Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center The First Rule: Know Yourself

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center The Mission Statement What Why How Who When

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center The Mission Statement What Why How Who When

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center What are the opportunities or needs that we exist to address? (purpose of the Biko Center) What are we doing to address those needs? (business of the Biko Center) What principles or beliefs guide our work? (values of the Biko Center)

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center A good mission statement should: inspire support and ongoing commitment motivate those connected to the Biko Center be convincing and easy to grasp use active verbs to describe what you do be free of jargon be short enough so that anyone connected to Biko can easily repeat it

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Problem or need assessment Other-centered, not self-centered

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Hard Data statistics (absolute vs comparative) descriptions of current and prior programs with data on number of participants follow-up date and current and prior clients copies of any formal or informal evaluations list of all current and prior donors list of places that refer to your agency

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Soft Data correspondence and verbal feedback from clients, former clients and their families correspondence and verbal feedback from current and prior donors/grantmakers correspondence and verbal feedback from referral sources press clippings about the agency awards and commendations received information requests you have received from others

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center make sure quotes refer to Biko by name make sure any quotes from elected officials do not sound like boilerplate quotes do not have to be long to be effective

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Goals vs objectives Goals are broad; objectives are narrow. Goals are general intentions; objectives are precise. Goals are intangible; objectives are tangible. Goals are abstract; objectives are concrete. Goals can't be validated as is; objectives can be validated.

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Resources Board Staff Volunteers Communities allies

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Evaluation Remember the object is to gather feedback and made adjustments accordingly Include even if not required List 3-10 questions you will ask yourselves Verify that you are helping your constituents and you’re doing what you think you’re doing Produce data than can be used for PR and replication

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Sustaining/broadening the effort Funders are deeply concerned about continuation and replication

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Let’s Start Writing…NOT! Research FIRST

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Types of Grantmakers Private foundations and public charities Government entities Corporations and businesses Individuals (famous, wealthy, not wealthy)

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center How to Find Institutional Grantmakers Internet Publications (in libraries) Groups similar to yours

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Internet Foundation Center at foundationcenter.org Grantsmanship Center at tgci.com Government grants at grants.gov

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Corporations almost always contain a geographical component often consist of in-kind donations of computer equipment, office supplies, art supplies, etc. good source of volunteers

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Individuals NOT just the wealthy Should be approached by a peer Need lots of attention Often begin as volunteers

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center What gets funded and what doesn’t

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Generally positively regarded significant problem to be addressed and plan matches scope innovative, well-planned solution with client involvement and good chance of success organization can manage funds and complete project cooperation and collaboration broader impact/replicable elsewhere already funded by others (including agency itself) open to evaluation plan for continuation

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Generally negatively regarded endowments and general operating support capital improvements staff salaries and administrative needs annual appeals event sponsorship programs that won’t exist without this funding

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Contact the funding entity identify a program officer who will address your questions ask for technical assistance, including a review of proposed drafts ask how proposals are reviewed and how decisions are made

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center OK, open up Word

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Remember the reader Begin with the main point Be concise (avoid complex sentences) Use clear, specific language free of jargon Write in friendly, professional style Use active rather than passive voice Move from known information to new information Use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation Use (but don’t overuse) signal words

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Purpose of the grant application or... What are funders looking for?

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Organizations get funded when... they show they have EARNED support they know what they need, who has the money, and how much they can give they ASK for the money (appropriately) they are appreciative of the gifts they receive and respectful of their donors

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Parts of the application Application form Cover letter (first impression) Abstract/summary (don’t write it last!) Problem or need statement Solution/scope (methods/benefits) Qualifications (include context) Evaluation plan (in measurable terms) Timeline Budget Conclusion

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Editing: more important than writing Ask someone UNFAMILIAR with the agency to proof/edit the proposal

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Lessons learned, or tips and tricks outside consultants? hard match vs soft match networking and collaboration use the media respect your funders follow directions be patient

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Biko/Bushwick/Brooklyn & beyond

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Possible sources of funding (very partial list!) Brooklyn Arts Council NYC Department for Cultural Affairs New York State Council for the Arts New York Community Trust National Endowment for the Arts Bloomberg Charitable Foundation Independence Community Foundation Jean and Louis Dreyfus Foundation Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation 21st Century Community Learning Centers Gifts in Kind Pfizer Corporation

Grantseeking Basics for the Biko Center Additional Training and Resources Foundation Center (including podcasts) National Technical Assistance Clinic (Meet the Grantmakers) Bushwick Community Development Federal Credit Union