Disaster recovery series: How to write a winning grant application

1. Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District Disaster recovery series: How to write a winning grant application

2. Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District Kim Compton, CEcD www.ComptonEcon.com Kim@ComptonEcon.com Cell: 228-861-3983 Office: 228-967-7251

3. Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District Performance Measures for Economic Development Agencies Economic Impact Analysis Workforce Analysis Return on Investment/Cost-Benefit Analysis Incentive/Tax Analysis Feasibility Studies Economic Research

4. Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District • Kim Compton, CEcD • President • Over 20 years in public sector economic development experience • Former Research Director – Louisiana Department of Economic Development • Millsaps College – BA, Economics • University of Southern Mississippi – MS, Economic Development – Munro Petroleum Award for Excellence • Clemson University – PhD Candidate – Fellow, USDA Economic Research Service • Brian Richard, PhD • Economist • Assistant Director, Center for Governmental Studies’ Community, Workforce & Economic Development Team, Northern Illinois University • Assistant Professor in the Department of Economic and Workforce Development at the University of Southern Mississippi • University of Washington – BBA, Finance • Clemson University – MS, Economics • University of Southern Mississippi – PhD, International Development • Chris Fallin • Economic Analyst • State & county level, & private sector experience: Economic Development Manager, Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission; Research Analyst, Louisiana Department of Economic Development; & Tax Incentive Auditor/Compliance • Specializes in GIS, Trend Analysis & Feasibility Analysis • Baylor University – BS, Economics

5. Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District General Rules for Writing Grant Applications • When in doubt, ask. • Always comply with whatever information is requested. Don’t omit or substitute. Answer everything – no blanks or NA’s! • Clear and concise. Begin each section with ONE statement, followed by relevant explanation and back-up.

6. Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District Common Components Required • Factual information about the organization • Compelling information about the proposed project • Planning-savvy narrative about the use of the money – including long term if applicable

7. Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District TheNumbers • Cite all sources, including websites • Only use statistics fewer that 5 years old • No data dumping, but always support “quantitative” statements (low, high, more than, less than, below, above . . . )

8. Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District Maximize Your Chances • Craft a compelling statement of need with statistics and case studies • Comprehensive – what is the need, when did it begin, how do you know it’s needed • Don’t talk in generalities • Compare the need to other similar communities

9. Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District Maximize Your Chances • Lay out your strategy • Goals and objectives – reflective of the funding source’s goals and objectives • Measurable objectives with a time-frame– “increase 20% within 18 months”

10. Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District Maximize Your Chances • Measure the program/project’s accountability with an evaluation plan • CRITICAL in disaster recovery • How will 2 primary questions be answered?: • Was the program implemented effectively? (process evaluation) • Did the program achieve its intended objectives and outcomes? (outcome evaluation)

11. Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District Maximize Your Chances • Keep the Reviewer Focused • Use a lot of headings and subtitles • Use numbered and bulleted lists • Keep paragraphs short • Use 12-point Times New Roman font (unless otherwise specified)

12. Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District Maximize Your Chances • Keep the Reviewer Focused • Stick with one font • Use boldface or italics to emphasize key words and phrases • Avoid using all capital letters or writing blocks of sentences in bold, italics or underlining

13. Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District Waiting is the hardest part • Send any letters of support that were written too late to submit with the application • Contact elected officials to ask them or remind them that their support is needed – have phone numbers, email and snail-mail addresses available • After 3 months, it is OK to contact the funder for information of the status

14. Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District How to write a winning grant application Part II

15. Economic Development Division • Planning and Strategic Development • Project Development and Packaging • Technical Assistance – Data Resource • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) • Business Loan Program • Grant Writing and Administration Southern mississippi planning and development district

16. The District’s Role • Research grant opportunities • Prepare grant applications and submit to funding sources • Provide administrative services as prescribed by funding sources Grant writing and administration

17. Organization must have a well-planned idea BEFORE looking for funding sources. Researching grant opportunities

18. Developing the Idea • Know the needs of your community. • Write a problem statement and stay focused on the ways to solve it. • Know what resources are available from your organization. • Stay focused, but be flexible. Researching grant opportunities

19. Funding sources Public Sources of Grants Private Sources of Grants Corporate foundations - large and small Other corporate giving programs • Federal government • State government • Local government

20. Types of FUNDING SOURCES Public Grants Private Grants Applications are less complex Flexible but sometimes unknowns in application process More accepting of start-ups and high-risks ideas Smaller grants but less match money required • Standardized but sometimes complex applications • More bureaucratic - strict rules to follow in application process but more direction • Hard to sell high-risks ideas • Larger grants but strict cost-sharing requirements

21. Finding the Money • www.grants.gov • Federal Register • Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance • USA.gov for Non-profits • Agency newsletters, catalogs, program announcements and websites • State-sponsored office of economic development Federal funding sourcesfor economic development

22. Federal funding sourcesfor economic development

23. MISSION To lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

24. EDA Regional Office Locations • Chicago • Philadelphia • Atlanta • Austin • Seattle • Denver www.eda.gov

25. EDA Investment Programs • Public Works • Economic Adjustment • Partnership Planning • Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms • University Centers • Research and National Technical Assistance • Planning and Local Technical Assistance • Periodic Special Funding Announcements www.eda.gov

26. EDA Funding Priorities 1.Collaborative Regional Innovation 2.Public/Private Partnerships 3.National Strategic Priorities 4.Global Competitiveness 5.Environmentally-Sustainable Development 6.Economically Distressed and Underserved Communities Must be able to explain how the project aligns with EDA priorities.

27. Public Works Grants • Revitalize, expand or upgrade physical infrastructure to attract new industry, expand business and create private sector jobs. Examples: Access road, water and sewer improvements to expand capacity Local Technical Assistance/ Planning Grants • Look at potential of economic development projects. • Designed to address specific problem 0r answer specific question. • Builds upon local organizational capacity. Examples: Industrial park feasibility, food business incubator, target market study

28. Public Works Grants Revitalize, expand or upgrade physical infrastructure to attract new industry, expand business and create private sector jobs. Examples: Access road, water and sewer improvements to expand capacity

29. Eligibility Requirements - Who can apply? Must be a state, political subdivision of a state, district organization, Indian tribe, institution of higher education, or a non-profit acting in coordination with a political subdivision of a state.

30. Eligibility Requirements – Economic Distress Criteria • Have an unemployment rate that is, for the most recent 24-month period of which data is available at least 1% greater than the national average unemployment rate; or • Per capita income that is, for the most recent period for which data is available, 80% or less of the national average per capita income; or • Meet a “special need” as determined by EDA (federal disaster declaration qualifies)

31. Additional Eligibility Requirements • Proposals must be consistent with your area’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). • Cost-sharing or matching funds will be required. EDA investment may not exceed 50% of total cost of the project.

32. First Steps – Public Works • Identify the beneficiary – the private sector company that will be creating the new jobs and making the investment. • Determine the number of jobs the company is willing to commit to creating in 3, 6 and 9 years. • Determine project needs and cost. • Identify who is committing the matching funds (grant rates vary). • Call your regional development organization.

33. Tips for Successful EDA Application • Know your regional development organization. • Assume reviewer knows nothing about your community. • Tell the story of your community and what this project will mean – think in terms of regional impact, new jobs and private investment. • Be factual – use quantitative data when possible. • Always use sourced data. If the grant requires a specific source, use it. • Submit application at least 1-2 days early to avoid any technical problems with electronic submission.

34. While grants are seen as the most democratic means of distributing funds, never underestimate the importance of relationship-building with funding agencies and individuals involved in the grant process. Follow-through on the grant. Turn in reports on time and follow the grant agreement. Set yourself up for more funding. Have “skin in the game.” You cannot expect immediate success or 100% success in grant writing but must rather find gratification in the process itself. Have well-planned idea BEFORE looking for grants. Final thoughts on grant writing

35. Allison Beasley, CEcD Ec0nomic Development Division Director228-868-2311abeasley@smpdd.com Southern mississippi planning and development district

36. Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District How to Write a winning grant applicationAllison BEASLEY, CECD

37. Regional development organization established in 1967 • 501(c)(3), private, non-profit • Headquartered in Gulfport, Mississippi • Service area encompasses 15 counties and 38 municipalities • Geography of service area nearly 9,000 square miles • County governments are our members • Promote long-range social and economic development • Areas of focus include Economic Development, Workforce Development and Senior Services Southern mississippi planning and development district

38. Economic Development Division • Planning and Strategic Development • Project Development and Packaging • Technical Assistance – Data Resource • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) • Business Loan Program • Grant Writing and Administration Southern mississippi planning and development district

39. The District’s Role • Research grant opportunities • Prepare grant applications and submit to funding sources • Provide administrative services as prescribed by funding sources Grant writing and administration

40. Organization must have a well-planned idea BEFORE looking for funding sources. Researching grant opportunities

41. Developing the Idea • Know the needs of your community. • Write a problem statement and stay focused on the ways to solve it. • Know what resources are available from your organization. • Stay focused, but be flexible. Researching grant opportunities

42. Funding sources Public Sources of Grants Private Sources of Grants Corporate foundations - large and small Other corporate giving programs • Federal government • State government • Local government

43. Types of FUNDING SOURCES Public Grants Private Grants Applications are less complex Flexible but sometimes unknowns in application process More accepting of start-ups and high-risks ideas Smaller grants but less match money required • Standardized but sometimes complex applications • More bureaucratic - strict rules to follow in application process but more direction • Hard to sell high-risks ideas • Larger grants but strict cost-sharing requirements

44. Finding the Money • www.grants.gov • Federal Register • Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance • USA.gov for Non-profits • Agency newsletters, catalogs, program announcements and websites • State-sponsored office of economic development Federal funding sourcesfor economic development

45. Federal funding sourcesfor economic development

46. MISSION To lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

47. EDA Regional Office Locations • Chicago • Philadelphia • Atlanta • Austin • Seattle • Denver www.eda.gov

48. EDA Investment Programs • Public Works • Economic Adjustment • Partnership Planning • Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms • University Centers • Research and National Technical Assistance • Planning and Local Technical Assistance • Periodic Special Funding Announcements www.eda.gov

49. EDA Funding Priorities 1.Collaborative Regional Innovation 2.Public/Private Partnerships 3.National Strategic Priorities 4.Global Competitiveness 5.Environmentally-Sustainable Development 6.Economically Distressed and Underserved Communities Must be able to explain how the project aligns with EDA priorities.

50. Public Works Grants • Revitalize, expand or upgrade physical infrastructure to attract new industry, expand business and create private sector jobs. Examples: Access road, water and sewer improvements to expand capacity Local Technical Assistance/ Planning Grants • Look at potential of economic development projects. • Designed to address specific problem 0r answer specific question. • Builds upon local organizational capacity. Examples: Industrial park feasibility, food business incubator, target market study