GRANTWRITING

Nailing Your Needs Statement

Tara Gohr & Aly SanchezThe Grant Plant, Inc.

IntroductionsWhat are needs statements?What should be included?How do you make your best case with data?Putting it all togetherQuestions

Presentation Topics

Tara Gohr, President/CEO tara@thegrantplantnm.com

Aly Sanchez, Director of Projectsaly@thegrantplantnm.com

Introductions

What are needs statements?

Placement of the Needs Statement

Function of the Needs Statement

Function of the Needs Statement

Problem or need for an external constituency

Function of the Needs Statement

What you propose to do to address the problem

Function of the Needs Statement

Action

Action

OR

OR

Importance of Needs Statements

In short, you

answer the

question:

“Why care?”

Demonstrates that there is a problem that:• Is important• Is significant• Is urgent

Builds trustRelates to your mission statementRelates to the funder’s priorities

Takeaways

Establishes the problem. Describes conditions outside your agency.Leads to the helpful actions you propose.Is your first impression.

Needs Statement Contents

Contents for needs statements

Major Content Types

Problem description Problem recognitionProblem implicationsProblem hurdlesProblem urgencyWhat solving problems meansHuman interest story

Contents: Problem Description

Major Content Types

Problem description - The 5 W’s Who? What? Where? Why? When?

Problem versus Symptoms

Cause: Flu

Problem vs. Symptoms -- Leads to Solution

Symptoms

Cause Rabbit Hole

…Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling down a very deep well….

Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll

Contents: Recognition

Major Content Types

Problem recognition Who else sees it? Community stakeholders views High profile views

Contents: Implications

Major Content Types

Problem implications What are resulting problems? If not resolved? What happens to community? What happens to target audience? Cost to society?

Contents: Hurdles

Major Content Types

Problem hurdles Gap Knowledge gaps Current Work What has prevented

resolution/improvement Logjams and speed bumps

Contents: Urgency

Major Content Types

Problem urgency Why now?

Order Now!

Contents for needs statements

Major Content Types

Human interest story Similar client Similar circumstances Positive resolution Demonstrates your interventions

Takeaways

Orient: Covers the Five W’sEngage: Problem urgency and importanceNarrow Solution: Challenges and gaps

Data and Statistics

Data and Statistics Intro

“There are lies, damn

lies, and statistic

s”

- Benjamin Disraeli, British Prime

Minister

Role:SupportingRely on ContextObjective

Basic RulesTimelyUnbiasedReliable

Example - Aspartame

ActivityPopular emailThree reasons it worksThree reasons it fails

Data Searches

Example SitesUS Census – www.census.gov

FreeDemographics - www.freedemographics.com USDA Economic Research Service - www.ers.usda.gov

Department of Health & Human Services - www.hhs.gov/reference/ www.aecf.org/KnowledgeCenter.aspx,HHS Reference Collection - http://datacenter.kidscount.org/ New Mexico Economic Development Department – www.edd.state.nm.usAECF Knowledge Center: http://www.aecf.org/KnowledgeCenter.aspx AECF Kids Count Data Center: http://datacenter.kidscount.org/ NM Economic Development Department – www.edd.state.nm.usNM Department of Health: www.health.state.nm.us

Statistics Wrap Up

DescribesComparesTrendsPredictsExplains

Demographic SitesFederal AgenciesState AgenciesFoundation WebsitesArticle/Journal Collections

News Outlets

Data Functions Key Sources

Putting it all Together

Statement Process

Statement Structure

Zoom In or Zoom OutSpatialChronologicalFunder BridgeSymptoms to RootsTopicalImpact Levels

?

Need Statement Weaknesses

Not providing information requested in the RFPProposing something outside the scope of the RFPUsing outdated or suspect informationGathering insufficient dataStatistical pile-upUnfamiliar concepts or termsLong, convoluted sentences

Need Statement Tips

Address the 5 W’s“Weighty Words”Get ‘em in the heart, get ‘em in the headThe 4 C’sThoughtful wording of statisticsUse formatting skillfullyCheck scoring, rating criteria

Finally…

The bottom line is that to have a fundable project, it must potentially solve the problem your organization and the

grantmaker are interested in and must generate results that can be measured in

some way.

Questions

The Grant Plant is dedicated to providing superior and affordable resource development services to assist nonprofit organizations in enhancing the quality of life for New Mexico residents.We offer a range of services, including data and prospect research, grant writing, editing, and reporting.E-newsletter sign –up online. Grant calendar: http://www.thegrantplantnm.com/Calendar.htm Contact us at:

505-839-1464 (phone)1-800-615-8557 (fax)

www.thegrantplantNM.comE-mail: mail@thegrantplantNM.com

Bibliography

Black, M., Kagan S., Melaville, A., & Ray, K. Cooperation, Coordination, and Collaboration. 2003.Carter New, C. & Quick, J.A. Grantseeker’s Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Funding. 1998.Clarke, Cheryl A. Storytelling for Grantseekers. 2001.Miner, L.E., & Miner, J.T. Proposal Planning and Writing. 2003.Morison, K. A Guidebook for Federal Grant Reviewers. 2002.Williams, C. Grantsmanship and Proposal Writing Seminar Manual. 2003.

Websites Consulted

Annie E. Casey Foundation: www.aecf.org Census: www.census.gov CFDA: www.gsa.gov/fdac/queryfdacFederal: www.dhhs.gov, www.ers.usda.gov FirstGov: www.firstgov.govGrants.gov: www.grants.govFederal Register: www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/New Mexico Register: www.nmcpr.state.nm.us/nmregisterNew Mexico Funding Directory: www.research.unm.edu/funding_opportunities/nmfd/Foundation Center: www.fdncenter.orgGrantSelect: www.grantselect.comGuidestar: www.guidestar.orgGrantStation: www.grantstation.com State: www.health.state.nm.us, www.edd.state.nm.us