Support for Service Providers > Grant Writing
Grant Writing
Speakers:
The Funding Consortium – Pam Grogan
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans – Kristina Hunken
Kristina Hunken, NCHV
- Welcome
- Introduction of Pam Grogan
- Questions not addressed during call may be sent to nchv5@nchv.org or
202-546-1969
Pam Grogan, The Funding Consortium
- Revenue generated through fundraising, earned income (for-profit ventures), capital formation
- Largest source of funding from individuals (76.3% in 2002)
- Getting Organized
- Categorize funding resources by fields of interest, types of support, types of grants (city, county, state, etc.)
- Develop prospect worksheets (spreadsheet used among grant writers; used for collecting information on foundations)
- Review grant applications, guidelines to find match to your organization
- Pre-proposal stage (create “case for support” binder, organize base documents, research foundations, review guidelines)
- Call funder to ask for copy of annual report (will show who they have funded in the past, what amounts)
Major Components of Case Statement
- Organizational history
- Mission statement
- Agency goals and objectives
- Programs and services
- Program objectives
- Target population and geographic region
- Board of Director names
- Key staff (how many staff and volunteers)
- Annual operating budget
- Program budgets
- Funding sources
Researching Foundations
- FC Search Online (www.foundationcenter.org/)
- Directories (foundation, corporate, state)
- Federal Register (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/)
- Guide Star (www.guidestar.org/)
Types of Funding Sources
- Foundations (community, family)
- Corporations
- Government (city, county, state, local, federal)
Elements of a Grant Proposal
- Need/Program Statement
- Program description
- Goals and objectives
- Strategies and activities
- Evaluation process
- Sustainability plan (how do you plan to sustain program once funding has run out?)
- Organizational background
- Scope of work (state and federal grants want organizations to outline goals and objectives of program; who is going to do what and by what date; what is indicator that certain outcome has been achieved?)
Program Budget
- Program line item budget must correlate to activities specified in proposal; scope of work will help identify necessary expenses
- Have several people look over budget to make sure that nothing has been left out
- Make sure that total cost of program budget is also identified in overall agency budget
- Budget justification
- Is a narrative description of each line item in program budget (especially items that exceed $1,000)
- Personnel (identify how many staff, what percentage is fringe benefits, consultant fees)
- Non-personnel (divide cost of utilities per program, office rent, supplies, travel, telephone, postage, printing)
Supporting Documentation
- Board of Directors Roster
- Letters of support (letters from organizations in community that you are collaborating with)
- Financials statements (most recent IRS 990 tax return, compilation, review or audit)
- IRS 501 C(3) Letter of Determination (must have before applying for foundation grants)
- Agency budget
- Staff resumes
- Job descriptions
Why Proposals Are Denied
- Proposal does not meet funder priorities (do homework first; call and ask questions before applying)
- Organization is not in geographic area of funder
- Proposal doesn’t follow prescribed format
- Proposal is poorly written and difficult to understand (writer must understand program and be capable of conveying it in understandable manner to funder)
- Proposal and budget are not within funding range (follow funding parameters)
- Organization is unknown to funder (get foot in the door by sending organization’s newsletter, brochures, make introductory phone call)
- Proposal does not seem urgent (use statistics that express urgent need)
- Objective and plan of action exceed budget and timeline
- Money has already been allocated for grant cycle
- Proposal does not show sustainability (funder wants to know how program will be supported after funding is exhausted)
- Failure to indicate other targeted funding sources (funders do not want to be only supporter of program)
After the Submission
- Waiting times can be from two to six months for notification of funding decision
- Be prepared if and when funder calls to ask questions or schedule a site visit
- When you receive grant, expend monies in accordance to program budget (follow-up after six months)
- Planning for site visit
- Have Executive Director, one-two board members, key staff at meeting
- Funder may ask about Board of Directors (how many people on Board, term limits, how often does Board meet?)
- Do Board members contribute to fundraising?
- Program related issues (how will clients be transported to site, collaborations with other agencies)
- Financial statement information (any possible red flags, negative net asset value)
Applying for Federal Grants
- Often required for organization to have prior experience providing services to target population (at least one-two years)
- Key considerations (what are funders looking for?)
- Include planning model
- Allow four to five weeks to write grant proposal
- Documentation Checklist to Apply for Federal Funding
- Nonprofit organization’s federal EIN#
- Federal DUNS#
- Copy of IRS 501C(3) Determination Letter
- Staffing information (resumes and job descriptions)
- Name of current or proposed insurance carrier
- Any licenses necessary to provide services
- Agency organizational chart
- Copy of agency’s most recent financial statement, IRS 990 Tax Return or CPA Audit
- Any letters of support (include letters from collaborative partners, Senators or other elected officials)
- Recent copy of the agency’s Board of Director’s Roster
Closing
Kristina Hunken, NCHV
- Thank you
- Questions may be sent to Melanie Lilliston at nchv5@nchv.org or
202-546-1969
- Visit www.nchv.org for information on upcoming conference calls
|
