Basic Rules for Successful Grant Writing

Step 1: Be Ready!

Questions to Ask Yourself: Do you have a well defined project scope? What is your project budget? Do you have a quote for the products/services needed? Will there be partnerships involved? Will you be able to provide matching funds or in-kind services if required? Have you developed a project timeline? Do you have a project team that will be able to manage the grant?

Step 2: Find the Right Program

What type of grant program will be best suited for you? There are many different types of programs that you will come across. State Federal Local Private Foundations

Where do I find information on the programs? Use free resources that are available! Grants.gov Foundation Center Education Watch Philanthropy News Digest GrantsAlert.com Some of these websites allow you to search for available opportunities Others allow you to sign up for free emails notifying you of potential funding opportunities

Where do I find information on the programs? Familiarize yourself with what local, state and federal agencies provide grants specific to your needs Attend trainings whenever possible. Ask others that have been successful in obtaining funding how they did it. Who did they receive funding from? Develop relationships with groups that specialize in your project area. Go online and research, research, research!

Step 3: Read and Re-Read

The Grant Application Packet is your friend! Print off a copy of the grant application packet and review EVERY page. Highlight the most important parts: Who is eligible? States, local government agencies, non-profits, regional commissions, etc. Are your project activities eligible? If you are looking for funding for planning, project design, construction, equipment, etc. are they eligible expenses? When is the application due and how must it be submitted?

Look at the funding amounts: What are the minimum and maximum amounts of funding that will be awarded? Are there matching funds required? How many grants will be awarded/how much funding is available? What are the funding priorities for the program?

Other items to look at: What is the grant period? How long do you have to spend funding if it is awarded? Does the program require an environmental and/or historical review? Do you have to have the financial commitments in writing? Does your local government body need to adopt a resolution supporting the project?

Step 4: Putting Your Application Together

Do your research! Go to the funding agency s website and see if they have previously funded applications available for viewing? Google similar projects and review their justification. If you are requesting funding for equipment, go to the manufacturer s website. Make a list of key words and phrases used in the application packet and incorporate them into the grant narrative. Develop a passion for what you are applying for! If you don t believe in what you are writing about, the review committee won t either.

Step 5: Submitting Your Application

How do you submit your application? Follow directions! Pull out the grant application packet and follow every step! How are you submitting the application? Hardcopies, electronic, or both? Is there a due date or post mark date? Did you include all required supporting documents? Did you get the required signatures? Don t wait until the last minute!

A few things to remember: No one is going to have a 100% success rate. If you don t get awarded funding, contact the agency to discuss how to improve your next request. Be willing to put in the time researching grant programs and your project if you want to be successful. If you can t follow directions and pay attention to details, find someone that can. It gets easier!

Stormwater Financing Economic Impact Assessment Presented by Dan Nees Environmental Finance Center (EFC) Virginia MS4 Phase II Community Forum June 14, 2013

Discussion Points Provide brief overview of stormwater financing environment Define and explain economic impact analysis (EIA) Summarize EFC stormwater EIA project: Lynchburg, VA Discuss role of EIA in broader education and outreach efforts

Overview of Stormwater Financing There has been a fundamental shift in approach to stormwater financing: Push for impracticability Desire for efficient solutions

Implementation Shift Agriculture Stormwater Wastewater Individual Community Institution

Implementation Shift

Stormwater Financing in Context Source: US Census Bureau 2012

Economic Impact Assessments in Context Cost benefit analysis: compares benefits and costs Determine soundness of investment Compare projects Cost effectiveness: how well a policy achieves a desired goal Economic impact analysis (EIA): examines effects on the economy of a given area All three are necessary; none are sufficient

EIA: Why Do We Care? Frames the issue within a community context: Economic development Job training Infrastructure financing

Estimated Economic Impact of Construction Activities: Value Added Based on $100 million investment

Estimated Economic Impact of Construction Activities: Jobs Supported Based on $100 million investment

Estimated Economic Impact of Operations and Maintenance Activities: Value Added Based on $10 million annual investment

Estimated Economic Impact of Operations and Maintenance Activities: Jobs Supported Based on $10 million annual investment

Education and Outreach EIAs identify industry winners in the system Who are they?

Impacts on Industry Sectors

Businesses Product Development Manufacturing/ Distribution Site Design Civil Engineering Landscape Architecture Hydrologic/Hydraulic Engineering Environmental Engineering Landscape Media Construction Equipment Plumbing Equipment & Supplies Building Supplies Farm & Garden Machinery & Equipment Nurseries and Horticultural Services Arborist Services Cistern Manufacturers Meters Sensors and Components Manufacturers Landscape Architecture Architecture Firms Planning and Expediting Services Civil Engineering Services Hydrology Permitting and Administrative Services Soil Scientist Services Source: Gray to Green: Jumpstarting Private Investment in Green Stormwater Infrastructure (Philadelphia SBN s Green Economy Task Force)

Businesses Construction Monitoring/ Maintenance General Construction Services Paving, Surfacing and Tamping Services Roof Contracting Services Landscaping Services Poured Concrete Foundation & Structure Contracting Services Site Management and Evaluation Plumbing Services Electrical Services Hauling Services Truck and Tractor Operations Weatherization Companies Demolition/Deconstruction Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal Services Service Technician Firms Landscaping Compliance Testing and Monitoring Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaning Plumbing/Sprinklers/Irrigation Jetvac Cleaning Services Erosion and Sediment Inspection Source: Gray to Green: Jumpstarting Private Investment in Green Stormwater Infrastructure (Philadelphia SBN s Green Economy Task Force)

Occupations Product Development Civil Engineers Landscape Architects Environmental Engineering Technicians Manufacturing/ Distribution Site Design Machinists Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters Soil and Plant Scientists Environmental Engineers Hydrologists Nursery & Greenhouse Managers (includes Horticulturists) Source: Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Labor Market Information System. https://paworkstats.geosolinc.com/

Occupations Construction First-line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers: $25.87 - $46.18 Cement Masons & Concrete Finishers: $19.21- $24.96 Construction Laborers: $15.52 $24.58 Plumbers: $22.81-$34.80 Roofers: $17.11 - $24.87 Paving, Surfacing and Tamping Equipment Operators: $21.45- $36.61 Monitoring/ Maintenance Supervisors of Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners Hourly Wage Range reflects 2011 data for Philadelphia County. Source: Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Labor Market Information System. https://paworkstats.geosolinc.com/

Education and Outreach EIA identify industry winners in the system Make the winners advocates

Education and Outreach EIA identify industry winners in the system Make the winners advocates Context in the community matters Impact on the community matters Value to the community matters

CONCLUSION Dan Nees, Senior Research Associate Environmental Finance Center www.efc.umd.edu dnees@umd.edu