$ GET THAT GRANT Grant Writing Ninja Guide Pat Grosse, The Community Entrepreneur 19 May, 2017
Welcome to the Grant Writing Ninja Guide Hosted by Pat Grosse, The Community Entrepreneur
This workshop is for you if you. want to get out of your comfort zone to attract more grant income and make a difference to your community
Here s what I ve done Been on both sides of the funding fence on two continents Put together and managed a training fund that generated 50+ funded projects Involved in the evaluation and redesign of funding programs Written funding criteria Assessed grant applications capital works through to social and community activities Delivered professional development for grant writing, project management and project evaluation
Tracking down the money
10 sources of funding 1. Local government 2. State or regional government 3. Federal government 4. Sector specific 5. Philanthropic trusts and foundations
6. Corporate foundations 7. Venture capital / business angels 8. Crowd funding 9. Fund raising 10.Bank loans
Before you start Draft your idea - what you want to do, when, who and what you want to achieve Be clear about the need and your ability to respond Visit a grant making website that is offering a grant you are interested in Check eligibility
Ninja Tip If you re going to write a few grant applications, set up an administrivia document: - ABN, Incorporation etc - Org Purpose, Vision, Mission etc - Contact details - Website, social media details - Board competencies Make sure previous two years financial available Save a copy of the strategic plan
If Eligible Download available Guidelines Application form information Other available information (eg FAQs, Policy documents) List of previously successful applicants (if available) Briefing sessions/webinars Contact phone numbers
Ninja Insights 1 Objectives / Outcomes Eligible / Ineligible activities FAQ s Timelines
Partners 1. Why do you need partners? 2. Do you have sufficient time to plan with partners? 3. How will you involve them? 4. Letters of support / intent 5. Task schedule
Supporting Documentation Quotes Licences Permits
Ninja Insight 2 Do you have the organisational capacity? Policies and Procedures Governance Project Management Expertise Risks Organisational context / priorities (does not take over)
Ninja Tip Grant funders will use questions based on - Who - What - Where - Why Be Smart Be ready - When - How
The Project Plan Why the project plan is the MOST IMPORTANT part of the application: It shows the funder how you will deliver the project - breaks down the timeline, milestones and resources It should reflect the budget demonstrates good planning
Simple Project Plan Stage/activity - project planning/governance - activities - evaluation - reporting Periods of time Resource(s)
Ninja Tip Work Breakdown Structure (involve team/partners) Use to estimate human resources and budget
Ninja Insights 3 -Budget Common Mistakes 1. Not asking for enough 2. Budget requirements do not match the case for funding (purpose and how funds will be used) 3. Total income does not equal total expenditure 4. Asking for ineligible items 5. Not costing rate per hour for staff time correctly 6. Asking for funding for an activity that has already been funded previously 7. The project can be funded elsewhere 8. Not including overheads and/or administration/management fee 9. Asking for a high percentage of the grant as an administration/management fee
What happens when things go wrong?
Why have a risk plan? 1. To avoid a catastrophe 2. To put in place measures so that if the the worst happens, the damage will be minimal 3. It s not too late to add risk avoidance strategies to your project plan 4. Reduces the brand risk to the funder 5. Any other ideas?
Common examples of risks? Clients/community not interested? Conflict? Misunderstandings / poor communication? People leave? Run out of time? Blow the budget?
Ninja Tip Go back to your project plan and incorporate risk mitigation ideas
How will you know how successful your project is?
What the funders want A framework for measuring the outcomes identified in the questions Data driven
What you need 1. Prove the anecdotes 2. To argue the case for more funding 3. Do it better next time 4. Lobby for change 5. Keep a record of recommendations, success etc - to be used as a benchmark / not re-invent the wheel
Potential Evaluation Frameworks Stages of Change Results-based Accountability Impact Measurement
Stages of evaluation 1. Benchmark 2. Formative 3. Summative
Types of evidence 1 Qualitative 2 Quantitative
Why should the funding body trust you?
How to impress your funder? Answer the question KISS Sentence structure / bullet points Meet the threshold criteria Well presented, no typos / proof read Get letters of support - partners - community / clients - board As well as a project plan matrix, include a risk plan Communication plan - within project, partners external stakeholders, funder
On the QT How to stand out from the rest Your experience managing projects working with the target clients / market achieving results
On the QT How to stand out from the rest Management strategic / business plan financials - P&L / balance project governance contract management
What the funder wants to hear You understand their objectives and outcomes and what your are proposing to do fits You are clear about the need You will deliver on time, on budget and on specification
Attention grabbers Catchy title Catchy description Clear, concise answers - use bullet points Don t try to impress with big words Previously successful projects - good track record
9 tips for success 1.It s about their agenda as well as yours 2.Evidence the need - data is king 3.Technology is your friend 4.Get the timing right 5.Check out your partners - commitment and value 6.Be selective about the grants you apply for 7.Don t skip on planning and resources 8.Realistic budget - get funded for success 9.Don t become grant dependent
Join us for the next part of your journey The Grant Writing Coaching School