Grant Writing Workshop Thursday, April 27, 2017 Rondout Municipal Center Nonprofit and Education Breakout
Nonprofit Grant Writing
Research: Where to Start? Foundation Directory Grants Gateway Grants.gov Email notifications from agencies in your field News from similar organizations Word of mouth
Foundation Directory Online
Foundation Directory Online
Foundation Directory Online
Foundation Directory Online
Foundation Center
Where s the Money? Private foundations: largest funding source for 38% of respondents Federal government grants: largest source for 17% State government grants: largest source for 15% Community foundations: largest source for 11% Corporate grants: largest source for 9% Local government grants: largest source for 7% Other grant sources (religious orgs, United Way, donor-advised funds, civic orgs, tribal funds, and individual donors): largest source for 6% *Survey results based on 3,371 responses, published in GrantStation s 2016 State of Grantseeking Report.
What Are Your Needs? Program Project General Operating Support Capacity building Professional development Capital Event
Elements of a Strong Proposal Organizational Background/Description Organizational History Overview of Region Financial Overview Administrative Overview Program Overview Grounds and Facilities Community Collaboration Documenting Impact Project Requests Proposals Budgets Reporting If You Don t Win the Grant
Organizational History When was the organization formed? How was it formed? Was it started by one person or a group of people? Why was the organization formed? Who serves as board of directors? Why was the site chosen? Were facilities constructed or did they already exist?
Overview of the Region Size Population Resources Employment Poverty Educational levels Other opportunities in the field/sector Special designations (i.e.: culturally underserved; REAP Zone)
Financial Overview Annual Budget Sources of funding how is organization financed? Role of board members, community Financial stability/sustainability Is the organization audited?
Administration Who runs the organization administrators? Staff? What are their qualifications? How many staff members are employed, part and full-time? How many volunteers? Best practices/compliance NYCON (runs webinars, can be hired) Nonprofit Revitalization Act
Programs What programs and services are offered? Identify major actives and provide a concise description of each, including: Average number of program participants Attendees Budget Other funding sources
Grounds and Facilities Where is the organization based? How many buildings? What size? When were they built? By whom? Are they state-of-the-art? Aging?
Community Collaboration What organizations do you collaborate with and how? Local K-12 schools? Colleges and universities? Local government? Businesses?
Documenting Impact Identify metrics to track for major programs or events Use to prove impact on community, region, state, or country Documenting demographics shows an understanding of the community that you serve (and is often required) Documenting job creation or economic impact can often be useful for grant awards.
Project Requests Develop a cohesive, reasoned argument for why funding is needed: Why is the project important? Do other projects like it exist in the community? What will your project add to the fabric of the community?
Project Requests, Cont. A powerful request is a specific request Ask for something concrete and well defined The request should coincide with a budget showing exactly how funds would be spent. The funder should have a solid idea of what it would be paying for.
Grant Impact # of people (duplicated, unduplicated) Demographics Impact of project on these people (long-term, shortterm) Tasks, outputs, and outcomes How will you measure and evaluate these outcomes? How will you share information with the grantmaker and general public?
Project Budgets What does the full program cost? Administrative Planning Logistics Production Indirect What percentage is being requested from the funder? What other sources (committed and pending) will be used to support remaining costs? Create sub-budgets aligned with grantmakers priorities
If You Get the Award Congratulations! Need additional funding? Need to scale down project? When is the money coming? Right away? Reimbursement? Reporting: After grant period Mid-period report Quarterly reports Use your good news to raise awareness about your organization
If You Don t Get the Award Seek feedback Change angle/apply for a smaller amount Identify and pursue other funding Build outside support for your project or program Try again next funding cycle
Resources Searching for Grants Foundation Directory Online Grantstation.com Grants.gov Grantsreform.ny.gov Grants Action News Guidestar.org Training The Grantsmanship Center Grantstation.com (webinars, some free) The Foundation Center, NY
E-mail: jgutman@choicewordspr.com