SHOW ME THE MONEY:
Tips and Resources for Successful
Grant Writing
Nick Kallieris, MPA
Director Resource Development and Legislative Affairs
Resource Development and Legislative Affairs
B209
Nick Kallieris, Director
Nina Smith, Grant Specialist
Marina Kibardina, Grant & Budget Specialist
Harriet Seltzer, Senior Secretary
Overview of Grant Services Provided
• Participate in preliminary grant discussions
• Identify external funding sources
• Interpret grant guidelines
• Write, edit, design, and develop a wide variety of projects
with faculty and staff
• Complete required forms and mail proposals
• Assist in overall grants management
• Ensure grant expenditure compliance
WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
So, what is a grant?
Funds from a federal, state, or private source for a SPECIFIC
purpose – Must submit a proposal to receive these funds
COMPETITIVE!!!
OK, so what is a proposal?
The proposal is the institution’s offer of contract to perform
certain services for which the grantor agency will provide
funds.
The proposal must…
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State clearly what the college proposes to do.
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Show how the project will advance the grantor’s own
purposes – Follow the RFP exactly!!!
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Demonstrate the project’s uniqueness – Why fund this
one???
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Convince the grantor that the college and its personnel
are capable of carrying out the project successfully.
RFP?
Many corporate and private foundations and ALL government
funding sources provide guidelines (also known as, Requests
for Proposal or RFP) that have detailed requirements
regarding proposal submission.
– Solicited by funders (state, federal, foundation) through mail,
listserves, and websites
OR
– Found through internet searches, direct mail, networking, internal
tips (MORE ON THIS LATER)
To submit or not to submit, that is
the question.
•What are the odds of being funded?
•Does the project idea fit CLC’s mission?
•Do we have the correct agency and grant program for our idea/project?
•Do we have the expertise at our college and/or the right partners?
•Do we have support from the college for the project (especially matching
$$)?
•Do we have a champion to direct the project?
•Do we have the resources to write the proposal (time and information)?
•Are we prepared to win?
•Do we have the office space???
LET’S GO FOR IT!!!
Proposal Construction
A proposal usually contains the following components:
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Abstract/Summary: clearly and concisely summarizes the request.
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Problem Statement or Needs Assessment: documents the needs to be met or
problems to be addressed by the proposed funding.
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Goals and Objectives: establishes the benefits of the funding in measurable terms.
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Plan of Operation/Methodology: describes the activities to be undertaken.
Continued…
• Key Personnel: demonstrates to the reader that you are capable of doing
what you propose
• Evaluation: presents a plan for determining the degree to which objectives
are met and methods are followed.
• Budget: explains the costs associated with project implementation and
separates costs to be provided by the funding source and applicant.
Abstract/Summary
•Write it last!
•Summarizes all the important
information from the proposal –
Who? What? Where? Why? How?
How Much?
•Crucial first impression
•Use layman’s terms – no jargon –
It’s Greek to me (and I should know)
•Convey enthusiasm
Needs Assessment
•Identify need – must be important and
significant
•The Why? Section of the proposal
•Usually used to decide if funded or not
•Again, use layman’s terms – no jargon
•Be specific (never make a reader guess)
or assume something.
•Don’t whine, cry or beg
•Use statistics, cite examples, relate to
funders mission
Goals and Objectives
Goal: describes the overall
expected outcome or result of the
project
Objectives: establish the benefits
of the grant in measurable terms
Do what? (reduce, increase,
maintain)
Using what approach?
By when?
With what measure?
With what result?
Example of Measurable Objectives
Process Objective
One thousand (1000) low-income and first-generation participants will be
recruited, identified, selected, and assessed to participate in the Talent
Search program by November of each year. Of this number, 350 will be
seniors and juniors, 330 will be ninth and tenth graders, and 320 will be
junior high school students. Two-thirds (2/3) or 330 will be low income
and first generation.
Outcome Objective
At least 85% of the 1000 participants will be retained in school and in the
Talent Search program from year to year. At least 95% of all senior
participants will graduate from high school, and at least 60% will enroll in
postsecondary education.
Plan of Operation/Methodology
• Fully describe activities to be undertaken and how
• Flows directly from the Need, Goals and Objectives
• Describe staffing and sequence of activities (Very detailed)
• Use charts, tables, timelines, etc.
• Usually worth the most points and the largest section of the grant.
Key Personnel/Qualifications
• Does the proposed project staff have the qualifications and
expertise? Describe!
• Other valuable resources at the college? What makes CLC
special? Describe
• Partnerships? What do they bring to the success of the
project?
(Business, K-12, University, Faith-Based, Social Services)
Evaluation
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How will we know that the project is successful?
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Explain evaluation criteria and plan
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What data will be collected? When? Who will collect it? How?
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What will you do with the data?
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Accountability/Compliance/Evaluation
(Results must be measurable!!! – not interested in anecdotes)
Budget
• Itemize and account for ALL costs – (Personnel, Fringe,
Consultants, Printing, Postage, Equipment, Supplies,
Travel/Mileage)
• Must come from Plan of Operation – if not listed, do not put in
budget
• Written justification of all budget items
• Be accurate – do not overestimate costs or resources needed
SHHHH!!! Super Secret Tips
RULE #1 -- FOLLOW THE RFP!!!
The RFP lists due date, margins, page numbers, font, page
limits, number of copies, budget amount, number to be
funded – everything you need to know!!
Other tips –
• Call the grant staff and talk to them
•The proposal should read like one person wrote it
•Be clear, concise and direct
•Use the active voice and avoid jargon
•Use headings, bullets, formatting, white space to make it easy
to read
•PROOFREAD!! Ask a friend. Check for spelling and
typographical errors
•Does it make sense? Flow? Is it well thought out from page 1
to page 100?
Common Reasons for Rejection
•Guidelines were not followed exactly
•Idea is not original
•Incomplete or unclear descriptions
•Not qualified
•Poor writing
•Carelessness and Inattention to detail
•Unrealistic budget
•Costs out of proportion with benefits
•Submission deadline not met
•Not enough $$$$ to go around – Highly Competitive
Preparing for Next Time
•Don’t give up
•We will obtain reviewer’s comments –
(Very Important!)
•Re-work, Re-submit
Sources of Grant Funds
Check out the Resource Development and Legislative Affairs
website @ http://www.clcillinois.edu/depts/red.asp
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www.grants.gov
http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/
American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)
Association of Community College Trustees
Catalog for Federal Domestic Assistance
Council for Resource Development
Directory of Postsecondary Education Programs
ED Discretionary Grant Application Packages for Currently Open Grant Competitions
TA US DOL Employment and Training Administration
Federal Register Documents - Announcements, Application Notices, Request for
Comments, etc. January 2002 to present
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Illinois Community College Board
Illinois State Library - Grants Page
QUESTIONS??