The

1
The How To Grants Manual

• David G. Bauer
• 5th Edition

2
Setting Yourself Up for Grants Success

• Chapter One

3
Setting Yourself Up for Grants Success

• Developing Your Career Grants Plan
• Developing a Proactive System
• Festingers Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
• Values-Based Grantseeking

4
Developing and Documenting the Need for Your
Project

• Chapter Two

5
Creating Urgency and a Compelling Proposal

• Document the need
• What is the problem that requires a solution?
• What will happen if this needs area is not
  addressed?
• What is the gap between what exists now and what
  ought to be or would be if the knowledge existed
  to solve the problem?
• Why should grant funds be used now to solve the
  problem and reduce the gap?

6
Creating a Gap Between What Exists Now and What
Could or Should Be

• The statement of the problem must be
• Clear,
• Concise, and
• Possess a futuristic reference to why the problem
  needs to be addressed now!
• Grantors fund proposals that show the greatest
  impact in moving to close the gap in a particular
  problem.

7
Needs Assessment ApproachesThe Six Basic
Approaches

• Key informant Quotations from people who know
  about the problem or are experts in the field.
• Community Forum Public meetings to get
  testimony on the problem.
• Case Studies Examples of clients in a need
  population.
• Statistical analysis Use of data from public
  records.
• Survey Random selection of population to answer
  questions related to the need.
• Studies Literature search of published
  documents on the subject.

8
Finding Time to Write Grant Proposals

• Chapter Three

9
Organizing a Proposal Development Workbook

• There are two (2) major obstacles to
  grantseeking
• Finding the time to get involved
• Developing a proactive approach
• The Swiss Cheese Concept
• Create manageable tasks for the process
• Time-efficient and cost effective
• Keeps proposal information more organized

10
Suggested Proposal Development Tabs

• Introduction
• Documenting Need
• Organizing the Process
• Developing Ideas
• Redefining Ideas
• Uniqueness
• Advisory Committees and Advocacy
• Choosing the Marketplace

11
Tabs for governmental funding sources

• Researching Government Marketplace
• Characteristics Government Grants
• Contracting Government Sources
• Planning Federal Proposals
• Improving Federal Proposals
• Submission Public Sources
• Decision Public Sources
• Follow-up Government Sources

12
Tabs for private funding sources

• Differences Public versus Private Sources
• Recording Research
• Foundation Research Tools
• Researching Corporate Grants
• Contracting Private Sources
• Letter Proposal
• Submission Private Sources
• Decision Private Sources
• Follow-up Private Sources

13
Developing Grant-Winning Ideas

• Chapter Four

14
From Research to Model Projects

• Look at your organization and grant request from
  the the grantors point-of-view.
• Try and determine the grantors values, their
  likes and dislikes, and avoid those that are
  negative and highlighting those that appeal to
  the grantor
• Develop several approaches to solving your
  problem and discuss them with the prospective
  funding source before submittal.

15
Worksheets can help you

• Generate more fundable ideas through
  brainstorming sessions
• Develop a system to summarize best ideas and
  access organizational commitment to the project
• Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of your best
  ideas
• Develop institutional support for your proposal
  early in the process

16
Brainstorming More Fundable Proposal Ideas

• Break your participants into groups of five to
  eight.
• Appoint a neutral group leader to facilitate the
  process
• Appoint a recorder
• Set a time limit
• State one question or problem
• Ask group members to generate and present as many
  possible solutions to the problem as they can
  within the time limit.

17
Brainstorming More Fundable Proposal Ideas

• Encourage group members to piggyback on each
  others ideas
• Record all answers, combining those that are
  similar.
• Avoid any evaluation or discussion of ideas until
  the process is over this rule is critical for
  productive brainstorming

18
Cost-Benefit Analysis Worksheet
Summary of Idea and Methodology Cost No. of Persons Served Cost per person served Positive Points Negative Points

19
Preproposal Summary and Approval Form

• This is like your Insurance Policy
• You fill out the form and then solicit review and
  a critique by those who will be involved and must
  sign off on the proposal
• This form provides a way to test the acceptance
  of your idea
• Helps summarize all needed resources staff,
  capital, match and other items that will be
  required to implement the project.

20
Redefining Proposal Ideas

• Chapter Five

21
Improving Your Database Research and Finding More
Funding Sources

• Dont become overly self-focused (a case of the
  we-we disease)
• Develop different key search terms to uncover
  different types of funding sources
• Learning to develop Corporate Key Search Terms
• Remember corporations like to support projects
  where they live and like to fund projects that
  can be related to their profits.

22
Why Grant Funds to You and Your Organization?

• Chapter Six

23
Capitalizing on Your Capabilities

• Why should the funder choose you?
• When to use similarity as a uniqueness
• Conduct a uniqueness exercise
• Using your organizations case/mission statement
  to support your proposal
• Using your existing case/mission statement
• Elements of a case/mission statement

24
Creating Grant-Winning Teams and Consortia

• Chapter Seven

25
Involving Volunteers through Advisory Committees
and Advocacy Groups

• Recognizing the roles that comprise an effective
  team
• Involving volunteers
• Grants Advisory Committees

26
Grant Resources

• Preparing your proposal
• Making pre-proposal contact
• Developing consortia or cooperative relationships
  and subcontracts

27
How To Incorporate Advocates To Increase Grants
Success

• Endorsement Letters
• Contacts
• Community Support
• Involving Existing Boards, Advisory Groups,
  Volunteers, and Staff
• Using Webbing and Linkage Information

28
Choosing the Correct Grants Marketplace

• Chapter Eight

29
General Grants Marketplace Information

• The two main sources of support for nonprofit
  organizations and their grant requests are
• Government
• Private philanthropy
• The grants area is one that does not have a
  political action committee or strong lobby

30
Understanding the Government Marketplace

• Chapter Nine

31
Types of Grants

• Block Grants
• Formula Grants
• Categorical Grants
• Contracts
• State Government Grants

32
Block Grants

• Under this program states would set their
  priorities and grant the federal funds to the
  high-priority areas and projects as they saw fit
• Example Small Cities CDBG (Community Development
  Block Grant)

33
Formula Grants

• Funds are allocated according to a set of
  criteria
• Generally specific to a problem area or
  geographic region
• Must pass through an intermediary, such as a
  state, city or county government or a commission,
  before reaching the grantee.
• While the general guidelines are developed at the
  federal level, the rules are open to
  interpretation, and local input can significantly
  alter the intent of the original federal program.
• Formula and block grants are also easy target for
  elimination because it is difficult to
  substantiate results.

34
Categorical Grants

• Designed to promote proposals within a very
  specific, well-defined area of interest
• Use peer panel reviews to evaluate proposals
• Each federal agency has its own grant system
• Detailed, time consuming grant applications
• Most agencies are now going to on-line submissions

35
Contracts

• The basic difference between a grant and a
  contract is that a contract outlines precisely
  what the government wants done.
• Advertised differently from grants
• GrantsCFDA
• ContractsFedBizOpps
• The contract game requires a successful track
  record and documentable expertise

36
State Government Grants

• While all federal funding must be listed in a
  database, most states do not have a database and
  grant seeking is much more difficult
• Look at the state agency websites and talk with
  state officials
• Advantages are that you dont have to travel as
  far and it allows you to use your state and local
  politicians to make your case heard.
• Disadvantages are states set their own priorities
  and they may add additional restrictions.

37
Researching the Government Marketplace

• Chapter Ten

38
The Federal Grants System

• Requests for Proposals (RFP)
• Matching Requirements
• Other Requirements
• Federal Grants Research Form

39
Federal Research Tools

• Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
• http//www.cfda.gov/
• Federal Register
• http//www.nara.gov/fedreg/
• Federal Business Opportunities
• http//www.fedbizopps.gov/

40
Grant Databases

• GrantSelect
• Sponsored Programs Information Network (SPIN)
• Illinois Researcher Information Service (IRIS)
• Community of Science (COS)
• Federal Agency Internet Mailing Lists

41
How to Contact Government Grant Sources

• Chapter Eleven

42
When To Make Prepropsal Contact

• Step 1 dissemination of and comment on the rules
  and regulations governing each program and
  comments from any interested party. The comments
  are published, the finalrules are printed, and
  the announcements of deadlines are made in such
  publications as the Federal Register, NIH Guide,
  and National Science Foundation E-Bulletin.

43
When To Make Prepropsal Contact

• Step 2 The federal Program officer then develops
  the actual application package and places it on
  the agencys Web site for public access. (RFP or
  RFA)
• Step 3 The deadline for submission occurs.
• Step 4 Once proposals are submitted, they are
  reviewed, peer reviewed and evaluated and scored
  according to the evaluation criteria of the
  agency.
• Step 5 The notices of award and rejection are
  made and the cycle starts again.

44
Getting The Most From Past Grantees

• Who received funding in the past?
• Contacting a Past Grantee (what questions to ask)
• Did you call or go see the funding source before
  writing the proposal?
• Whom did you find most helpful on the funding
  sources staff?
• Did you use you advocates or congressperson?
• Did the funding source review your idea or
  proposal before submission?

45
Getting The Most From Past Grantees

• Did you use consultants to help you on the
  proposal?
• Was there a hidden agenda to the programs
  guidelines?
• When did you begin the process of developing your
  application?
• When did you first contact the funding source?
• What materials did you find most helpful in
  developing your proposal?

46
Getting The Most From Past Grantees

• Did the funding source come to see you (site
  visit) before or after the proposal was awarded?
  Who came? What did they wear? How old were
  they? Would you characterize them as
  conservative, moderate, or liberal? Did anything
  surprise you during their visit?
• How close was your initial budget to the awarded
  amount?
• Who on the funding sources staff negotiated the
  budget?
• How did you handle matching or in-kind
  contributions?
• What would you do differently next time?

47
Understanding The Proposal Review Process

• Who was on the last review team?
• What were their credentials?
• What organizations were the reviewers affiliated
  with?
• How were proposals reviewed?

48
Contacting a Past Reviewer

• How did you get to be a reviewer?
• What training did you receive?
• Where did you review proposals?
• What evaluation system did you follow?
• What were the most common mistakes you saw?
• Did you meet other reviewers?
• How many proposals did you review?
• How long did you have to review the proposals?
• How did the funding source handle discrepancies
  in the point assignment?
• Did a staff review follow your review?

49
Telephoning, Faxing, and E-Mailing Federal and
State Funding Sources

• Do your homework
• Review all available information that you have on
  the grant announcement
• Ask specific questions
• Dont ask questions where the answer is already
  in the grant announcement
• Follow up

50
Making an Appointment with a Public Funding
Source Official

• This is not always possible due to geographic
  location, but can beneficial
• Call first an try to set an appointment
• Try a cold call and it might result in someone
  seeing you right away
• Avoid using politicians to set a meeting up or
  going with you on the appointment

51
Visiting Public Funding Sources

• Plan for your visit
• What to Take
• Questions to ask a program Officer
• Making a decision to develop a proposal

52
Planning the Successful Federal Proposal

• Chapter Twelve

53
Documentation of Need

• Creating a sense of urgency depends on how well
  you document the need
• Document a real need (perceived as important)
• Demonstrating what ought to be (for clients) or
  the field of interest
• Creating the urgent need to close the gap by
  demonstrating that each day the need is not
  addressed the problem grows worse or that there
  is unnecessary suffering, confusion, and/or
  wasted efforts

54
What You Propose To Study Or Change

• Objectives outline the steps you propose to take
  or narrow or close the gap created in the needs
  statement. They follow the needs statement
  because they cannot be written until the needs
  has been documented.
• Remember that objectives must be measurable and
  you must be able to evaluate them.

55
Objectives Versus Methods

• Objectives tell the grantseeker and the funding
  source what will be accomplished by the
  expenditure of funds and how the change will be
  measured.
• Methods state the means to the end or change.

56
How to Write Objectives

• Determine result areas.
• Determine measurement indicators
• Determine performance standards
• Determine the time frame
• Determine the cost frame
• Write the objective
• Evaluate the objective

57
Methods Identify

• What will be done
• Who will do it
• How long it will take
• The materials and equipment needed

58
Methods Section Should

• Describe your program activities in detail and
  demonstrate how they will fulfill your objectives
  or research study
• Describe the sequence, flow, and
  interrelationship of the activities
• Describe the planned staffing for your program
  and designate who is responsible for which
  activities
• Describe your client population and method for
  determining client selection
• State a specific time frame
• Present a reasonable scope of activities that can
  be accomplished within that stated time frame
  with your organizations resources
• Refer to the cost-benefit ratio of your project
• Include a discussion of risk (why success is
  probable)
• Describe the uniqueness of your methods and
  overall project design

59
The Project Planner

• Develop your budget by having you clearly define
  which project personnel will perform each
  activity for a given time frame, with the
  corresponding consultant services, supplies,
  materials, and equipment
• Defend you budget on an activity-by-activity
  basis so that you can successfully negotiate your
  final award
• Project a monthly and quarterly cash forecast for
  year 1, year 2 and year 3 of your proposed
  project
• Identify matching or in-kind contributions

60
Indirect Costs

• These are difficult to break down individually
  but are indirectly attributable to the
  performance of federal grants.
• Includes such items as
• Heating and light
• Building maintenance
• Payroll personnel
• Purchasing
• And others
• These are negotiated yearly with the cognizant
  agency and are based on a formula

61
Budget

• The project planner contains all the information
  needed to construct the budget.
• SF-424A (Budget forms for non-construction
  projects
• Budget Narrative is also usually required

62
Evaluation

• Federal and state funding sources generally place
  a much heavier emphasis on evaluation than most
  private sources do.
• Enlist your local college or university (they
  have staff and students who can often provide
  services that can be mutually beneficial

63
Summary or Abstract

• Written after the proposal is completed
• The second most often read part of a proposal
• Serves a dual purpose
• Provide the peer reviewer with a clear idea of
  what the proposed research or project entails
• Provide grantseekers with an example of the type
  of research or project the federal agency funds
• An abbreviated version of your proposal

64
Title Page

• The title of a proposal is very important. It is
  the first part read by reviewers, and, if its
  not good it may be the only part read
• The title of your proposal should
• Describe your project
• Express your projects end results, not methods
• Describe your projects benefits to clients
• Be short and easy to remember
• Dont use jargon or acronyms

65
Future Funding

• Funding sources want to see their investment
  continue
• Ways you could continue your project
• Service fees
• Membership fees
• Support from agencies such as the United Way
• Big gift campaigns aimed at wealthy individuals
• An endowment program
• Foundation and corporate grants
• A direct-mail campaign
• Other fundraising mechanisms

66
Dissemination

• Let others know what you and the funding source
  have accomplished
• Consider establishing consortia
• You can disseminate the results of your grant by
• Mailing a final report, quarterly journal, or a
  newsletter to others in your field
• Sponsoring a seminar or conference on the topic
• Attending a national or international conference
  to deliver the results of the project
• Produce a CD or video of the project

67
Attachments for Proposals

• Studies or research, tables, and graphs
• Vitae of key personnel
• Minutes of advisory committee meetings
• List of board members
• Auditors report or statement
• Letters of recommendation or endorsement
• Copy of your IRS tax-exempt designation
• Pictures or architects drawings
• Copies of your agencys publications
• List of other funding sources you will approach
  for support

68
Writing Your Federal or State Proposal

• To create a winning proposal
• Follow the guidelines exactly
• Fill in all the blanks
• Double-check all computations
• Include anything the funding source asks for,
  even if you think you already provided the
  information under another section of your proposal

69
Vocabulary

• Make sure that your proposal uses language
  appropriate to the reviewers.
• Shorter words are generally better than long
  complex ones
• Avoid buzzwords unless you are sure the reviewer
  expects them
• Define all acronyms

70
Writing Style

• Peer reviews are typically short on time so
  follow these tips
• Use simple sentences and short paragraphs
• Begin each section with a strong motivating lead
  sentence
• Make sure your writing style cannot be construed
  as cute or offensive to the reader, Avoid
  stating the obvious and talking down to the
  reviewer
• Develop a user-friendly proposal

71
Visual Attractiveness

• To enhance the readability of your proposal and
  make your points stand out, use (unless stated
  otherwise)
• Underlining
• Bullets
• Different fonts
• Various margins and spacing
• Bold headings
• Pictures and graphics
• Charts and tables
• handwriting

72
Online Proposal Presentation

• The federal government is moving towards
  paperless applications
• E-grants is being used by many federal agencies

73
Improving Your Federal Proposal

• Chapter Thirteen

74
The Grants Quality Circle

• The secret to improving your federal proposal is
  to conduct a mock review that emulates the actual
  review system as closely as possible
• Role play the review team and pass judgment on
  your proposal
• Have review team spend the same amount of time
  that the real reviewers will spend evaluating the
  proposal
• Can help increase the amount of quality proposal
  being generated from your organization

75
Submission

• Chapter Fourteen

76
What To Do

• Submit a day or two before the deadline (avoid
  the last minute)
• Follow all instructions and every rule
• Review submittal requirements
• Complete assurance and certifications early
• Receive the appropriate authority to apply

77
What Not To Do

• Limit the use of elected officials in the grants
  process
• Do not ask for extra time beyond the submittal
  date
• Do not contact federal bureaucrats after
  submission

78
Other Submission Techniques

• Hand deliver the proposal if permissible and
  thank staff members for their assistance
• Electronic submission is where most applications
  are headed (requirement to have in place by 2003)
• Send a copy to your congresspersons office (tell
  that you do not want or expect any intervention
  at this point)

79
Federal Grant Requirements

• Chapter Fifteen

80
Federal Grants Requirement Worksheet

• See page 158 in Bauer book

81
Raising and Documenting Matching Funds

• An organization can be asked to supply either
  cash, services, or facilities to match a
  percentage of the grant.
• This requirement may change over the years that
  federal support is provided for the project.
• Worksheet on page 160

82
Federal Grants Management Circulars

• http//www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/
• There are different circulars for different
  entities
• Government A-102
• Education, Non-profits and Hospitals A-110

83
Dealing with the Decision of Public Funding
Sources

• Chapter Sixteen

84
Streamlining the Process

• Accepted
• Accepted with modifications
• rejected

85
Accepted

• Thank the grantor
• Request the reviewers comments, nd include a
  self-addressed label for the funding sources
  convenience
• Ask the federal official for insight into what
  you could have done better
• Invite the program or project officer for a site
  visit
• Ask the official what mistakes successful
  grantees often make in carrying out their funded
  grant so that you can avoid these errors.

86
Accepted With Budget Modifications

• Send the funding source a thank you letter
• Call the funding source and suggest that the
  program officer refer to your project planner to
  negotiate budget terms
• Discuss the option fo eliminating some of the
  projects methods or activities.
• If several activities must be eliminated,
  consider dropping the accomplishment of an
  objective or reducing the expected degree of
  change
• If you are forced to negotiate away the
  supporting structure necessary to achieve your
  objectives, be prepared to turn down the funds.

87
Rejected

• Send the funding official a thank you letter in
  appreciation for his or her time and effort as
  well as that of the reviewers and staff. Tell
  them you would appreciate any assistance in
  reapplying
• Request reviewers comments. Enclose a
  self-addressed label for their convenience
• Ask the funding official for his or her
  suggestions
• Find out whether your proposal could possibly be
  funded as a pilot project, as a needs assessment,
  or in some other way
• Ask whether there are any ways the funding source
  could assist you in getting ready for the next
  submission cycle, such as conducting a
  preliminary review.
• Ask whether it would be wise for you to reapply
• Ask whether you could become a reviewer to learn
  more about the review process.

88
Follow-Up with Government Funding Sources

• Chapter Seventeen

89
Follow-up

• To position yourself as an asset to funding
  sources and not as a pest
• To develop relationships and maintain contacts
  throughout the grants process
• Also consider
• Forwarding them notes on special articles or
  books
• Invite them to visit your organization
• Asking them to speak at your professional group
• Asking them what meeting or conferences they will
  be attending so that you can look them up
• Requesting information about what you can do to
  have an impact on legislation affecting their
  funding levels or allocations

90
Developing Continued Grant Support

• Repeat the steps that have brought you to this
  point
• Maintain a systematic approach to recording
  research on funding sources and contact
  information

91
Understanding the Private Foundation Marketplace

• Chapter Eighteen

92
Foundations

• There are approximately 60,000 private
  foundations.
• Of the 60,000 foundations, it is estimated that
  2,000 or less have a dedicated office, and that
  the total number of foundation employees is less
  than 2,000.
• Less than 2,000 foundations have Web sites and,
  of these, only a few accept online transmittal of
  proposals.
• Foundations granted 26.9 billion in 2002.
• The largest 1,000 foundations made 12 billion in
  grantsalmost one-half of the 26 billion.
• Of the 26 billion in foundation grants, there
  were approximately 125,000 grant awards for over
  10,000. Grants of lesser amounts were too
  numerous to count.

93
Types of Foundations

• National General Purpose Foundations
• Special Purpose Foundations
• Community Foundations
• Family Foundations
• Nonprofit Organizations, Membership Groups,
  Professional Societies, and Service Clubs

94
National General Purpose Foundations

• Refers to the foundations scope and type of
  granting pattern
• Have a philanthropic interest in several subject
  areas and make grants for proposals that will
  have a broad-scale impact across the United
  States and the world
• Prefer model projects that can be replicated
• They usually have longer applications and more
  rules and regulations
• There are approximately 200 in existence
• Examples include Rockefeller and Ford Foundations

95
Special Purpose Foundations

• Define their area of concern quite specifically
• Grant sizes can be considerable and these
  foundations put the applicants likelihood of
  making a contribution in their area of concern
  foremost
• They key to success here is to match your project
  with the foundations specific area of interest
  and to demonstrate how your project will impact
  it.

96
Community Foundations

• In 1999, there were 582 community foundations in
  the United States.
• They are easy to describe because their name
  denotes the area that they serve
• They fund projects and programs that no other
  type of foundation would consider supporting
• They exist to deal with community needs
• They are more interested in supporting the
  replication of successful projects than in taking
  chances with experimental approaches

97
Family Foundations

• Account for approximately one-half of the 60,000
  foundations
• Represent the values of family members whose
  interests have been memorialized by the creation
  of the foundation
• Granting patterns vary widely from foundation to
  foundation and change frequently
• Three-fifths of all family foundations have
  assets of 1 million or less and most fund
  locally and in small amounts

98
Nonprofit Organizations, Membership Groups,
Professional Societies, and Service Clubs

• Awards are usually small and limited to a special
  field of interest
• Typically short and easy to complete applications
• They often provide funding for things that the
  other four types of foundations would not
  consider supporting
• Most interested in funding things that will
  improve their image and the image of their
  members in their community

99
Types of Investments Made by Private Foundations

• Cash grant or award
• Do not make grants to individuals except in the
  form of scholarships and even those may be made
  through institutions
• Prefer to deal with the 501 c 3
• Program Related Investment (PRIs) a new and
  growing alternative to cash grants and awards
• Used to support affordable housing and community
  development
• Preserving historical buildings
• Protecting and preserving open space and wildlife
  habitats

100
Grantseekers Private Foundation Decision Matrix

• Table page 174
• Break project into fundable parts
• Look at your proposal from the grantors point of
  view

101
Who and What Private Foundations Fund
Recipient Category Percent of Foundation Grants
Education 25.3
Human Services 17.2
Health 16.2
Arts/Culture 12.1
Public/Society Benefit 12.1
Environment/Animals 6.1
Science/Technology 3.0
International 3.0
Religion 3.0
Social Science 2.0
102
Researching Potential Private Foundations Grantors

• Chapter Nineteen

103
How to Find the Foundation That Is Best Suited to
Fund Your Project

• Complete the Foundation Research Form
• It will allow you to determine, in advance,
  likely preferences and biases you will encounter
  if you are lucky enough to arrange an in-person
  meeting.
• It will make it easier to locate links between
  your organization and a funding source

104
Foundation Funding Source Research Tools

• The Foundation Directory
• The Foundation Grants Index
• Internal Revenue Service Tax Returns
• The Foundation Center
• Electronic Retrieval and Database Searches
• Foundation Web Sites and the Internet
• http//www.fdncenter.org/

105
Contracting a Private Foundation Before Submission

• Chapter Twenty

106
How To Contact Private Foundation Grantors

• Contacting the private foundation before you
  write your proposal will help you validate your
  research and gather additional information about
  the grantors priorities and interests.
• Contact can be made by
• Contact by Letter
• Contact by Telephone
• The Visit

107
Sample Questions

• Would you advise us which one of our approaches
  looks most interesting to you?
• Last year you funded our type of project at the
  ___ level. Will this remain consistent?
• Will the deadlines remain the same as last year?
• Does and early submittal of a proposal help?
• How are proposals reviewed by your foundation?
• Are there more current granting priorities?
• What do you think of submitting more than one
  proposal in a funding cycle?
• Is the amount we are requesting realistic in
  light of your current goals?
• Have you ever provided grant support jointly with
  another funding source and, if so, is that
  approach appropriate here?
• Would you look over our proposal before formal
  submission?
• May I see a proposal you have funded that you
  think is well written?

108
Applying for Private Foundation Funds

• Chapter Twenty-One

109
Constructing A Letter Proposal

• An introductory paragraph stating the reason for
  writing
• A paragraph explaining why the grantor was
  selected
• A needs paragraph
• A solution paragraph
• A uniqueness paragraph
• A request for funds paragraph
• A closing paragraph
• Signatures
• Attachments, if allowed

110
Introductory Paragraph

• State your reason for writing to the funding
  source
• Mention your link to the grantor

111
Why the Grantor Was Selected

• You want to demonstrate in this paragraph that
  you have taken the time to research the funding
  sources interests and that your proposal will
  address an issue that has been a concern of the
  grantors.

112
Needs Paragraph

• Select the components of the need that will most
  likely convince the grantor that the gap between
  what is and what ought to be must be closed
  immediately.
• The need must be more compelling than you
  competition to keep the reader interested

113
Solution Paragraph

• A brief description of the approach you propose
  to use to solve the problem.
• Ask yourself the following questions
• How much does the reader really need to know?
• Will the reader understand my plan?
• Will the words used in the description of my
  solution be familiar to the reader?
• Is all the information included critical to
  convincing the funder that I have a sound,
  worthwhile plan, or am I including some of it
  just for myself?

114
Uniqueness Paragraph

• You want to assure the grantor that your
  organization is the best choice for implementing
  the solution
• Choose credibility builders that will convince
  the grantor that you have the commitment, staff,
  skill, buildings, and equipment to do the job.

115
Request for Funds Paragraph

• Show you have done your homework by requesting
  funds that are or are close to the grantors
  average size award for your area of interest.
• Mention other support is the grantors funds will
  not cover all the project costs.
• Consider the effect of your project over several
  years and calculate a cost per person served or
  affected by the project.

116
Closing Paragraph

• Use this as a tool to show your willingness to
  provide any further documentation or information
  the funding source may desire.
• Provide your contact information to the grantor
  to answer any questions they might have.
• Include your organizations 501 c 3 designation
  here.

117
Signatures

• Since this represents an agreement between your
  organization and the grantor, the individual who
  hold rank and authority should sign it.
• Include a board members signature as well.
• The purpose of these signatures is to provide the
  proposal with legal commitment and credibility.

118
Attachments, if Allowed

• Most foundations do not allow any kind of
  attachments to accompany proposals.
• Give the impression in you proposal that you do
  have additional information to provide if asked.
• Dont include too much material because it may
  reduce the likelihood that your proposal will be
  read.

119
Proposal Submission, the Decision, and Follow-up

• Chapter Twenty-one

120
Private Foundation Funding Sources

• Deadline dates for Private foundation funding
  must be taken just as seriously as those of
  government sources.
• Send proposals certified mail and be sure to
  obtain a signed receipt.
• Some foundations have on-line submission
  requirements.
• After submitting your proposal, minimize personal
  contact so as to avoid being pushy.

121
The decision and Follow-up

• Private foundations are generally more prompt
  than government funders at letting you know their
  decision regarding your proposal.

122
If you are funded

• Send a thank you letter to the funding source.
• Find out the payment procedures.
• Check on what reporting procedures the funding
  source may have.
• Ask if they will conduct a site visit.
• Ask for feedback on you proposal.

123
If your proposal is turned down

• Send a thank you letter to the funding source
  thanking them for reviewing your proposal.
• Remind the funder how important their funds are.
• Ask for helpful comments on your proposal and
  whether the funding source would look favorably
  on resubmission with certain changes.
• Ask the funder if they have any other suggestions
  on other sources that might be interested in your
  project.

124
Understanding the Corporate Marketplace

• Chapter Twenty-three

125
Corporate Investment Mechanisms

• Corporate Contributions Program
• Corporate Foundations
• Marketing
• Research Program

126
Researching Potential Corporate Grantors

• Chapter Twenty-four

127
How to Find the Corporate Funding Source That is
Best Suited to Fund Your Project

• What major corporations could be affected by your
  project?
• Are there any major industry specific
  associations or membership groups that fund
  research or projects in your field?
• Check with your grant office and development for
  approvals.

128
Sources of Information on Corporate Support

• The Foundation Center
• National Directory of Corporate Giving
• Corporate Foundation Profiles
• Corporate Giving Directory
• Dun Bradstreets Million Dollar Directory
• Standard Poors Register of Corporations,
  Directors, and Executives
• Whos Who in America

129
Contacting a Corporate Grantor Before Submission

• Chapter Twenty-five

130
Methods of Contact

• Contact by Telephone
• The Visit
• Corporate Grantor Report Form

131
Applying for Corporate Funds

• Chapter Twenty-six

132
What to include

• Introductory Paragraph
• Why the grantor was selected
• Needs Paragraph
• Solution Paragraph
• Uniqueness Paragraph
• Request for Funds Paragraph
• Closing Paragraph
• Signatures
• Attachments, if allowed

133
Proposal Submission, the Decision, and Follow-up

• Chapter Twenty-seven

134
Corporate Grantors

• Submission
• The decision
• Rejected
• Awarded
• Follow-up

135
List of Resources

• Government Grant Research Aids
• Foundation Grant Research Aids
• Corporate Grant Research Aids
• Government, Foundation, and Corporate Grant
  Resources
• Electronic Resources