This document provides guidance on writing successful grant proposals. It begins by outlining common mistakes in grant writing, such as developing a new program too late, not outlining the proposal thoroughly, and failing to tailor the proposal to the specific grant. It then discusses elements of a strong proposal, including having a good idea that serves an underserved population and shows collaboration. The document provides tips for developing a proposal, such as starting with a needs assessment and logic model to identify activities and outcomes. It also recommends thoroughly researching the grant guidelines and determining if the proposed project is a good match for the funder's priorities and requirements.

1. Grant Writing - How To Write
a Mini Grant
Presented by: Melanie Askew, CPA
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2. The Keys to Producing
Unsuccessful Grants
Lessons Learned

3. Create a new program to
fit the scope of a grant.

4. Begin the grant-writing process at
the eleventh hour because your
administrators procrastinated on
making a decision on whether to
seek the grant or just discovered
the opportunity.

5. Ignore the fact that the writing
process should begin by the
creation of a detailed outline.

6. Decide to work on numerous
grants simultaneously so your
writers are stretched thin.

7. Give the grant application to
a team so they can all pass
the buck.

8. Fail to recognize the amount of
work that will be needed to
produce a quality grant.

9. Use generic text instead of
tailoring the response to fit the
grant application’s specifications,
or even better, repeat the grant
application requirements verbatim.

10. Submit generic resumes which
haven't been revised to meet the
RFP's requirements, or provide more
resumes and corporate experience
descriptions than requested in order
to demonstrate your superior
capabilities.

11. Boast about your organization’s
eminent qualifications to perform,
your highly-qualified staff, and
your outstanding reputation
without providing evidence or
presenting a creative solution to
the identified problem.

12. Pick and choose those
grant requirements that
your staff members deem of
merit and ignore those they
find silly.

13. Present too much information.

14. Forget what is outlined above
and repeat your mistakes.

15. Developing a Successful
Grant

16. Key Differences to Know
What is a Government?
What is a 501(c)(3) not for profit?
Why does it matter?

17. Elements of a Successful
Proposal
THE RIGHT
FUNDER
A GOOD
IDEA
A SOLID
PROPOSAL

18. Why Proposals Get Funded
They serve an underserved or
under-represented population
They show collaboration with other
organizations
They help fill a gap in existing
knowledge or products
They contain new or creative ideas

19. Make a Plan
Start with a good idea
Collaborate
Create a logic model and SMART outcomes

20. A Good Idea
To develop a project idea worthy of funding,
ask the following questions:
 population
 goal of the project
 need for the project
 projects objectives
 activities
 estimated budget

21. Project Idea Form
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22. Logic Model
Visual representation of activities that are the
core of your program - a picture of how your
program works.
Presents in a clear manner: what your program
is about, what you plan to do and why -
making your program easier to understand.
Provides the theory and underlying
assumptions of a program.

23. Logic Model
 It can be used during the PLANNING
or development of your program to
identify the results your program intends
to achieve.
 It can be used during the
IMPLEMENTATION of your program to help
guide the work.
 It can be used to guide the development
of a set of PERFORMANCE MEASURES for
your primary activities.

24. Logic Model
Needs
Identify the need or problem
What is the extent of the need?
What are the causes of the
problem?
Identify the current and past
efforts?
Program Goal – What is or
intended impact?

25. Logic Model
Inputs
What resources are needed to operate the
program?
 Personnel
 Partners
 Facilities
 Equipment
• Technology
• Transportation
• Supplies
• Activities

26. Logic Model
Activities
What are you going to do?
 Provide after school
programs
 Community outreach
 Adult education
 Expand social services

27. Logic Model
Outputs
What is the program producing?
Outcomes
What difference is the program
making?
What will happen and for whom
it will happen?

28. Logic Model
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29. Find a Match
Where the Money Is
· Federal Government
· State Government
· Foundations
· Businesses and Corporations

30. Know Who You Are and Project
Idea Development
 Before you can begin to seek funding for your
organization, you must know who you are
representing.
 What is our Mission?
• Who are we?
• Why do we exist?
• What do we do best?
• What is our contribution to the community?
• Who do we serve?
 What is our Vision?
• Where do we see ourselves in 5, 10, or even 20
years?

31. Find a Match
Find the best fit
• Identify reporting requirements
• Assess your capacity
Evaluating Potential Funders
• Identify the sources most likely to support
your proposal
• Consider their stated mission
• Review previously grantees
• Focus on “mission match”

32. Doing the Research
Research the following key information:
 Applicant eligibility
 Funding priorities
 Deadlines
 Types of support provided
 Application procedures
 Form or format for application
 Documents required in the grant application
 Ineligible projects
 Grant amounts
 Selection criteria

33. Does the grant fit our agency
priorities?
Do our priorities match the
funders?
Does the grant address
identified needs?
Do we have staff capable of
carrying out the project?
Do we have the facilities to
carry out the project?
Doing the Research

34.  Will the funding be sufficient to accomplish the
objectives in the time allotted?
 Are the resources and time available to develop a
strong proposal?
 Is there agency enthusiasm for developing and carrying
out the program?
 Do we have the needed cash or in-kind contributions?
 Can we continue the project after the funding ends?
 Does the project have sufficient administrative
support?
 Are the odds for funding good?
Doing the Research

35. Get it Done!
Follow the rules
Manage the grant writing process
Tips and techniques for writing a
winning proposal

36. Follow the Rules
Local
State
Federal
Funder

37. Local Rules
Approval Process
• Who can authorize the submission of a grant?
• Do you require Governing Board or Board of
Directors approval?
 Use of adopted curriculum/approved programs
 Salary schedules and pay rates
 Purchasing

38. Local Rules
Used to develop an overview of the grant
Demonstrates tie to organization goals
Demonstrates tie to curriculum or
program
Approval by organization
Tracking tool

39. State Rules
Procurement
Staff qualifications/
certification/ fingerprinting
Alignment to state standards

40. Federal Rules
Supplement,
not supplant
Private school
partnerships
Drug-free
workplace
Anti-
discrimination
policies

41. Funder Rules
Matching
funds
Originals Page limits Partnerships
Authorized
signatures

42. Manage the Grant Writing
Process
Appoint a project manager
Establish a timeline
Create a communication
plan
• Approval
• Data

43. Helpful Hints!
 Use the language of the
question to frame your
response
 Answer in complete
sentences
 Have one “voice”
 Write professionally
 Use third person
 Use abbreviations, titles,
and labels consistently
 Use the scoring rubric
 Focus the proposal so that
the areas with
the highest points get the
most attention.
 Include all information.
 Create a budget
 Set up the timeline and
communications plan

44. Where to find Funding Sources
 US Department of Education www.ed.gov
 Arizona State Procurement http://sporas.ad.state.az.us
 Arizona Department of Education www.ade.az.gov
 Various Private Organizations:
• www.grantsalert.com
• http://www.edutopia.org/grants-and-resources
• http://www.freeportinmycommunity.com/schools/mini-grants
• www.grantsforteachers.net
• www.teacherscount.org
• www.educatorsusa.org

45. Questions?
Melanie Askew, CPA
928-556-5270
melanie.askew@heinfeldmeech.com
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