Bricca P. Sweet, Ed.D. - Bricca@Ed-LBEX.org Stacy L. Bahr – SHAKE.SBahr @gmail.com

1. NC CAP - Synergy 2009 Greensboro, NC – April 30, 2009 Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking For Everybody! Bricca P. Sweet, Ed.D. - Bricca@Ed-LBEX.org Stacy L. Bahr – SHAKE.SBahr@gmail.com Chris Torrence – SHAKE.Ctorrence@gmail.com

2. Who Are We? Please – stand up if … Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

3. Agree, Disagree, Can’t Decide • Program publicity is an extra duty. • Our local partners could contribute substantively to our program. • Only grant-seeking experts should develop grant proposals. • Every member of our program could help with developing sustainability. Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

4. Workshop Purposes GOAL: Be able to successfully develop sustainability resources OUTCOMES: ~ Action plans for building local resources ~ Site-based techniques for working with partners ~ Identify potential funders ~ Seek sustainability grants Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

5. Sustainability It’s exactly like the Wendy’s ad! Where’stheBEEF?? Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

6. Vital to Sustainability?? A GREAT Program! Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

7. Sustainability Model Components • Program Visibility • Community-based enrichment with media involvement • Dissemination; practices & findings • Local Collaboration • Partner Cost-Sharing • Donated Goods, Services, and Facilities • Financial Sponsorships (Corporate & Community) • External funds – Mostly GRANTS! Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

8. Possible Local Partners • Civic Groups • School Board • Church Groups • Chamber • Retirees • Medical • Retail • Parks & Rec • Law Enforcement • County Commissioners • Town Council • Firefighters • Cooperative Extension • Realtors Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

9. Local Community Experience What makes your own communities unique? • What are the drawbacks of those unique characteristics? • What are the strengths of those unique qualities? Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

10. Developing Local Resources • Board of Directors • Development Committee • Clear Goal & Mission • Define & Assign Prospects • Practice “Pitch” & Follow-Up • Get out there and ask them! • Recognition & Hoopla! Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everyone

11. What Now?? • You have a GREAT program - highly visible, substantive partners, innovative, reaches those who most need help – still, can not continue without funds for salaries & transportation??? • Call Grant Busters!!! Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

12. Essential Grant-Seeking Steps • Identify specifically what we need to sustain and what each part will cost. • Match our needs with funders’ interests – be clear about why they’re giving their money. Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

13. Search for Funders • GrantStation.com– Cost w/ discounts available. Lots of great tips on website. Weekly newsletter. • Grants.Gov – Free; electronically find and apply for over $400 billion in Federal grants. • SchoolGrants.org – Free; K-12; includes sample proposals. • Links on Ed-LBEX.org; Google searches too. Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

14. Common Grant Application • Introduction and Background of Organization • Describe problem & program • Evaluation plan & its uses • Structure, Admin, Finances • Detailed Budget & Narrative • Supporting letters & evidence Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everyone

15. The Problem Statement • Choose your variables! Why are they important? (Significance) • Desired level for kids & families? How do you know? • Research State & National averages on the desired variables and their related factors • Current level? How do you know? • Local needs data on the desired variables and their related factors Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

16. Solution to the Problem • WHAT will help move your youth and family from the current level to the desired state? How do you know? • Research on theories & programs • Results of best practices - evidence • HOW has your programalready helped? • Evidence / Testimonials Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

17. Practice - Problem Statements • What are you planning to influence (“variable of interest”)? • What is the desired level for your kids and families? • What is the current level? • How does your program move kids and families to the desired level? Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

18. Sample Budget Format Show Your Work! Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

19. Proposal Development Tips • Remember, it’s all about your kids & families • Get in the funder’s shoes • Focus on audience • FOLLOW DIRECTIONS • Write with passion (1st person, active voice) • Be specific!! Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

20. Winner’s Attitude • Surest way to NOT get funded? Don’t apply! • Lesson? Ask for help! • Your kids deserve your best! Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!

21. Wrap - Up WILL YOU & YOUR staff: 1. Enhance community involvement and program visibility? 2. Build local resources that contribute to your program’s operation ? 3. Obtain sustainability funds? Achieving Sustainability: Successful Grant Seeking for Everybody!