The Essentials of Successful Grant Proposals: Writing, Researching, and Relating to Funding Sources X480 Instructor: Prerequisite: None Journalism, Fundraising, and Public Relations UCLA Extension Course Syllabus & Course Description: This course examines how to write proposals for special projects and general support, define program objectives, select approaches and plan a program evaluation, prepare a proposal budget, and package the proposal. Other topics include identifying appropriate funders, researching and establishing relationships with government, foundations and corporations, reading foundation tax returns, and using resources available on the Internet and at local libraries. Class begins January 13 and runs through March 17, 2010. Textbook: The Complete Idiot s Guide to Grant Writing, 2 nd Edition, Waddy Thompson, Alpha Books Final A completed grant proposal and cover letter. Instructor Objectives: By the end of the course students should: a) Understand the role of grants within the fund raising process and as part of organization s resources in order to determine when to pursue grant funding b) Know how to research and identify potential funding sources and how to match a funding source with a project or organization c) Distinguish among potential funding sources: foundation, corporate, government d) Develop a complete proposal, cover letter, and letter of inquiry for a non-for profit organization to a private foundation e) Practice effective writing techniques and strategies f) Know how to build a relationship with a potential donor prior to proposal submission: phone calls, office meetings, site visits p. 1
Grading: Students enrolled in Extension Courses for Credit (Letter Grade, Passed/Not Passed), Not for Credit, or Do Not Record. Grades will be based on the following: Class Participation/Demonstrated Understanding of Reading 15% Weekly Writing and Research Assignments 35% Final Proposal and Presentation 50% Assignments: Assignments must be complete and submitted on time. They need to be submitted in hard copy and cannot be accepted by email. In the deadline driven world of grant submissions, a late proposal often will be disqualified. Late assignments will likewise be penalized. Assignments should be typed in 12-point font with your name in the top right hand corner. Please note the difference between Part and Chapter in this book. This class requires computer access. Please make sure you are able to access course materials online. Lesson I: January 13 The Big Picture The Who, What, Where and Why of Grant Seeking Class Discussion: Why does the nonprofit sector exist? What are the various types of income for a nonprofit? Why is funding necessary? Who monitors grantmakers? Who monitors the nonprofits? How does the growth of family foundations change the playing field? When in an organization s lifecycle can a group apply for grants? What is an organization s mission and vision? Are you required to ask for support within the scope of the mission and vision. What are the kinds of grantmakers, which can be approached, and what are the pros and cons of approaching each type of grantmaker? What s probability got to do with it? Read: Textbook Part 2: Where the Money Is: Foundations, Corporations, Government Agencies Read: Textbook Part 3: Research - Just How Nosy Are You? Identify an organization and project for this class p. 2
Research/write the Mission and Vision for this nonprofit o Assume no one has ever heard of your organization Write a two-paragraph summary describing your project you want funded. o Answer the questions who, what, when, where, why and why now Lesson II Jan. 20 Researching and Screening Your Prospects Class Discussion: Read and discuss Mission and Vision statements in class Review Part 3 and 4 What resources do you need to effectively solicit funding from grantmakers? How do timing, connections and a bit of luck factor in? Is your nonprofit ready for grantseeking? Kinds of support: program, capital, scholarship, operating, etc. How does your proposal differ for each of these asks? In-class exercise Read: Part 5: Writing the Proposal Chapters 13, 14 and 15 Identify three potential grantmakers for your project and explain why you selected these two based on fit and giving history. Lesson III Jan. 27 Assignment The Grantmaker Landscape Grantmaker listings, directors, publications, websites, associations Review Research Tools on CD Annual Reports-lists of grantees What information about the grantmakers is most important Who does what? What are the roles and responsibilities grantmaker, foundation trustee, development director, grantwriter, executive director, board of directors, etc? Grantmaker restrictions, oversight and evaluation Preparing to write your proposal In-class project: Outlining the proposal Review Part 2 - Chapters 4, 5 and 6 Complete briefing document on potential funders. p. 3
Lesson IV Feb. 3 The Proposal: Breaking It Down Broad overview of each section: o Organization History o Needs Statement o Goals and Objectives/ Methods o Project/Organizational Budget o Project Results/Project Evaluation o Executive Summary o Cover Letter o Appendices Class final project Types of proposals; Common grant proposal How proposal sections differ/are the same same info. described differently for different organizations Share your proposal idea, the organization it is for and what you think is the most likely prospect. Write you proposal s history section Write your proposal s needs statement detail the purpose of the program. o Why is it needed? Who will it serve? Review Samples of various kinds of proposals on CD Lesson V Feb. 10 The Proposal: Breaking It Down Pt. II : Goals and Objectives Getting on a funder s radar o Relationship building o Working with the program officer o How to increase your changes of getting funded o Most common reasons for grants to be declined o Grantmaker stwewardship o Marketing/Outreach/PR/Internet-based communications Read: Chapters 14 and 15 Selling Your Project and Dollars and Cents Write the Goals and Objectives Section p. 4
Lesson VI: Feb. 17 The Proposal: Putting it all Together Project Evaluation/Outcomes Grant proposal addendums: press, marketing materials, board of directors lists/bios, staff bios, outreach materials, letters of support Budget information: Project budget; operating budget, current/projected budget, projected income The Cover letter and Executive Summary In-class exercise Read Chapter 17 and 18 Repute and Tribute and Putting It All Together Write your Methods section Do your Project/Organizational budget and budget narrative Lesson VII: Feb. 24 Writing the Grant Report Content and formatting the report Reviewing reporting requirements What to do when there are no requirements Too much information! Writing the Executive Summary In-class exercise: Outline your cover letter Read: Textbook Part 6: Reporting on Success Write the Results and Project Evaluation Section Write your proposal cover letter Lesson VIII: A View From Across the Table: What Funders Look For March 3 Benchmarks and measuring success p. 5
Assignment Dealing with failures and missed goals In-class Exercise: Meeting your funder Proposal Review Final Q & A Review and complete your final draft of proposal Full Proposals: Due next week!! o Proof carefully and have someone else proof Lesson IX: The Grantwriter s Viewpoint March 10 Fundraising Challenges and How to Overcome Them (internal and external) Organizational Issues Mission overlap/infrastructure/information Access to key grantmakers Need for dynamic and/or distinctive programming New or relatively unknown organization Narrow mission; limited impact Overlapping services in local region Lack of partnerships Read Chapter 20 Waiting for and Receiving the Verdict, Chapter 21 Reporting on Success and Chapter 22 Special Advice for Individual Grant Seekers Prepare for in-class presentations Lesson X: Working in the Field: From Getting Started to Professional Development March 17 Review Part 6 A Day in the Life of a Development Professional Review of Common Problems Course Review vocabulary and key points Final papers returned Presentation of Final Projects p. 6