Grant Writing and Budgeting

Excerpts of February 2003 lectures by:Laura RubinHuron River Watershed Council

andMichael DonahueGreat Lakes Commission

Laura RubinHuron River Watershed Council

1st Step: Project Idea Think it all out and know it thoroughly Be succinct; one sentence description Establish partnerships; contact them Leverage funds Estimate budget

Research (don’t skip this step) What is out there?

Libraries for CDs and publications Web searches List-serves Services Word of mouth Other similar project funding

Research (don’t skip this step) Decide if it’s a good fit

Who are they and what do they fund Search web Look at trustees/board Timeline Know their region, focus, interests, people

Contact Contact funder or “contact person” if

allowed…

IF ALLLOWED, do it IF NOT, don’t ever

Read RFP or Guidelines Read thoroughly, a couple of times Follow it exactly in your writing Answer their questions Follow their format

Write Proposal Use clear and concise language Be straightforward Follow their format Set clear goal/s and objectives and

complimentary tasks Evaluation Partnerships

Budgeting Salary and fringe Contractual Equipment and Supplies Other Direct Indirect Inflation and unknowns

Tips and Nuggets Establish relationships with funders and

contacts Show them your excitement Be clear and simple; one sentence Persistence works

Michael DonahueGreat Lakes Commission

“Don’t put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) until you have a

high probability for success” Establish relationship with program officer Consider letter of inquiry Submit draft, if appropriate Program officer will be your advocate Pursue multiple sources, but always be up front

about who else you’re talking to Don’t’ be shy – foundations/funders want to be

overwhelmed

“Tell them what they want to hear”

Comply with every requirement Address criteria point-by-point Use the funder’s terminology

“Budget for uncertainty” Anticipate the unanticipated in staffing, funding,

travel and timeline Ask for what you really need – don’t “pad” or

“lowball” but accommodate uncertainty Maximize cost-share and line up support quickly Make sure you can deliver on promises Develop a task/activity timeline for proposal

development “back-costing”

“Look for partnerships – at all levels and in all forms”

Seek project and funding partners Multi-disciplinary approaches are typically

well received Make sure partners can deliver – substance,

quality, time and funding

“Position yourself for the next step”

Securing funds for one project opens doors to the next

Use the project proposal to set up opportunities for further work

“Don’t overlook the important elements”

Budget in time and money for evaluation Provide for dissemination and publicity Keep your program officer informed,

updated and involved Credit the funder whenever, however you

can

“There is no shortage of funds for a good project”

The universe of potential funders is large Research on funding sources is as important

than research on the proposal topic Remember– the gestation period (i.e.,

concept to reality) can be lengthy

“Words to Live By – Never, Ever ” Miss a deadline Ignore submittal requirements Let a typo get by Miscalculate a budget List partners you haven’t contacted “Shot gun” a proposal

Resources for Grant Seekers Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN) –

www.great-lakes.net

Funding Guide – fully searchable www.great-lakes.net/infocenter/news/funding.html

University resources Agency contacts

Questions ?