Writing Winning Grants

8 June 2012

What is grant funding?

Where can I find funding opportunities?

Resources to find foundation funding

• www.foundationcenter.org

• Foundation Directory Online• Fee for subscription • Can be accessed free:

• Houston Public Library (Central Branch)

500 McKinney Houston, TX 77002

• United Way of Greater Houston50 Waugh Dr. Houston, TX 77007

HPL & UW also have a variety of print sources available to use for free

Additional Resourcesfor

HFB Partner Agencies

• Agency Connection newsletter (monthly)

• Member agency resources- HFB websitehttp://www.houstonfoodbank.org/memberagencyresources.aspx

• Agency announcements (email blasts)

Grant Planning: Before Getting Started

Things to consider before getting started• What is the problem / issue?• What is currently being done about it?• How will funding help ‘fill the gaps’?• What is your proposed solution?• How will it happen and when?• Who will do it?• With what result, outcome, or benefit?

IS THE PROPOSED PLAN REALISTIC?

The Grant-seeking Process

Getting StartedResearch & Inquiry

Research- organizational metrics and area demographic information

Inquiry- solicit information from program managers or staff

The Proposal

Tips for Writing

• Follow the guidelines

• Customize each application

• Eliminate jargon and write plainly

• Don’t exaggerate– you have to do what you are promising

• Revise, edit and clarify

Formatting the ProposalCommon Elements

• Cover Letter

• Executive Summary

• Introduction

• Needs Statement

• Management / Staffing Plan

• Purpose of Request

…common elements continued…

• Project Description

• Goals and Objectives

• Evaluation

• Sustainability

• Budget

• Attachments

Packaging and Submitting• Follow the funder’s guidelines

• Always keep a complete copy of what was submitted for your records

• Keep background materials or any notes taken during the process

• When submitting online register in advance and keep login information

• Draft in Word and cut/paste to online form

Approval and Response

Funding is grantedCongratulations!

• Take time to acknowledge the gift

• Determine fund restrictions

• Understand any reporting requirements and mark them on your calendar

• Celebrate your achievement

NOW DO WHAT YOU SAID YOU’D DO WITH THE GRANT

Funding is not granted-Better luck next time-

• Reach out to the funder and ask why you were declined and what you can do better next time

• “No” sometimes just means Not Now

Common Pitfalls

• Talking more about problems than solutions

• Addressing specific problems with general solutions

• Using buzzwords and jargon

• Budgets that don’t add up or support the narrative

• Ignoring application guidelines

Houston Food Bank Partner Agency Grants

Agency Infrastructure Grants

• $1.7M available for FY11, FY12, FY13

• Results from FY11 RFP cycle:• Applications received: 106

• Applications reviewed: 74

• Recommended for award: 35 (agencies)

• Agencies that have items in place: 20

• FY11 funds expended (est.): $465,083

Report Reminder

If you were awarded, or will receive, equipment– you will have to submit a

report back to HFB. Please consult your grant agreement letters for details

HFB’s Review Process

• Panel review

• Applications scored based on criteria

• Consideration of partner’s standing

• Recommendations to Board panel

• Approval and award notification

Score Sheet Criteria10 points of consideration

1) Completed application

2) Account status

3) Monthly report status

4) Potential to increase distribution

5) Geographic coverage• ZIP coverage, number of agencies in service area

…scoring continued…

6) Monitoring compliance

7) HFB Guiding Principles

8) Practicality of projected increases• poundage and clients

9) Increased operations to serve clients• days and hours

10) Soundness of sustainability plan

Tips from HFBto strengthen your A.I. proposals

• Answer all of the questions

• Highlight what makes your agency especially deserving– the panel may not be as familiar with your agency as you think– tell us how you’re special

• Make sure metrics match the narrative

• Detail HOW you plan to sustain increased costs

…tips continued…

• Remember, not all questions are weighted the same

• Be detailed, but concise

• Be realistic with your request

• Have a third-party review your proposal

• Don’t wait till the last minute

• When in doubt, ask questions

Agency InfrastructureRound II

The RFP process will open in Fall 2012

Please keep an eye on the Agency

Connection newsletter for more details

Terence Franklin, Director of Agency Services:

TFRANKLIN@HOUSTONFOODBANK.ORG / 713-547-8617

Stacy LasterGrants Manager

SLASTER@HOUSTONFOODBANK.ORG

713-547-8669

I’ll be in the Resource Fair until 11:45am for general grant writing questions