Grant Proposal Development Growing Your Ideas Through Grants Presented by Dee Salmon Grants Administrator Del Mar College
Sequence of Activities For Grant Proposal Development Exercise
Sequence of Activities Conceptualize the idea Describe your idea on paper Gather collaborators Recruit a team to develop the proposal Identify the problem Identify the causes of the problem Develop objectives for proposal Describe the approach or strategies Develop evaluation plan
Sequence of Activities Locate funding source Secure commitment letters from collaborators Communicate with college grants office about plans to submit Prepare the budget and budget justification Write the proposal narrative Gain internal approval to submit Submit proposal to funding agency Wait!!!
We need Bricks & mortar Supplies Equipment Technology Staff
80/20 Guideline Writing Planning
Program Planning Matrix Problem Statement Nature and Extent of the Problem (Need) Reasons or Causes for the Problem Program or Project Evaluation Plan Objectives Outcome Evaluation Plan Approach Process Evaluation Plan
Problem Analysis Problem Statement Nature and Extent of the Problem (Need) What is the problem? What is the extent of it? Describe it. Back it up with data, both hard and soft. Cite sources. Paint the picture. The problem statement is the now the baseline. It will lead directly to your objectives. Reasons or Causes for the Problem Why is the problem happening? Be reasonable causes must be something that you can do something about. This will lead you directly to the approach that you will take to solve the problem.
Identify Need Explain why this problem or need is significant beyond your campus (regionally or nationally). Avoid circular reasoning stating that the problem is the lack of a solution.
How do you determine if your reasoning is circular? You end up where you started There is no mention of the needs of the target population (students). The focus is on what the institution (college) does not have. You start your need statement with The lack of
Circular Reasoning Example Need or Problem statement: Del Mar College lacks facilities for the performing arts. Outcome: Complete construction of a performing arts center. Methodology and activities: Build a performing arts center. Evaluation: Was the performing arts center built?
Does this needs statement use circular reasoning? Literacy levels are low because people cannot read. How would you revise?
Match your organization s goals and objectives to the funder!!! Know your own organization Philosophy Mission Strategic Goals Know the funding organization Philosophy Mission Strategic Goals
Practice Writing Needs Statement Write an example of a problem/needs statement that avoids circular reasoning. List a few causes of the problem. Problem Statement Nature and Extent of the Problem (Need) Reasons or Causes for the Problem
Objectives Problem Statement Nature and Extent of the Problem Reasons or Causes for the Problem Program or Project Objectives Approach Objectives are the outcomes or results that directly relate to the nature and extent of the problem. Objectives must meet criteria: Measurable Time framed Realistic Related to the problem Outcome oriented
Objectives The Ends increase decrease improve reduce maintain (keep from getting worse) Results Words Approach The Means establish develop provide train educate improve access build demonstrate increase numbers of people, services Action Words
Three Critical Components Need/Problem to be addressed Answers the question why? Goals/Objectives Answers the question what will be accomplished? Evaluation Answers the question how successful were you in accomplishing the objectives?
What is the Difference Between Goals & Objectives? Goals are conceptual and abstract a view of the end result of the project. Objectives are tangible, concrete, specific, measurable, achievable and have a time dimension. One or two major goals per project. Three objectives maximum per goal.
Example of Goals & Objectives Goal: Improve outcomes for students enrolled in developmental math classes. Objective: By Spring 2008, the percentage of students completing Math 330 with a C or higher will increase from 42% to 48%.
More Examples Goal: Improve the retention of nursing students. Objective: By fall 2008, increase the retention rate of first year nursing students from 30% to 35% (fall to fall).
Evaluation Planning Evaluation Plan Outcome Evaluation Plan Prove Process Evaluation Plan Improve The Outcome Evaluation Plan describes how progress towards objectives will be monitored. What data will be collected, when, by whom, and how it will be analyzed and used. (Summative) The Process Evaluation Plan describes how the program will be continuously monitored, assessed and improved. (Formative)
Evaluation Formative & Summative Formative begins during project development and continues throughout the life of the project. Assesses progress toward meeting objectives via ongoing project activities. Summative Assesses a mature project s success in reaching its measurable objectives (sometimes referred to as the outcome evaluation). When the cook tastes the soup, that s formative; when the guests taste the soup, that s summative.
Evaluation Resources NSF s User-Friendly Handbook for Project Evaluation http://www.nsf.gov W. K. Kellogg Foundation www.wkkf.org Western Michigan University The Evaluation Center http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/ate
Evaluation Resources University of Wisconsin Evaluation - Logic Model http://www.uwex.edu/ces/pdande/evaluation/evallogicmod el.html
A funding agency is A private non-profit foundation Turner Foundation Pew Charitable Trusts A public nonprofit foundation Impact 100 A for-profit corporation Hewlett Packard Wal-Mart Ben & Jerry s A government agency National Science Foundation Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (State) US Department of Education
Identify Funding Sources National Science Foundation: Free http://nsf.gov/ Grants.gov Register for email notification of new grant posting: Free http://grants.gov Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance CFDA: http://www.cfda.gov ecivis Grants Network: Fee http://www.ecivis.com Agency websites: See resource handout
Capture Your Idea Talk with your colleagues and communicate your ideas on paper!
Grow Your Great Ideas Let us know how we can assist you!
Thank You for Participating! Dee Salmon Grants Administrator Del Mar College 101 Baldwin Blvd. Corpus Christi, Texas 78404 361 698-1973 dsalmon@delmar.edu http://www.delmar.edu/grants