Show Me The Money Grant Writing Basics

1
Show Me The MoneyGrant Writing Basics

• WVAEA Conference
• 2008

2
Agenda

• What is a grant?
• Preparing a grant proposal
• Determining mission
• Identifying a need
• Brainstorming solutions
• Reviewing grant sources

3
What is a Grant?

• Financial award made to an individual or
  institution to support the costs of project
  implementation or continuation.
• 
  Riverdeep.com

4
Preparing a Grant Proposal

• Planning a grant proposal
• Identifying potential funding sources
• Understanding grant guidelines
• Organizing a budget
• Writing the proposal
• Formatting the application
• Riverdeep.com

5
Planning a Grant Proposal

• Grant proposals define well planned, clearly
  organized, well researched and goal oriented
  projects.
• Grantors look for creative and innovative
  projects that meets the specific need of a well
  defined population.

6
Planning a Grant Proposal

• Need What is the problem that your organization
  has identified and is prepared to address?
• Solution How will your project provide a
  solution to the identified problem?
• Objectives What specific objectives and
  activities, when completed, will solve the
  problem?

7
Identifying Potential Grantors

• Identify grantors that match your programs
  objectives
• Study eligibility requirements
• Note deadlines
• Understand the grantors priorities
• Know the grantors mission
• Understand that grants are requests for
  partnerships

8
Letter of Intent

• A letter of intent is a condensed version of your
  proposal that allows the reviewer to quickly
  determine a match
• Summary statement
• Statement of need
• Project description
• Outcomes
• Organizational background
• Credentials
• Budget
• Closing

9
Organizing a Budget

• Do your homework on costs
• Explain your budget
• Itemize the funds needed for the project
• Itemize plans for future funding

10
Writing the Proposal

• Writing a grant is a process requiring
• Creativity
• Time and effort
• Assistance of others
• Consistency
• Several drafts

11
Writing the Proposal

• Follow the request for proposal (RFP) guidelines
• Adhere to font, margin, page and binding
  requirements
• Provide the correct number of copies
• Use the same section headers and numbering system
  outlined in the guide
• Do not provide additional sections or attachments
• Meet all timelines

12
Writing the Proposal

• Maintain a problem solution theme
• Describe a solution to a problem
• Theme runs throughout the entire proposal
• Clear theme in the introduction and summary
• Theme binds the objectives, activities, and the
  budget together

13
Writing the Proposal

• Use clear language throughout the proposal
• Write clearly, complicated language and use of
  jargon leads to confusion
• Use action verbs
• Use plain English words, sentences, clearly
  defined terms
• Write as though the reader has no experience in
  your field

14
Formatting the Application

• Grant proposals typically require
• Summary
• Introduction
• Statement of need
• Objectives
• Methods/activities
• Evaluation
• Budget

15
Writing the Proposal

• Proofread the proposal
• Plan for time to proofread
• Errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation make
  your proposal look sloppy
• Double check budget numbers
• Ask others to edit your proposal for readability
  and errors

16
Mission Statement

• WV Adult Basic Education
• Mission Statement
• To enable adult learners to be literate,
  productive, and successful in the workplace,
  home, and community by delivering responsive
  adult educationprograms and services.

17
Mission Statement

• Minnesota Adult Basic Education
• Mission Statement
• The mission of Adult Basic Education (ABE) in
  Minnesota is to provide adults with educational
  opportunities to acquire and improve their
  literacy skills necessary to become
  self-sufficient and to participate effectively as
  productive workers, family members, and citizens.

18
Mission Statement

• Alaska Adult Basic Education
• Mission Statement
• The mission of the Adult Basic Education (ABE)
  Program is to provide instruction in the basic
  skills of reading, writing, and mathematics to
  adult learners in order to prepare them for
  transitioning into the labor market or higher
  academic or vocational training. 

19
Mission Statement

• Write a brief mission statement that explains
  your organizations mission.
• If you do not represent an organization, what is
  your individual mission for adult basic
  education?

20
Thank you!

• Keith A. Butcher
• RESA-I Executive Director
• 400 Neville Street
• Beckley, WV 25801
• Phone [phone]
• kbutcher_at_access.k12.wv.us