1. 1 Evaluating Grant Funding Opportunities EIU CTE 3402 Career and Technical Education February 23, 2006

2. 2 Overview Basics Proposal development Researching funding sources Where to start looking

3. 3 Basics to consider It takes time to obtain funding support Submit proposals that: –are a priority for your organization –fit the interests of the grantmaker Researching funders and writing the proposal are only pieces in the overall process

4. 4 What is a grant? Monetary aid from external sources made with certain expectations –Restricted use of funds –Defined project plan (scope of work) –Stated objectives and outcomes –Timeline for performance –Accountability (reporting requirements)

5. 5 Why get a grant? Build organizational capacity or infrastructure Create new resources or form of expression Conduct research to develop new knowledge Extend services to more people Provide a new service

6. 6 Why make a grant? Address an important need Solve a problem Demonstrate an idea/test a theory Enhance public relations Obtain product or outcome Advance the grant-giver’s mission

7. 7 Proposal Development It’s a Planning Process

8. 8 Strategic Process Your Organization’s Mission Strategic Plan: Priorities Program Concept Strategic funding plan Implement other funding strategies Implement grant research process

9. 9 Funding Quest Research Potential Sources of Funding Make contact, enter proposal process Understand the opportunity Identify needs & resources, develop the proposal Submit the proposal Advance the relationship with the funding agency Respond to result: grant or rejection

10. 10 Parts of a Proposal Abstract/Introduction Problem/Needs Statement Goal(s) Objectives Methods/Activities Evaluation Personnel Budget

11. 11 Problem or Need Objectives Evaluation Methods What is it? What will it be? How will you get there? What results are anticipated? } Conceptual Competencies Program Planning Elements

12. 12 Introduction Future Funding Budget Summary Are you credible? Do you know what you’re doing? Can you sustain it? Marketing Elements

13. 13 Researching Funding Sources Making Connections

14. 14 Who makes grants? Government Foundations Public charities Professional associations

15. 15 Independent Foundations Independent “Private” Foundations –large/regional –usually no family connections anymore –independent, self-sustaining Examples: Ford Foundation, Kellogg Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation –Operating foundations, use resources to run their own charitable programs Examples: Getty Trust, Carnegie Endowment for Peace

16. 16 Corporate Foundations –private foundation funded by a for- profit company or corporation –most give where they have facilities –want to keep their communities happy, usually limit their interests to communities they serve Examples: Home Depot Foundation, R.R. Donnelley Foundation, Toys “R” Us Foundation

17. 17 Community Foundations –defined geographic scope –often publicly controlled –multiple donors Examples: Charleston Community Foundation, Olney Arts Council, Dayton Foundation

18. 18 Special Purpose Foundations public foundations that focus on specific area of interest, such as a disease-related research Examples: American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Bikes Belong Coalition

19. 19 Family Foundations source of funds from single family family-run focus on people they know usually concentrate on giving locally proposals are like “junk mail” to them Examples: Lumpkin Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Silas & Ruth Claypool Foundation

20. 20 Public Charities often referred to as public foundations may engage in grant-making or function as a supporting foundation to other organizations Examples: Humane Society, Catholic Charities

21. 21 Develop an “A” List Geography Your “A” List Interest Areas Type of Money An overlap of key factors

22. 22 Questions to ask about a potential funding source Who can apply? When is it due? What costs/activities are supported? Are special requirements or competitive priorities involved? How many awards will be made? Is cost-sharing required? What is the earliest date funding would be available?

23. 23 More questions to ask Do your interests match? What is the funder’s pattern of giving? –Geographic limitations –Average size of award –Types of grantees –Nature of projects supported

24. 24 Making Contact Telephone Contact Email Written communication Networking Appointments Handout: Questions to ask a program officer

25. 25 Before you call Read the guidelines Learn about the funding agency’s culture Prepare basic information about your interests or organization –what need or problem is addressed? –who will be affected? –how will the project be carried out? –what will result? –what organization will handle the money?

26. 26 Where to start looking Free Information Sources

27. 27 Internet resources Tips and Resources for Writing Successful Proposals www.geocities.com/wantagrant www.geocities.com/wantagrant Foundations http://fdncenter.org/ http://fdncenter.org/ Government grants http://www.grants.gov http://www.grants.gov

28. 28 More Information Molly Daniel Grants Specialist Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center 1000 Health Center Drive Mattoon, IL 61938 mdaniel@sblhs.org 217-258-2195