GRANT WRITING BASICS

GRANT WRITING BASICS Amy Rodda Nonprofit Services Librarian Pikes Peak Library District El Pomar Nonprofit Resource Center [email protected] 719-531-6333 X2335

TOPICS COVERED Getting started  Finding Grants  Preparing the proposal 

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Organizing, writing, and packaging it

Submitting the proposal  What happens next? 

THE PROPOSAL IS PART OF THE PROCESS Planning Research Writing Communication

PLANNING Information gathering  Project concept and relevance to mission  Time frame  Outcomes  Cost 

RESEARCH 

Find targeted prospects     

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Foundation Directory Online Colorado Grants Guide Ala.org Grants.gov http://librarygrants.blogspot.com/ http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/technology/fund.htm http://www.imls.gov/ http://www.k12grants.org/grant_opps.htm

FOUNDATION DIRECTORY ONLINE

LIBRARIES WITH FOUNDATION DIRECTORY Pikes Peak Library District  Pueblo City-County Library  Denver Public Library  Pitkin County Library  High Plains Library District  Estes Valley Library  Basalt Regional Library District  Durango Public Library  Mesa County Libraries 

COLORADO GRANTS GUIDE

GRANT PROPOSAL COMPONENTS

PROPOSAL CONTENTS • • •

• •

Title page and table of contents Executive summary Narrative  Statement of need  Project description  Organization information  Conclusion Budget Appendices and supporting materials

THE NARRATIVE - WRITING TIPS Begin with an outline  Name your project  Keep language clear and simple  Use action words  Avoid jargon and acronyms  Revise and edit  Let your passion shine!! 

STATEMENT OF NEED •

The problem and issues the project addresses

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Supporting facts and statistics

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Statement of current conditions, not lack of services

PROJECT DESCRIPTION •

Goals •

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Broad, general statement of what your project will accomplish

Objectives Specific

Realistic

Measurable

Time-bound

Achievable

SAMPLE OBJECTIVES 

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At the completion of the project 40 parents or caregivers will have attended early literacy classes with 100% recognizing the importance of screening children for health issues. After completing one early literacy class 70% of parents and caregivers will be able to share 3 early literacy activities with their children.

OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES Outputs

Outcomes

# of people checking out books

# of people reading for pleasure

# of people attending a computer class

# of people who created a resume

# of people who used local history # of people traced family history collection back to 1850’s

# of kids/teens signed up for summer reading

# of kids/teens who maintained/improved reading level

PROJECT DESCRIPTION, CONTINUED Methods  Staffing  Collaboration  Replicability 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION, CONTINUED 

Evaluation Formative: analyzing the process  Summative: measuring the outcome or product 

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May include: Pre and post tests  Questionnaires/Surveys  Interviews  Focus groups  Review of client files 

SUSTAINABILITY

How will you demonstrate the long-term financial viability of the project and of your organization?

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BUDGET 

Expenses 

Direct costs  

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Personnel Non-personnel

Indirect costs

Income  Budget narrative 

SAMPLE BUDGETS http://www.grantspace.org/Tools/Knowledge-Base/NonprofitManagement/Establishment/Budget-examples

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION  History

and Mission

 Programs  Board

and Expertise

and Staff

CONCLUSION

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Final appeal for your project What you will accomplish  Why it’s important  Who will benefit 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY When to write it  What to include 

Statement of need  Goals and objectives  Costs of the project and amount requested  Background on your organization 

APPENDICES AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS IRS determination letter  Financial documents  Board and staff  Supporting materials 

PACKAGING THE PROPOSAL 

Cover letter Reference recent contact  Request for funding  Proposal contents  Offer to meet, answer questions, and provide additional information 

Proposal  Appendices and supporting materials  Submit your proposal on time 

VARIATIONS Common grant application form?  Funder’s own application form?  Initial contact 

Telephone call?  Letter of inquiry?  Full proposal? 

Follow the funder’s guidelines!

WWW.COLORADOCOMMONGRANTFORMS.ORG/

FOLLOW-UP Telephone conversations  Information updates  Board contact? 

THE ANSWER IS YES! Send a thank-you letter  Keep the funder informed  The renewal request 

THE ANSWER IS NO! It’s not personal  Find out why  Ask about future funding  Move on; seek other prospects 

PROPOSAL WRITING http://www.grantspace.org/Tools/Knowledge-Base/Funding-Research/Proposal-Writing/Grantproposals

OTHER RESOURCES

PRINT SOURCES 

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Landau, Herbert B. 2011. Winning Library Grants: A Game Plan. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. Staines, Gail M. 2010. Go Get that Grant! A Practical Guide for Libraries and Nonprofit Organizations. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. Geever, Jane C. 2012. The Foundation Center’s Guide to Proposal Writing. New York, NY: The Foundation Center.

Ward, Deborah. 2012. Writing Grant Proposals that Win. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Carlson, Mim. 2008. Winning Grants Step by Step. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.