Writing Successful Grant Applications

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Writing Successful Grant Applications

• by
• Glenn Hamilton

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The grant process

• Highly competitive due to large numbers of
  applications
• Assessment process needs to be efficient to
  ensure timely delivery of funds
• Assessment panel members are under high pressure

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Which grant?

• Grant programs
• Local, state, federal
• Can be specialised
• Sponsorship
• Philanthropic

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Sources of grants

• Landcare www.landcareonline.com
• Community Grants www.aph.gov.au
• EasyGrants www.ourcommunity.com.au

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Some grant programs

• Envirofund (NHT)
• Tailored for community natural resource
  management
• Incentives Program (HCRCMA)
• Small Project Grants
• Land and Vegetation Management Incentives
• National Landcare Program (DAFF)
• Rural and agricultural

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More grant programs

• Environmental Trust Grants (DECC)
• Restoration and Rehabilitation
• Protecting Our Places
• Education
• Eco Schools
• Community Water Grants (Australian Government
  Water Fund)
• Volunteer Small Equipment Grants (FACS)

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Where do we start?

• Good project design
• What is your aim
• What is the public benefit
• How will you achieve your aim (activities)
• How will you measure your results (MER)
• Know the resources needed and their costs
• Human volunteers, contractors, advisors
• Knowledge skills, training, advice
• Materials and equipment plants, mulch, fencing
• Time

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When do we start?

• Ideally before the grant program is released
• Use previous application forms as a sample to
  develop drafts
• Usually most grant programs allow 1 to 2 months
  before the closing date
• Remember it will take time to develop and obtain
  
• letters of support signatures
• approvals budget
• maps plant list
• cultural search etc. etc. etc.

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What to write?

• Most applications follow similar steps
• Use successful applications as a guide
• Develop a draft application and obtain input
  from
• Community Support Officers
• Regional Facilitators
• Catchment Management Authority staff
• Bushcare Officers
• Landcare Officers

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Language

• Be positive about your project and highlight
  benefits
• Keep text clear, concise and to the point
• Use key phrases and words often shown in the
  guidelines
• See it from the assessors perspective

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Top Ten Tips

• When completing activities or outputs section
  make sure you use measurable outcomes such as
• Area of project site you intend to work on
• Number and type of plants you intend to plant
• Length and/or area of riparian zone to be
  reinstated
• Number of workshops and field days
• Number of signs to be installed

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Top Ten Tips

• Make sure your budget balances and costs are
  reasonable
• Provide reasonable detail
• Double check all figures

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Top Ten Tips

• Remember to state you will acknowledge the
  funding body in
• Project promotion
• Articles
• Signage

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Top Ten Tips

• Aboriginal Culture and Heritage
• Discuss your project with your Local Aboriginal
  Land Council as early as possible
• By preserving our natural areas we are often
  helping to preserve Aboriginal culture and
  heritage
• Also it is an excellent opportunity to be part of
  cross cultural exchange

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Top Ten Tips

• Avoid using the term weed removal particularly
  on private land
• Suggest using site preparation as an alternative

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Top Ten Tips

• When developing education projects suggest
  incorporating the following
• At least one practical hands on component such as
  a planting activity
• Links to existing educational programs and/or
  syllabus

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Top Ten Tips

• Know your flora and fauna
• Plant list
• Endangered Ecological Systems (EECs)
• Rare, endangered, threatened, vulnerable species
• State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs)
• RAMSAR
• Heritage areas
• Use www.environment.gov.au/erin/ert/index

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Top Ten Tips

• Obtain as early as possible letters of support
  from
• Politicians
• Collaborative partners
• Technical experts
• Suggest to draft electronic sample letter of
  support for politicians

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Top Ten Tips

• Provide clear maps
• Always include north point and scale
• To obtain aerial photos to use as base maps go to
  www.maps.nsw.gov.au
• This site will also provide cadastre, latitude
  and longitude information

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Top Ten Tips

• If you are unsuccessful ask why?
• Remember it is a very competitive process and you
  may not be successful first time around
• See it as an opportunity to refine and hone your
  application

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Writing Successful Grant Applications

• Questions