Grant Writing
Workshop
Presented by DiAnne Brown
SCUSD Grants Coordinator
Objectives of this workshop:
 Learn how to put together a winning
grant application for a foundation or
corporate funding source from start to
finish
 Learn where to find grant funds
 Learn not to be intimidated by the
process!
What is a grant?
 A grant is a monetary award
given by a funder
What is a grant application?
A grant application is a written request
asking for money
Who gets grant money?
 Grant money is given to a non-profit
organization that has written a winning grant
application to a funding source
Who provides grant funds?
 Foundations
 Corporations
 Clubs & Organizations
 County, State & Federal
Agencies
The Grants process: two scenarios
First Scenario
 You are notified about a funding opportunity
that would be perfect for your program or
project through an RFA or RFP (Request for
Application/Proposal)
Second Scenario:
 You have a program or project that
needs funded but a source of funding
has not yet been identified.
 We will focus on this scenario first…
Step One:
Define Your Project
Project Planning
1. Clarify the purpose of your project.
2. What will funding cover?
3. Who is your target audience?
4. Identify potential partners
5. Draft a proposal timeline that includes the
planning phase, the period of searching for funds,
proposal writing, and the proposal deadline(s).
Step Two:
Define the Goals and
Outcomes of your Project
Goal:

a statement of general purpose and
direction—it is the ultimate end result.

example: “The goal of our program is to
provide students with the skills they need
to become tomorrow’s leaders.”
Objective:

a statement describing what the project will achieve.
Objectives are always measurable and should be
SMART:

Specific
Measurable
Attainable/achievable
Realistic
Time-bound

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Example: “We will serve 300 students in the 2011-12
school year.”
Outcome:

the result of program operations or activities
or the effects produced by the program.
Outcomes may be tied to a specific objective,
or may be the cumulative result of objectives.

example: “at least 20 students will advance
one grade level after participation in the
program.”
Step Three:
Identify the Right
Funding Sources
Find a Funder who is interested
in your project and priorities
• Start first with Sacramento area private
foundations and corporate funders
• Visit the Sacramento Non-Profit Resource
Center (www.nprcenter.org) and use the
Foundation Center Directory to research
foundations
• Or subscribe to the Foundation Center:
www.fconline.foundationcenter.org
Sacramento Funding Sources:
 California Endowment Foundation, Building Healthy
Communities http://sacbhc.org
 Sierra Health Foundation www.sierrahealth.org
 Teichert Foundation www.teichert.com
 Kaiser Permanente Community Benefits Grants Program
http://info.kp.org/communitybenefit/html/grantmaking/norther
n-california/applications.html
 Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission
www.sacmetroarts.org
 Sacramento Region Community Foundation www.sacregcf.org
 Funding for schools: www.grantwrangler.com
Corporate Funders
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Home Depot
Lowes
Target
Starbucks
Whole Foods
Nugget Market
Kohl’s
Check out their websites for funding
programs and deadlines
Step Four:
Review the Proposal
Guidelines
Guidelines usually tell you about:
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submission deadlines
eligibility
proposal format (font size, margins, number of pages, etc.)
review timetable
budgets
funding goals and priorities
award levels
evaluation process and criteria
whom to contact
other submission requirements
Step Five:
Update your Timeline and
submit a Grant Overview Form
to the school site principal
Step Six:
Write the Proposal
The Narrative
Narratives typically must satisfy the following
questions:

What do we want?

What concern will be addressed and why it is
important?

Who will benefit and how?

What specific objectives can be accomplished
and how?

How will results be measured?

How does this funding request relate to the
funder’s purpose, objectives, and priorities?

Who are we (organization, independent
producer) and how do we qualify to meet this
need?
Parts of the Narrative
Statement of Need:

The statement of need will enable the reader
to learn more about the need for your project.

It includes purpose, goals, measurable
objectives, and a compelling, logical reason
why the proposal should be supported.

Specific data regarding your school site or
district can be found on the California
Department of Education website:
www.cde.ca.gov.
Parts of the Narrative
Approach:

The method and process of accomplishing
your goals and objectives

Explain what you’re going to do and how
you’re going to do it

Include personnel with names of key staff and
consultants, if possible (who is going to do
what)
Parts of the Narrative
Evaluation:

Determine the impact on the audience you
serve and the measurable outcomes of your
grant project.

Most sound evaluation plans include both
qualitative and quantitative data.

Examples: pre-and-post tests, surveys
Parts of the Narrative
Project Work Plan:

Paints a picture of project flow that includes
start and end dates, schedule of activities,
who is responsible for what, and projected
outcomes. The work plan is a “map” of your
project or program.
Parts of the Narrative
Credentials:

Information about the applicant that certifies
ability to successfully undertake the proposed
effort. Typically includes institutional or
individual track record and resumes.

Explain why you are qualified to do what you
are proposing to do.
Parts of the Narrative
The HOOK:

The HOOK aligns the project with the purpose,
and goals of the funding source. This helps the
funder understand why he should fund your
project.
Parts of the Narrative
Sustainability

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How will you continue the project or program
after the grant period ends?
Can you identify additional funding sources?
The Budget
Budgets are Cost Projections. Funders use these factors
to assess budgets:
► Can the job be accomplished with this budget?
► Are costs reasonable for the market - or too high or
low?
► Is the budget consistent with proposed activities?
► Is there sufficient budget detail and explanation?
Only include in the budget what the funder will fund. Many
funders provide mandatory budget forms that must be
submitted with the proposal. Always use those!
Supporting Materials
► Letters of Support
► Resumes
► Exhibit Tables
► Charts
Authorized Signatures
► Authorized signatures (such as the school site
principal) are sometimes required. Without these,
proposals may be rejected. Be sure to allow yourself
time to acquire a needed signature. The district offices
requires 10 days for signatures.
Specifications
► Tailor proposal writing to specifications found in
the guidelines. Include only the number of
pages allowed. Observe the format.
Submission checklist
► The complete proposal must be submitted on
time in the requested format with the
requested number of copies and original
authorized signatures.
Step Seven:
Follow-Up
Contact the funding source about the status,
evaluation, and outcome of your proposal
Back to the First scenario:
You have a program or project that needs
funded but a source of funding has not been
identified yet….
 After you’ve done your funding search and
have identified potential funders, write a
Letter of Intent
The Letter of Intent –
no more than three pages
 The introduction
 The organization description
 The statement of need
 The methodology
 Other funding sources
 The final summary
The Introduction
 Serve as the executive summary
 Includes the name of your organization
 The amount needed or requested
 A description of the project
 Staff qualifications
 Brief description of evaluation method
 Timetable
The Organization Description
 Be concise
 Focus on the ability of organization to
meet the stated need
 Include a brief history
 Describe your current programs while
demonstrating a direct connection
between what you are doing now and what
you want to do with the funding
The Statement of Need
 Must convince the reader that there is an
important need that can be met by your
project
 Describe your target population and
appropriate statistical data in abbreviated
form
 Use several concrete examples
The Methodology
 Present a clear, logical, and achievable
solution to the need
 Briefly describe the project, including
major activities, project staff, and desired
objectives
Other Funding Sources
 Include a brief sentence or paragraph
about other funding sources being
approached for support of this project
The Final Summary
 Restates the intent of the project
 Affirms your readiness to answer further
questions
 Thanks the potential funder for
consideration
Funding Notification
 If you were not funded, contact the
funder to see why. Ask how you can
improve your application and when you
can apply again.
 If you were funded, contact the funder
with your thanks. Develop a good
relationship!
For Additional Help
 Contact DiAnne Brown, SCUSD
Grants Coordinator at 643-9101 or
dianne-brown@scusd.edu
 See sample proposals at:
http://www.k12grants.org/samples