Seeking Grant Funds and Writing Winning Proposals:An IntroductionNCompass Live – October 7, 2009

About the presenterResearch AnalystSpecial Projects AssociateGrant writerEvaluatorKathryn.Brockmeier@Nebraska.gov402.471.4002

About youYour roleLibrary DirectorTrusteeFriends/Foundation BoardGrantwriting-session-participant-cum-grantwriter?Your credentials

About you, cont’d

About the applicant organizationNonprofitOrganizationFriends/FoundationSchoolGovernment agencyAssociation501(c)(3) statusIRS Letter of Determination orNeed for a lead partnerProspect Worksheet

Why search for grant funds?Nosceteipsum

Hoovers.com/freeGrantstation.comSeeking grant fundsGrants.govFundsnetservices.comhttp://delicious.com/NLC_Reference/ncompasslive+grantsintro

Seeking grant funds, cont’dFoundation Directory Online fconline.foundationcenter.orgButler Memorial Library, CambridgeHastings Public LibraryUNL Love LibraryOmaha Public LibraryChambers of Commerce?Also available in print… ILL from NLC

Potential grantmakersGovernmental sourceCorporate giving programFoundationUmbrella organization990-PF, grants given501(c)(3)Board membersGrants officer/contacthttp://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/990finder/

Grantmaker guidelinesLimitationsPurpose and activities (priorities)Fields of interestGeographic focusTypes of supportInitial approachDeadlinesPrevious grants

Guidelines, cont’dLimitations: ExamplesGiving primarily in _____Emphasis on ______No grants to individualsMust be 501(c)(3)No grants for administration, travel, endowments, advertisingApplications not accepted (discretionary)Purpose & ActivitiesHistoryTheir storyPriorities

Guidelines, cont’dFields of InterestArtsChildren/youth, servicesCommunity developmentEducationFoundations (community)Human servicesHumanitiesLeadership developmentLibrariesFields of Interest, cont’dMental health, servicesRural developmentYouth developmentGeographic FocusGiving primarily in _____With emphasis in _____

Guidelines, cont’dTypes of SupportAnnual campaignsCapital campaignsEquipmentGeneral/operating supportManagement development/Capacity buildingMatching/challenge supportTypes of Support, cont’dProgram developmentProgram evaluationProject supportRural developmentScholarship fundsScholarships to individualsSeed moneyTechnical assistance

Guidelines, cont’dInitial ApproachPhoneE-mailIn personFaxCompleted applicationBy invitation onlyLetter of approachProposalDeadlines/TimelinesApplication deadlinesBoard meeting datesFinal notificationPrevious Grants990-PFfoundationcenter.org/ findfunders/990finder/

The applicationCover pageProposal narrativeProposal budgetBudget narrativeEvaluationAttachments

Cover pageDate of applicationLegal name of organization, full address, name of executive directorIRS 501(c)(3) status; if not, fiscal agentContact name and title of person completing the proposal or applicationPhone/fax/e-mail for contact personAmount requested

Cover page, cont’dOrganization’s mission statementProgram/project summaryGoal of program/project (“To provide…”)Target population, geographyBoard of DirectorsTotal number of volunteers for organization, especially those working on projectTotal number of staff working with project

Cover page, cont’dAnnual organizational budget, most recent fiscal yearProject or capital budget, confirmed, requested and pendingGranting period; annual, multi-yearAcknowledge past support from funder

Proposal narrativeMaximum 10 pagesSummary of organization’s history, goals, and key achievementsOverview of organization’s structure and programs, including board, staff and volunteer involvementDescription of organization’s constituents for project

Narrative, cont’dNeeds or challenges; or, problem statementLevel and nature of involvement of the community-at-largeDescription of the specific request that include goals and objectives. (If it’s a project request, provide a profile of the project.)

Narrative, cont’dOrganizational profile and requestIf requesting operating support, provide information about your organization’s overall programs and activities.If requesting project or capital support, please provide information for that specific project or capital request.Description of the specific activities and timetable for meeting your stated objectives.

Narrative, cont’dDescription of future plan for sustaining this effort and strategy for building your funding baseIdentification of program staff and volunteers, by name or title, and describe their qualifications.If applicable, identification of organizations that you collaborate with to address the issue(s) in this proposal

Budget summary

Budget narrativeProject budget time period. This may be stated in fiscal year, calendar year or school year, depending on funder requirements.Revenue Section: Provide a line item revenue statement for all applicable budget categories. Include funding from grants (Federal, State, local and private foundation funding) and contracts applicable to the project budget. Include other earned income from donations, sales of products, or from fee-based programming

Budget narrative, cont’dExpense Section: Provide a line item expense budget, with narrative footnotes for those applicable items which need further explanation.

Proposal expense budget

Budget narrative, cont’dIn-Kind Support Section: Provide information about services of other organizations that will be provided to the project without direct charge to grant. Examples: building facilities used for project, materials or equipment that will be used for the project that will not be purchased by grant funds.

EvaluationAll funders will require an evaluation of funded projects. Include the following when addressing the evaluation of the proposed project. If your project will require an external evaluator, include information about the evaluator, including curriculum vitae.

Evaluation, cont’dDefine your criteria for success for the organization, project, or capital campaign. State how you will measure your success in the short-term and in the long-term. What tool(s) will be used to evaluate your program or organization? What is your strategy for implementing the evaluation process?

AttachmentsImportant !Refer to each funder’s guidelines to see if additional attachments, such as diversity forms, IRS Form 990, or résumés are required.IRS letter confirming tax-exempt status – 501(c) (3) and 509(a)Current board list with relevant background, affiliations, town residence, and number of times a year it meets

Other attachmentsBoard approved organizational budget for the fiscal year(s)Most recent independent audit or account review (as required by law), or IRS Form 990 (Part I, lines 9 or 12?, 17, 18 and 21)Year-to-date financial statement for the current fiscal yearList of companies and foundations being approached to fund this proposal, with dollar amounts indicating which sources are committed, pending, or anticipated

ResourcesFoundation Centerfoundationcenter.orgThe Grantsmanship Centerwww.tgci.comFree Management Librarymanagementhelp.orgNon-profit Guideswww.npguides.orgNebraskAccess links listnebraskaccess.ne.gov/grants.asp

More resourcesAssociated Grant Makersagmconnect.orgGrantmaking for Economic Impact Video*www2.gotomeeting.com/ register/318062299* Registration required; freeCatalog of Federal Domestic Assistancewww.cfda.govPrint Versions:The Foundation Center DirectoryThe Foundation Center’s Guide to Proposal WritingGrant Writing for DummiesNebraska Foundation Directory

Questions?CE creditsEvaluation

Upcoming sessionsGrants Information Session – Nov. 12Continuing Education & Training GrantsLibrary Improvement GrantsWriting Winning Proposals, Part II?