Grant Development Grant Development OverviewOverview

Presented by:Presented by:Columbia-Pacific Resource Conservation & Economic Development Columbia-Pacific Resource Conservation & Economic Development

DistrictDistrictJesus (Jesse) CardenasJesus (Jesse) Cardenas

Executive Director Executive Director

Potential Funding SourcesPotential Funding Sources

Private FoundationsPrivate FoundationsFederal ProgramsFederal Programs

FoundationsFoundations

There are over 300,000 private There are over 300,000 private foundations operating in the United Statesfoundations operating in the United States

Less than 10% of all foundations give Less than 10% of all foundations give more than 50% of all grantsmore than 50% of all grants

Private foundations are required by law to Private foundations are required by law to distribute 5% of the market value of their distribute 5% of the market value of their assets each yearassets each year

Grant application guidelines can varyGrant application guidelines can varySpecific eligibility requirements Specific eligibility requirements

Online Grant Development Online Grant Development ResourcesResources

Online Funding Database Subscription Online Funding Database Subscription Service Providers Service Providers

Should be comprehensive & keyword Should be comprehensive & keyword searchable searchable

Should contain detailed information and Should contain detailed information and profiles on foundations/corporationsprofiles on foundations/corporations

Writing resources should include Letter of Writing resources should include Letter of Inquiry (LOI)/Request for Proposal (RFP) Inquiry (LOI)/Request for Proposal (RFP) award winning templatesaward winning templates

Client Support Client Support

Big Online America – Grant Service Big Online America – Grant Service Provider – Provider – www.bigdatabase.comwww.bigdatabase.com

Funding Resource:Funding Resource: A comprehensive, keyword and A comprehensive, keyword and field searchable database with detailed information and field searchable database with detailed information and profiles on 25,000 foundations, and government grant profiles on 25,000 foundations, and government grant makers.makers.

Writing Tools:Writing Tools: Award-winning templates for the writing Award-winning templates for the writing of funding proposals and letters of inquiry.of funding proposals and letters of inquiry.

Client Support:Client Support: Assists clients with product training and Assists clients with product training and provides advice and direction for maximizing usage of provides advice and direction for maximizing usage of the BIG Online database.the BIG Online database.

Grant Development Services (GDS):Grant Development Services (GDS): Offers a complete Offers a complete range of fundraising consulting servicesrange of fundraising consulting services

Foundation Center OnlineFoundation Center Online

Also known as FC OnlineAlso known as FC OnlineColPac has established an annual ColPac has established an annual

subscriptionsubscriptionAnnual subscription rate in the amount of Annual subscription rate in the amount of

$2,195 is split among user organizations$2,195 is split among user organizationsNon paying organizations can use FC Non paying organizations can use FC

Online in the ColPac office under the Online in the ColPac office under the supervision of ColPac office staffsupervision of ColPac office staff

http://fconline.fdncenter.org

Types of FoundationsTypes of Foundations

National General Purpose FoundationNational General Purpose FoundationSpecial-Purpose FoundationsSpecial-Purpose FoundationsFamily FoundationsFamily FoundationsCommunity FoundationsCommunity FoundationsCorporate FoundationsCorporate Foundations

National General Purpose National General Purpose FoundationFoundation

Represents 200 – 300 foundationsRepresents 200 – 300 foundations Account for nearly 60% of all foundation assetsAccount for nearly 60% of all foundation assets Support one or more general subject areas such Support one or more general subject areas such

as education, environment, health, etc.as education, environment, health, etc. Prefer proposal national in scope which solves Prefer proposal national in scope which solves

universal problems in an universal problems in an innovativeinnovative manner manner

Special-Purpose FoundationsSpecial-Purpose Foundations

Support one specific subject area such as Support one specific subject area such as cancer researchcancer research

Generally they only fund projects that Generally they only fund projects that significantly impact significantly impact their area of interesttheir area of interest

Family FoundationsFamily Foundations

Support programs valued by the family Support programs valued by the family members of the person who established members of the person who established the foundationthe foundation

Most family foundations have geographic Most family foundations have geographic preferencespreferences

Usually operated by the family membersUsually operated by the family members

Community FoundationsCommunity Foundations

These foundations support a specific These foundations support a specific geographic regiongeographic region

Most community foundations obtain their Most community foundations obtain their money from local citizens for specific types money from local citizens for specific types of local projectsof local projects

Corporate FoundationsCorporate Foundations

These foundations administer the These foundations administer the charitable contributions of the company charitable contributions of the company representedrepresented

Most corporate foundations limit their Most corporate foundations limit their support to the geographic regions where support to the geographic regions where the corporation operatesthe corporation operates

Generally not “risk-takers” do not like to be Generally not “risk-takers” do not like to be the first to fund a new programthe first to fund a new program

The Boeing Company, Ford FoundationThe Boeing Company, Ford Foundation

Contacting Private Funding Contacting Private Funding SourcesSources

Generally begins with a letter of inquiry Generally begins with a letter of inquiry limited to 3 pageslimited to 3 pages

Keep in mind that many foundations may Keep in mind that many foundations may or may not accept phone calls at the or may not accept phone calls at the beginning of the proposal processbeginning of the proposal process

Your letter is the vehicle by which the Your letter is the vehicle by which the foundation begins to evaluate the foundation begins to evaluate the relevance of your proposal to their relevance of your proposal to their established established guidelinesguidelines

Letter of Inquiry IncludesLetter of Inquiry Includes

Summary explanation of your proposed Summary explanation of your proposed project and organizational background project and organizational background

Why there is a Why there is a needneed for the project – for the project – explain problem and proposed solutionexplain problem and proposed solution

Who will Who will benefitbenefit from the project from the projectAmount required from funderAmount required from funderResources (including cash) already Resources (including cash) already

committedcommitted and raised for project and raised for projectYour project’s contact informationYour project’s contact information

Federal FundingFederal Funding

300% greater than private support300% greater than private supportU.S. Federal Government largest grantorU.S. Federal Government largest grantorGrant projects relevant to funding agencyGrant projects relevant to funding agencyAccepts solicited/unsolicited proposalsAccepts solicited/unsolicited proposalsAnnounce RFP’s in Federal RegisterAnnounce RFP’s in Federal RegisterWWW.GRANTS.GOVSpecific eligibility requirements Specific eligibility requirements

WWW.GRANTS.GOVWWW.GRANTS.GOV

Electronically find & apply for competitive Electronically find & apply for competitive grant opportunities from all Federal grant-grant opportunities from all Federal grant-making agenciesmaking agencies

Navigate using tabs:Navigate using tabs:Get Started, Get Registered, Get Started, Get Registered, Find Grant Find Grant

OpportunitiesOpportunities, Apply for Grants, Customer , Apply for Grants, Customer Support, etc.Support, etc.

*Note: The complete registration process*Note: The complete registration process can take up to 5 weeks! can take up to 5 weeks!

Find Grant Opportunities TabFind Grant Opportunities Tab

Ability to search for Federal government-Ability to search for Federal government-wide grant opportunitieswide grant opportunities

Ability to set-up a user profileAbility to set-up a user profileAbility to sign up for electronic notification Ability to sign up for electronic notification

of future grant opportunitiesof future grant opportunitiesKeep in mind that there is a lengthy Keep in mind that there is a lengthy

registration process for authorization registration process for authorization to use grants.gov!to use grants.gov!

U.S. Government Solicited U.S. Government Solicited ProposalProposal

Is in response to a formal government Is in response to a formal government agency's program announcementagency's program announcement

Requires strict adherence to government Requires strict adherence to government agency guidelinesagency guidelines

Requires the use of specific Requires the use of specific government government forms forms i.e. SF424A,B,C, Certifications, i.e. SF424A,B,C, Certifications, AssurancesAssurances

Full Application Package available in Full Application Package available in grants.govgrants.gov

U.S. Government Unsolicited U.S. Government Unsolicited ProposalProposal

Prepared and submitted by an Prepared and submitted by an organization on its own initiativeorganization on its own initiative

Requires contact with applicable Requires contact with applicable government agency to determine interest, government agency to determine interest, need for a formal proposal, availability of need for a formal proposal, availability of fundsfunds

Government Funding Government Funding OpportunitiesOpportunities

Environmental Protection AgencyEnvironmental Protection Agency U.S. Fish and WildlifeU.S. Fish and Wildlife National Oceanic and Atmospheric National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration (NOAA)Administration (NOAA) USDA Rural DevelopmentUSDA Rural Development Economic Development Administration Economic Development Administration Department of Health & Human ServicesDepartment of Health & Human Services Department of EnergyDepartment of Energy Administration for Native Americans Administration for Native Americans

Contacting Government Contacting Government Funding SourceFunding Source

Call or e-mail applicable agency and Call or e-mail applicable agency and speak to a program officer (contact speak to a program officer (contact information usually listed in grant information usually listed in grant announcement)announcement)

Describe your organization and projectDescribe your organization and projectConvey a positive attitude towards your Convey a positive attitude towards your

proposed projectproposed project

Questions You Should AskQuestions You Should Ask

Can proposal be reviewed prior to Can proposal be reviewed prior to deadline? deadline?

Amount of average grant award?Amount of average grant award?Common mistakes in proposals?Common mistakes in proposals?Review and evaluation process?Review and evaluation process?Recommendations key points?Recommendations key points?Previously funded proposal availability?Previously funded proposal availability?

Expectations?Expectations?

This all takes timeThis all takes time If the foundation is interested in your If the foundation is interested in your

project’s LOI they will request a full project’s LOI they will request a full proposalproposal

Government agencies usually have strict Government agencies usually have strict application deadlinesapplication deadlines

Proposal Preparation Includes Proposal Preparation Includes What the project will accomplishWhat the project will accomplish What are the short and long-term project goalsWhat are the short and long-term project goals What are the project objectives (measurable)What are the project objectives (measurable) Who will the project benefitWho will the project benefit Who is responsible for completing goals and Who is responsible for completing goals and

objectivesobjectives How and when will the objectives be completedHow and when will the objectives be completed How will you monitor the project (evaluation How will you monitor the project (evaluation

process)process)

Statement of NeedStatement of Need

Critical for gaining interest and motivating Critical for gaining interest and motivating a potential fundera potential funder

Keep in mind that without a pressing need Keep in mind that without a pressing need the funding will not be providedthe funding will not be provided

Your Organization InformationYour Organization Information

Inform the funding source that your Inform the funding source that your organization’s mission is in unison with your organization’s mission is in unison with your proposed project as well as the grantor’s criteria proposed project as well as the grantor’s criteria

Describe your organization Describe your organization Explain how your project will continue after the Explain how your project will continue after the

funding ends (funding ends (sustainabilitysustainability) ) Identify staff or volunteers who are uniquely Identify staff or volunteers who are uniquely

qualified to complete the project qualified to complete the project

Project Budget IncludesProject Budget Includes

All project All project direct/indirect expensesdirect/indirect expensesAll contractual expensesAll contractual expensesAll capital equipment expensesAll capital equipment expensesAll cost share sources as requiredAll cost share sources as requiredBudget should represent all funds required Budget should represent all funds required

to complete the projectto complete the project Identify potential project revenueIdentify potential project revenue

Locating a Funding SourceLocating a Funding Source

Research, Research, & more ResearchResearch, Research, & more ResearchConcentrate on matching your project with Concentrate on matching your project with

potential funder requirementspotential funder requirementsSend Letters of Inquiry to prospects Send Letters of Inquiry to prospects

identified as a good match identified as a good match When allowable contact an agency directlyWhen allowable contact an agency directly

Writing the ProposalWriting the Proposal

Follow the funding source Follow the funding source guidelinesguidelinesResearch proposals with similar projects Research proposals with similar projects

that have obtained fundingthat have obtained fundingFamiliarize yourself with the reviewing Familiarize yourself with the reviewing

processprocess If possible establish a working relationship If possible establish a working relationship

with agency contactwith agency contact

Proposal StructureProposal Structure

Follow these rules Neat, Clean, Easy to Follow these rules Neat, Clean, Easy to ReadRead

Include a Table of Contents if over 5 Include a Table of Contents if over 5 pagespages

Use Headings, Sub-Headings, and (some) Use Headings, Sub-Headings, and (some) GraphicsGraphics

Double Space (if guidelines allow)Double Space (if guidelines allow)Keep it Brief, Concise, and to the PointKeep it Brief, Concise, and to the Point

Proposal ContentProposal Content

Establish a logical flow from the Project Establish a logical flow from the Project Summary through the Budget Summary through the Budget

Use words that will gain the reviewer’s Use words that will gain the reviewer’s attention (attention (emphasis on benefitsemphasis on benefits))

Stress an Stress an urgent need for your projecturgent need for your project Use verifiable accurate facts & dataUse verifiable accurate facts & data

Proposal ReviewProposal Review

Prior to submitting have your proposal Prior to submitting have your proposal reviewed by several peoplereviewed by several people

Be prepared to make revisions as requiredBe prepared to make revisions as requiredDo Do not knotnot knot totally rely on Spell Check!! totally rely on Spell Check!!Make sure you have followed the agency Make sure you have followed the agency

guidelinesguidelines

SummarySummary

Pre-planning is critical prior to beginning a Pre-planning is critical prior to beginning a grant applicationgrant application

Your organization’s needs assessment is Your organization’s needs assessment is the first step in grant developmentthe first step in grant development

Project must be thought out well before Project must be thought out well before the grant application development process the grant application development process beginsbegins

Avoid last-minute grant applicationsAvoid last-minute grant applications

Jesus (Jesse) CardenasJesus (Jesse) CardenasExecutive DirectorExecutive DirectorColumbia-Pacific Columbia-Pacific

Resource ConservationResource Conservation&&

Economic Development DistrictEconomic Development District(360) 249-2267(360) 249-2267

330 Pioneer Ave., W330 Pioneer Ave., WMontesano, WA 98563Montesano, WA 98563

executivedirector@colpac.org