Identifying Funding Sources: How to search for funding opportunities for your library

1
Identifying Funding Sources How to search for
funding opportunitiesfor your library

• INLS 843
• April 23, 2007
• Susan Gramling, MSLSGrantSource Library

2
Topics for Today

• Funding fundamentals
• Tips for researching funding opportunities
• Online funding information sources
• Searching funding opportunities databases
• Setting up alert services
• Researching awards made
• Planning your proposal

3
Resources for This Workshop

• This PowerPoint Presentation
• http//research.unc.edu/grantsource/workshops_arc
  hive.phpother
• (click on Public Libraries)
• Sample Search for Libraries
• http//fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/showSearch?id9
  41850ticketb6af247be3b994a370ab938060d44541

4
Funding Fundamentals

• Plan ahead for long-term funding needs
• Be aware of lengthy turn-around times
• Become familiar with sponsors in your community
  and your field
• Check sources close to homecommunity or state
  foundations, corporate/industry sponsors,
  professional organizations, and other affiliation
  groups

5
Tips for Researching Funding Opportunities

• Approach your search from different perspectives
• Look for potential funders with a good fit
• Identify funders goals or needs
• Talk to the program officer
• Assess your projects fit with their priorities
• Find out review criteria and process

6
Things to Consider Before Searching

• Keywords that apply to project
• Specific and broad terms
• Categories that apply to your organization
• library, nonprofit, government agency,
  educational institution, NGO
• Type of award sought
• Program/project, collaboration, equipment,
  facility construction, operating, research

7
Where to Start Your Search

• UNC-Chapel Hills GrantSource Library
  http//research.unc.edu/grantsource/
• Visit a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection
  library
• http//fdncenter.org/collections/

8
Professional Resources

• Professional organizations such as ALA
• http//www.ala.org/ala/washoff/WOissues/washfundi
  ng/funding.htm
• North Carolina State LibraryLibrary Services and
  Technology Act http//statelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us
  /lsta/lsta.htm

9
Free Databases

• Grants.gov www.grants.gov/search/advanced.do
• Find, apply for, manage federal other grants
• New, unified portal to Search for Grant
  Opportunities
• Using Funding Activity Category, enter arts,
  humanities, education, etc. click Search
• Or Search by agency for IMLS or ED or other
  sponsors click Start Search
• Set up Grant Opportunity Emails
• www.grants.gov/search/subscribeAdvanced.do

10
Free Databases Continued

• Foundation Centers Foundation Finder
• http//foundationcenter.org/findfunders/foundfind
  er/
• Basic information on 70,000 private community
  foundations corporate U.S. grant makers
• Locate specific foundations or foundations in
  your state, town, or zip code

11
Free Alert Services

• Foundation Center RFP Bulletin
• http//foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/
• Education Funding Watch
• http//foundationcenter.org/efw/
• NEH Connect!
• http//www.neh.gov/news/nehconnect.html
• Dept. of Education EDInfo e-newsletter
• http//www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/edinfo/index.h
  tml

12
State Funding Information

• State Directories (available in most states)
• NC Giving Online (subscription)
  http//www.capdev.com/ncgivingonline/login.cfm
• Michigan Grantmakers (free) http//www.lib.msu.edu
  /harris23/grants/privmich.htm
• Foundation Center Statistics
• Top Funders by States (free)
• http//foundationcenter.org/findfunders/statistics
  /gm_financial_state.html

13
COS Funding Opportunities Database

• Main search (recommended)
• recommended fields keywords, requirements,
  citizenship or residency requirements, activity
  location, funding type
• click Add Keywords to view keyword subject tree
• use search feature to find keywords you want
• uncheck explode if you use broad keywords

http//research.unc.edu/grantsource/funding_databa
ses.phpcos PDF Handout Searching COS Funding
Opportunities
14
COS Funding Alerts

• Customized electronic notification
• Sends weekly email with new or updated
  opportunities
• First step, register for COS expertise profile
  (faculty profiles are published)
• Second step, set up funding search profile
• Must do both steps to receive good results

http//research.unc.edu/grantsource/funding_alerts
.phpcos PDF Handout Introduction to COS
Workbench Funding Alerts
15
InfoEd SPINFunding Opportunities Database

• Similar to COS
• Main differences
• additional opportunities
• different keywords and search terms
• different interface (keywords alphabetized)
• Be certain to use Search and not Enter
• Set up InfoEd SMARTS/GENIUS funding alert

• http//research.unc.edu/grantsource/funding_databa
  ses.phpspin

16
Subscription Funding Databases -- Foundations

• Available at Carolina and most large/medium
  libraries
• Foundation Directory Platinum Online, CD-ROM and
  book
• National database of non-governmental
  grantmakers, especially foundations
• Online version also has grant awards made
• http//research.unc.edu/grantsource/funding_databa
  ses.phpspecialized

17
Funding Directories

• National Guide to Funding for Libraries and
  Information Services
• Directory of Grants in the Humanities
• Technology Grant News

18
Print Funding Newsletters

• Available for purchase (ask for free trial
  subscriptions)
• Guide to Federal Funding for Governments
  Nonprofits
• Local/State Funding Report
• Community Development Digest
• Children and Youth Funding Report

19
Proposal Writing Resources

• UNC-Chapel Hill assistance and resources
• Reference books
• Foundation Centers Guide to Proposal Writing
• Online resources and guides
• many individual agencies have their own
• writing foundation proposals, including letter
  proposals

• http//research.unc.edu/grantsource/proposal_writi
  ng.php

20
Researching Awards Made

• Provides insight into grant makers priorities
• Check previously funded projects through agency
  web site, annual report or awards made database
• Read successful proposals if possible (ask
  sponsor or past recipient)

http//research.unc.edu/grantsource/awards_made.ph
p
21
Source Dr. Glenn H. Crumb, Presentation Grants
Puzzled About Finding Them?, Western Kentucky
University
22
Tips for Planning Your Proposal

• Plan long and carefully
• Project should fit overall goals or plan
• Involve partners and community in planning
• Document local support (letters of endorsement)
• Collaboration and broad impact are major
  strengthening factors
• Choose potential funders with a good fit
• Use external funding to leverage internal
  resources and vice versa

23
Fundamentals of Proposal Preparation

• Proposal writing is not the same as scholarly or
  scientific writing
• Talk with the program officer
• Write, revise, revise, revise
• Get feedback from others

24
Proposal Elements

• Summary
• Sponsor appeal
• Problem statement/needs assessment
• Project description/solution
• Organizational information/capabilities
• Budget and budget justification
• Evaluation (not always required, but can be a
  strengthening element)
• Closing

http//foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/s
hortcourse/index.html
25
Writing Style

• Be clear, concise and direct
• Write in a positive manner
• Use the active voice, rather than passive
• Avoid jargon
• Use headings, bullets, formatting and white space
  to increase readability
• Proofread for grammar, spelling and typographical
  errors

26
Budgeting

• Itemize and account for all costs
• Budget should flow from your project plan
• Justify budget items
• Dont overestimate resource needs
• Dont underestimate resource needs either

27
Summary

• Project planning is key
• Write with reviewers in mind
• Fulfill evaluation requirements
• Thank your sponsors
• Dont despair if proposal is unfunded

28
Thank You!

• Susan Gramling, GrantSource Librarian, UNC-Chapel
  Hill 919-962-7766 susan_gramling_at_unc.edu