Monday, June 9, 2008

Grant Writing session 1 of 5 parts

Click on picture for video teaching

29 minute session

This session 1 of a part part series on grant writing.
Mr. Buddy Strickland was very generous with his time and talent to teach on how to write grants for non-profits. www.buddystrickland.com Please use the following outline to help you in the beginning of how to write your own grant proposals.
GRANT PROCUREMENT SEMINAR
INTRODUCTION:

STAGE 1: Evaluate your idea and your ability to implement it.

STAGE 2: Finding a likely funding source.

STAGE 3: Gathering internal and external support

STAGE 4: Drafting, revising and submitting your proposal
WRITE THE PROPOSAL

·
Emphasize why MACEA is the best qualified organization to solve the problem.

·
Support your proposal with concrete and specific documentation, but don’t overdo it.

·
Present your strongest arguments and most compelling documentation first.

·
Anticipate the reviewers’ questions in articulating your rationale.

·
Concentrate on what you think is the weakest part of your proposal. Often this is the budget.

·
Be consistent in style and format throughout your proposal.

·
Make sure your proposal is complete, free of errors and attractively presented. Visual aids such as charts, graphs and tables are generally appreciated by readers.
Notes
GRANT PROCUREMENT SEMINAR
INTRODUCTION:
·
The only thing you have to do is write a good proposal: Right?
· Wrong! · Misleading – “Writing a proposal!” We should be using such words as: planning. . .orchestrating. . .implementing. . . · The best proposals are done with a team on which every members shares in the planning. . .orchestrating. . .and implementing.
· Whether you are applying to the:
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. . .
A PRIVATE FOUNDATION. . .
A CORPORATION
Writing the proposal is only one step in a lengthy process.
For convenience we can divide the process into 4 stages. . .
. . .let me say 5 stages because when you get a grant the work has
only just begun. . .

STAGE 1: Evaluate your idea and your ability to implement it.
·
Assess the value of your idea.
· Is there a need? What is the need?
· Does it solve an important problem? What is the problem?
· Is it timely unique and innovative?
· Can you realistically follow through on what you are proposing?
From the “Chronicle of Higher Education” (Jan. 14,1987)
FOUNDATIONS GENERALLY BASE THEIR
DECISION TO FINANCE A PROJECT ON FIVE CRITERIA:
1.
The quality of the people involved.
2. The significance of the problem
3. The importance of the solution to the problem (or idea being proposed)
4. The stature of the sponsoring institution
5. The reasonableness of the price.
Question: How does your idea measure up to these criteria?

STAGE 2: Finding a likely funding source. The first mistake: Many grant proposals are denied simply because they are submitted to the wrong agency. 1. Read first very carefully a prospective grant maker’s guidelines, eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria. Inquire by phone, brief letter or e-mail to see if a granting agency has any interest in your project.
2. Request a list of previously financed projects. 3. You might even want to ask for guidance and advice on how to develop your proposal. (Many professional grant-proposal writers will tell you that involving the agency’s staff at this stage can created interest in your project. )

STAGE 3: Gathering internal and external support
GET PEOPLE INVOLVED! 1. Go inside and outside your organization to get people who will support your request.
2. Make sure you have the dedicated personnel to carry out your project.
3. Find out if they are committed to your idea. 4. Assemble a working board of researchers and advisors to guide the entire project.
Solicit letter of support from well know authorities.

STAGE 4:
Drafting, revising and submitting your proposal Always, always, always, structure your proposal according to the guidelines provided by the granting agency.
If no form or guidelines are provided, follow this standard 10 part format:
Title
Summary or abstract
Introduction
Description of the problem
Proposed solution and anticipated outcomes
Methods or rational
Personnel and facilities
Project evaluation
Budget
GRANT PROCUREMENT SEMINAR
Outline
INTRODUCTION:
STAGE 1:
Evaluate your idea and your ability to implement it.
From the “Chronicle of Higher Education” (Jan. 14,1987)
FOUNDATIONS GENERALLY BASE THEIR
DECISION TO FINANCE A PROJECT ON FIVE CRITERIA:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Question: How does your idea measure up to these criteria?
STAGE 2:
Finding a likely funding source. The first mistake: Many grant proposals are denied simply because they are submitted to the wrong agency. 1. 2. 3. (Many professional grant-proposal writers will tell you that involving the agency’s staff at this stage can created interest in your project. )
STAGE 3:
Gathering internal and external support
GET PEOPLE INVOLVED! 1. 2. 3. 4.
STAGE 4:
Drafting, revising and submitting your proposal Always, always, always, structure your proposal according to the guidelines provided by the granting agency.
If no form or guidelines are provided, follow this standard 10 part format:

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Peter,
This is fabulous, what a resource for so many people.
-John