1-day grant writing course from Precise Edit, experts in preparing winning funding proposals. This presentation shows how we help clients get funded--and how we can help you.
73
Basics of Grant Writing David Bowman Precise Edit [email protected]888-474-4393 This is the presentation from Precise Edit’s 1-day grant writing class. It provides an overview of the process we use to develop and prepare winning grant proposals for our clients. When you are seeking expert grant writing assistance, contact Precise Edit. As an experienced grant writer, reviewer, and coordinator, I understand how to develop and prepare proposals that get noticed and funded. –David Bowman, Owner of Precise Edit
This is the presentation from Precise Edit’s 1-day grant writing class.
It provides an overview of the process we use to develop and prepare winning grant proposals for our clients.
When you are seeking expert grant writing assistance, contact Precise Edit.
As an experienced grant writer, reviewer, and coordinator, I understand how to develop and prepare proposals that get noticed and funded. –David Bowman, Owner of Precise Edit
Scenario PlanningWhat would the organization look like if the vision were fully implemented? What are people doing? What effect does it have on others?
Finding major needs (sample strategies): *Nominal Group Technique, verify with research Demographic Data Analysis Pareto Diagram Control Charts Histogram
Brainstorm Remove duplicates Vote for 3 – 5 top items (depending on number) Counts votes per item Rank according to the number of votes, most votes = top priority
Tips for persuasion: Describe what is, not what isn’t Quantify, quantify, quantify Avoid “preaching” words (e.g., should, ought) and judging
words (e.g., good, bad, necessary, sufficient) Connect assessment (what is) to effects (what happens)
Failed grant: Children in ABC school don’t have enough play time, so we should develop after school programs to allow them to be children and keep healthy.
Winning grant: Children at ABC school are permitted 15 minutes of play time each day, less than the 45 to 60 minutes recommended by doctors to help children learn socialization skills and develop strong muscles and bones.
30-second elevator speech: Clearly state need in terms of causes and effects Simple language 1 sentence limit Write, review, revise * Write your need statement and share
Generally give only to 501(c)(3) organizations Open deadlines for accepting proposals Broad areas of interest Multi-year awards Funds distributed on award or schedule Expect other support, but not by formula Decisions made by trustees Decisions may be subjective Relationships affect decision-making
Other types of support beyond cash Event sponsors In-kind support of goods and services Volunteer programs Facilities Marketing Administrative / management support
Short notice, short timeline (be ready!) Broad range of recipients (non-profit, faith based, university,
for profit, etc.) Specific deadlines for proposals Funding targeted at specific programs Multi-year awards May require specific matching percentage Reimbursement process Reviewed and scored by panel Rigorous process, data and research/literature driven Relationships affect decision-making
Purpose Eligible recipients Required partnerships Funding period Floor and ceiling award levels Submission timelines and processes Number of awards Special requirements
Overall: The better the match between the grantors purpose and your funding need, the better the chance of success.
Objectives are SMART Specific: detailed description of what will be accomplished Measurable: observable, countable Achievable: possible with organization’s capacity in specified time frame Realistic: valid, can be accomplished Time-based: accomplished by stated time
Process or Outcome? The organization will distribute health information to 150 families living in
poverty. Park areas will be seeded with low-water consumption grasses. A minimum of 150 men will attend the clinic for diabetes testing. Fewer than 10 bear attacks will occur in the park. The price of gasoline will drop to lower than $2.00 per gallon. We will subsidize first-time house-buyers up to 30% of the principal.
When describing objectives in the introduction, statement of need, and anticipated outcomes, stick to outcome objectives. Use process objectives in methodology and in the formative evaluation.
Summative evaluation based on outcome objectives How will you measure your outcome objectives? Common tools:
Survey Tracking forms and log sheets Billing records and balance sheet / revenue records Attendance forms Focus groups Product sampling
Central questions: How will you define success in terms of your objectives? How will data be collected and analyzed? What processes and tools do you need to collect data?
Overall considerations: Clear, logical steps to accomplish goal Obvious connections between actions and objectives Necessary and sufficient actions Identified responsible persons Achievable timelines and expectations Keep it simple!
Common considerations for the budget Sufficient and necessary Lean Justifiable per needs and plan Comprehensive Formulaic Draws on other supports (e.g., in-kind, matching) Non-supplanting
Budget describes the implementation plan Often reviewed after the introduction, before
Budget narrative In your own words, why do you need to spend money on
these things, people, etc.?
Ex:Currently, the office only has 3 computers, which are currently being used by existing full-time office staff. The 3 new computers will be used by personnel acquired to manage this project. Two computers will be provided through grant funds; one computer will be provided by the organization as an in-kind match.
Are appendices allowed? Are any required? Common appendices:
Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) Letters of commitment Letters of support Financial statements (audited) I.R.S. designation letter Organizational chart Job descriptions Résumés
Building your proposal Select coordinator Assemble development team Communicate with grantor contact Select grant writer Delegate research, partner tasks Develop components Grant writer writes the grant Team reviews, writer revises External review and analysis, revise Get necessary approvals Package and submit
Writing recommendations Simplify language (limited phrases and clauses) Easy to understand language Confident vs. Tentative language Avoid redundancy Avoid stating the obvious
In our proposal, we would like to address, by way of the strategies described later, the most pressing need of our constituents, the people of Santa Fe who support our organization, which is for free access to green spaces used by families and children, whether together or separately, for games, cookouts, and other family-friendly activities.
Possible revision:
Santa Feans greatest problem is the lack of green space. By increasing green space, Santa Feans will have the opportunity to enjoy family friendly activities.
Basic concept: Write like people think. Meaning: Who did what to whom? Writing application: Subject + Verb + Object Simple examples:
“John kissed Mary.” “The old man on the bench read his newspaper.” “When I saw her, I tossed my cookie.” “Although I tried to woo her, she preferred John.”
Extending this concept 1: Place the main verb as closely to the subject as possible.
Poor: The old man, who had been sitting at the same bench for as many years as I could remember, never speaking, always watching the cars as they raced by, read his newspaper.
Better: The old man read his newspaper, sitting at the same bench where he had sat for as many years as I could remember, never speaking, always watching the cars go by.
Extending this concept 2: Limit the subject-verb units in a sentence and keep them separate.
Poor: The old man, who had been sitting at the same bench for as many years as I could remember, never speaking, always watching the cars as they raced by, read his newspaper.
Better: The old man sat on the bench reading his newspaper. For as many years as I could remember, he had sat there, never speaking, watching the cars go by.
Extending this concept 3: Break complicated sentences into simpler, shorter sentences.
Poor: Once the business opened, which occurred after much effort, expense, and planning, the owner, a long-term veteran of new business ventures, some successful and others not, found, to his dismay, though not to his surprise, that he was unable to acquire the necessary workforce to keep his business open every day.
Better: After much effort, expense, and planning, the owner opened his new business. He found that he was unable to acquire the necessary work force to keep his business open every day. As a veteran of new business ventures, he was dismayed but not surprised.
Basic concept: Keep the rhetorical subject at the beginning of the sentence.
Two types of subject: Grammatical and rhetorical Grammatical: The word in the subject’s place in a sentence Rhetorical: The primary ACTOR of the main action
Simple example: “It seemed that I was wrong.” Main action: “being wrong;” Rhetorical subject: “I” Revised: “I was apparently wrong.”
Extending this concept 1: Avoid starting sentences with “it.”
Reason: Use the rhetorical subject as the grammatical subject to prevent using 2 subjects.
Simple example: “It is unclear whether or not the dog has fleas.” Rhetorical subject: whether or not the dog has fleas
Revisions: Revised 1: “Whether or not the dog has fleas is unclear.” Revised 2: “We don’t know if the dog has fleas.” Revised 3: “The dog might or might not have fleas.”
More samples (active or passive?): “After the restaurant was closed, the equipment fell into disuse.” “The equipment, which was used when purchased, was sold at a
discount.” “The financial projections prepared for us by the accountant
showed that we had made steady growth.” “Our paper supply needed to be replenished.”
General packaging guidelines 1-inch margins 1-sided Binder clips, not staples Black and white printing only
Attend to page counts carefully-no exceptions Graphics/charts: easy to understand in black and white Know your deadlines, and submit early! Electronic submissions
Have tech person handy Start early! Problems occur
How many copies? See RFP/RFA One original with original signatures Review RFP/RFA requirements for Appendices Number of copies Page count for narrative and total Anything else
