Grant writing 101
Beth Kivel, Ed.D.
Beth Erickson, Ph.D.
California State University, Sacramento
Grantwriting – Is it art or science or
both?
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Why write a grant?
Is it really only about the money?
Grantwriting as art – writing a compelling narrative
to convince someone that you and/or you and
your colleagues have a good idea
Grantwriting as science – using data (quantitative
and qualitative) to support your argument as to
“why” your project should be funded
Who funds grants?
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Foundations – 501(c)(3) organizations (tax
exempt, non-profit) funding entities – Ford
Foundation, Pew Charitable Trust,
Rockefeller Foundation, Target, etc.
Government entities – local, regional,
state, federal
Types of Foundations
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Private foundations
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Are supported by an individual, a group of
individuals, a family, or a company.
Exist for the sole purpose of making grants for
charitable, educational, or religious purposes or,
in some cases, of carrying out such activities
themselves
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Corporate foundations are usually private nonoperating foundations with close ties to the
corporations that provide their funding.
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They are often "flow through" foundations that use funds
received last year to make grants this year.
Philanthropic priorities are usually set by the chief
executive officer of the corporation or by a committee
appointed by the foundation's board of directors.
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Community foundations are public charities,
supported by the pooled contributions of a large
number of donors.
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Community foundations usually confine their grant-making
to a specific locale, and decisions are made by trustees
who represent a broad spectrum of the community's
residents. (e.g., Sacramento regional community
foundation)
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Private non-operating foundations:
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These are foundations that give money but don’t
necessarily run programs.
Finding a funder that fits
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Source of funding – foundation or government,
you need to determine the fit by asking these
three questions:
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Does this funding source support your project (e.g., afterschool program, sports program, etc.)
Does this funding source support your population (e.g.,
children, seniors, people with disabilities, etc.)
Does this funding source support programs in your
geographic region?
These three questions should help you strategically
identify the best funders for your project.
Some initial steps before the
grantwriting process begins
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Gather background information and
documentation in these three areas
(concept, program, expenses):
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Concept – You have to explain how a particular
project reinforces the overall direction of an
organization and a funder needs to be convinced
that the case for the project is compelling
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Program – follow this checklist
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Identify the nature of the project and how it will
be conducted
The timetable for the project
The anticipated outcomes and how best to
evaluate the results and
Staffing and volunteer needs, including
deployment of existing staff and new hires
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Expenses – The main financial data
gathering takes place after the narrative
part of the master proposal has been
written. But, you should sketch out broad
outlines of the budget to ensure that costs
are commensurate with outcomes
Overall tips
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Get your thoughts sorted out
Develop an outline
Avoid jargon
Be compelling
Keep it simple
Keep it generic
7 parts of a successful grant
1. Executive Summary
2. Organizational Background
3. Statement of Need
4. Project Description
5. Evaluation
6. Budget and Funding Considerations
7. Cover Letter
“Draft” a Master Proposal
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Umbrella statement of your case and
summary of proposal
(COMPLETED AT THE END – YOU CAN’T
SUMMARIZE WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW)
1 Page
Statement of Need
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Why this project is necessary
2 Pages
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Statement of need
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Why is this project necessary (2 pages)
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Usually one of the most difficult components of the
grant to complete
Must help funder understand “why” this
issue is important
Which facts or statistics best support your
project
More tips. . .
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Use anecdotes
Provide real life examples
Supply quotes from those who have
benefited from your program
Emphasize the needs of those you serve,
not your own
Always make the funder feel that there is
hope that the problem will be solved
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Provide compelling “evidence”
But, give the reader hope
Do you want your project to be a model?
Is it reasonable to portray the need as acute?
Can you demonstrate that your program
addresses the need differently or better than other
projects that preceded it?
Avoid circular reasoning by identifying the “real”
problem – the absence of something isn’t
necessarily a problem. But, the consequences of
the absence of something can be a problem.
Possible sources of data
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Needs assessments conducted by objective
outside parties
Focus groups
Interviews with stakeholders
Media coverage
Reports from government agencies or other
nonprofits
Demographic studies
Projections for the future about the status of
things. . .
Project Description
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Nuts and bolts of how the project will be
implemented and evaluated
3 Pages
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Project Description
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Nuts and bolts of how the project will be
implemented (3 pages)
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Usually includes:
 Overall project narratives and goals
 Objectives (how you will carry out the goals of your
project?)
 Staffing/administration (who will run the project?)
 Evaluation (did you accomplish your goals and
objectives?)
 Sustainability (how will you keep the project going once
the grant money ends?
Budget
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Financial description of the project plus
explanatory notes
1 Page
Organizational Background
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History and governing structures of the
organization; the activities, customer base,
and services should be outlined.
1 Page
Conclusion
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Summary of the proposal’s main points.
Package the proposal
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Tailor your Master Draft to the funder’s
specifications
Create a checklist for attachments
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501(c)3 Letter
Organization Budget
Audited Financials
List of Board of Directors
List of Other Funders
Suggestions
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Answer the questions that are asked in a
succinct and concise manner.
Put together a neat clean package.
Edit your responses to match their criteria
Don’t be shy about your needs
Start small. Build your legitimacy
Research Potential Funders
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National Foundations:
www.fdncenter.org
www.guidestar.org
The Foundation Center (2004). The Foundation
Center’s guide to proposal writing (4th ed.). New
York: The Foundation Center.
Community Foundations:
http:www.foundations.org/communityfoundations.
html
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Government funding opportunities
www.grants.gov
Local and state funding:
Check your local city website for Office of
Grants Planning and Management