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Fundamentals of Grant Writing

Fundamentals of Grant Writing. “Tips for Submitting a Compelling Proposal” Presented by: Latrina Patrick, Office of Grants & Contract Compliance. To build the capacity of faith-based and community-based organizations to submit successful grant proposals to the City of Jacksonville.

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Fundamentals of Grant Writing

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  1. Fundamentals of Grant Writing “Tips for Submitting a Compelling Proposal” Presented by: Latrina Patrick, Office of Grants & Contract Compliance

  2. To build the capacity of faith-based and community-based organizations to submit successful grant proposals to the City of Jacksonville. • To teach basic grant writing strategies

  3. Reviewing the RFP • Answer 4 Basic Questions • What • Who • When • How

  4. What? • What is the objective of the grant? • What kind of projects does the funder want to fund? • What geographical area is considered a priority?

  5. Who? • Who is eligible to apply? • Faith-based organizations • Community-based nonprofits • Local Education Authorities • Government agencies • Who is the target population?

  6. When? • When is the grant deadline? • When is the projected implementation date?

  7. How? • How much is the award? • How much does my organization need to contribute? • How many grants will be awarded?

  8. RFP Checklist • Thorough review • Highlight all of the MUST statements • Identify any questions or points of clarification you need addressed.

  9. Final RFP Considerations • Do the goals and objectives of this grant align with the mission of your organization? • Does your organization have the capacity to implement this project? • Fiscal • Human • Physical • Do you have the necessary people and the time to put together a quality application? • It’s ok if you aren’t ready, just build your capacity so when you do apply your chances of being funded increase.

  10. Writing Tips

  11. Follow Instructions • The #1 reason most grants aren’t funded is because applicants don’t follow instructions. • Adhere to format guidelines: • Page length • Font • Line spacing

  12. Mirror the Format • Create sections and subheadings that mirror those in the RFP • Makes it easier to score • Include every question of that section in your draft • This is just to trigger you to respond • Remove these questions in the final draft

  13. Respond to Questions • Respond to what is asked, not what you want to say. • There is a specific reason for each question asked. • If additional information was necessary it would have been included. • Respond to every part of the question.

  14. Outcome Based Results • Demonstrate effectiveness of your program and organization • Evidenced based practices yield better outcomes • Connect results to your efforts • Move beyond quantitative to qualitative • Sustainable outcomes • More appealing to funders

  15. Pay Attention to Scoring • Every point matters • Give special attention to sections with highest scores • Half of points is the actual response to the question • The remaining points are from the substance of the response. • It’s not about the quantity of your response, it’s the quality.

  16. Be Concise • Be thorough in your response, but be concise. • You don’t need a big build up to the response. • It’s typically enough to answer the question directly.

  17. Budget • Needs to correlate to the narrative • All expenses need to be justified and easily explained • Equipment purchases are heavily scrutinized and clearly defined • “Miscellaneous” expenses are the kiss of death • Part of the evaluation/scoring process

  18. Ask Questions • If you’re unclear about any parts of the RFP seek answers (P.O.C.) • It’s common to find errors or conflicting information in an RFP. • Make sure you’ve read it thoroughly before asking questions. • Don’t make any assumptions or skip it.

  19. The Art of Storytelling

  20. Strategic Storytelling • Learn how to tell a compelling story about your organization/work. • What’s your elevator speech? (impetus for starting) • Limited amount of space to tell your story. • Tell it within the parameters provided • This is not a novel nor is it a thesis

  21. Strategic Storytelling • Keep a story bank • Testimonies • Online and print articles • News clips • Cite interviewees • Cite officials • Showcase the good and bad relevant to your problem or program • Document specific outcomes related to your work.

  22. Grab the Reader’s Attention • Use astounding, local data • Relevant, compelling personal stories

  23. Defining the Need Use clear, understandable words Be descriptive Avoid flowery words Not a literary essay, poetry, or fiction

  24. Strategic Storytelling - Example • Repeatedly labeled the Murder Capital of Florida, the City of Jacksonville received this title due not only to its high murder rate, but also its large lead compared to the next highest rated county. • This general rise of murder includes a rise in youth violence as Duval County juvenile arrests for murder/manslaughter doubled from 2014-2015; a 100% increase.

  25. Strategic Storytelling - Example • These statistics demonstrate more youth crime, but youth are also victims of these deadly statistics, making the population's most vulnerable individuals even more vulnerable.

  26. Strategic Storytelling - Example • Although most students are thrilled to exit the school bus at the end of the day, two girls were shot while approaching their stop just last year. The joy students normally feel has turned into fear, directly affecting their abilities to concentrate in school. This fear became reality for a boy who was shot and killed in the driveway of his home. Found in the early morning, he never made it to school. • In January, a child was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting while sitting in a car with his mother and grandmother. He never saw his second birthday.

  27. Strategic Storytelling - Example Alarms are already sounding. Jacksonville is losing another generation of neighborhood kids to crime and violence. The historic community, formerly known as “LaVilla,” is a high-crime, distressed community. Once referred to as the “Harlem of the South,” the neighborhood was part of a vibrant art, music, and silent movie community that supported multiple hotels, theaters, and restaurants. At the center of the neighborhood is Edward Waters College, Florida’s oldest historically black college, founded in 1866. Edward Waters College is a source of pride and a pathway out of the cycle of poverty and crime prevalent in this community today.

  28. Strategic Storytelling - Example • The relationship between residents and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) has been strained for years. The police perceive a lack of community support. The community, likewise, distrusts the police. Easter weekend 2018 serves as a perfect example of this mistrust and disconnect. • At a neighborhood party, two 30 year-old residents were shot and killed in front of 500 to 1000 people. According to police, no one saw a thing. The justifiable fear that informing on a gang is deadly, creates havens of violence and theft. If one is even perceived to be cooperating with law enforcement, his or her life is in peril.

  29. Contact Information • Latrina Patrick • (404) 255-8638 • lpatrick@coj.net

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