Grant Writing and Budgeting

1. Grant Writing and Budgeting Laura Rubin Huron River Watershed Council

2. Huron River Watershed Council • Nine staff; budget of $750,000 • 70-80% grant dependent • Past history • Grant writing experience

3. 1st Step: Project Idea • Think it all out and know it thoroughly • Be succinct; one sentence description • Establish partnerships; contact them • Leverage funds • Estimate budget • Timing

4. Research (don’t skip this step) • What is out there? • Libraries for CDs and publications • Web searches • List-Serves • Services • Word of mouth • Other similar project funding

5. Research (don’t skip this step) • Decide if it’s a good fit • Who are they and what do they fund • Search web, past 990s • Look at trustees/board • Timeline • Know their region, focus, interests, people

6. Contact • Contact funders or “contact” if allowed…… • IF ALLLOWED, do it • IF NOT, don’t ever

7. Read RFP • Read RFP thoroughly a couple of times • Follow it exactly in your writing • Answer their questions • Follow their format

8. Write Proposal • Use clear and concise language • Be straightforward • Follow the format • Set clear goal/s and objectives and complimentary tasks • Evaluation • Partnerships

9. Budgeting • Salary and fringe • Contractual • Equipment and Supplies • Other Direct • Indirect • Inflation and unknowns

10. Tips and Nuggets • Establish relationships with funders and contacts • Show them your excitement • Be clear and simple; one sentence • Persistence works