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Grant-Writing: Effective Strategies and Processes. Learning Objectives. See grant writing as a holistic process Identify and understand processes to facilitate grant writing in your work Learn to use outcome-based program design tools, specifically for grant-writing purposes. icebreaker.
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Learning Objectives • See grant writing as a holistic process • Identify and understand processes to facilitate grant writing in your work • Learn to use outcome-based program design tools, specifically for grant-writing purposes
Context: Funders and Funding • Economic environment • Types of funders • Sector trends
What challenges do you face when writing grants? Challenges in Grant-Writing
Some Challenges We Identified: • Lack of experience • Framing our message—using funder language • Finding the right ‘fit’ • How to present our budget • Where to find funding sources
Funding Sources Youth-led Funders: • Laidlaw Foundation: www.laidlawfdn.org • Youth Opportunities Fund: http://www.otf.ca/en/applyForaGrant/Youth-Opportunities-Fund.asp • United Way Peel Youth in Action: http://www.unitedwaypeel.org/act/youth-programs/youth-in-action-grants
Funding Sources • Sign up for newsletters ArtReach (at bottom of page): http://www.artreachtoronto.ca/about.html Grassroots Youth Collaborative: http://grassrootsyouth.tumblr.com/tagged/about • Imagine Canada: http://www.imaginecanada.ca/resources-and-tools
Finding a Funder Fit • How do we determine if the funder or funding program is right for us?
Finding a Funder Fit: Some Considerations Know the funder -mission, values, what they represent -how they make selections Know the grant program -eligibility criteria -who and what they funded in the past -size of the fund (amount they disburse) -what they fund: project, operations, capital?
Framework: Telling the Story Climax: Identify and explain the solution Ascending Action: Identify the context, problem, characters… Descending Action: Identify what has been learned, suggest follow-up actions
Ascending Action: Building a Case for Funding Identify the context, problem, characters… • In the context of grassroots organizations, what do context, problem, characters mean? • This will also help you identify your funder fit!
Building a Case: Your Identity Why: your mission/mandate, expertise Who: ages of leadership and clientele (who are you and who do you serve?) Where: what part of the world When: timeframe (remember: funder’s timeframe may be different that you expect)
Building a Case: Your Identity II What: what do you do How: what activities, strategies do you use to achieve your mission
Building a Case: The External Situation Amass evidence: Primary Data • Collect information, feedback, ideas from youth, community etc… • Embed feedback collection in your work: surveys, sticky notes, suggestion box, reach out to past clients, colleagues, and other organizations • Host pilot projects (smaller versions of your idea) and measure success
Building a Case: The External Situation II Amass evidence: Secondary Data • Review reports and use the data and language to build your case • Stepping Up: http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/youthopportunities/steppingup/contents.aspx • Use data and anecdotal explanation Speak to the HEAD + HEART
Ascending Action: Building a Case for Funding Using this information, build a rationale: • Why this work/idea/issue? • Why you/your group/your organization? • Why now?
Climax: Making Your Ask Activity: each group will have 10-15 minutes to put together a logic model -try starting at the end first: what are you trying to achieve? What change do you want to make?
Making Your Ask: Using a Program Design Tool • Makes designing your project manageable • Gets everyone on the same page • Write down all the important elements • Gives structure and clarity • Identifies gaps • Refine your idea
Descending Action: Building an Evaluation • Use your program design tool to build and evaluation Activity: Using your program design tool, identify how you can measure the outcomes (indicators)
Indicators/Measurements Be able to demonstrate to a funder that you have thought through how you are going to measure your impact • Want to demonstrate change, which means you may have to collect data at the beginning of your project and throughout
Framework: Telling the Story Make your ask Demonstrate the impact Build a case
Some additional tips… • Ask someone who doesn’t know your work to review your application • To identify unclear requests • To identify unclear language • To give insight on what resonates with people (data, stories)
Activity: Use your logic model to share a brief outline of your program—we will share potential funders or funding programs
Want to stay in contact? Christa Romaldi @C_RoInTO christaromaldi@hotmail.com
Please feel free to share your feedback—it’s important to us! Thank-you for participating!