Writing a Grant Application - Environmental Finance Center · Writing a Grant Application Financial Training and Grant Writing Workshop for Mayors of Underserved Communities Stacey

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Writing a Grant Application

Financial Training and Grant Writing Workshop for Mayors

of Underserved Communities

Stacey Isaac Berahzer

October 11, 2012

Georgia College and University

Macon, GA

Outline

• Grants.gov for federal grants

• Grant writing tips

• Getting funded again

2

GRANTS.GOV

For federal grants

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Step 3: Apply at Grants.gov

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Grants.gov

• You may need to download special

software on your computer

• Sometimes this is the ONLY way to apply,

paper applications are not accepted

• If you do not get an email confirmation of

receipt, call the RFP contact

5

GRANT WRITING TIPS

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Grant Writing Tips

• Read the RFP thoroughly to make sure

your project is appropriate for the funding

• Follow the suggested RFP outline, if there

is one

• Include maps and photos as appropriate

• Include letters of support from partner

agencies, not from politicians

7

Grant Writing Tips

• Be specific with your work plan and

timeline

• Cite measurable goals

• Focus on the results from this funding

source and not the work of your program

as a whole

• Don’t mention “unfunded mandates”

8

Grant Writing Tips

• If you are applying as a group, choose one

agency as the lead agency. Pick either

the agency with the most work or the

agency with the best relationship with the

funder.

• Apply on time

9

Grant Writing Tips

• Ask the funder any questions you have

during the application process. (But,

beware: your questions may be published

for other applicants to see)

• Look over any sample grant applications

• If you are not funded, ask the funders why

10

Grant Writing Tips – Regional

Commissions

• 12 Regional Commissions in GA

• Example: “Southwest Georgia RC

• May offer low-cost grant writing services

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What are your community’s unique

needs and assets?

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Sample, Annotated Grants

• http://www.efc.unc.edu/projects/wetlands/index.htm

13

Good Book on Grant Writing

• Grant Proposal Makeover: Transform Your

Request from No to Yes

• By Cheryl A. Clarke &

Susan Fox

• John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

• ISBN: 978-0-7879-8055-9

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GETTING FUNDED AGAIN

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Don’t Burn your Bridge With a Funder

• If you are funded, report your results

thoroughly and on time

• Give the funder recognition:

– Include credit/logos in your

reports/publications (with permission)

– Invite funder to relevant events (ribbon-

cutting)

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Stacey Isaac Berahzer

[email protected]

770-509-3887