Lifeschool provides outdoor adventures and life-changing experiences for teens and disadvantaged youth. They are seeking grants to upgrade equipment, expand programs, and increase staff support. Problem Solving Plus recommends pursuing private grants, which have more flexible requirements than public grants. Private grants could provide funding for equipment, technology upgrades, scholarships, and staff support. Problem Solving Plus offers discounted grant writing packages to help Lifeschool identify relevant grants and prepare competitive proposals.

1. How Grants Will Benefit
Lifeschool
Presented by:
Problem Solving Plus
~~Ashley Capps & Shannon Maitland ~~
January 5, 2014

2. Lifeschool
Who:
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Mission-oriented
Outdoor adventures
Teens & disadvantaged youth
Life changing experiences
Professional, good stewards
Future Goals:
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More resources
Upgraded equipment
Increased staff support
Program expansions

3. Grant Components
● What are Grants
○ Financial awards or product donations
○ Awarded to grantee to realize a specific grantor vision or mission
○ Have reporting requirements
● Stages of Grant
○ Seeking
○ Creating Reusable Material
○ Submission
● Availability of Grants
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4. Public vs. Private Grants
Public
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Government legislation
Cost-sharing and matching
Time intensive applications
Cost to applicants much higher
Stringent compliance procedures
May cover entire program costs
Very competitive process
Private
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More flexible requirements
Wide range of possibilities
Cover program related expenses
Can often provide alternative
forms of assistance (equipment,
software, hardware donations)
● Usually less competitive process
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5. Why Private Grants
Benefit Lifeschool?
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Prospective Benefits
○ Replace gear and camping equipment
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Upgrade Technology
Expand program offerings
Increase counselor staff capacity
○ Fill-in critical operations support
Credible Areas of Alignment
○ Environmental education and Emerging Issues
○ Disadvantaged Youth
○ Technology
Simplified Reporting
Less Competitive Application Process
Letter of Inquiry (LOI) vs. complex submissions
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6. Aligning Availability &
Priorities
Certain items are more likely to be funded
● High Probability
○ Camping equipment – tents, sleeping bags, etc.
○ Technology upgrade
● Medium Probability
○ Scholarships or program funding for low-income or at-risk individuals
○ Salary for Logistics/Program Director
○ Staff support & training
● Low Probability
○ Trailers and vehicles
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7. Questions and Answers
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8. Who is
Ashley Capps
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Shannon Maitland
Problem Solving
Plus?
Over 11 years of grant/fundraising knowledge and expertise
25% Grant Success Rate vs. industry standard of 20%
$3M in grant awards
$4.5 M in 3 Annual Fundraising events
Enabled 42% donation increase - silent auction
Extensive experience in public and private sectors
Current & former clients:
○ Disabled Veterans Insurance Careers (DVIC)
○ The Good Luck Jewelry Company (Switzerland)
○ Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida
○ The Immokalee Foundation (TIF)
○ Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships (HTAP)
○ World Relief
Personal qualifications:
○ Former - Director of Development, Eckerd Youth Alternatives (Eckerd)
○ Former Grant Writer, Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida
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9. Recommendations
Next Steps:
• Board decision
• Grant seeking, identification and summaries
• Grant writing and proposal preparation
• Grant submission
• Foundation decision
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10. Package Options
To show our belief in Lifeschool’s mission, Problem Solving Plus is offering a discount in our grant writing packages.
Trailblazer Package
● 4 Grants (2 topics)
● 2 LOIs
● 1 Marketing document
$7,500
Backpacker Package
● 3 Grants - (2 topics)
● 1 LOI
$5,500
Camping Package
● 2 Grants (1 topic)
● 1 LOI
$3,500
These packages include at no additional cost to you ...
• Grant seeking
• Grant proposal preparation
• Organizational consultation
• Proposal submission
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