1. Submission Writing Fundamentals – Part 1
2013 Webinar Series
Leonie Bryen

2. Learning Outcomes 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

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

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

8. 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.

10. 1. Be Clear about the Purpose and Objectives of your Organisation
Steps in Writing a 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

11. 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.

12. 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?

13. 2. Matching your Project to Community Needs
Steps in Writing a Submission/Proposal
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.

14. 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

15. Stakeholder Analysis Interested Involved Impacted Implementing
Stakeholders

16. 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.

17. Collecting Data to Support Your Need Statement
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

18. 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
Needs that are demonstrated through observable actions. You can collect information about demonstrated needs by documenting:

19. 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
You can collect this type of information by:

20. 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

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

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

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

24. Funding Centre : Our Community

26. Philanthropy Australia
in the Directory?
An alphabetical listing of over 350 grant-making organisations detailing their fields of interest, contact information, summary of purpose, geographical scope, legal limitations, grant restrictions and application procedures.
information on preparing submissions and applying for grants
international foundations which fund in Australia are included
a list of further resources for grant-seekers
Who will find the Directory useful?
Grant-Seekers The Directory is most useful for charitable organisations seeking funding for a project. Please note that most trusts and foundations in Australia are restricted by law to funding organisations that have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) Status, and cannot fund individuals or groups which do not have DGR Status.
Foundation and not-for-profit sector staff The Directory is a key tool for those working in the not-for-profit; especially for those seeking to map the sector.
Researchers & Journalists The Directory is useful for researchers & journalists looking for information on philanthropic giving in Australia, or for the contact details of trusts and foundations in Australia.

27. Qld Government

28. Federal Government
Find Australian Government grants and assistance for individuals, businesses and communities.
GrantsLINK is a portal site and does not provide advice about any of the grants listed. State/territory government and related Australian Government links are listed at the bottom of the page.
GrantsLINK has information about funding programs that can help you:
develop local and national solutions
fund ideas and initiatives
get assistance in times of hardship

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

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

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

32. 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

33. 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)

34. Patrick Moriarty's Top 10 Tips for Getting a Grant

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