Finding Funding for Extension Programs MU Extension Fall Summit 2015 Vicki Leighty, Senior Grant Writer 212 A Whitte n Hall 573-884- 4056 leightyv@missouri.edu
Presentation Overview o Finding Funding o Tips for Successful Proposals o Resources
Finding Funding 1) Getting Started Draft a BUDGET to see how much $ you need to raise from viable funding sources. Itemize program expenses show calculations Use standard budget categories (Personnel, Fringe, Contractual, Equipment, Supplies, Travel and Indirect costs) Include current rates for fringe benefits and F & A (indirect) Don t forget design and printing costs for program curriculum, web development and collateral materials
2) Identify potential SPONSORS there are many, some specific to your community: Civic Groups (e.g., Rotary, Optimist Clubs) Corporate Foundations with a presence (e.g., Dollar General, CenturyLink, Target, etc.) Private Foundations Community Foundations/Community Trusts Local Cities/Counties/State government Federal government Faith-based Organizations Finding Funding
Finding Funding 3) Use RESOURCES these tools (most free!) will lead you to prospective funders and grant writing resources: Pivot: funding search engine accessible if you have an University of Missouri IP address or email account used when you register: http://pivot.cos.com/funding_main The Foundation Center Online Directory: www.foundationcenter.org (free search engine, and fee-based subscription service) The Foundation Center Cooperating Collections in Missouri: http://foundationcenter.org/find-us (in libraries in St. Peters, Kirkwood, St. Louis, Springfield, Quincy, Carbondale, Joplin, and Kansas City)
Finding Funding 3) Use RESOURCES (cont d) these tools (most free!) will lead you to prospective funders and grant writing resources: Foundation Center s Philanthropy News: Digest: http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/rfps Fundsnet: http://www.fundsnetservices.com/searchresult/37/ Missouri-Grants.html Grants.gov: single-access point for grant programs for all federal agencies (subscribe for alerts) City, County and State Government web sites Search engines: many foundations on the web
Finding Funding 4) FUNDING RESEARCH review these documents when considering a funder: Web page - corporate pages often hard to locate! Funding guidelines/priority areas of interest or focus Application form for online submissions and you may have to create an account in order to see the content Prior funding history/types of organizations funded Profile in funding database (e.g., Pivot, Foundation Center) provides more details, contact info, etc. Foundation 990s (tax return) access at Guidestar.org
Finding Funding 5) VETTING process review for Private and Corporate Foundations: Eligibility to apply Geographic focus Size of grants (low, high, and average) Projects they support/projects they don t support Grant guidelines/process for submission Degree of match (funder s interests vs. your project) Deadlines
6) VETTING process review for Federal Grant Request for Applications (RFAs): Eligibility to apply Purpose/priority of funding Project types Maximum award/duration of grant award Allowable costs/budgetary restrictions Cost sharing/match requirements Evaluation criteria Finding Funding Deadlines/submission instructions
Finding Funding 7) CULTIVATE and keep sponsor support make it a priority to involve and appreciate them: Invite them to the planning table if appropriate Invite them to events and celebrations Send newsletters/program brochures Send updates on project outcomes Stay compliant with grant reporting Recognize and THANK them
Finding Funding 8) Tools use a GRANT CALENDAR to plan submissions, stay proactive and track grant outcomes ( simple sample below): MONTH SPONSOR DEADLINE REQUEST AMT. PURPOSE SUBMIT DATE OUTCOME JAN FEB MAR APR MAY
Summary o Know how much $ you need o Do your research it is tedious, but worth it! o Vet your prospects best fit o Organize and track grant outcomes
Tips for Successful Proposals TIP 1: BE PROACTIVE use your time between proposals to become grant ready with a proposal on back burner: Develop Program Templates and draft budgets Conduct lit searches/research program models Explore potential collaborations Update boilerplate (history, mission, activities, etc.) Organizational documents up-to-date/accessible (tax status letter, resumes/vitaes, etc.)
Tips for Successful Proposals TIP 2: Grants are very SIMPLE to very COMPLEX plan your lead time for proposal development accordingly: Letter proposals can be completed within 1 day Letters of Inquiry can be completed within 1 day Concept Papers allow 1-2 weeks to complete Application forms (electronic/online submissions) IF you have a program template/budget prepared can be completed in a few days to 40 hrs. otherwise, plan on 40-60 hrs. depending on complexity of application Federal grants via Grants.gov most complex, easily require 4-8 weeks and 200+ hrs. from team to complete
Tips for Successful Proposals TIP 3: SUCCESSFUL grants have these characteristics: Concise and well-written, seamless document Well-organized content that follows application outline, with headers/sub-headers setting off sections Adheres to page, word and character limitations, font sizes, and margins Makes good use of headers, white space, bullet points, tables, charts, graphics Includes all required forms, appendices and attachments
Tips for Successful Proposals TIP 3: SUCCESSFUL grants have these characteristics (cont d): Provides a realistic budget, timeline and staffing plan Includes a table of contents, where appropriate Is convincing makes a strong and compelling case for support Needs statement backed up with recent research/data Includes goals/measureable objectives and outcomes Proposes evidence-/research-based models Follows the grant guidelines EXACTLY
Tips for Successful Proposals TIP 4: For ONLINE applications create Microsoft Word.doc template for pasting narrative into fields of the form. Why? Built in spellcheck, word and character count functions Easy to send narrative to others for editing (they don t have to login to the grant system) Word.doc template serves as template for subsequent applications to same sponsor Becomes your program template for other grants
Tips for Successful Proposals TIP 5: Use a Backwards Calendar for Federal Grants to keep team on track and meet deadline: (sample below) Sponsor deadline: FEDERAL AGENCY PROGRAM TITLE GRANT # - BACKWARDS CALENDAR Submit in grants.gov - by date, xx p.m. Eastern time/xx p.m. Central time Signed copies and instructions to OSPA (allow 7 days): Final documents to the Extension Grants and Contracts Specialist (allow 2 days): Final review and approvals by program director/principal investigator(s): By date By date By date
Tips for Successful Proposals TIP 6: Define the roles/responsibilities of PROPOSAL TEAM members early streamlines the process: Principal Investigator Co-Investigator Project Coordinator Budget Development Reviewers Graphics Admin. Support Consultants Technical Assistance
Summary o o o o o o Be proactive use time between proposals to become Grant ready Plan sufficient lead time for grant writing Submit impeccably written (and formatted) proposals that follow sponsor guidelines Master online applications by working in word doc first Use a backwards calendar for complex applications Define roles of proposal team early
Resources Vicki Leighty SENIOR GRANT WRITER MU Extension, Administration 212 A Whitten Hall Columbia, MO 65211 573-884-4056 leightyv@missouri.edu Consultation, Technical Assistance and Support to faculty and staff in finding funding, proposal planning and development, and web resources
Resources Christine Marston PRE-AWARD GRANT & CONTRACT SPECIALIST MU Extension, Fiscal Admin. Management 212B Whitten Hall Columbia, MO 65211 573-882-6063 marstoncr@missouri.edu Administrative support for faculty/staff in processing of Extension grants and contracts; reporting and evaluation of grant pre-award activity; liaison to OSPA pre-award staff
Resources Amy Rosson POST-AWARD GRANT & CONTRACT SPECIALIST MU Extension, Fiscal Admin. Management 212 D Whitten Hall Columbia, MO 65211 573-882-2009 rossona@missouri.edu Fiscal administration and post-award accounting for extension grants and contracts; reporting and evaluation of grant post-award activity; effort verification reporting; liaison to OSPA post-award staff.
Resources o o o o MU Extension For Faculty and Staff: Administering Grants and Contracts MU Extension For Faculty and Staff: Administering Grants and Contracts: Finding Funding (new web page) and Grant Writing Resources (coming soon!) Office of Sponsored Program Administration (OSPA) Sponsored Programs Procedure Guide Office of Research, Institutional Review Board (IRB) Researcher Resources
Finding Funding for Extension Programs NOW IT S YOUR TURN! o Feedback regarding tools and resources that would be helpful to you o Questions? THANK YOU!