Developing Quality Grant Proposals

1. Developing Quality Grant Proposals U.S. Department of Education Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives www.ed.gov/faithandcommunity

2. Navigating the Grants Process Receiving the grant award Submitting the proposal Writing the grant Researching opportunities Understanding the process Beginning the journey…

3. Sample Model Proposal Office of Migrant Education Readers Scores: High School Equivalency Program CFDA Number:: 84.141A 100 100 99

4. Agenda • Review the grant application notice • Establish timetables • Address the selection criteria • Highlight model proposal strengths Provide useful grant writing tips

5. Grant Application Notice • Published in Federal Register • Accessible via the web • Contains all vital information • Primary tool for writing the proposal • Serves as outline for proposal

6. Using the Application Notice • Don’t be intimidated by the language • Read notice thoroughly • Note application workshops • Print out all included forms • When in doubt ask questions

7. Key Program Questions • Who is eligible? • When is the deadline(s)? • What is the CFDA number? • What is the award amount per grant? • How many projects will be funded?

8. Key Program Questions 6. Is there a matching requirement? 7. Where can I get the application? 8. Is there a page limit? 9. Where do I submit the application? 10. Who is the program contact?

9. D-U-N-S Number • Beginning October 1, 2003 all applicants must have a D-U-N-S # • Dun & Bradstreet • No application will be accepted without a D-U-N-S number • Unique identifier for organizations • To register for a D-U-N-S number 1-888-814-1435 http://sbs.dnb.com/default.asp

10. Submitting Proposals • Mail original plus required copies • Participate in e-application process • May be required unless a waiver is granted • Contact GAPS hotline with questions, Monday- Friday: 8:00 AM –6:00 PM (DC time) at: 1-888-336-8930 Pilot Project e-Application http://e-grants.ed.gov/egWelcome.asp?APP=

11. Establishing Timelines • Assess time available • Recipe: 2/3 planning; 1/3 writing • Outline necessary to be successful • Assemble a writing team • Register with e-application early • Submit electronically 24 hours prior to the stated deadline

12. Monetary Road Map Clear, concise, and detailed Consistent with institutional policy Meets federal requirements Aligned with purpose/statute Plots out the life of the grant Achieve project goals

13. Inverted Pyramid • Useful writing style for page limits • Evident in newspaper stories • Prioritizes information • Makes editing easier Most valuable Least Valuable

14. Visual Aids Charts, tables, maps, and graphs can: • Maximize space • Emphasize main points • Allow for quick comparisons Ensure symbols are clear for black and white copying

15. Selection Criteria • Addressing the statute ( 5) • Novice eligibility ( 5) • Need for project (15) • Quality of project design (20) • Quality of project services (15) • Quality of project personnel (10) • Adequacy of resources (15) • Quality of project evaluation (20) Goal: 105

16. Meeting the Authorizing Statute • Not a “gimme” • Proposal must address statute • The opener of the narrative • Tie your proposal’s purpose to the statute • Connects other criteria together

17. Novice Eligibility A novice applicant has… • Never administered this grant program • Not administered a federal grant in the last 5 years • Checked block six on ED Form 424 All organizations submitting a proposal in partnership must meet this definition

18. Need for Project • Typically sets the tone for proposal • Must be demonstrated through facts • Avoid emotion and rhetoric • Use most recent statistics and data • Compare target area with region and nation • Access Census website

19. Utilizing Census Data • National and regional assistance • Site is free and user-friendly • American factfinder is primary tool for accessing statistics on: • Population • Income • Education • Track patterns by decade http://www.census.gov/

20. Quality of Project Design • Should meet the stated need • Reflects the life of the grant project • Detail recruitment of target population • Varied means of addressing need • Community outreach • Contingency plans

21. Quality of Project Services • Curriculum proven via scientifically based research & practice • Cite examples of annual activities • Demonstrate how criteria meets need • Address professional development • Staff input & participant feedback

22. Quality of Project Personnel • Detailed job descriptions • Competitive job qualifications • Time & effort and salaries • Resumes if applicable • Demonstrate staff’s ability to • relate to target population www.dol.gov/dol/topic/wages/index.htm

23. Adequacy of Resources • Allowable, allocable, reasonable • Budget for life of the grant • Address matching requirements • Non-federal support from applicant and partners—community buy in • Focus on sustainability

24. Quality of Project Evaluation • Ambitious but attainable objectives • Annual goals and objectives • Time for input during project • Achieved through services • Meets the need • A tool for replicating success

25. Winning Reminders • Plan in advance • Update statistics & applicant data • Budget wisely • Request a D-U-N-S number • Register with e-Application • Locate agency guidance • Implement reader comments • Apply, Apply, Apply!

26. www.fbci.gov