This document provides a 4-step guide for finding money for projects: 1) Dream big and make a wish list of all desired projects, 2) Network widely and ask contacts for potential funding sources, 3) Make a compelling funding proposal that highlights how the project meets funder criteria and includes details like budgets, 4) Improve chances of success by having shovel-ready projects, contributing matching funds, collaborating with partners, and gaining political support. The overall message is that developing well-planned projects and building strong relationships are key to identifying and securing funding opportunities.

1. HOW TO FIND MONEY FOR
YOUR PROJECT
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2. How to Find Money for Your Project
Introduction
The following is a compilation of a four-part
blog series by Jim Hegarty, PE,
Prein&Newhof’s Grants and Financing
Specialist.
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3. How to Find Money for Your Project
Step 1: Dream Big!
When I was a young engineer, one of my mentors told me this: “There’s no
such thing as a money problem, only idea problems.”
In other words…“Good ideas attract money.”
I like to ask my public-sector clients what they would do
if money were no object. To start, I have them make a
wish list. Write everything down. Everything they want
to accomplish for their community.
Why? It is easier to find money on purpose than to
rely on luck. It surprises me how many communities
react to, rather than plan for, funding opportunities
or announcements. A few years ago,The American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 produced a
piranha-like feeding frenzy, and the eventual winners
were largely those whose projects were shovel-ready.
Planned. Designed. Ready to go.
Defeatists don’t win grants. Visualize the things you want to happen, so
when opportunity knocks, your projects are planned, designed, and ready
to go.
CHALLENGE:
Gather your staff and community leaders and start dreaming. What would
you do if you had the money to do it? Write it down. Everything you can
think of. In my next posts, I will suggest some ideas to help you bring your
dreams to reality.
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4. How to Find Money for Your Project
Step 2: Network!
Pick any project on your wish list—where will you
find enough money to make it happen? Look to your
network. No, I do not mean ask them for money! They
are, however, a key link between you and money. Key
people in your network might include:
• Engineers
• Planners
• Attorneys
• Financial Advisors
• Peers in other communities
• Associations (MML, MTA, MLGMA, etc.)
Describe what you want to do, and ask them if they
know where you can find favorable financing or a grant.
Chances are several of them can point you in the right
direction. For smaller projects you might be able to get seed money from
local service clubs and charitable or community foundations.
In addition, do not forget your digital resources:
• Peer-group message boards
• Social media
• Google
Some organizations even publish municipal grant and financing catalogs and
databases, including:
• Grants.gov
• cfda.gov (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance)
• EPA’s guidebook
• MDEQ’s 2013 Grants and Loans Catalog
• Council of Michigan Foundations
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5. How to Find Money for Your Project
Step 3: Make Your Pitch!
Once you have identified your project and found a prospective
funding source, it is time to make your pitch! Usually, this
means writing a grant or funding proposal. Every organization
has its own proposal format and scoring system.
Here are eight key items to include somewhere in your proposal:
1. Succinctly summarize your proposal in one paragraph or less—it is
your headline!
2. Provide information on how you will manage
the grant. Show them that you have managed
similar grants before and that their money will
be in good hands.
3. Tailor how you describe your need/project/
activity in a way that matches the scoring
criteria and the funding program’s objectives.
4. Outline your work plan and project cost. The
more detail you have, the better.
5. Identify your source(s) of “matching” money.
You need “skin in the game” for most grants.
6. Outline your plan to maintain any physical
assets once the funding is gone.
7. Explain future project phases, if applicable.
8. Get your grant before you write the proposal!
Item #8 bears some explanation. Before you write any funding proposal,
engage the funding organization in a discussion about your project/
proposal. Invite them to meet with you. Get their advice and feedback.
Moreover, since developing a funding application is time-consuming and
expensive, ask them if your project is a good candidate for funding before
you begin the application process.
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6. How to Find Money for Your Project
Step 4: Improve your chances for success!
I am convinced that preparation begets luck. I have found when my clients focus on these four
things it greatly enhances their chances for funding success:
• Shovel-readiness: The better defined your project is by the time you apply for fun ding, the greater
your chances for success. You at least should have a well-developed cost estimate and work plan.
Preliminary studies, plans or sketches are nice, but completed design plans are better. Better still—
have all your regulatory permits in-hand.
• “Skin”: If you are not willing to bet your own money on a project, why would anyone else? The
more you can come up with, the better you will do. Some communities even have “matching funds”
as a line item in their annual budgets, so they can take advantage of unexpected opportunities.
• Collaboration: Many funders like to see multi-party partnerships. It helps them leverage their own
good will, and it shows them you have gathered strong support. If you do not have project partners,
at least get support letters from other groups and communities.
• Political Support: You should gather support letters from elected representatives and ask them to
promote your project to funding agencies. Be careful, however, not to overstep an agency’s funding
process.
James R. Hegarty, PE is a civil engineer, project manager, grants
specialist and a member of Grand Rapids-based consulting
engineering firm Prein&Newhof’s Executive Committee. He is a
past president of the Michigan Section of the American Society of
Civil Engineers, and speaks and writes frequently about grants,
project financing and other industry issues.
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