Grantwriting 101

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Grantwriting 101

• Los Angeles Regional Foodbank

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Welcome and Introduction

• Melisa Quinn
• G r a n t W r i t e r
• 15 years experience in nonprofit development
• Government, foundation and corporate grants
• Pre and post-award administration
• Grant Reviewer for Federal and State government
• Facilitator for grant training workshops

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• What is a Grant Proposal?

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• A grant proposal is
• a coherent plan.

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The Grant Proposal

• A proposal presents the organizations
  credibility as a service provider, financial
  manager, producer of results for
  clientsessentially that your organization is
  efficient and effective in the use of their funds
  to achieving their priorities

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The Grant Proposal

• A proposal should reflect the thoughtful
  planning of an applicant seeking funds from a
  grantmaking agency
• so that your organization
• can increase or improve your services.

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Grantwriting is a technical form of persuasive
writing

• convey passion for a cause
• with clearly articulated goals, objectives,
  methods, outcomes
• make an argument in writing backed by
  statistics and other data

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The Proposal Writing Process

• Reading grant guidelines and instructions
• Researching demographic and other data
• Developing your programs and services
• Planning your writing schedule
• Writing and editing
• Getting feedback

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The Proposal Writing Process

• Time consuming
• Requires great attention to detail
• A complete adherence to deadlines
• Requires great organization and planning
• Takes more people than you might think
• Is a very rewarding endeavor

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Grant Types

• Government, Foundation Corporate Grants

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Types of Grant Support

• Operating grants
• Project/program support
• Capital
• Equipment
• Endowment
• Seed

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Standard Proposal Sections

• Executive Summary
• Organizational History
• Statement of Need
• Program Description
• Goals
• Measurable Objectives
• Inputs and Outputs
• Activities
• Performance-Based Outcomes
• Staff Roles, Responsibilities and Experience
• Evaluation Plan
• Attachments
• Tax Determination Letter (501c3) 990 Form
• Board of Directors List Annual Operating
  Budget
• Audited Financial Statement Program Budget
• Annual Report

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Distinguishing between

• Goals
• Objectives
• Activities
• Outcomes

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Program Goals

• A goal refers to some big end point you want to
  reach. Goals are
• Broad, general statements of results
• Are global pie-in-the-sky approaches to the
  problem
• Although are broad, must be stated realistically

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Measurable Objectives

• Objectives relate to the goal(s)
• Generally use terms like increase decrease
  reduce to show a change
• Include measurable or quantified statements in
  numbers or percentages
• Include realistic timeframes for completion

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Activities

• Activities relate to how the program will
  operate, i.e. the activities of the program the
  methods and/or procedures of operation.

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Outcomesthe ultimate impact you hope to achieve

• An outcome refers to changes in behavior,
  knowledge, skills and attitudes of people, or
  conditions in the environment.

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Tips

• Make sure your project is a solid fit with the
  funding agencys giving priorities
• Plan your time well--expect the unexpected!
• Make sure you fully understand the distinctions
  between goals, objectives, outcomes
• Avoid unsupported assumptions
• Get feedback
• Learn more about grantwriting

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The Proposal Writing ProcessAn Organizational
Planning Instrument

• Improved record-keeping systems
• Enhanced credibility for your organization
• Clarity of goals, objectives and activities
• Increased knowledge in your program area
• Better program evaluations
• Better financial management

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Questions Answers