1. Grant Seeking Myths & Realities

2. Myth: Reality: Grants are “something for nothing” Grants are rational deals between colleagues

3. Myth: Reality: Writing grant proposals is an ordeal Proposal writing is predictable and simple

4. Myth: Reality: All you need is one well-written grant proposal Winning grants depends on pinpointing matches and tailoring proposals

5. Myth: Reality: You need to “know someone” to get a grant You don’t need to know anyone to start, and relationships can be built as you go

6. Myth: Reality: Grants are too inconsistent to deserve the attention of fundraising staff Grants are consistently useful for certain projects and needs

7. Myth: Reality: Grants are few, huge, and national Grants are most often small, numerous, and local

8. Myth: Reality: Taking grant funding means selling out your program You control your programs, and you can select donors that fit with your mission

9. Grant Seeking Basic Cycle of Activities LearnMatch Invite Pursue Follow Up Evaluate

10. Learn: 1.Your Organization’s needs & strengths 2.Your Community & it’s needs 3.Your potential Funders & their goals

11. Match 1.Organize the list of Organization Needs & Programs 2.Organize the list of Funders and their goals 3.Match Programs and Goals

12. Invite or Pursue 1.Phone call / email 2.Letter of Inquiry 3.Meeting 4.Site Visit 5.Concept Paper 6.Full Proposal Network

13. Follow Up 1.Keep copy of original proposal on file 2.Inform in-house people: board, staff 3.Maintain a tracking form of all proposals outstanding 4.Note funder requirements for reporting 5.Update funder if other sources contribute to project 6.Aim to build collegial relationship with funder

14. Evaluate 1.Review the previous steps and adjust 2.Find out why proposal funded or not funded 3.Examine work effort and efficiency 4.Update changes in Organization programs 5.Update changes in Community needs 6.Determine next grant/funder to pursue

15. LearnMatch Invite Pursue Follow Up Evaluate

16. If you need the money now, you have started too late Before You Begin Writing the Grant Proposal: Rule #1: Believe that someone wants to give you the money!! Project your organization into the future Start with the end in mind...look at your organization's big picture. Who are you? What are your strengths and priorities? Create a plan not just a proposal Do your homework: Research prospective funders. Try and search locally first. Target funding sources that have interest in your organization and program.

17. Four Basic Principles Ultimate goal is building a relationship with grantors for long-term commitment. (not a one hit wonder) Grant writing should be a “team sport.” (not grunt writing by an individual) Good grant writing is about capitalizing on capabilities (not on unmet needs) Use the Swiss-cheese concept. (not the whole chunk concept)

18. EXERCISE AGENCY SCAN PROGRAM SCAN

19. Boiler Plate Components 1.Application for Federal Assistance, SF 424. 2.The Federal Standard Form SF 424A 3.A one page summary cover sheet. 4.Narrative of the proposal not to exceed 10 pages. 5.Key Contacts information sheet. 6.Detailed, itemized budget. 7.Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters. 8.Certification Regarding Lobbying. 9.Disclosure of Lobbying Activities. 10.Letters of commitment, memoranda of understanding, or other documents. 11.Resumes or biographical information regarding the lead investigator and other key personnel in the grant application. 12.Any additional information deemed useful by the applicant.

20. Proposal Components Abstract Problem Statement Program Description Staffing or Organization Capacity Budget Evaluation Plan Sustainability Plan

21. ELEVATOR EXERCISE What’s the Program? (name, where) What’s the problem? How is it addressed? (program description) Capacity of this agency Impact of the program How much does it cost?

22. REVIEWER’S CONTEST Set up a table listing the Elevator Speeches Line up a column for each component – Problem/need – Proposed approach – Capacity of agency – Impact of the program – Cost of the program As a group, score each Elevator Speech Discuss what the review process reveals