Learn the key strategies for writing and submitting winning proposals for private and federal funding sources from two successful grant writers who have secured over $10 million in grants. Acquire insider tips for developing a grant concept, securing partners, interpreting RFP’s and how to squeeze more content into page limits. Discover how to build relationships with funding sources that will continue beyond the original grant award. Learn more at http://www.NCCET.org

1. Successful Grant Writing Strategies Presenters: Dr. Lisa Edwards Dean, Enterprise & Economic Development Dr. Erin Hoiland Grants Manager NCCET Annual Conference

2. Who is in the audience? Workforce? Corporate? Continuing Education? Grant Writers? All of the above?

3. Disclaimer The ideas and strategies provided in this presentation have worked for the presenters. They may not be directly applicable to your college. Or, they may need to be tweaked and adapted to your institutional culture.

5. 50% of all funding requests to foundations are inappropriate

6. 80% of grants awarded by staffed foundations go to organizations that have had prior contact Source: The Grantsmanship Center

7. Foundation Facts Foundations gave $45.6 billion in 2008 Source: The Foundation Center The Chronicle for Philanthropy posts more than $200 million in grants every two weeks Source: The Chronicle for Philanthropy

8. Federal Grant Facts Grants.gov reported 100,000 submissions in 2008 and 300,000 submissions as of 9/18/2009 In 2008, 26 federal grant making agencies awarded almost $30 billion in grants Source: Grants.gov

9. Step 1: Pre-Planning Collect historical information about organization Identify top 3-5 priorities Determine alignment of priorities with mission, vision and core strategic initiatives Secure decision-maker commitment to support priorities

10. Step 1: Pre-Planning Continued 4) Gather quantitative data to document need and demand 5) Assess institutional capacity for grants 6) Identify staff who can help with writing, and program planning

11. Step 2: Identify Potential Funding Private Sector: The Foundation Center Private Sector: Chronicle for Philanthropy Federal Grants: www.grants.gov The Federal Register Other?

12. Step 3: Prioritize Funding Sources Grant Source Funding Available Number of awards given When RFP will be released Timeline for Application Critical Partners Contact Grant Manager/ Program Director

13. Step 4: Create a Grant Calendar Identify the date for the RFP to be posted Date for the bidders conference or webinar Date for notice of intent Date for uploading or mailing submission Due date for grant Notification date for awardees

14. Step 5: Research Collect relevant reports Identify associations, groups and other non-profits as partners Identify government agencies to support concept

15. Step 6: Writing the Grant Convene key partners and staff to read the RFP Confirm eligibility to be fiscal agent and grant lead Focus on anything that gives awardees extra points/ special consideration Identify focus of project- KEEP IT SIMPLE

16. Step 6: Writing the Grant Continued Review the size and scope of previously funded projects Confirm institutional commitment to concept Contact previous awardees to get copies of their grant applications Plan 6 staff hours for each page of the application

17. Step 6: Writing the Grant Continued Designate one person to be lead writer and others to be contributors so language is consistent Keep language simple- avoid education jargon Repeat key concepts throughout the proposal

18. Step 6: Writing the Grant Continued Use Arial Narrow to get more words per page Use 1.5 spacing if allowed instead of 2.0 Use colorful graphs and tables to illustrate information Use headers and footers to put project title /page #

22. Step 7: Executive Summary and Case Statement First sentence identifies applicant, key partners and what you will do Second sentence explains who and how many will be served Third sentence explains why you are doing it Fourth sentence gives data to justify need: “Every 26 seconds a high school student drops out in the United States”

23. Step 7: Budget Allocate dollars for those will do the work Dedicate funds for support staff and fiscal staff Allocate money to grant partners Allow for COLA’s for multiple year grants Make sure narrative numbers match budget table

24. Step 8: Letters of Support Plan to write 3-5 different letter templates Allow two weeks for letters to be written Letters should clearly state what they have committed to do and equivalent dollar value For federal grants, notify elected officials to not only write a letter, but to place phone calls to project directors

25. Step 9: Review Have at least three colleagues read the proposal Have two staff “cold read” the proposal for basic grammatical structure and readability Triple check all numbers to make sure they add up

26. Step 10: Assembly Decide what needs to go in the body of the proposal and what can go in the Appendix Use color graphs and a color cover page if possible Print at least 20 extra copies of the proposal. letters.

27. Step 10: Assembly Send a copy of the proposal with a thank you letter to each partner and participating staff member Send a copy of the proposal to those who sent you copies of their proposal Create a binder or file of the proposal and original letters.

28. Q & A Period

29. Thank you! For More Information Contact: Dr. Lisa Edwards ledwards@tacomacc.edu / 253.566.5019 Dr. Erin Hoiland ehoiland@tacomacc.edu/ 253-566-5005