Government Grants and Writing Your Proposal For 2010
Michael Jordan
December 24, 2009
1. Preparing Yourself - A successful grant proposal is well-prepared, thoughtfully planned, and concisely packaged. As a potential applicant, you should become familiar with all of the pertinent program criteria related to the assistance program you've targeted. Refer to the information contact person listed in the program description before developing a proposal. Obtain information such as whether funding is available, when applicable deadlines occur, and the process used by the grantor agency for accepting applications. Remember that the basic requirements, application forms, information and procedures vary with the Federal agency making the grant award.
2. Developing Ideas - When developing an idea for a proposal, find out if it has been considered in the applicant's locality or State. Check carefully with legislators and area government agencies and related public and private agencies which may currently have grant awards or contracts to do similar work. If a similar program already exists, you may need to reconsider submitting the proposed project, particularly if duplication of effort is perceived. If you can clearly establish significant differences or improvements in the proposed project's goals, it may be worthwhile to pursue Federal assistance.
3. Getting Outside Support - Outside support for most proposals is essential. Once you've developed the proposal summary, look for individuals or groups representing academic, political, professional, and lay organizations which may be willing to support the proposal in writing. The type and caliber of such support is critical in the initial and subsequent review phases. For more information visit Our Alternative Grant Guide Blog - HERE
Numerous letters of support can be persuasive to a grantor agency. Do not overlook support from local government agencies and public officials. Letters of endorsement detailing exact areas of project sanction and commitment are often requested as part of a proposal to a Federal agency. It may take several months to develop letters of endorsement since something of value (e.g. buildings, staff, services) is sometimes negotiated between the parties involved. Many agencies require, in writing, affiliation agreements (a mutual agreement to share services between agencies) and building space commitments prior to either grant approval or award. For more information visit Our Alternative Grant Guide Blog
A useful method of generating community support may be to hold meetings with the top decision makers in the community who would be concerned with the subject matter of the proposal. The forum for discussion may include a query into the merits of the proposal, development of a contract of support for the proposal, to generate data in support of the proposal, or development of a strategy to create proposal support from a large number of community groups.
Matthew Lesko's Secrets on Writing a Proposal
TIP #1. Ensure that your proposal offers a win-win outcome. Your proposal has to clearly indicate how the recipient will benefit from whatever it is that you're offering. This is especially true in making a business proposal to sell products and services, but it is also true in the case of grant-making organizations; they will give higher ratings to proposals that help them meet their objectives.
TIP #2. Avoid making proposals that are simply cover-ups for clearing your debts. If this is your actual purpose, be upfront about it and show how the other party will not only be repaid, but also gain by dealing with you. Even if it's a bank making a loan, the loans officer is human and will want to feel she/he's doing the right thing by lending you money.
TIP #3. If you're looking for a grant, take the time (hours and often days) to research what's available. Applying to the organization with the program that most closely matches your needs makes a lot more sense than sending out proposals willy-nilly.
TIP #4. After doing initial grant research, make an effort to meet someone involved in the administration of the program. This is a great opportunity to get your questions answered by the right people and to get a "feel" for things. For more information visit Our Alternative Grant Guide Blog
TIP #5. Invest resources appropriate to the proposal you are making. In other words, if you're applying for a $100,000 grant, spend more than a few hours and a few dollars on it. Think about this: some organizations, especially educational, virtually live on grants and they have full-time experts who do nothing but prepare the grant applications. Can you do better than an expert in one-tenth the time? Unfortunately, some people think they can.
2. Developing Ideas - When developing an idea for a proposal, find out if it has been considered in the applicant's locality or State. Check carefully with legislators and area government agencies and related public and private agencies which may currently have grant awards or contracts to do similar work. If a similar program already exists, you may need to reconsider submitting the proposed project, particularly if duplication of effort is perceived. If you can clearly establish significant differences or improvements in the proposed project's goals, it may be worthwhile to pursue Federal assistance.
3. Getting Outside Support - Outside support for most proposals is essential. Once you've developed the proposal summary, look for individuals or groups representing academic, political, professional, and lay organizations which may be willing to support the proposal in writing. The type and caliber of such support is critical in the initial and subsequent review phases. For more information visit Our Alternative Grant Guide Blog - HERE
Numerous letters of support can be persuasive to a grantor agency. Do not overlook support from local government agencies and public officials. Letters of endorsement detailing exact areas of project sanction and commitment are often requested as part of a proposal to a Federal agency. It may take several months to develop letters of endorsement since something of value (e.g. buildings, staff, services) is sometimes negotiated between the parties involved. Many agencies require, in writing, affiliation agreements (a mutual agreement to share services between agencies) and building space commitments prior to either grant approval or award. For more information visit Our Alternative Grant Guide Blog
A useful method of generating community support may be to hold meetings with the top decision makers in the community who would be concerned with the subject matter of the proposal. The forum for discussion may include a query into the merits of the proposal, development of a contract of support for the proposal, to generate data in support of the proposal, or development of a strategy to create proposal support from a large number of community groups.
Matthew Lesko's Secrets on Writing a Proposal
TIP #1. Ensure that your proposal offers a win-win outcome. Your proposal has to clearly indicate how the recipient will benefit from whatever it is that you're offering. This is especially true in making a business proposal to sell products and services, but it is also true in the case of grant-making organizations; they will give higher ratings to proposals that help them meet their objectives.
TIP #2. Avoid making proposals that are simply cover-ups for clearing your debts. If this is your actual purpose, be upfront about it and show how the other party will not only be repaid, but also gain by dealing with you. Even if it's a bank making a loan, the loans officer is human and will want to feel she/he's doing the right thing by lending you money.
TIP #3. If you're looking for a grant, take the time (hours and often days) to research what's available. Applying to the organization with the program that most closely matches your needs makes a lot more sense than sending out proposals willy-nilly.
TIP #4. After doing initial grant research, make an effort to meet someone involved in the administration of the program. This is a great opportunity to get your questions answered by the right people and to get a "feel" for things. For more information visit Our Alternative Grant Guide Blog
TIP #5. Invest resources appropriate to the proposal you are making. In other words, if you're applying for a $100,000 grant, spend more than a few hours and a few dollars on it. Think about this: some organizations, especially educational, virtually live on grants and they have full-time experts who do nothing but prepare the grant applications. Can you do better than an expert in one-tenth the time? Unfortunately, some people think they can.
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