How to attain the $ in Grant$

1. How to attain the $ in Grant$

2. Time and Capacity

3. Show me the money!

4. Assessment Panel ?

5. What’s required? • Capacity Building • Sustainability • Creating Profile for your Business • Planning your Grant Application • Proactive, not Reactive • Acquittal of Grant

6. Why not? Two key reasons why organisations do not receive funding : • 1. The number of applications received far exceeded available funding • 2. The application did not rate highly enough against the assessment criteria set out in our guidelines to be recommended for funding by our clients.

7. What they are looking for The organisations that are successful in receiving funds are the ones able to outline a business case based on outcomes, rather than relying on emotional appeal.

8. Determining the Fit • When it comes to government grants the elephant in the room is the limited funding available. • The hard truth is,the vast majorityof grant applicants are unsuccessful. Every single time. Most programmes receive four, five or even ten times more proposals than they can fund. Some good projects and some great organisations will miss out.

9. What makes for a Successful Proposal? • A program/project that is within the scope of the funder’s area of giving. • Sufficient documentation supported with facts. • A project that reflects people needs and organizational needs.

10. Why are Projects Declined? • Problem hasn’t been documented properly. • Problem does not strike reviewer as significant (It failed to “grab” the reader). • Prospective client groups have not been involved in planning and determining project goals. • Proposal is poorly written, hard to understand. • Proposal objectives do not match objectives of the funding source. • Proposal budget is not within the range of funding available through the funding agency.

11. Why are Projects Declined? • Proposal program has not been coordinated with other individuals and organizations working in the same area. • Funding source does not know the capabilities of those submitting the proposal. • Project objectives are too ambitious in scope. • Writer did not follow guidelines provided by the funding agency. • Insufficient evidence that the project can sustain itself beyond the life of the grant. • Evaluation procedure is inadequate.

12. Statement of Need Exercise • The statement of need must be able to answer the following questions at a minimum: • 1. How will the defined population be impacted or different when the project is completed? • 2. What documented proof/evidence is available to support the need for your project? • 3. Who will your project serve? • 4. Are there any special circumstances to consider about your defined area or population? • 5. What are your organizations needs? • 6. Brainstorm and write down three needs and two solutions for each need. • 7. How did you identify with the needs and develop the solutions?

13. Measuring Outcomes • Goal Statement • Objective Statement • Activities and Tasks that are Necessary to Accomplish the Objective • Benefits and/or Results of Each Objective that Leads to Measuring Outcomes; • Performance Indicators of Success

14. Writing a Grant • Good layout makes content easy to follow. • Bad layout makes content difficult to follow. • Paragraphs of varying sizes - Bad • Lots of long paragraphs with no variation - Bad • Uses bulleted lists, charts and tables to illustrate points and break up text - Good • Is made up of text only - Bad • Uses subheadings to break up long responses and link response content back to the question

15. Writing a Grant • Doesn’t use subheadings - Bad • Uses single-sentence paragraphs or quotes to create an impact - Good • Lots of long paragraphs with no variation - Bad • Uses white space to improve legibility - Good • No white space, just lots and lots of text - Bad • Uses a clear font in a legible size - Good • Uses an overly ornate or very small font - Bad

16. Grant • What is the primary purpose of the applicant including a brief overview about the applicant? • Provide a (i)description of your project including information on (ii)what your project will do and how it will help(iii)achieve the objectives of the Activity. 3000ch/500words • Demonstrate your understanding of the need for the funded Activity in the chosen community/communities and/or target group/s.

17. Grant • Describe how the implementation of your proposal will achieve the Activity objectives for all stakeholders, including value for money within the Grant funding. • Demonstrate your experience in effectively developing, delivering, managing and monitoring activities to achieve the Activity objectives for all stakeholders.

18. Writing a Grant Application • You must state your case – clear, concise, compelling. • Short, Succinct & to the point

19. Conditions of a Grant A grant is offered on conditions that may include: • A specific purpose (e.g. capital improvements, purchase of equipment, or to run an event) • The purpose could not be funded in any other way than through the grant • The funds are properly expended for the stated purpose within a specific time frame

20. Conditions of a Grant 4. A report is provided to the funding body at the end of the funded project or works, including an audit on the expenditure of the funds 5. Your organisation is properly insured to cover staff, contractors and other relevant factors 6. You have legal permission to carry out any proposed works

21. In Addition • There may be a requirement that the organisation must make a contribution towards the costs involved, from their own funds and/or from another community source. – 50/50 funding • It is important that you read and understand the conditions of grant. If you have a question, contact the organisation offering the grant program for clarification.

22. Types of Grants • Project Grants • Program Grants • Operating Grants • Organisational Effectiveness Grants • Capacity Building Grants • Capital Grants • Endowment Grants

23. Suitability • Grant Writers should apply for grants that suit particular identified needs, taking into account the time to deliver on the grant if successful, available grantors for the type and purpose, the grantor’s requirements, when the funds are needed and organisation’s policies. • You should apply for grants from organisations that are a suitable fit for your organisation.

24. How does your mission align with the Funder’s Core Priorities?

25. How do you collaborate with others?

26. Grants • Need for funding = commercial potential • WIIFM Principle • Market Opportunity • Management Capability • Local, State or National Benefits

27. Grants • Know the program rules • Plan application • Be creative but honest • Research Successful Grants • Provide Information required • Answer the question you are asked, not what you think you are asked. • No superfluous information.

28. Grants • RDAF (2013) - $250 million. Monitored response- removed the 50/50 component • Local Government Community Energy Efficient program (2013) - $360 million – 20% energy efficiency, 80% selling the carbon tax – social inclusion in Western Sydney and North Melbourne

29. Social Media and Grants • Twitter • Facebook • You Tube • Apps • CEO Blog • QR Codes • LinkedIn • Podcasts

30. The National Competitive Grants Program The National Competitive Grants Program (Tertiary Sector) comprises two main elements - Discovery and Linkage - under which the ARC funds a range of complementary schemes to support researchers at different stages of their careers, build Australia’s research capability, expand and enhance research networks and collaborations, and develop centres of research excellence.

31. Grants • Grants = telling a story / Painting a picture with words • Plan – 4.55pm application – ‘Send’ • Proactive, rather than reactive • People can only help you, if they know you exist • Cultivating a relationship with Funding Body

32. Applying for Grants • Demonstrate broad benefit and why funding needed • Clearly define service delivery into area • Prioritise projects if submitting more than one • Current Public Liability Insurance • Most recent annual report • Strategic Plan/ Project Plan • Capital Expenditure

33. Applying for Grants • Proposed Strategies lead to strong outcomes • Data to prove need – stats & facts • That idea for project emerged from local community – local benefits

34. Commonwealth Government Grant Guidelines • Defines meaning of a grant – intended to promote one or more of Australian Government’s policy objectives • Recipient is required to act in accordance with any terms or conditions specified • One Standard Funding Agreement • Comply with milestones

35. Commonwealth Government Grant Guidelines • Provide agreed funding after financing has been through assessment of milestone agreements • Project Reporting = Marketing Opportunity – tell the success story • Developing and using Program Logic • Beginnings – assumptions are sound • Planned work – activities based on assumptions

36. Commonwealth Government Grant Guidelines • Intended results – should lead to or contribute to the results expected • Grants are given to make a difference – something has to happen with the money! • Grant givers and makers are in the business of enablement. • Flexible, Responsive, Manage risk, Community Service Delivery, Enhancing Community Development Initiatives and Advancing Participation in Community Life

37. Grant Guidelines • Reporting – only provide the data that will be used by the grant giver • Four accountability principles – Equity, Access, Transparency, Responding Appropriately • Small questions should serve as big ones • Beware of trade-off thinking

38. Relationships • Work with other “connectors” • Internal and external resourcing • Local, State and Federal Current Affairs

39. Who, what, where, when, why = How?

40. Grant Guidelines • State & Federal Government Funding is trying to achieve consistency between programs and simplified processes (effectiveness and efficiency) • Trusts /Foundations are seeking a return on investment - or some approximation of it given the intangibles in community funding • Outputs –number of employees trained, $ spent per participant • Outcomes – overall result, increased profile of organisation, percentage of new people that joined a volunteer program, financial benefit

41. The Tony Blair Sports Foundation Network

42. How are applications assessed? Once eligibility criteria are checked, each project application will be assessed, adhering to the basic principles as laid down below. The grant assessment is based on alignment with the Brisbane Access and Inclusion Plan 2012-2017. Applicants need to identify the problem that requires action, the benefits that will be delivered if the problem is addressed and the best way to solve the problem (solution).

43. How are applications assessed? • Clear demonstration of the need for the project - 10%  • The access and inclusion benefits that will be achieved for a specific group as well as the broader community - 20%  • Rationale for the proposed solution including feasibility and value for money - 20% • Alignment with the principles, priorities and initiatives identified in the Brisbane Access and Inclusion Plan 2012-2017 - 25%

44. How are applications assessed? • Capacity to undertake all aspects of the project including, budget and project management, evaluation and reporting - 15% • Evidence of effective consultation, partnering and networking - 10% • Criteria 1-3 constitute 50% of the weighting of the criteria. Criteria 4-6 constitute 50% of the weighting of the criteria

45. The Top 5 Relationship Killers: • Not listening • Communicating only when you’re asking for $ • Not the right person in the job • No professional relationship • Not saying thank you (properly)

46. The payoffs of good relationships with funding bodies: • Gain a better understanding of the funding process • Get help with your proposal • Receive invitations to apply for new grants • Obtain operational support • Access to the funding body • Offer a service to the funding body

47. You should... • Carefully follow the instructions. • Always tailor the proposal and the specific budget request based on your research into the funding body’s priorities and guidelines. • Use ‘declarative’ rather than ‘conditional’ verbs. • Shorter is better. Keep your proposal tight and the details condensed. • Document the ‘need’ or ‘problem’ on multiple levels. Be specific!

48. Tips for Success • When submitting a proposal try to use language describing an ‘investment’, rather than a ‘gift’. Be explicit on the benefits for the grant provider. • Avoid dwelling on problems. Focus on opportunities that result from the challenges your organisation faces and the problems that the project, through adequate funding, will address. • Provide a realistic assessment of the urgency that drives your project submission. Your proposed timeline must reflect both the need for urgent action and the realities of funding cycles.

49. Project Rationale It is important to clearly state why the project is needed. This is where you justify to thefunding body why they should fund your project.

50. Project Rationale In order to do this, you will need to: • Demonstrate the need of the community or region your proposal relates to • Objectively describe the specific situation, opportunity, problem or issue that yourproject addresses. • You will need to clearly and concisely demonstrate that a relevant, compelling problemor need exists and that your project will alleviate the issue or support other efforts to doso. • Support your statements with qualified third-party research or other evidence tosubstantiate the need or problem.