How to Write a Mini Grant

Grant Writing - How To Write a Mini Grant

Presented by: Melanie Askew, CPA

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The Keys to Producing Unsuccessful Grants

Lessons Learned

Create a new program to fit the scope of a grant.

Begin the grant-writing process at the eleventh hour because your administrators procrastinated on making a decision on whether to seek the grant or just discovered the opportunity.

Ignore the fact that the writing process should begin by the creation of a detailed outline.

Decide to work on numerous grants simultaneously so your writers are stretched thin.

Give the grant application to a team so they can all pass the buck.

Fail to recognize the amount of work that will be needed to produce a quality grant.

Use generic text instead of tailoring the response to fit the grant application’s specifications, or even better, repeat the grant application requirements verbatim.

Submit generic resumes which haven't been revised to meet the RFP's requirements, or provide more resumes and corporate experience descriptions than requested in order to demonstrate your superior capabilities.

Boast about your organization’s eminent qualifications to perform, your highly-qualified staff, and your outstanding reputation without providing evidence or presenting a creative solution to the identified problem.

Pick and choose those grant requirements that your staff members deem of merit and ignore those they find silly.

Present too much information.

Forget what is outlined above and repeat your mistakes.

Developing a Successful Grant

Key Differences to Know

What is a Government?

What is a 501(c)(3) not for profit?

Why does it matter?

Elements of a Successful Proposal

THE RIGHT

FUNDER

A GOOD

IDEA

A SOLID

PROPOSAL

Why Proposals Get Funded

They serve an underserved or under-represented population

They show collaboration with other organizations

They help fill a gap in existing knowledge or products

They contain new or creative ideas

Make a Plan

Start with a good idea

Collaborate

Create a logic model and SMART outcomes

A Good IdeaTo develop a project idea worthy of funding, ask the following questions:

population

goal of the project

need for the project

projects objectives

activities

estimated budget

Project Idea Form

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Logic ModelVisual representation of activities that are the

core of your program - a picture of how your program works.

Presents in a clear manner: what your program is about, what you plan to do and why -making your program easier to understand.

Provides the theory and underlying assumptions of a program.

Logic Model It can be used during the PLANNING

or development of your program to identify the results your program intends to achieve.

It can be used during the IMPLEMENTATION of your program to help guide the work.

It can be used to guide the development of a set of PERFORMANCE MEASURES for your primary activities.

Logic Model

Needs

Identify the need or problem

What is the extent of the need?

What are the causes of the problem?

Identify the current and past efforts?

Program Goal – What is or intended impact?

Logic Model

Inputs

What resources are needed to operate the program?

Personnel

Partners

Facilities

Equipment

• Technology

• Transportation

• Supplies

• Activities

Logic Model

Activities

What are you going to do? Provide after school

programs

Community outreach

Adult education

Expand social services

Logic Model

Outputs

What is the program producing?

Outcomes

What difference is the program making?

What will happen and for whom it will happen?

Logic Model

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Find a Match

Where the Money Is

· Federal Government

· State Government

· Foundations

· Businesses and Corporations

Know Who You Are and Project Idea Development

Before you can begin to seek funding for your organization, you must know who you are representing.

What is our Mission?• Who are we?• Why do we exist?• What do we do best?• What is our contribution to the community?• Who do we serve?

What is our Vision?• Where do we see ourselves in 5, 10, or even 20

years?

Find a MatchFind the best fit• Identify reporting requirements

• Assess your capacity

Evaluating Potential Funders• Identify the sources most likely to support

your proposal

• Consider their stated mission

• Review previously grantees

• Focus on “mission match”

Doing the ResearchResearch the following key information: Applicant eligibility Funding priorities Deadlines Types of support provided Application procedures Form or format for application Documents required in the grant application Ineligible projects Grant amounts Selection criteria

Does the grant fit our agency priorities?

Do our priorities match the funders?

Does the grant address identified needs?

Do we have staff capable of carrying out the project?

Do we have the facilities to carry out the project?

Doing the Research

Will the funding be sufficient to accomplish the objectives in the time allotted?

Are the resources and time available to develop a strong proposal?

Is there agency enthusiasm for developing and carrying out the program?

Do we have the needed cash or in-kind contributions?

Can we continue the project after the funding ends?

Does the project have sufficient administrative support?

Are the odds for funding good?

Doing the Research

Get it Done!

Follow the rules

Manage the grant writing process

Tips and techniques for writing a winning proposal

Follow the Rules

Local

State

Federal

Funder

Local Rules

Approval Process

• Who can authorize the submission of a grant?

• Do you require Governing Board or Board of Directors approval?

Use of adopted curriculum/approved programs

Salary schedules and pay rates

Purchasing

Local RulesUsed to develop an overview of the grant

Demonstrates tie to organization goals

Demonstrates tie to curriculum or program

Approval by organization

Tracking tool

State Rules

Procurement

Staff qualifications/ certification/ fingerprinting

Alignment to state standards

Federal Rules

Supplement, not supplant

Private school partnerships

Drug-free workplace

Anti-discrimination

policies

Funder Rules

Matching funds

Originals Page limits PartnershipsAuthorized signatures

Manage the Grant Writing Process

Appoint a project manager

Establish a timeline

Create a communication plan• Approval

• Data

Helpful Hints! Use the language of the

question to frame your response

Answer in complete sentences

Have one “voice”

Write professionally

Use third person

Use abbreviations, titles, and labels consistently

Use the scoring rubric

Focus the proposal so that the areas withthe highest points get the most attention.

Include all information.

Create a budget

Set up the timeline andcommunications plan

Where to find Funding Sources

US Department of Education www.ed.gov

Arizona State Procurement http://sporas.ad.state.az.us

Arizona Department of Education www.ade.az.gov

Various Private Organizations:

• www.grantsalert.com

• http://www.edutopia.org/grants-and-resources

• http://www.freeportinmycommunity.com/schools/mini-grants

• www.grantsforteachers.net

• www.teacherscount.org

• www.educatorsusa.org

Questions?Melanie Askew, CPA

928-556-5270

[email protected]

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