1. Best Practices for Federal Nonprofit Grants
Cynthia Dudzinski, Grants Management Specialist
Office of Auxiliary & Boating Safety, US Coast Guard

2. Preparing to Apply: Things to Know
Where must you be registered in order to apply?
SAM.gov
Grants.gov
Program or agency-specific application submission systems
How do I learn about Funding Opportunities?
GovDelivery
What in the world is a NOFO? – Notice of Funding Opportunity
2 CFR 200 Appendix I

3. Key Resources Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
2 CFR 200
Grants.gov Form Repository
SF-424 forms
Post-award forms
Programmatic webpages
Technical assistance opportunities
Competition FAQs
Post-Award Guidance – understand what current grantees do
Review databases of previous and current recipients

4. Transparency in Government
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006: Agencies are required to disclose all entities and organizations receiving federal funds
USASpending.gov
USCG Recreational Boating Safety Website:

5. Before you apply… Do not sell yourself short
Know what you’re applying for 
Understand the timeline, eligibility requirements, and expectations of the grant
Read the submission instructions carefully
Submit only what is required unless it explicitly states otherwise
Do not exceed page limit requirements
Be realistic
Do you have enough time to put together a quality application?
Are you capable of meeting program requirements?
Do not sell yourself short

6. Narratives & Budgets
Write your narrative to address the Selection Criteria in order
Be direct and succinct; leave behind the flowery words and thesaurus
Do not use specialized jargon or uncommon terminology; clearly explain acronyms
Submit a budget with realistic anticipated costs
Do not propose “pie in the sky” amounts
Do not propose numbers that look good but can’t get the job done
Provide a strong, concise budget narrative that supports your proposal

7. You didn’t get funded. Now what?
Request Applicant Feedback
Identify areas for improvement
Reconsider if your organization is a good fit for the program
Rethink the structure of your project: Partnerships? Additional staffing?
It’s not you, it’s “us”
Multiple applications for a targeted priority
Balancing a portfolio: fewer grants with more money vs. more grants with less money
Apply again

8. You got funded. Now what?
Be excited. You should be. It was a lot of work!
Communicate your achievement(s) to external stakeholders. It’s okay to brag. It could help you leverage future partnerships.
Be prepared to hit the ground running. If your proposed timeline is set to begin two months after the targeted award date, be ready to execute.
Be cognizant of agency:
Expectations
Communications
Reporting Requirements

9. Expectations Know and review the information you’ve been given
Understand your Terms & Conditions
They are there to inform and protect you; to keep your grant on track.
Execute your agreed-upon timeline and/or deliverables
Register the appropriate staff on grants management systems
Don’t let yourself be surprised –
“Oh I didn’t know we had to do that”
“I wasn’t aware that was a program requirement”
Know and review the information you’ve been given

10. Communications
Be responsive to your agency liaisons. They should be responsive to you too!
Do not be afraid to ask questions. We are here to help. We want grant programs to succeed. Asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness.
Did your program do something awesome? Tell us. Keep us informed. Let us know when you have planned activities.
If a timeline gets delayed and/or a project cannot proceed as initially planned, let us know. Delays and “course corrections” happen. It does not automatically equate poor performance.

11. Reporting Requirements
Reporting requirements should be included in the competition NOFO. They should never be a surprise.
Be timely. If you need an extension, ask.
Understand that reporting includes both financial and programmatic
When in doubt, consult 2 CFR 200 Performance and Financial Monitoring and Reporting (2 CFR 200 Parts )

12. General Advice Learn, live, love 2 CFR 200
Understand the Terms & Conditions of your award agreement and how they relate to program activities
Keep your federal agency involved
Learn to maximize your grant funds
When in doubt, give us a call!

13. Cynthia Dudzinski Cynthia.M.Dudzinski@uscg.mil (202) 372-1064
Contact Information
Cynthia Dudzinski (202)