Basic Principles of Successful Grant Writing

Basic Principles of Successful Grant Writing
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Basic Principles of Successful Grant Writing Dr. Linda Blount ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal
Welcome! Grant Writing Basic Principles is designed to help you: Identify key elements of successful grant writing Determine the right funding source for your program Write grant proposals funders want ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Overview Grant Writing Basics Funds and Funders Developing a Funding Strategy What the Funder is Seeking Key Elements of a Grant Other Resources ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing Basics Successful grant writing involves the coordination of several activities, including planning, identifying funding resources, writing a proposal, submitting a proposal to a funder, and follow-up. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Preparing to Write the Grant Proposal
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Preparing to Write the Grant Proposal A fundamental element is relationship building with funding sources Grants are essential to expanding program/project resources Most grants are awarded on a competitive basis Fundraising. Before writing a grant, it is important to think about how you will get funders to know who you are. An essential part of fundraising is relationship building. You should design an outreach campaign as part of your fundraising strategy to increase funder’s awareness of your organization and its programs and activities. This outreach campaign may consist of letters or telephone calls to funders introducing your organization or formal meetings where you can talk with the funder face-to-face about your organization and its programs. Funders are more likely to fund organizations and programs that are familiar to them rather than cold solicitations for funding. Grants. Grants are one way to raise money to support the operation, activities, and programs of your organization. Most grants are awarded based on a competitive process. This process requires the submission of a proposal. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Before You Write the Grant Proposal
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Before You Write the Grant Proposal Obtain grant proposal guidelines Review eligibility requirements Identify match/leveraging requirements Know the submission deadline Determine personnel needs Other administrative requirements Before you write the proposal, there are a few steps to think about: Obtain proposal guidelines. It is important to write for the specific grant guidelines because every potential funder will have a different format, different requirements, and a different proposal process. Proposal guidelines will usually tell you about submission deadlines, eligibility criteria, proposal format, review timetable, budgets, funding priorities, evaluation process, who to contact, and other submission requirements. From these guidelines you should have a clear idea of everything you need to put in a proposal and in what order. Additionally, it is recommended that you read the guidelines numerous times. This process will ensure you understand the guidelines and will give you an opportunity to identify anything you need for the funder to clarify. Review eligibility requirements. Be sure your organization serves the appropriate target population(s), meets the funder’s objective(s), and is within the funder’s geographic boundaries. Do not apply for funds simply because they are available. If the funder’s objectives do not match your organization’s goals, requesting funds will most likely be a waste of time and resources. Also, determine if the funder requires your organization to have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. If so and you do not have 501(c)(3) status, do not use your time and resources to apply for the grant. Instead, think about the importance of 501(c)(3) status. The advantage of 501(c)(3) status is that your organization will be eligible for a majority of private and public funding. The challenge of 501(c)(3) status is that the application process is complex and different for each state. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Other Important Points
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Other Important Points Supporting materials Letters of endorsement/support Résumés Exhibit charts/tables Signatures Submission format Delivery requirements In addition to obtaining the proposal guidelines, reviewing the eligibility requirements, knowing the submission deadline, and determining personnel needs, it is important to think ahead of time of what additional materials the funder may require to support your grant proposal. These supporting materials include letters of endorsement, staff resumes, and exhibit charts. You should review the proposal guidelines to determine what supporting materials are needed for each proposal. Proposals typically require the signatures of board members or the executive director. Again, review the proposal guidelines to determine what signatures are needed and allow enough time in the proposal writing process to acquire the necessary signatures. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Key Elements of a Grant Proposal
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Key Elements of a Grant Proposal Cover letter Title page Summary/Abstract Introduction Needs assessment Goals and objectives Project description Key elements of most proposals include: Cover letter Headers/table of contents Needs assessment Project description Budget Organization/capacity Evaluation Executive summary/conclusion Not all of these elements will be specifically asked for in a request for proposal or several elements may be combined into one section. A good rule of thumb is to read and clearly understand what the required elements are and develop a checklist to make sure you have included all the necessary items. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Future plans/Capacity building Facilities and Equipment Staffing and Administration Timetable Evaluation method Budget “Corporate” résumé

Qualities of a Good Grant Proposal
It’s clear! It’s precise! It’s persuasive!

After You Submit the Grant Proposal
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal After You Submit the Grant Proposal Contact the funder Request feedback Send a thank-you letter Keep funders involved with program activities After you submit your proposal, your work isn’t done. Be sure to contact the funder to find out about the status, evaluation, or outcome of your proposal. Request feedback from the funder about the strengths and weaknesses of your proposal if this information is available. Inquire about official proposal debriefings offered by government funders. Remember also to send a thank-you letter or call the funder if your proposal is funded. Also, keep funders involved with your organization’s activities to increase the chances of future funding. It is very important to recognize funders as your partners to maintain the relationships established with them. Other key points to think about after you submit your proposal are that the funder may require a site visit and that you should be prepared to submit an annual report to the funder that summarizes your activities and accomplishments. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Funds and Funders ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Types of Funds Public funds (Government) City County State Federal Public funds are monies raised through taxes and administered by federal, state and local governments. Private funds are monies raised and administered by private organizations, such as corporations, foundations, and charities. Often available as grants, private funds are awarded for new and/or experimental projects. Public and private funds can be distributed in two ways: Grants are funds awarded for experimental, demonstration, or research projects in which success is uncertain. Most grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations. Contracts are funds given to produce specific services to or for the funding agency. Funds are usually awarded for programs created by the funding agency. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Types of Funds Foundation (Private sector) Community Based National
Special Interest Family Corporate

Types of Funders - Government
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Types of Funders - Government Government Request for Proposal (RFP) Request for Application (RFA) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Government grants are issued through a request for proposal (RFP), request for application (RFA), or through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). Request for Proposals (RFP) solicit bids from contracts that have a specific set of tasks and very little room for flexibility. Request for Applications (RFA) solicit proposals for grants. Most grants go to nonprofit organizations and potentially allow for more creativity and freedom in a particular project. Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) are grants awarded to public organizations. NOFA program areas vary and are administered through the federal government. In all cases, rarely does funding go to applicants who submit unsolicited proposals. Finding Federal RFPs, RFAs, and NOFAs. Federal RFPs, RFAs, and NOFAs are published in the Federal Register. For further information contact the U.S. Government Printing Office via: Mail at the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 20402 Phone at Web site at Finding state and local RFPs and RFAs. State and local RFP and RFA information appears in your individual state’s register. To obtain further information, write or call the state register office closest to you or check your public library. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Types of Funders - Foundations
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Types of Funders - Foundations Foundations Community based National Special Interest Family foundations Corporate or company-based Foundations can provide your organization with resources such as funding, in-kind donations, technical assistance, and access to community leaders. More than 40,000 foundations currently operate in the United States. You may consider approaching the following types of foundations: Private independent foundations primarily provide grants for a variety of issue areas. Private independent foundations receive their funds through endowments and do not actively raise funds. A listing of private independent foundations can be found at Family foundations are generally established by a family and the foundation itself is administered by the same family or relatives of the family. A complete listing of family foundations has not been compiled. To find more information, visit the Council on Foundation’s web site at Corporate giving (direct giving) programs are grantmaking programs that are administered within a profit-making company. Funds for these programs come directly from the corporation that sponsors the giving and programs funded are typically related to the corporation’s mission. To find more information on corporate giving programs, visit Corporate foundations (company-sponsored) generally receive funds from the profit-making business that is associated with the foundation. Corporate foundations provide grants in a variety of issue areas generally related to the profit-making businesses’ goal. A listing of corporate grantmakers can be found on the Foundation Center’s web site at ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Developing a Funding Strategy
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Developing a Funding Strategy ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

What Is a Funding Strategy and Why Is One Needed?
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal What Is a Funding Strategy and Why Is One Needed? An effective funding strategy: Helps identify needs and resources Builds upon overall mission and goals Addresses the gaps in resources An effective funding strategy can make the difference when seeking funding. Just because funding is out there does not mean it is the right funding for your organization and its programs. A good plan reflects an income goal that is related to your organizational goals. An effective funding strategy incorporates several components, including: A listing of all sources you are likely to seek, organized by likelihood of funding and priority of effort. A calendar of deadlines and follow-up schedules. Income projection; cash flow projections. A commitment to diversified funding. Developing a funding strategy can provide several management benefits. For example: It can prevent crisis mode fundraising. It keeps you informed of where you stand at all times. It helps you identify progress. It helps anticipate problems. It provides you with the basis to make informed decisions. It helps you make adjustments as new developments occur or new information is received. It helps you handle competing goals and timetables. Finally, it helps build the organization’s confidence in its funding capacity. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Developing a Funding Strategy
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Developing a Funding Strategy Developing your project idea Assessing your capability to seek funding Researching potential funding sources and developing a relationship with them Developing credibility Above are the three aspects to develop a funding strategy for your organization. Each will be expanded upon in the following slides. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Developing Your Project Idea
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Developing Your Project Idea What new programs are you planning for the next two to three years? Which of the above programs are compatible with your current mission and purpose? What community needs does each program address? One aspect to create a funding strategy for your organization is the development of your program ideas. The following questions can be used to determine what type of programs your organization is looking to add or expand, thus defining the appropriate type of funding for your organization and its programs. What new programs are you planning for the next 2-3 years? Would your proposed program fit into your long-term plans? Which of the above programs are compatible with your current mission and purpose? Do these programs fit into the overall goal of your organization? If one is outside your mission, what justification will you use to convince a funder to support it? What community needs does each program address? Is this the right program for the community? Will this serve the need(s) of the community? ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Developing Your Project Idea
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Developing Your Project Idea Is the service already being provided by another agency? What members of your community would support your program? Do you currently have the expertise to take on each program? Who else is providing the same service? Is there duplication of effort? Can a partnership be formed that will benefit all parties? What members of your community would support each program? Who are the key supporters of the proposed program within the community? Are these the right supporters for the program or should you seek support in other areas? Does your organization currently have the expertise to take on each program? Can your organization manage and/or support the growth in personnel effectively? Do you need to hire additional staff or develop volunteer partnerships to support the program? ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Assessing Your Capability to Seek Funding
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Assessing Your Capability to Seek Funding What makes you competitive? What is your reputation in the community? Are prior funders satisfied with your performance? What is the capability of staff? What would be the financial impact; do you have match? Another aspect of your organization’s funding strategy is assessing your organization’s capability to seek funding. This will help define what resources your organization currently has and will prepare your center to seek additional funding to expand existing programs or develop new ones. You cannot go after all the money there is out there simply because it is there – you need to make an informed decision. An assessment of your organization’s capabilities may also dictate what type of funding you should seek. The following questions can assist in assessing your organization’s capability to seek funds. What makes you competitive? Think of things that make your organization different from other organizations that may provide the same type of services. What is the reputation of your organization? How does the community view your organization? Are prior sources of funding satisfied with your performance? Have you successfully completed projects for previous funders? What is the capability of staff? Can staff handle the addition of new programs? Does your organization have staff who are knowledgeable in proposed program areas? What would be the financial impact; do you have match? Would your organization be able to provide matching funds if necessary? ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Assessing Your Capability to Seek Funding
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Assessing Your Capability to Seek Funding Do you have the expertise and flexibility within your organization to implement the project, if funded? Do you have to seek assistance? Do you have essential support systems? What are your collaborative options? Do you have expertise and flexibility within your organization to conduct a fundraising effort? If the funder requires you to come up with matching funds, does your organization have a plan to fundraise? Do you have to seek assistance? Can your organization handle the development of new programs or do you need to find people with experience in the area? Does your organization have essential support systems? Is your organization large enough to handle the program you have proposed? Does your organization have the necessary administrative staff to support the program? What are your collaborative options? Working with other organizations in your area may improve your support base and raise the amount of institutional knowledge. This may increase your opportunity to receive funding. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Researching Potential Funders
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Researching Potential Funders Make initial contact Phone call Letter of inquiry or intent Relationship building Who do you know Shop your ideas with funders Once you have developed your organization’s funding strategy and the program ideas, it is time to research potential funders, the final step in your overall funding strategy. Make initial contact Phone call – You may place an initial phone call to the potential funder’s program staff to discuss your organization, its programs and how your programs coincide with what the funder supports. However, be sure to research and determine if the funder accepts phone calls. Inquiry Letter/Letter of Intent – When you have identified a potential funder, send a letter of inquiry if this is how the funder requests to be approached. Your inquiry letter should include your target population, program description, the value of your program, what you want from the funder, and how the funder’s contribution will make a difference. Relationship building Tell funders about your mission. Be able to clearly articulate your organization’s mission in a way that fits the funder’s goals. Tell funders about your program. Be able to clearly explain what your organization does, what your programs are about, and how your users benefit from your services. Be sure to promote your accomplishments. It is a good idea to assess the effectiveness of your successes to funders. Tell funders how you can be assisted. Be sure to ask for the right thing. Ask the funder to provide what complements their goals and resources. Also ask for resources, other than cash, that may be beneficial to both you and the funder. Tell funders how they will benefit. Be able to clearly say to the funder how they will benefit. Funders want to know how providing you with money will be useful to you and them. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Researching Potential Funders Make collaborative efforts Work with other organizations Work with other partners Document need Gather your statistics Gather focus groups, conduct surveys, collect anecdotal data Make collaborative efforts Working with other organizations can bolster your chances of receiving funding and can also show support for the program for which you are seeking funding. For smaller organizations, collaboration can lead to greater capacity. Document need Why is your program necessary? Funders want to see statistics, outcomes from your needs assessment, and justification that there is a need in your community for the proposed program. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Researching Potential Funders Document leverage Letters of Commitment Memoranda of Understanding Document leverage Letters of commitment are required with some types of proposals. A letter of commitment is addressed to your organization and is provided by another organization. The letter states that the organization supports your organization and its programs, and that the organization will potentially work with you once funding is received. Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) are used to formalize partnerships. If your organization has developed a partnership with another organization, an MOU may provide structure to the relationship by clearly stating what each partner is responsible for and providing measurable outcomes for the partnership. Providing funders with copies of MOUs shows that your organization and its programs have support from the larger community and also provides the organization with credibility. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

What the Funder Is Seeking
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal What the Funder Is Seeking ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal What the Funder Is Seeking What is the community need being addressed? What would an improved community situation look like? What can your organization do to improve the situation? It is effective to see the proposal process through the eyes of the funder. If you were the funder, what would you want to know? What information would you require? A core proposal contains the essential elements of a proposal and is useful in not only verbalizing your proposal idea, but serves as the basis of any letter of intent and the foundation for your actual proposal. The key elements that a potential funder wants to see and a good technique for developing your core proposal is to answer the following questions: Need – What is the community need that is being addressed? Goals and Objectives – What would an improved community situation look like? Project Description – What can your organization do to improve the situation? ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal What the Funder Is Seeking How will your project document its success? How much will the project cost? How will the project be funded in the future? Further questions that a potential funder wants answers to are: Evaluation – How will it be determined that the project has succeeded? Budget – How much will the project cost? Sustainability – How will the project be funded in the future? ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Key Elements of a Grant Proposal Overall, a good proposal is complete, clear, concise, and presented in a fashion that is reviewer friendly. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Key Elements of a Grant Proposal Cover letter Abstract (sometimes required) Headers/table of contents The cover letter establishes the personal and organizational credentials, and should contain: Brief explanation of the project, Its relevance to the potential funder, and Total funding requirement. Headers/Table of Contents can be created using the main headings listed throughout the proposal. Headings and a table of contents make it easier for the reviewers to follow the organization of the proposal. Most proposals will not ask for a table of contents or headers, but including these items makes it easier for the potential funder to find information. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Key Elements of a Grant Proposal Needs assessment Begins with a community analysis Goal is a better understanding of what makes a community function effectively Includes identification of: Community members Geographic boundaries Needs, interests, skills of members Available supportive services A needs assessment begins with a community analysis, or a collection of detailed information concerning the community under study and/or the population to be served. The information required for the analysis can be obtained from a variety of sources (as outlined in the next few slides). The goal of an analysis of the needs of a community is a better understanding of what makes a community function most effectively. The analysis includes identification of community members; the geographic boundaries; the needs, interests, skills, aspirations, and motivations of its members; and the community’s socio-economic status. The needs assessment could also include an analysis of other relevant community and/or target population characteristics, such as the effectiveness of available supportive services. Once gathering and describing the results of the community analysis is underway, a diagnosis may be developed. This involves synthesis of the collected data and the identification of gaps between where the target population is and where it wants to be. The gaps are indications of need within the community. The purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate to the funder the why of the requested funding. The needs assessment must be rooted in fact leading to a plausible and achievable remedy. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Key Elements of a Grant Proposal Needs assessment Community City and state Program/project-specific resources Funders may ask that you describe the need for your proposed program within the greater community, city or state. In any case, there are several methods for compiling needs assessment information: Community Assessment Local schools Environmental assessment Where is the problem occurring (geographic area)? What key things are going on in the community (positive or negative)? City/State Assessment Political Assessment What laws or other rules can affect the implementation of the program or services? What are the public opinions, stereotypes/barriers, or perceptions related to the issue or need being addressed? U.S. Census Bureau – contains population, demographic, and income information for specific areas/localities. You can find U.S. Census Bureau information on-line at or by visiting your local library. State-specific statistical abstract – also has census-type information, but is more specific to individual states and is sometimes easier to interpret. You can find your state’s statistical abstract in the reference section of most public libraries. Program-specific Resources If your proposed program is relevant to a specific topic area, you may also want to search for information that larger agencies and organizations have compiled. Most Federal agencies, such as the Department of Labor and the Department of Education, will have information on-hand to support the development of your needs assessment. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Key Elements of a Grant Proposal Project description Goals Qualitative Abstract Long-term Objectives Quantitative Specific Short-term Method Your project description answers two of the questions discussed earlier: What would an improved community situation look like? What can your organization do to make it happen? A project description must provide a clear picture of the results of implementing your program and how you are going to achieve the results: goals, objectives, and method. Goals are defined as broad statements of the ultimate result of the change being undertaken. These should be long-range and part of your overall strategic plan for your organization. Objectives are the measurable time-specific results that your organization expects to accomplish as part of its grant. They are more narrow than goals, but are also tied to the needs. Method tells how the project will be carried out and provides the rationale for the budget. It is here that you convince the funder that you really know how to achieve the outcomes you are seeking and solve the problems you have identified. An effective project method is a detailed description of the activities to be implemented to achieve the ends specified in goals and objectives. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Key Elements of a Proposal
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Key Elements of a Proposal Budget formats Line-item budget Budget narrative Budget components Salaries Fringe benefits Supplies and materials Equipment Many proposals request two types of budget formats: Line item budget – provides total figure for each category (i.e., $100,000=total labor costs for program). Usually, line-item budget sheets are included with the proposal application forms. Because this varies from agency to agency, the forms of the grant agency should be used when possible. Budget narrative – describes in detail how the funds are being spent (i.e., Program Coordinator, Joe Smith, will be paid $30,000 for 12 months to administer and oversee the development and implementation of the program). Though budget requirements vary, there are several commonalities, such as: Salaries – generally listed by position. Salary schedules of the agency should be used in calculations. Keep in mind that you should prorate and/or annualize salaries for the program period of performance. Fringe benefits – ordinarily figured on a percentage of salary. They include employer contributions to Social Security, health insurance, unemployment compensation, and workers’ compensation. These figures vary from agency to agency and from year to year, but are usually about 25 percent of the total salary costs. Supplies and materials – should also be described in a separate section. They should be itemized by major types such as office supplies, mail, telephone, duplication costs, and printing. Equipment – usually itemized in a separate category, giving specifics such as model number and vendor. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Key Elements of a Proposal
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Key Elements of a Proposal Budget components (continued) Consultant/contractual fees Travel Construction [Not allowed in most] Overhead/indirect costs Matching funds Other Consultant/contractual fees – If consultants are needed on technical projects, a realistic per diem fee should be used in a separate section of the budget. Consultants are not entitled to fringe benefits. Travel – This should be categorized as in-country/out-of-country, in-state/out-of-state; it can be divided by personnel or by program function. Reviewers usually want to know how travel allowances are going to be used. Construction – If construction is necessary, make sure it is an allowable expense. Overhead/indirect costs – These should include such items as utilities, rent, procurement, and accounting staff. Governmental funding agencies usually have a maximum allowable indirect rate. The rate is often negotiated; it may approach 50 percent of salaries and wages for the project. Matching funds – If matching funds are being used, they should be described. They represent the portion of the project cost that the institution is providing. In some instances, in-kind contributions have been used for this purpose. Institutions may agree to provide space, office furniture, and so on, and place a monetary value on that. In other instances, matching funds are required. In any case, the larger the amount of the matching funds or in-kind contributions, the more attractive the application will be to the funder. Other – This is basically everything else. Be sure to think about what items did not fall into the other categories provided. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Key Elements of a Grant Proposal Organization/capacity Personnel Facilities Equipment Experience Partnerships Unique or special resources Sustainability/scalability The aim of the organization/capacity section of your proposal is to show that your center has the capacity to complete the project. If you have done your funding strategy, you already know how you measure up and now must put pen to paper to convince reviewers that your organization is capable of handling their funds. The items listed below are the points you want to include in this section of the proposal. Personnel – You may need resumes and the qualifications of your staff. Does your current staff already have the experience to support this program? Facilities – Does your organization have the physical space to hold the program? Equipment – Does your organization have the required equipment? Partnerships – Think about both your monetary and non-monetary partners and how they can assist in the development of your proposed program. Unique or special resources – Does your organization and its staff bring something different to the table? Is your organization located in a particular location that makes it more advantageous to conduct a particular program? Sustainability/scalability – Have you made plans of how your organization will sustain the program over the long-term? ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Key Elements of a Grant Proposal Benefits of evaluation Stronger proposal in reviewer’s eyes Strengthens the program before implementation Assures that funds are being used as intended What you are being evaluated on is stated in the project description that you would have developed earlier. You are being evaluated on your overall goals and objectives for the program. Evaluation determines the effectiveness and efficiency of a project. The evaluation plan is the system to gather and display the information. There are several benefits of stating in the initial proposal how the project will be evaluated and its objectives determined, including those listed below: Stronger proposal in the reviewer’s eyes – By stating how you are going to evaluate and monitor the program shows that you have thought the process through completely. Strengthens the project before implementation – By knowing ahead of time how you are going to evaluate the project, what you are evaluating and what your major goals and objectives are, can steer your project in the right direction. Assures that funds are being used as intended – Setting out how you will evaluate and what your goals are instills belief in the public that you have long-term goals and are not involved only on a short-term basis. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Key Elements of a Grant Proposal Approaches to evaluation <External versus Internal> Quantitative Qualitative There are two approaches to collect your data: quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative methods translate experience into numbers that can be counted, compared, measured, and manipulated statistically. It is with this approach that you determine averages, means, percentiles, and frequency distribution. Quantitative statistics show number of enrollees, determine cause and effect, compare two methods, and establish baselines. Qualitative methods rely upon direct contact with the served population and involve three kinds of data collection: Interviews, Observation, and Review of records. Which method you use depends on the questions you want answered and/or what the funder wants to know. A mix generally yields the best results. ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Key Elements of a Grant Proposal Executive summary/conclusion Date Contact person(s) Complete information for organization and contact person(s) Purpose of funding request Information on whom the program will benefit Executive summary/conclusion generally includes: Date Contact person(s) Complete information for the organization and the contact person(s) including: Complete name of organization Full street address Phone and fax numbers address Purpose of your funding request and its relation to your organization’s mission Number of individuals, geographic area, target populations benefiting from your proposal ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Key Elements of a Grant Proposal Executive summary/conclusion (continued) Total annual organizational budget Dollar amount being requested Total giving history from funder Period funding request will cover Signature of Executive Director and/or Board Chairperson Executive summary/conclusion generally includes (continued): Total annual organizational budget and fiscal year Dollar amount being requested Total giving history from this funder listing all grants, all amounts and years Period this funding request will cover Signature of Executive Director and/or Board Chair ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal Key Elements of a Grant Proposal Why Proposals Fail Seeing the Grant Proposal Through the Reviewer’s Eyes Grant Writing Tips ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Triple check your numbers!

Independent Review

READY TO SUBMIT

Other Resources ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Popular Web Sites The Foundation Center Foundations On-Line The Grantsmanship Center Nonprofit Resource Center ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Other Resources Funding Directories Foundation Annual Reports
Professional Memberships

Summary ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

What We Covered Grant writing basics The types of funds and funders Developing a funding strategy Key elements of a proposal ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

What We Discussed The importance of: Analyzing what you need Researching to find the right funding source Meeting the funder’s needs when writing a proposal ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

What We Should Remember
Grant Writing: Keys to Developing an Effective Proposal What We Should Remember Things to remember about what funders want: Simple, concise language Complete proposals that include all the information they asked for Presentable and organized proposals ICF Consulting – Housing and Community Development

Basic Principles of Successful Grant Writing

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Basic Principles of Successful Grant Writing"— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback

Log in

Auth with social network:

Basic Principles of Successful Grant Writing

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Basic Principles of Successful Grant Writing"— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback