Guidance on Successfully
Securing Grant Funding
January 21, 2016
By
Carrie Mulcaire & Terrence Willett
Today’s Program
1.
Introductions / Discussion Around the Need for Grants
2.
Grant Sources / Navigating Grants.gov
3.
Ingredients of a Successful Grant Proposal
4.
Group Exercise
5.
Concluding Remarks
Introductions / Spark of Inspiration
[Insert image that illustrates a spark of
inspiration in terms of an idea developing into
something larger]
Expectations
What do you hope to learn from
today’s Flex Event?
Why Do We Need Grants?
[Some image that shows a dollar sign and shows a
gap that we are trying to bridge with funds/$]
Are Grants Free Money?
So How do We Pursue?
Identifying Funding Sources
• Public
– Federal – http://www.grants.gov
– State
• Chancellor’s Office - http://www.cccco.edu
– Division of Workforce and Economic Development
• Other State Agencies
• Private
– The Foundation Center - http://foundationcenter.org
– Local Foundations (e.g. Community Foundation of
Santa Cruz) - contact Cabrillo Foundation
Grants.gov
• Central location for all federal
grant opportunity announcements
– Over $600 billion of annual grant funding
– Over 1,000 grant programs through 26 federal agencies
– Summary info (e.g. estimated #, average award size)
• Sign-up for free email alert
• Can browse funding by keyword, by newest
opportunity, by funding category, by agency
Evaluate Grant Opportunity / NOFA
Look carefully for:
• Eligibility
• Number of applicants
• Award floor and ceiling
• Deadline date
• Technical formatting requirements
• Examine the review criteria by peer review panel
– shows how each application section will be rated
Additional NOFA Items to Review
• Look through technical requirements such as:
– Fonts, margins, page limits
– SPOC review – submitting to a state agency
for preapproval before final submission
– Narrative content requirements
• Your proposal evaluated by a Peer Review Panel
– Scoring is based out of 100 points (in most cases)
– Use the points to outline your writing – write in
chronological order
– Do not deviate from headings and subheadings
Components of Most Grant Proposals
•
•
•
•
Executive Summary / Abstract
Statement of Need
Objectives
Program Design / Methodology
– Implementation Plan / Workplan
•
•
•
•
Key Personnel / Adequacy of Resources
Evaluation Plan
Organizational Capability
Budget & Sustainability Plan
Advice: Statement of Need
• What is your question? What problem are you
trying to solve?
• State the need of the target population
• Tell a story in your statement of need
– Backup with data and statistics
• Make sure you carefully understand and
answer every criteria outlined in the RFA/GAN
Data Resources
• Planning and Research Office
– http://www.cabrillo.edu/services/pro/
– http://www.cabrillo.edu/services/pro/Educational%20Data
%20Sources%20October%202014.pdf
• Santa Cruz County GIS
– http://www.co.santacruz.ca.us/Departments/GeographicInformationSystems(G
IS).aspx
• California Labor Market Information
– http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/
• US Census
– http://www.census.gov/
Objectives
• Clearly state SMART objectives:
– Specific
– Measurable
– Achievable
– Realistic
– Time Sensitive
• Needs to be a measurable benefit to the
target population
Program Design
• Lay out your strategy to address problem noted in needs
statement
– Should include program elements linked to project objectives
• Proposed program elements need to represent a significant
step forward
– Research & incorporate best / strong practices
• Write measurable objectives –
– Should be a stretch but also realistic and attainable within the given
time frame
• Timeline /Gantt chart – outlines major project milestones and
who’s accountable for each activity
• Measure program’s accountability with sound evaluation plan
Key Personnel / Management
• Review who will manage the program/project
• What staffing will provide support
• What are their qualifications and
responsibilities?
• Consider organizational chart to depict
management structure
Exercise: Develop a Program/Grant Idea
• Break out into groups of 2-3 people
• 20 minutes to answer the following questions:
– What is your target population and their needs?
– What problems are you going to address?
– What evidence based strategies / interventions are
needed to address the problem?
– Identify three measurable objectives
– What activities to focus (who, what, when, why, how)
– Identifying project partners – who else do you need to
work with?
Evaluation Plan
• Need to answer the following questions:
– What - the type of information to collect
– Who - who will analyze the information and report the
results
– How – how will you measure your outcomes
• Is an external evaluator necessary?
• Talk with PRO early in the process!
Budget Components
• Consider all grant needs
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Personnel (salaries and benefits)
Travel
Supplies
Equipment
Construction
Contractual – hiring anyone who isn’t a staff member
Other operational expenses (internet, janitorial needs,
rent, telephone, stipends, etc.)
– Overhead / indirect rate
Budget & Narrative
• Connected to implementation activities and
measurable objectives
• In budget detail narrative, explain/ justify
assumptions or calculations used in budget figures
• Have BSO review the salaries/benefits outlined
in your budget
• If grant requires a cash match or in-kind
contributions, make sure to indicate in separate
column
Additional Budget Considerations
• If there is a technological aspect of any part of
your grant, make sure to consult IT
• For construction projects, it is critical to
consult FPPO
– Even if there is a new piece of equipment
purchased on a grant, there may be a construction
aspect to the project
• Need for electrical outlet?
Exercise: Develop a Budget
• Break out into the same groups of 2-3 people
• 15-20 minutes to develop a detailed budget:
– Budget detail justifies all expenses
– Budget line items link to all grant activities
– When evaluating expenses, get real estimates for:
salaries/benefits, travel, materials, supplies,
equipment, food, construction, contractual, admin,
fiscal support, rental space, overhead/indirect
– Provide column for in kind match or cash match
Learn From Others
• Speak with previous grantees
• Get copies of a successful grant proposal
• Read through an old Grant Funding Notice to
look at criteria
• Attend funder webinars and workshops
• Start lining up the right partners early
– Letters of support or commitment
• Identify a reviewer to critique your proposal
Final Thoughts
• Start early
• Read grant opportunity notice – several times
• Write – in simple and understandable terms
• Ask for clarity – both from funder and experts
• Follow the instructions!
Thank You!
http://www.cabrillo.edu/services/grants/