Expect to see a variety of social philosophies represented by wide-range of grant programs.

Transcription

1 2010 Grant Trends Hot grant areas are determined by interrelated factors such as political agendas, social philosophies, reaction to unanticipated events and demographics. National Politics The 2008 presidential, state and local political campaigns showcased a widerange of public programs. This is an opportunity to pick up important publicity and public recognition of your work. Expect to see a variety of social philosophies represented by wide-range of grant programs. Heavier emphasis on evaluations of programs and analysis of program results or outcomes. Areas of common ground for both political parties will usually create a flurry of compromises that results in public money for government programs. Economy Stimulus package from the federal government will initially concentrate on infrastructure development. In order to jumpstart the economy with job creation that can start quickly, expect more roadwork and community development activities. We will see a push to fund Shovel-Ready projects that had been on hold but had completed much of the regulatory process. Often these projects had scored lower than other projects that had been awarded competitive contracts. These shovel-ready projects are currently in a refinement stage. Projects that had been on hold will be funded sooner than newer projects. At the same time, the Obama administration will concentrate in implementing dramatic initiatives in three key areas: Energy Health Care Education Because of the longer-term results for programs in these three areas, you will see a greater emphasis on evaluations of social programs and analysis of program results or outcomes. Limited funding resources mean that social programs that do not work will be eliminated or re-tooled. Cost-effectiveness of programs will become more important. 1

2 State Governments State governments are distressed because of the poor economy. Expect federal programs and loosening of federal rules to help the state governments. Each state is at a different place based on the economy in the state and how proactive the state government has been in facing the financial challenges. Because of the political and social agenda and the financial problems faced by the state governments; we can expect two opposite philosophies and grant systems - more state block grants of existing federal programs and more small pots of discretionary grant monies available from federal agencies. The block grants allow state governments to have more control. The discretionary grant programs are the incubators for models that support the current administration's political and social agenda. The programs of the Obama administration started in mid Babyboomers The obvious trend is the growth in the influence of the babyboomer population. Babyboomers are probably the dominant political force in this country. The issues that are important to babyboomers and the programs that reflect the babyboomer perspective will dominate the political agenda for a long time. What is important to babyboomers determines many of the current trends in grant writing. Babyboomers are now the key population at all levels of grant writing such as elected officials, government, nonprofit and foundation administrators, proposal reviewers and proposal writers. Mandates Expect continued complaints about government mandates without funding to implement and administer the mandates. Hot grant areas are determined by interrelated factors such as political agendas, social philosophies, economics issues, government reaction to unanticipated events and demographics. 2

3 These are the additional influences on the trends National Politics Areas of common ground for both political parties will usually create a flurry of compromises that results in public money for government programs. Political influence has shifted to blue states and away from red states. State and Local Governments Expect federal assistance and loosening of federal rules to help the distressed state and local governments. State and local government conditions vary based on the state and local economy and how proactive the state and local governments have been in facing financial challenges. Because of the political and social agenda and the financial problems faced by the state governments; we can expect two opposite philosophies and grant systems - more state block grants of existing federal programs and more small pots of discretionary grant monies available from federal agencies. The block grants allow state governments to have more control. The discretionary grant programs are the incubators for models that support the current administration's political and social agenda. Expect the funding for the social programs of the Bush political agenda to end quickly in The programs or the new administration should start in mid Babyboomers The obvious trend is the growth in the influence of the babyboomer population. Babyboomers are probably the dominant political force in this country. The issues that are important to babyboomers and the programs that reflect the babyboomer perspective will dominate the political agenda for a long time. What is important to babyboomers determines many of the current trends in grant writing. Babyboomers are now the key population at all levels of grant writing such as elected officials, government, nonprofit and foundation administrators, proposal reviewers and proposal writers. Technology Grant writing is in a transitional stage with more online applications, greater access to funding resources and an increased emphasis on keywords. Sustainability Funders expect to see development plans to help sustain programs. Evaluations Increased emphasis on measuring outcomes of programs. Cost-effectiveness is a major factor in determining and analyzing outcomes. 3

4 The following section addresses the hot topic areas in different social fields. These are the core of many grant proposals. Arts Education Employment and Training Environment Faith-Based Initiatives Foster Care Health Care Homeland Security Housing International Seniors Social Services Substance Abuse Volunteerism Youth 4

5 Arts Short-term, less governmental support, possible future public arts projects with infrastructure investment Donations down because less discretionary income Education End of no child left behind Growth of charter schools and specialized schools Greater expectations on teaching performance Autism because of the explosive growth in population Teaching values and character-building Pre-headstart and early enrichment Increase in number of innovative programs such as separate educational programs for boys and girls, or pay for grades programs Environmental education classes Longer school year High school to college transition programs Community college as feeder schools to college degree programs Technical schools coordinated with workforce and training programs Employment and Training Weak economy will result in new retraining programs at national and state levels State-funded welfare to work programs as we reached the end of the five year welfare limit under TANF Supported employment placement in public organizations 5

6 Transportation seen as major barrier to employment, innovative programs that provide transportation at lower cost Older worker support programs Prison population integrated into society with job supports National service corps with local placements with nonprofit and public programs College and graduate students and recent graduates want internships for job experience because of tight job markets Environment Green is in Community-based activities Lower carbon footprint Energy conservation Use of technology to monitor and evaluate energy use Weatherization Alternative fuels, solar and wind Programs to support life-style changes Start-up grants for new energy initiatives 6

7 Local foods and food security Faith-Based Initiatives "Even the Playing Field" is intended for faith-based programs. It also means less influence and funding for the established nonprofit network. Larger agencies are "out" and smaller grass roots volunteer organizations are "in." "founders syndrome and personal ministry motivational issues babyboomers want more meaning in lives through socially-conscious good work either as volunteers or career change based on religious values religious groups often prefer to volunteer through traditional and established social programs programs to reduce the competition between faith-based and traditional social service field and encourage collaboration evaluation of faith-based programs, questions as to cost-effectiveness management systems and controls grants for technical assistance grants to build the faith-based infrastructure increase in foundations who fund faith-based programming Family Violence this is largely a state-by-state issue. for states with a high percentage of murders and violence attributed to domestic violence, this is a major social issue. conflict between emphasizing programs to help victims vs. programs aimed at perpetrators Foster Care kinship care - the use of relatives (grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles) to provide foster care 7

8 foster care abuse appears to be less prevalent through the development of better foster care oversight. Unfortunately, state and local fiscal difficulties will result cutbacks in oversight. constant tension between re-unification/family preservation movement and national network of group homes Health Care reduction of health care costs especially for elderly applied technology to reduce health care costs telemedicine and use of internet Innovative efforts to reduce cost of prescriptions coordinated national health networks spirituality hospice and death with dignity greater acceptance of low cost alternative medicine and treatments therapeutic benefits of different disciplines such as arts, journaling, gardening, pets and animals, yoga more funding for diseases faced by aging babyboomers such as diabetes, osteoporosis Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease and spinal cord injury because of Iraq, Afghanistan and the aging boomer population who served in the Vietnam War, veteran s health care needs are over-burdening the veteran s health care system 8

9 Homeland Security nonprofit agencies need to brainstorm on how they can get into this field and the applications of their programs to homeland security issues emergency management networks mental health and stress human rights issues increased status for military, law enforcement, fire and emergency services personnel Housing Because of tight credit, expect difficulty for home purchase Initiatives to prevent foreclosure Rate of homelessness to dramatically increase over the next year Predatory lending practices and housing counseling Energy efficiency and weatherization initiatives improve housing stock 9

10 Seniors senior issues involve most of the categories in this report such as health care, veterans, socials service, employment support development of community supports to keep seniors in the community as long as possible continuum of care systems Social Services Models that can be replicated at low cost Low incomes for the working poor is a main issue Homeless shelters and food pantries will receive increased funding Use of churches and religious groups for volunteer labor and as partners models that can be replicated at low cost Substance Abuse abuse of prescription drugs and oxycontin substance abuse prevention and treatment tobacco prevention for youth Drug Courts and alternative sentencing to reduce state prison populations opportunities for new initiatives because DARE program model questioned conflict with marijuana legalization movement crystal meth perfect storm has abated 10

11 Transportation Fuel costs were recently at all-time high, need innovative measures Public agency fleets converting to cleaner fuels Increase recognition that transportation is a major barrier to access to employment and service Opportunities for creative alternative transportation systems Volunteerism volunteerism numbers are very high since 9/11, highest I have ever seen alternative sources of labor such as court-mandated community services, increased church volunteers improved management volunteer systems Americorp and National Community Service mentoring baby-boomers searching for more meaning in their lives, they want socially responsible careers 11

12 Youth Violence prevention Abstinence programs largely discredited Teen pregnancy Girl s self-esteem Boys left behind Bullying Obesity Character-building Less use of peer programs and bootcamps 12

13 Brainstorm on programs your organization can develop in these three key areas: Energy Health Care Education 13