Federal Grants Short Course An Introduction

1
Federal Grants Short CourseAn Introduction

• By Sally Hintz,
• office of Senator Maria Cantwell

2
Federal Grants Short Course Goals

• To provide information and advice on searching
  and applying for competitive federal grants.
• To educate constituents on the Congressional
  Delegations role in obtaining federal funding.

3
Grants staff from the offices of Senators Murray
and Cantwell

• Sheila Babb, Grants and Appropriations
  Coordinator
• [phone]
• Sheila_Babb_at_murray.senate.gov
• Melanie Mihara, Grants Coordinator
• [phone]
• Melanie_Mihara_at_cantwell.senate.gov

4
NW Regional Staff from the offices of Senators
Murray and Cantwell

• Rita Beal, NW Washington Director
• Office of Senator Patty Murray
• [phone]
• Rita_Beal_at_Murray.Senate.gov
• Sally Hintz, NW Washington Director
• Office of Senator Maria Cantwell
• [phone]
• Sally_Hintz_at_Cantwell.Senate.gov

5
Senator Cantwells Committee Assignments

• Commerce, Science and Transportation
• Chair, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere,
  Fisheries and Coast Guard
• Energy and Natural Resources
• Finance
• Small Business and Entrepreneurship
• Indian Affairs

6
Researching Grants

• www.grants.gov
• Search for current funding opportunities
• Apply for grants online
• Receive electronic updates

7
Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance

• www.cfda.gov
• Comprehensive list of all federal programs
  including technical assistance and equipment.

8
How to read a CFDA Announcement

• Objectives
• Types of Assistance
• Use and Use Restrictions
• Applicant Eligibility
• Obligations
• Range and Average of Financial Assistance
• Related Programs

9
Senator Murrays Grants Gateway

• http//murray.senate.gov/grants/

10
Non-Profit and Philanthropy Resource
Centerwww.kcls.org/philanthropy/
11
Ways a Congressional Office Can Be of Assistance

• Letters of Support
• Two weeks notice
• Summary or Abstract of proposal
• Who we should address letter to at federal agency
• How we should get the letter to you (e-mail, hard
  copy)
• Note Some agencies prefer letters to arrive
  with the grant, some prefer letters be sent to
  the agencys Congressional Liaison.

12
Ways a Congressional Office Can Be of Assistance
(Cont.)

• Information Gathering
• Identify agency contacts
• Reiterate support
• Check status of review process
• Peer reviewers notes
• Appeals process
• Funding notifications

13
Three Grant Dealbreakers

• The application came in late.
• The application was longer than the agency
  guidelines.
• The dollar amount requested was over the award
  ceiling.
• Failure to comply with any of these three rules
  means the proposal will not even be read.

14
Four Grant Myths

• Anyone can get a federal grant
• Members of Congress decide who gets a grant and
  can review applications.
• If you get a grant, it will take care of
  everything.
• Its easy to get grantsits free money.

15
Tips for a Successful Application

• Agencies like to fund partnerships
• Get partnerships and in-kind donations in writing
  
• Dont duplicate services already in a community
• Dont stretch what your organization is actually
  capable of
• Follow grant instructions precisely
• You are responsible for the actions of your grant
  writers, consultants and partners you will be
  audited.

16
If your application is not successful

• Learn from your mistakes. Review denied
  applications with agency staff
• Consider other funding sources available,
  including loans, equipment and technical
  assistance
• Consider attending an agency workshop on the
  program or online course.

17
Conclusions

• Planning and patience are necessary when applying
  for federal funding.
• Information on federal funding is readily
  available.
• You must have realistic expectations.