Jan 13, 2015
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We’re in the Money:
Proposal Writing & Resource
Development
Patricia Clark
College and Career Academy Support Network (CCASN)
University of California Berkeley
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GOALS FOR THIS SESSION
• To increase understanding of the basic elements of a Grant Proposal
• To learn more about both Proposal Writing and Grantseeking
• To acquire some powerful Proposal writing Tools
• To realize that if we approach Proposal writing “bird by bird,” all things are possible.
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Exercise: You Gotta Have Cause (plus your Elevator Speech)
• Complete the “You Gotta Have Cause” Exercise• Think about Your One Minute Elevator Speech• Pair and Share
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Keys to Success
• Create a Proposal Writing & Resource Development/ Partnership Development Team
• Engage your Advisory Board & Other Stakeholders in Developing a Strategic Plan AND a related Fund & Resource Development Plan
• Build a Proposal writing & Resource Development Kit
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Keys to Success
• Research Potential Funders Thoroughly
• Target your Proposals Carefully• Write a clear, concise proposal which
includes all forms/follows all instructions carefully
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Major Components of a Typical Grant Proposal
• Cover Letter• Summary/Abstract• Introduction/Background• Need/problem/situation statement
– (sometimes includes CASE statement)
• Goals/Objectives
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Major Components
• Methods/Activities/Strategies/Work Plan/ Management Plan (often includes Organizational Chart, Qualifications of Key Personnel; sometimes includes Theory of Action)
• Timeline (if not already included in work plan)
(NOTE: Sometimes funders require info on Qualifications of Key Personnel and/or an Impact Statement)
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Major Components
• Dissemination (when applicable)• Evaluation/ Accountability Plan• Sustainability/Future funding/ Institutionalization• Budget & Budget Narrative/Justification• Support Letters/Appendices• Other requirements such as assurances, sign-off sheets, etc.
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Two Reminders
• PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE FUNDERS’ PRIORITIES, REQUIREMENTS, & CRITERIA !!!
• DATA, DATA, DATA … Use Research, Statistics, Evidence, etc. Throughout !!!
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Steps In the Grantwriting Process (one approach)
• Developing Proposal Idea (and finding appropriate funding source/s)
• Writing Compelling Need Statement (includes research/evidence)
• Defining Clear Goals & Objectives• Developing Methods/Activities/Strategies (includes research base/theory of action)
* Preparing Evaluation Component
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Steps in the Proposal Writing Process
• Preparing Budget• Writing Introduction, Proposal Summary/Abstract (possibly Cover Letter)
• Gathering/Developing Support Letters/ Appendices• Putting Package Together//Mailing proposal in timely fashion//Follow up
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Educational Planning -- Backwards
• Step 1: What is Your Shopping List?
(BUDGET)
* Step 2: What is It You’ll be Able to Do That you Can’t Do Now? Describe it. Create a picture in the funder’s eyes. (ACTIVITIES)
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Educational Planning -- Backwards
• Step 3: Why is it that you want students/ teachers/etc. to do these things? (OBJECTIVES)
• Step 4: Why did you pick this particular area of learning for the students to work on? (NEEDS)
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Educational Planning - Backwards
• Step 5: How was it that you said you would measure to be sure students have mastered the skills/successfully completed project, etc? (EVALUATION)
• Step 6: TIDY UP: MAKE YOUR TIMELINE, BUDGET, STAFFING LIST, etc.
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Educational Planning - Backwards
• Lay out NEEDS – GOALS/OBJECTIVES –
ACTIVITIES – EVALUATION sequence
Step 7: Write a brief description of your proposed work (ABSTRACT)
Give Evidence Throughout…
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Common Types of Proposals
• Letter of Intent/Inquiry• Letter Proposal• Long/Formal Proposal/Application• Common Grant Proposals• On-Line Proposal
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Proposals – The Close Relatives
• Letter of Introduction (requests interview; does not include an actual request for funding)
• Business Plan
• Concept Paper
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Developing the Proposal Idea
• What is the community need that the planned project/initiative is addressing?
(Need/s Statement)
• What would an improved community/ school situation look like?
Objectives
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Developing…Proposal Idea
• What can this organization/school/program do to improve the situation? (Methods/Activities)
• How will it be determined that the project has succeeded? (Evaluation)
• How much will project cost? (Budget)
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Developing….Idea
• How will the project be funded in the future &/or institutionalized/incorporated into ongoing project operations?
(Future funding/
institutionalization)
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Problem Statement/ Needs Assessment
• Describes target population to be served• Defines community problem to be addressed
AND need in geographical area where organization operates
• Is related to purposes & goals of applicant agency/organization/school
• Is of reasonable dimensions – not trying to solve all the problems of the world
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Problem/Needs Statement (continued)
• Is supported by relevant statistical evidence• Is supported by statements from authorities/experts• Is stated in terms of constituency/client (student) needs and problems – not the applicant’s• Is developed with input from constituency/ client & beneficiaries
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Problem/Needs Statement (continued)
• Is not the “lack of a program,” unless program always works
• Makes no unsupported assumptions• Is brief; interesting; free of jargon;
makes a compelling case
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MAKING THE CASE: Building on the need statement
In some proposals, you:• Present your compelling need• Describe how your organization is
UNIQUELY qualified to address this need/ successfully implement this project
• Include a CASE STATEMENT – document how mission/purpose of your organization is a perfect match with funder’s priorities and this particular project
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The CASE STATEMENT:
• How/why your organization/Academy was started (what problems existed/what reasons for starting)• What is your organization/Academy doing now? Why? With what impact?• Where are you going? (Future)
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Goals and Objectives
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Defining Clear Goals & Objectives
A GOAL is:• a broad-based statement of the ultimate result of the change being undertaken (a result that is sometimes unreachable in the short term.)
• a global, visionary statement (that often create a sense of awe.)
• not measurable. • “the end toward which effort is directed.”
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Defining Clear Goals & Objectives
An OBJECTIVE is:• a measurable, time-specific result that the organization/ school/ district expects to accomplish as part of the grant. • “observable & verifiable.”
• stated in quantifiable terms. • realistic, capable of being accomplished within time frame.
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Objectives: Keep them S-I-M-P-L-E
• Specific – indicate precisely what you intend to change through project• Immediate – indicate time frame during which problem will be addressed• Measurable – indicate what you would accept as proof of project success• Practical – indicate how each objective is real solution to real problem
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Objectives: Keep them S-I-M-P-L-E
• Logical – Indicate how each objective systematically contributes to achieving your overall goal(s)
• Evaluable – indicate how much change has to occur for project to be effective
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Writing Objectives
STANDARD OBJECTIVE FORMAT:
To increase the math scores of sophomores at Winston High School by 20% on the Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Assessment by June 2012 at a cost of $20,000, as measured by ____________.
NOW, TRY WRITING AN OBJECTIVE OF YOUR OWN
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Methods/Activities
• Flows naturally from problems & objectives• Clearly describes program activities
• States reasons for selection of activities• Describes sequence of activities
• Describes staffing of program• Describes constituency/clients and their
selection (if applicable)
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Methods/Activities
• Presents reasonable scope of activities that can be accomplished within time and resources of program• Provides timeline of activities
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Evaluation Component
• Quantitative Methods• Qualitative Methods• Formative or Process Evaluation• Summative or Outcome Evaluation• Other terms: Baseline; Comparison Group; Success Criteria; Assessments; Instruments; Internal Evaluator; External Evaluator
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Other Aspects…
• Future Funding, Institutionalization, Sustainability
• Dissemination• Budget• Cover Letter• Summary/Abstract• Other Sections
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Sources of Funding
• Private Foundations & Philanthropic Trusts
• Corporations• Government Agencies• Local Businesses• Service Clubs• Community-Based Organizations,
Religious Organizations, Individuals
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A Bit on Grantseeking
Grantseeking is About Building Relationships, preferably long term…. (Scenes from a Marriage)
Grantseeking is also about Doing Your Homework, Persisting with Passion, and Following Through.
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Grantseeking on the Web
• http://fdncenter.org• http://www.schoolgrants.org• Federal/State Department of ED sites –
list serves (http://www.grants.gov)• CASN_News-
[email protected] (Academy/high school newswire, includes funding opportunities)
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Setting Yourself Up for Success
• Toward a Grantwriting/Resource Development Kit (see packet)
• The Devil is in the Details – some tips & some signs of a great grant (see packet) PLUS Ways to Involve Your Community
• Remember: You Don’t Always Need a Grant
• Some Super Checklists (packet)
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We dwell in possibilities
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Next steps
• Whatever we can dream, we can do.• Make a plan. Commit yourself. What is your personal next step?• Remember to approach proposal writing “bird by bird”• Let’s Get it Started (a la Black Eyed Peas)
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Staying in Touch
Patricia ClarkCareer Academy Support Network
(CASN) [email protected] [email protected] 510.524.0734; 510.504.3826 (cell) [email protected]