What do funders look for when they evaluate proposals?
Attend this workshop to gain valuable insights on writing needs statements and developing proposals for foundations and government agencies.

Knowing how to tell your story is an essential part of any nonprofit professional’s responsibilities. For those of us who need to tell that story in a grant proposal, this discussion will help jumpstart your ability to write a winning grant proposal.

Specifically, this session will provide participants with tips to writing grant proposals including how to use the request for proposal announcement as a guide, building an outline, and writing a complete grant. In an interactive format, you will have the opportunity to ask questions on a wide range of topics including: pre-grant writing preparation, assessing your readiness, submitting a completed grant proposal and whatever is on your mind in the proposal writing process.

Highlights from the discussion include:
• Learning how to target your limited time and efforts.
• Telling your organization's story and developing a brand.
• Transitioning from a working outline to a ‘live' submission.

What have been your experiences in proposal writing? What can YOU share with others, lessons learned through success and from failure?

Good Morning Grant Writers!

I wanted to say hello and let you know that I look forward to an engaging session with you this morning.

With apologies to David Letterman, I'll be posting my own top five grant writing "issues" in a few moments.

We've officially begun - I'd encourage anyone logging in to not hesitate to ask specific questions. Lauri may have some insight, or I or others 'officially' connected to this session, but we know from experience that you ALL have something to share that everyone can learn from.

Top Five Issue Areas Found in Grant Proposals

5. The budget is not aligned with the program described in the proposal.
(Example: The proposal discussed a comprehensive evaluation component, but the budget doesn’t include funds for an evaluator (internal or external to the organization)).

4. What happens when the grant funds run out?
(Example: The funder has asked you to describe “sustainability” of the project, but you only provide one sentence to say that you will fund funds to make it happen).

3. The evaluation doesn’t meet accepted professional practice.
(Example: Most program or development directors do not have a background in evaluation and the proposal narrative typically falls off the grid in this section. Talk to someone in or out of your organization who can provide helpful tips).

2. The program impact is understood by the writer, but not clearly articulated in the proposal.
(Example: It isn’t clear what you are trying to achieve and who will benefit. State this clearly throughout and don’t use jargon).

1. The number one problem area is a very simple one: not following the funder’s grant guidelines. Read through the entire request for proposal and make sure that every question is answered and no stones get unturned!

Thoughts? Questions?

Who is with us today? I hope we have a great cross-section of experience and backgrounds.

Please describe your grant writing experience. Here are some experience levels to get you started - please use these or make up your own!

Grant what??

My boss told to I need to learn this.

Taken the plunge, may try again.

Taken the plunge, have to keep at it.

I should be leading this webinar!

Taken the plung. May try again and have to keep at it

Lauri Alpern wrote:
Top Five Issue Areas Found in Grant Proposals

4. What happens when the grant funds run out?
(Example: The funder has asked you to describe “sustainability” of the project, but you only provide one sentence to say that you will fund funds to make it happen).

2. The program impact is understood by the writer, but not clearly articulated in the proposal.
(Example: It isn’t clear what you are trying to achieve and who will benefit. State this clearly throughout and don’t use jargon).

1. The number one problem area is a very simple one: not following the funder’s grant guidelines. Read through the entire request for proposal and make sure that every question is answered and no stones get unturned!

Thoughts? Questions?

Lauri,
Thanks for this list...from my experience as a grant reviewer at The Lumpkin Family Foundation, I agree with all five but the three that most resonated with me are:
#1, 2, and 4. #1 is just common sense. Read our instructions and follow them. If you have questions or if something doesn't seem to fit, we are willing with talk with you about it...which gives us a heads-up on your project. #2 is what we usually end up finding out in site visits...if a poorly articulated project makes it to that point. When I have written grants or project proposals, I find talking them through with colleagues and having those colleagues give feedback on the idea and my write-up of it helps tremendously. #4 is very important to us. We don't want to fund something that is great but doesn't have any longevity to it. We are usually okay with some of the project funds going to support an organization in figuring out the sustainability of the program.

Thanks Gina for taking the plunge with your post too!

The the grant writing process is definitely an acquired skill that takes time and effort to master.

I've been a full time grant writer for two years. I guess I can say I have some experience, but wonder sometimes if it's enough!!!

I am with the Illinois Department of Corrections. One of the main barriers experineced by our agency is trying to project sustainability at grant expiration.

Hi Annie,

This is great feedback from the funder's perspective.

In my experience providing technical assistance to grant writers, it is essential to review and re-review the request for proposals so as not to miss any questions/sections/instructions - hence my point #1, which seems so obvious, but is often overlooked. :)

Hi Cathy,

The field as you know is constantly changing, so kudos to you that as an experienced professional, you are continuing to participate in professional development opportunities such as this.

Sustainability is one newer area that we'll get to in the next set of posts.

Cathy Baker wrote:
I've been a full time grant writer for two years. I guess I can say I have some experience, but wonder sometimes if it's enough!!!

Cathy, Now that you are two years in, what questions do you find yourself having?

Pamela Ward wrote:
I am with the Illinois Department of Corrections. One of the main barriers experineced by our agency is trying to project sustainability at grant expiration.

If you work for the Dept of Corrections, is there any public enterprise more likely to be sustained, unfortunately, than jails and prisons?

I'm joking, of course. I can't say I'm a wizened observer of funding for nonprofits and government enterprises but the focus on sustainability - and outcomes - has certainly taken on a heightened level of importance. Funders just don't want to support you for the long-term anymore, go figure.

Again, joking a little. I have to think it would be especially hard these days for an Illinois agency to demonstrate sustainability when the headlines all focus on going broke.

Gina Jacaway wrote:
Taken the plung. May try again and have to keep at it

Hi Gina! So as somewhat of a newbie, what questions do you have? What seems the easiest? What is the most frustrating?

Earl Bricker wrote:
Pamela Ward wrote:
I am with the Illinois Department of Corrections. One of the main barriers experineced by our agency is trying to project sustainability at grant expiration.

If you work for the Dept of Corrections, is there any public enterprise more likely to be sustained, unfortunately, than jails and prisons?

I'm joking, of course. I can't say I'm a wizened observer of funding for nonprofits and government enterprises but the focus on sustainability - and outcomes - has certainly taken on a heightened level of importance. Funders just don't want to support you for the long-term anymore, go figure.

Again, joking a little. I have to think it would be especially hard these days for an Illinois agency to demonstrate sustainability when the headlines all focus on going broke.

Oh, and while it may have appeared that I was thinking you're looking for funding to keep the prisons open, I know you're talking about funding for the many programs aimed at rehabilitation that are offered in those institutions. I got carried away with the light-heartedness but now I'm going to be totally serious.

You are so correct. The difficulty comes when the grant funds have expired and IDOC has to look within a reduced general revenue budget to absorb the cost for what had been an effective initiative.

Hi Pamela,

Thanks for raising a complex challenge in the grant writing process - what do I do about sustainability?

I like to break down the complexity with the following steps/questions, which can serve as an outline of sorts for the sustainability section of a proposal.

STEP ONE:

1. Do you intend to continue this project after funding runs out?

2. For how long?

3. What resources are needed (e.g. culturally competent staff, new board member with legal background, additional computer equipment, new space to meet clients, etc.)

STEP TWO:

Identify sources of future financial resources.
What sources can you use?

Examples:
-Our own budget via existing/increased annual fundraising
-Local government resources
-County government resources
-In-kind contributions
-Earned income

I'm have more to add, but will stop here for now.

I'm glad to see the lively discussion around the complexity of planning for sustainability within the context of dramatically decreasing budgets, especially from state funds.

The next step, step three in figuring out how to discuss sustainability in your grant proposals is as follows:

STEP 3: Internal plans
What internal plans do you have for obtaining future funding?

Examples:

-Incorporate a portion of the program's expenses into our center's operating budget

-Continue collaboration (and if possible cost-sharing) with partnering agencies

-Plan to submit collaborative proposals to leverage partner assets/talents

-Secure in-kind contributions from corporations, which have affinities with our service area

Clearly, there is no magic solution here. This requires creative thinking and honest assessment in the face of difficult times.

Lauri Alpern wrote:
I'm glad to see the lively discussion around the complexity of planning for sustainability within the context of dramatically decreasing budgets, especially from state funds.

The next step, step three in figuring out how to discuss sustainability in your grant proposals is as follows:

STEP 3: Internal plans
What internal plans do you have for obtaining future funding?

Examples:

-Incorporate a portion of the program's expenses into our center's operating budget

-Continue collaboration (and if possible cost-sharing) with partnering agencies

-Plan to submit collaborative proposals to leverage partner assets/talents

-Secure in-kind contributions from corporations, which have affinities with our service area

Clearly, there is no magic solution here. This requires creative thinking and honest assessment in the face of difficult times.

Describing this intentionality of a thought process in a grant application would be amazing. As a funder, we realize that you might not have it all finalized and figured out but showing us that you have some realistic, possible scenarios is key.

Yes. The biggest challenge for our organization is the "unknown" regarding our state funding. We have been thrown in to a "crisis management" scenario without any idea of how to sustain a project once the funding runs out.

In describing how nonprofits could more effectively tell their story, I once heard a foundation exec say, "we don't want to hear how you are going to solve the hunger crisis in the world."

While that sure sounds harsh, I think the point here was that grant proposals need to have crystal clear, measurable information about what will be accomplished with the funding.

It is clear that every organization is now facing increased demand and significantly decreased resources with which to meet the demand.

Sadly, this situation is not likely to change anytime soon. Hence, any response to raising future dollars is not going to sounds like it might have just a few years ago.

So where do we go from here? Addressing the question of "how are we going to pay for this next year (or even next month)" is clearly one of the most perplexing challenges out their for nonprofit professionals. Along with the excellent advice Annie has provided from the funder's perspective and some of the tips I've suggested, you need to work with your team back at the agency to find creative, honest and authentic responses, which may not always sound like perfect solutions, but indicate that you are thinking and planning.

Hello all,

If you are in the grant writing business or thinking about it, you are a busy person! You've taken time out of your day to join us.

What is the most pressing question on your mind related to grant writing?

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Lauri

Here is a nonprofit grant writing guide. Check it out. Is this a helpful resource?

www.npguides.org/

And more (hopefully!) helpful resources:

LINKS

Tips on Writing a Grant Proposal
www.epa.gov/ogd/recipient/tips.htm

What do Winning Grant Proposals Have in Common
www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=4173

Need help with a federal grant proposal?
www.illinoisresource.net

Free Nonprofit Grantwriting Guide
www.npguides.org/

Helpful tips for those of you just getting started with the grant writing process or those veteran grant writers looking for inspiration.

Rule #1: Believe that someone wants to give you the money!

Project your organization into the future.

Start with the end in mind...look at your organization's big picture. Who are you? What are your strengths and priorities?

Create a plan not just a proposal.

Do your homework: Research prospective funders. Try and search locally first. Target funding source that has interest in your organization and program.

Wrapping it up. Thanks to Lauri Alpern for so much good advice and great references! And to Annie and Kelsey from the Lumpkin Foundation for their support of this series of online sessions.

And of course thanks to all who logged in, read and otherwise participated.

The next session will take place in two weeks, July 28, on the topic of The Measure of Success. Hope to 'see' you then.