grant writing for homeless programs january 29, 2009

Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio

Grant Writing for Homeless Programs

January 29, 2009

Jonda Clemings, MSEd, LSW


Build a Solid Foundation

• Don’t ask for monies that do not fit your organization’s mission and competency.


Your Solid Foundation

• Organizational development process

• Strategic planning process

• Internal planning process


Your Solid Foundation

• Articulate who you are• Understand target area• Articulate

organization’s work• Complete program

design


From Dream to Reality

• Imagine and inspire• Found and frame• Ground and grow• Produce and sustain• Evaluate and renew


Mission Statement

• Driving force• Organizational purpose• “Why do we exist”• Distinctiveness of agency• Program development


Vision &Values

• Inspiration & framework for strategic planning• “Compass” of your organization• Traits & qualities• Define “actions” and “goals”• Measure your progress• Core priorities• Character


Funding Needs

• What do I need funding for?

• What kind of funding do I need?

• How much do I need?

• When do I need the funds?


Organizational Development


Strategic Plan

• Actions to enable success

• Goals & objectives

• Timelines• Staffing plans• Know “if we got

there”


Marketing & Community Assessment

• Demand for service• Data about

constituents• Collaborative partners


Marketing & Community Assessment

• Research, conditions, & trends• Issues/variables that impede success• Obtain funding• Utilize assets and strengths


Leadership & Governance

• Executive Director• Financial Officer• Board of Directors/Trustees• Management Team

• Policies and Procedures• Job Descriptions


Program Development

• Mission driven• Derived from strategic plan• Designed with documented need• Designed with measurable

objective• Aimed at expansion or replication


Business Plan

• Comes after strategic plan• Shorter term issues• Financial targets• Designed to appeal to

funders• Day-to-day management

tool


Performance Evaluation

• Quality assurance• Outputs• Outcomes


Fund Development Plan

• Limit crisis fundraising• Diversity funding stream• Long & short term funding

priorities• Identify potential resources• Know what you are asking money

for and how much


6 Steps to Fundraising

1. Growth2. Involvement3. Visibility (Branding)4. Efficiency (resourcefulness,

ethnical, and timely)5. Stability6. Conduct effective research


What Funders are Looking

For• Investment in organization - hand

up not hand out• Organizational capacity• Program strengths and predicted

impact• Diversity in funding stream• Compatible mission


What Funders are Looking For

• High-quality programs • Track record of effective program

delivery• Capable leadership• Strong organizational & financial

infrastructure


Looking for the Right Funder

• Who funds in my area of interest?• Who funds in my area of need?• Who funds in my geographic area?• Who will provide the support I

need?• What are the limitations?


Is the Funder Right For Me?

• Has the funder supported organizations like mine?

• How much does the funder typically give?


Research your Funders

• Foundation Center database– Search grantmakers– Search companies– Search grants– Search 990’s



• Match funder’s interest to project

• Develop a targeted list of funders

• Do not limit funding to one source



• Grantmaker websites• Grantmaker documents

– Annual reports– Newsletters– RFP’s

• 990-PF and 990


Nonprofit Reports

• 990– Return of Organization Exempt from

Income Tax– Redesigned for tax year 2008– Transparency for organizations– Promotes tax compliance– Minimizes filing burden


Nonprofit Reports

• 990-PF– Return of Private Foundation or

Section 4847 (a) (1) Nonexempt Charitable Trust Treated as a Private Foundation


Assistance

• Got questions - ask the funder• Often the funder will:

– Review a draft proposal– Answer questions about application– Discuss how project will be evaluated– Describe types of projects also

applying


Follow Funder

Guidelines

• Research each funder• Use their application form• Use “common grant” application when

necessary• Use other required forms• Pay attention to any exclusions


Tapping the Philanthropic Well

• Tell your story in all places• Create a web site• Register with search engines• Email newsletters• Network• Press releases• Brochures


Why Donors Do Not Give

• Not asked• Not impressed• Incompatible missions• Unfavorable perception• Application, request, and/or

proposal is flawed


Factors for Consideration

• Capacity of organization• Need/Extent of the problem• Soundness of the approach• Leverage of other resources• Achieving results• Program evaluation


Is the Idea Worth Funding?

• What need exists?• What do you hope to achieve?• What is the potential impact?• How will you evaluate the project?• Why should the donor support you?• What is the total project cost?• What are you asking of the donor?


A Funder’s View

• Experience• Things funders like• Things funders don’t like


Funder’s View on Budgets

• Is the budget consistent with proposed activities?

• Is there sufficient budget detail and explanation?


Budget Purpose

• Use of resources• Anticipation of funding needs• Indicator of long-range

organizational health• Basic income & expenses• Expression of the operation plan


Budget Tips

• Use funder’s forms• List in-kind expenses and matching

revenue• Be flexible about budget - funder

may choose to negotiate costs


Budget Tips

Be Project Specific!!!

If you are applying for support to hire a vocational specialist, your budget figures should reflect the expenses (salary, program costs, etc.) related to the position.


Budget Tips

Understand The Categories

If a budget is provided for you, make sure you understand the budget categories. They may be different than what you use.


Budget Tips

Present Realistic Figures

Reviewers will know if a figure is too high or too low.


Budget Tips

Check the Math

On your budget, make sure your figures add up.

Expenses should equal income.


7 Tips for Successful Applications

1. Read, understand & FOLLOW directions2. Don’t rush; submit correct information3. Proofread - grammar & aesthetics matter4. Be concise, direct, and complete5. Back up your claims6. Check your math7. Submit on time


Where is the Other Money???


Funding Types

• Grants• Contracts• Donations/Gifts

– In-kind, cash, assets– Earmarked or not– Solicited or unsolicited


Funders

• Government Agencies– Federal

• HUD• SAMHSA• Veterans

– State• ODOD• ODMH

– Local• CDBG


Funders

• Private organizations– Foundations– Corporations; corporate giving– Federated funders– Member associations/clubs– Public charities


Foundation Types

• Independent• Company-sponsored• Community• Operating

• 5% payout requirement• 990-PF - disclose total giving


Corporation or Corporate Giving

• Company-sponsored foundation– Separate legal entity– Small endowments; company contribution– Must file Form 990-PF

• Corporate giving– Not separate from corporation– Pre-tax income up to 10% to charities– Do not adhere to foundation laws or

regulations


Public Charity

• Community foundations• Population or issue-oriented funds• Company-sponsored• Discloses through Form 990


Private Foundations

• Nongovernmental, nonprofit organization

• Endowment or own funds• Managed by trustees or directors• Established to aide a certain

mission(s) with its grants


Sources of Ideas

• Strategic plan with funding priorities

• LAI Analysis– Linkage– Ability– Interest

• Collaboration partners


Identifying Foundations

• Newsletters & periodicals• Regional associations of

grantmakers• Foundation web pages• Word of mouth• Directors


Identifying Foundations

• Website & Databases–www.grantadvisor.com–www.grants.gov–http://foundationcenter.org –http://www.grantsandfunding.com/grantsandfunding/reports/writingproposals.html


Online Resources

• Foundation Center– http://foundationcenter.org/

• The Grantsmanship Center– http://www.tgci.com

• The Fundraising School– www.philanthropy.iupui.edu/thefundr

aisingschool/


Start to Finish

• Letter of Intent/Preproposal• Proposal• Follow up and Thank You• Interim Report to Funders• Final Report


Tips

• Start with an outline• K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple stupid)• Tell a story• Use action words• Use active and future tenses• Allow plenty of time


Jonda Clemings, MSEd, LSWRural Housing Program

CoordinatorCOHHIO

175 S. Third St. - Suite 250Columbus, Ohio 43215

614-280-1984 (P)614-395-5907 (C)

[email protected]

grant writing for homeless programs january 29, 2009

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