ncompass live: seeking grant funds and writing winning proposals: an introduction
DESCRIPTION
What does it take to find a funding source and write a successful grant proposal? A little preparation goes a long way when looking for funders that match up with your project. Preparing a successful written grant proposal requires an organized, systematic approach to effectively convey your story. During this session Kathryn Brockmeier, the NLC's Research Analyst / Special Projects Associate, will provide you with tools to find sources for funding and to navigate the application process. NCompass Live - October 7, 2009.TRANSCRIPT
Seeking Grant Funds and Writing Winning
Proposals:
An Introduction
NCompass Live – October 7, 2009
About the presenter
Research AnalystSpecial Projects AssociateGrant [email protected]
About you
Your role
Library DirectorTrusteeFriends/Foundation BoardGrantwriting-session-participant-cum-grantwriter?
Your credentials
About you, cont’d
About the applicant organization
Nonprofit
OrganizationFriends/FoundationSchoolGovernment agencyAssociation
501(c)(3) status
IRS Letter of Determination orNeed for a lead partner
Prospect Worksheet
Why search for grant funds?
Noscete
ipsum
Hoovers.com/free
Grantstation.com
Seeking grant funds
Grants.gov
Fundsnetservices.com
http://delicious.com/NLC_Reference/ncompasslive+grantsintro
Seeking grant funds, cont’d
Foundation Directory Onlinefconline.foundationcenter.org
Butler Memorial Library, CambridgeHastings Public LibraryUNL Love LibraryOmaha Public LibraryChambers of Commerce?
Also available in print… ILL from NLC
Potential grantmakers
Governmental sourceCorporate giving programFoundationUmbrella organization990-PF, grants given501(c)(3)Board membersGrants officer/contact
http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/990finder/
Grantmaker guidelines
LimitationsPurpose and activities (priorities)Fields of interestGeographic focusTypes of supportInitial approachDeadlinesPrevious grants
Guidelines, cont’d
Limitations: Examples
Giving primarily in _____Emphasis on ______No grants to individualsMust be 501(c)(3)No grants for administration, travel, endowments, advertisingApplications not accepted (discretionary)
Purpose & Activities
HistoryTheir storyPriorities
Guidelines, cont’d
Fields of InterestArtsChildren/youth, servicesCommunity developmentEducationFoundations (community)Human servicesHumanitiesLeadership developmentLibraries
Fields of Interest, cont’d
Mental health, servicesRural developmentYouth development
Giving primarily in _____With emphasis in _____
Geographic Focus
Guidelines, cont’d
Types of Support
Annual campaignsCapital campaignsEquipmentGeneral/operating supportManagement development/Capacity buildingMatching/challenge support
Types of Support, cont’d
Program developmentProgram evaluationProject supportRural developmentScholarship fundsScholarships to individualsSeed moneyTechnical assistance
Guidelines, cont’d
Initial Approach
PhoneE-mailIn personFaxCompleted applicationBy invitation onlyLetter of approachProposal
Deadlines/Timelines
Application deadlinesBoard meeting datesFinal notification
990-PFfoundationcenter.org/ findfunders/990finder/
Previous Grants
The application
Cover pageProposal narrativeProposal budgetBudget narrativeEvaluationAttachments
Cover page
Date of applicationLegal name of organization, full address, name of executive directorIRS 501(c)(3) status; if not, fiscal agentContact name and title of person completing the proposal or applicationPhone/fax/e-mail for contact personAmount requested
Cover page, cont’d
Organization’s mission statementProgram/project summaryGoal of program/project (“To provide…”)Target population, geographyBoard of DirectorsTotal number of volunteers for organization, especially those working on projectTotal number of staff working with project
Cover page, cont’d
Annual organizational budget, most recent fiscal yearProject or capital budget, confirmed, requested and pendingGranting period; annual, multi-yearAcknowledge past support from funder
Proposal narrative
Maximum 10 pagesSummary of organization’s history, goals, and key achievementsOverview of organization’s structure and programs, including board, staff and volunteer involvementDescription of organization’s constituents for project
Narrative, cont’d
Needs or challenges; or, problem statementLevel and nature of involvement of the community-at-largeDescription of the specific request that include goals and objectives. (If it’s a project request, provide a profile of the project.)
Narrative, cont’d
Organizational profile and requestIf requesting operating support, provide information about your organization’s overall programs and activities.If requesting project or capital support, please provide information for that specific project or capital request.
Description of the specific activities and timetable for meeting your stated objectives.
Narrative, cont’d
Description of future plan for sustaining this effort and strategy for building your funding baseIdentification of program staff and volunteers, by name or title, and describe their qualifications.If applicable, identification of organizations that you collaborate with to address the issue(s) in this proposal
Budget summary
Example: Author Visit With In-kind Without In-kind
Income sources for proposal
Applicant’s funds, if any 3,030 110
Amount of this request 1,815 1,815
Amt. of other requests, confirmed
100 100
Amt. of other requests, pending
250 250
Total Income 5,195 2,275
Total Expense 5,195 2,275
Balance -0- -0-
Budget narrative
Project budget time period. This may be stated in fiscal year, calendar year or school year, depending on funder requirements.Revenue Section: Provide a line item revenue statement for all applicable budget categories. Include funding from grants (Federal, State, local and private foundation funding) and contracts applicable to the project budget. Include other earned income from donations, sales of products, or from fee-based programming
Budget narrative, cont’d
Expense Section: Provide a line item expense budget, with narrative footnotes for those applicable items which need further explanation.
Proposal expense budget
Budget Items Explanation Grantor funds Cash match In-kind match
Personnel
Staff I 100 hrs @ $20/hr 1,500
Artist Honorarium, 3 days 1,500
Volunteers 75 hrs @ $16/hr 1,200
Travel
Mileage 200 mi @ $0.45/mi 135
Per diem 3 days @ $80/day 180
Publicity
Printing Posters, letters 100* 20
Postage 110
Supplies
Rental Auditorium, library 250# 200
Budget narrative, cont’d
In-Kind Support Section: Provide information about services of other organizations that will be provided to the project without direct charge to grant. Examples: building facilities used for project, materials or equipment that will be used for the project that will not be purchased by grant funds.
Evaluation
All funders will require an evaluation of funded projects. Include the following when addressing the evaluation of the proposed project. If your project will require an external evaluator, include information about the evaluator, including curriculum vitae.
Evaluation, cont’d
Define your criteria for success for the organization, project, or capital campaign. State how you will measure your success in the short-term and in the long-term. What tool(s) will be used to evaluate your program or organization? What is your strategy for implementing the evaluation process?
Attachments
Important !
Refer to each funder’s guidelines to see if additional attachments, such as diversity forms, IRS Form 990, or résumés are required.
IRS letter confirming tax-exempt status – 501(c) (3) and 509(a)Current board list with relevant background, affiliations, town residence, and number of times a year it meets
Other attachments
Board approved organizational budget for the fiscal year(s)Most recent independent audit or account review (as required by law), or IRS Form 990 (Part I, lines 9 or 12?, 17, 18 and 21)
Year-to-date financial statement for the current fiscal yearList of companies and foundations being approached to fund this proposal, with dollar amounts indicating which sources are committed, pending, or anticipated
Resources
Foundation Centerfoundationcenter.org
The Grantsmanship Centerwww.tgci.com
Free Management Librarymanagementhelp.org
Non-profit Guideswww.npguides.org
NebraskAccess links listnebraskaccess.ne.gov/grants.asp
More resources
Associated Grant Makersagmconnect.org
Grantmaking for Economic Impact Video*www2.gotomeeting.com/
register/318062299* Registration required; free
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistancewww.cfda.gov
Print Versions:The Foundation Center DirectoryThe Foundation Center’s Guide to Proposal WritingGrant Writing for DummiesNebraska Foundation Directory
Questions?
Evaluation
CE credits
Upcoming sessions
Grants Information Session – Nov. 12– Continuing Education &
Training Grants– Library Improvement
Grants
Writing Winning Proposals, Part II?