Writing Winning Grants
8 June 2012
What is grant funding?
• Funding for
a non-profit
organization
What it is
• Free money
What it is
Where can I find funding
opportunities?
Government
Funding
• Grants.gov
• Texas eGrants
Foundation
Funding
• Online
• Giving directories
• Library research
centers
Resources to find
foundation funding
• www.foundationcenter.org
• Foundation Directory Online
• Fee for subscription
• Can be accessed free:
• Houston Public Library (Central Branch)
500 McKinney Houston, TX 77002
• United Way of Greater Houston
50 Waugh Dr. Houston, TX 77007
HPL & UW also have a variety of print sources available to use for free
Additional Resources
for
HFB Partner Agencies
• Agency Connection newsletter (monthly)
• Member agency resources- HFB website
http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/memberagencyresources.aspx
• Agency announcements (email blasts)
Grant Planning:
Before Getting Started
Things to consider before getting started
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What is the problem / issue?
What is currently being done about it?
How will funding help ‘fill the gaps’?
What is your proposed solution?
How will it happen and when?
Who will do it?
With what result, outcome, or benefit?
IS THE PROPOSED PLAN REALISTIC?
The Grant-seeking Process
Getting
Started
The
Proposal
Approval and
Response
• Research
• Inquiry
• Writing the application
• Packaging and submitting
• Foundation review and follow-up
• Handling foundation response
• Build a relationship
Getting Started
Research & Inquiry
 Research- organizational metrics and
area demographic information
 Inquiry- solicit information from
program managers or staff
The Proposal
Tips for Writing
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Follow the guidelines
Customize each application
Eliminate jargon and write plainly
Don’t exaggerate– you have to do what
you are promising
• Revise, edit and clarify
Formatting the Proposal
Common Elements
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Cover Letter
Executive Summary
Introduction
Needs Statement
Management / Staffing Plan
Purpose of Request
…common elements continued…
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Project Description
Goals and Objectives
Evaluation
Sustainability
Budget
Attachments
Packaging and Submitting
• Follow the funder’s guidelines
• Always keep a complete copy of what
was submitted for your records
• Keep background materials or any
notes taken during the process
• When submitting online register in
advance and keep login information
• Draft in Word and cut/paste to online
form
Approval and Response
Funding is granted
Congratulations!
• Take time to acknowledge the gift
• Determine fund restrictions
• Understand any reporting requirements
and mark them on your calendar
• Celebrate your achievement
NOW DO WHAT YOU SAID YOU’D DO WITH THE GRANT
Funding is not granted
-Better luck next time• Reach out to the funder and ask why
you were declined and what you can do
better next time
• “No” sometimes just means Not Now
Common Pitfalls
• Talking more about problems than
solutions
• Addressing specific problems with
general solutions
• Using buzzwords and jargon
• Budgets that don’t add up or support
the narrative
• Ignoring application guidelines
Houston Food Bank
Partner Agency Grants
Agency Infrastructure Grants
• $1.7M available for FY11, FY12, FY13
• Results from FY11 RFP cycle:
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Applications received: 106
Applications reviewed: 74
Recommended for award: 35 (agencies)
Agencies that have items in place: 20
FY11 funds expended (est.): $465,083
Report Reminder
If you were awarded, or will receive,
equipment– you will have to submit a
report back to HFB. Please consult
your grant agreement letters for details
HFB’s Review Process
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Panel review
Applications scored based on criteria
Consideration of partner’s standing
Recommendations to Board panel
Approval and award notification
Score Sheet Criteria
10 points of consideration
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3)
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5)
Completed application
Account status
Monthly report status
Potential to increase distribution
Geographic coverage
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ZIP coverage, number of agencies in service area
…scoring continued…
6) Monitoring compliance
7) HFB Guiding Principles
8) Practicality of projected increases
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poundage and clients
9) Increased operations to serve clients
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days and hours
10) Soundness of sustainability plan
Tips from HFB
to strengthen your A.I. proposals
• Answer all of the questions
• Highlight what makes your agency
especially deserving– the panel may
not be as familiar with your agency as
you think– tell us how you’re special
• Make sure metrics match the narrative
• Detail HOW you plan to sustain
increased costs
…tips continued…
• Remember, not all questions are
weighted the same
• Be detailed, but concise
• Be realistic with your request
• Have a third-party review your proposal
• Don’t wait till the last minute
• When in doubt, ask questions
Agency Infrastructure
Round II
The RFP process will open in Fall 2012
Please keep an eye on the Agency
Connection newsletter for more details
Terence Franklin, Director of Agency Services:
TFRANKLIN@HOUSTONFOODBANK.ORG
/ 713-547-8617
Stacy Laster
Grants Manager
SLASTER@HOUSTONFOODBANK.ORG
713-547-8669
I’ll be in the Resource Fair until 11:45am
for general grant writing questions