Grant Writing for Homeless Programs January 29, 2009

1. Grant Writing for Homeless ProgramsJanuary 29, 2009 Jonda Clemings, MSEd, LSW

3. Build a Solid Foundation • Don’t ask for monies that do not fit your organization’s mission and competency.

4. Your Solid Foundation • Organizational development process • Strategic planning process • Internal planning process

5. Your Solid Foundation • Articulate who you are • Understand target area • Articulate organization’s work • Complete program design

6. From Dream to Reality • Imagine and inspire • Found and frame • Ground and grow • Produce and sustain • Evaluate and renew

7. Mission Statement • Driving force • Organizational purpose • “Why do we exist” • Distinctiveness of agency • Program development

8. Vision &Values • Inspiration & framework for strategic planning • “Compass” of your organization • Traits & qualities • Define “actions” and “goals” • Measure your progress • Core priorities • Character

9. Funding Needs • What do I need funding for? • What kind of funding do I need? • How much do I need? • When do I need the funds?

10. Organizational Development

11. Strategic Plan • Actions to enable success • Goals & objectives • Timelines • Staffing plans • Know “if we got there”

12. Marketing & Community Assessment • Demand for service • Data about constituents • Collaborative partners

13. Marketing & Community Assessment • Research, conditions, & trends • Issues/variables that impede success • Obtain funding • Utilize assets and strengths

14. Leadership & Governance • Executive Director • Financial Officer • Board of Directors/Trustees • Management Team • Policies and Procedures • Job Descriptions

15. Program Development • Mission driven • Derived from strategic plan • Designed with documented need • Designed with measurable objective • Aimed at expansion or replication

16. Business Plan • Comes after strategic plan • Shorter term issues • Financial targets • Designed to appeal to funders • Day-to-day management tool

17. Performance Evaluation • Quality assurance • Outputs • Outcomes

18. Fund Development Plan • Limit crisis fundraising • Diversity funding stream • Long & short term funding priorities • Identify potential resources • Know what you are asking money for and how much

19. 6 Steps to Fundraising • Growth • Involvement • Visibility (Branding) • Efficiency (resourcefulness, ethnical, and timely) • Stability • Conduct effective research

20. What Funders are Looking For • Investment in organization - hand up not hand out • Organizational capacity • Program strengths and predicted impact • Diversity in funding stream • Compatible mission

21. What Funders are Looking For • High-quality programs • Track record of effective program delivery • Capable leadership • Strong organizational & financial infrastructure

22. Looking for the Right Funder • Who funds in my area of interest? • Who funds in my area of need? • Who funds in my geographic area? • Who will provide the support I need? • What are the limitations?

23. Is the Funder Right For Me? • Has the funder supported organizations like mine? • How much does the funder typically give?

24. Research your Funders • Foundation Center database • Search grantmakers • Search companies • Search grants • Search 990’s

25. Research your Funders • Match funder’s interest to project • Develop a targeted list of funders • Do not limit funding to one source

26. Research your Funders • Grantmaker websites • Grantmaker documents • Annual reports • Newsletters • RFP’s • 990-PF and 990

27. Nonprofit Reports • 990 • Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax • Redesigned for tax year 2008 • Transparency for organizations • Promotes tax compliance • Minimizes filing burden

28. Nonprofit Reports • 990-PF • Return of Private Foundation or Section 4847 (a) (1) Nonexempt Charitable Trust Treated as a Private Foundation

29. Assistance • Got questions - ask the funder • Often the funder will: • Review a draft proposal • Answer questions about application • Discuss how project will be evaluated • Describe types of projects also applying

30. Follow Funder Guidelines • Research each funder • Use their application form • Use “common grant” application when necessary • Use other required forms • Pay attention to any exclusions

31. Tapping the Philanthropic Well • Tell your story in all places • Create a web site • Register with search engines • Email newsletters • Network • Press releases • Brochures

32. Why Donors Do Not Give • Not asked • Not impressed • Incompatible missions • Unfavorable perception • Application, request, and/or proposal is flawed

33. Factors for Consideration • Capacity of organization • Need/Extent of the problem • Soundness of the approach • Leverage of other resources • Achieving results • Program evaluation

34. Is the Idea Worth Funding? • What need exists? • What do you hope to achieve? • What is the potential impact? • How will you evaluate the project? • Why should the donor support you? • What is the total project cost? • What are you asking of the donor?

35. A Funder’s View • Experience • Things funders like • Things funders don’t like

36. Funder’s View on Budgets • Is the budget consistent with proposed activities? • Is there sufficient budget detail and explanation?

37. Budget Purpose • Use of resources • Anticipation of funding needs • Indicator of long-range organizational health • Basic income & expenses • Expression of the operation plan

38. Budget Tips • Use funder’s forms • List in-kind expenses and matching revenue • Be flexible about budget - funder may choose to negotiate costs

39. Budget Tips Be Project Specific!!! If you are applying for support to hire a vocational specialist, your budget figures should reflect the expenses (salary, program costs, etc.) related to the position.

40. Budget Tips Understand The Categories If a budget is provided for you, make sure you understand the budget categories. They may be different than what you use.

41. Budget Tips Present Realistic Figures Reviewers will know if a figure is too high or too low.

42. Budget Tips Check the Math On your budget, make sure your figures add up. Expenses should equal income.

43. 7 Tips for Successful Applications • Read, understand & FOLLOW directions • Don’t rush; submit correct information • Proofread - grammar & aesthetics matter • Be concise, direct, and complete • Back up your claims • Check your math • Submit on time

44. Where is the Other Money???

45. Funding Types • Grants • Contracts • Donations/Gifts • In-kind, cash, assets • Earmarked or not • Solicited or unsolicited

46. Funders • Government Agencies • Federal • HUD • SAMHSA • Veterans • State • ODOD • ODMH • Local • CDBG

47. Funders • Private organizations • Foundations • Corporations; corporate giving • Federated funders • Member associations/clubs • Public charities

48. Foundation Types • Independent • Company-sponsored • Community • Operating • 5% payout requirement • 990-PF - disclose total giving

49. Corporation or Corporate Giving • Company-sponsored foundation • Separate legal entity • Small endowments; company contribution • Must file Form 990-PF • Corporate giving • Not separate from corporation • Pre-tax income up to 10% to charities • Do not adhere to foundation laws or regulations

50. Public Charity • Community foundations • Population or issue-oriented funds • Company-sponsored • Discloses through Form 990