out an idea and a starting point to test your readiness to write a grant proposal. What are you passionate about? What is the problem (or need) and why is it important? How is existing knowledge, practice or system inadequate? Why is your idea better? How is it new, unique, or different? What will it contribute and who will benefit from it?

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Evaluating Your Idea Can you identify the resources needed for your idea? Can you develop specific goals for your idea? Can you identify short-term outputs from your idea? Can you define long-term results from your idea? ResourcesGoalsOutputs (ST)Results (LT) StaffHire one (1) additional staff person in 2012 Increase clients served by 14% in 2013 Over 1000 clients served in 2013 Facility Technology

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Organizing, Writing and Packaging

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Organizing, Writing and Packaging Start early Seek advice from colleagues Start with a good idea Review grant criteria Carefully follow instructions

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Organizing, Writing and Packaging The basic components of a grant proposal should include the following: Summary or Abstract Introduction for your organization Problem or needs statement Project objectives Project design Project evaluation Future funding or sustainability Project budget

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Organizing, Writing and Packaging Basic Components of a Grant Proposal Summary or AbstractOutlines the proposed project IntroductionDescription of the organization (staff, BOD, goals, & operation) Problem or NeedClear, concise, well-supported statement of the issue Project ObjectivesSpecific, goal-oriented, realistic and measurable activities Project DesignA detailed narrative of the plan of action Project evaluationCareful review of performance, operation and improvement Future FundingExplanation of long-term planning and sustainability Project BudgetRevenue and expense with a description

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Award and Implementation

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Award and Implementation A successful grant application: Demonstrates proper merit. Meets all requirements. Shows realistic ability to carry out the project. Adheres to submission deadlines and instructions. Presents project in a logical manner. Explains evaluation criteria.

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Award and Implementation Post award monitoring includes: Tracking receipt of required financial and progress reports. Reviewing these reports for deficiencies. Maintaining records of all communications. Conducting site visits, when necessary. Responding to requests for information on the grant.

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Grant Stewardship and Sustainability

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Grant Stewardship and Sustainability How will this project be continued when grant funds end? Describe how you will replace grant funds. Specific, realistic and documented plan. Grant funders know your project is a work in progress. The key opportunity is to demonstrate that your organization does good planning.

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Grant Stewardship and Sustainability A grant funding plan that is heavily dependent on grant funds will be considered week. List the sources of income and amounts. State which resources are committed, pending, or to be requested. Letter of commitment from partners can make or break a program.

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Closeout

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Closeout Reviewing expiring grants. Obtaining certification that objectives have been met. Resolving any known issues (ensuring costs are allowable, or the proper disposition of grant- purchased property, etc.). Ensuring the grant file is complete. Complete a final business review, if any. Check to make sure all final reports are submitted and approved. Or take other action as appropriate to officially close the grant.

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Review

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Review Introduction Grant Cycle Planning, Research and Assessment of Your Project Funding Announcements Evaluating Your Idea Organizing, Writing, and Packaging Award and Implementation Grant Stewardship and Sustainability Closeout Components of a Successful grant Strong Idea Strong Application Strong Support

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Technical Issues? Unable to hear us?

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Closing Notes If you have any questions or need help, call The NLC Grants Technical Assistance Hotline at ! Catch all the latest stuff from the Native Learning Center on our webpage at or on Facebook or Twitter.

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Thank You! Please visit our Website

Grant’s Assistance Hotline: Next Webinar! Title: Best Practices for Keeping Your Culture Alive: Protecting Artistic Works Focus Area: CCE Course Number: TBD Date: August 22, 2012 Time: 2:00-3:00pm EST Instructor: TBD Registration is free!