Course Objectives. Course Summary. Philanthropic Giving - USA. Getting Funded. Getting Funded. Prospect Research & Proposal Writing Basics

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Getting Funded

Prospect Research &

Proposal Writing Basics

Presenter: Amelia Nieto-Duval Development Consultant (210) 521-0275 [email protected] 2

Course Objectives

„ Define proposal. „ Define foundation.

„ Compare and contrast the different types of foundations.

„ Demonstrate participants knowledge of the resources available

to research foundations.

„ Research funders for their specific programs.

„ Use worksheets as a tool for researching and evaluating

prospective funders.

„ Organize attachments required by funders.

„ Demonstrate knowledge of the components of proposal writing.

„ Use worksheets in developing each component of a grant

proposal.

Course Summary

„ Statistics „ Definition of a proposal „ Prospect Research „ Definition of a foundation „ Types of foundations „ Getting organized

„ The components of a proposal

„ Grant process

„ Grant management „ Helpful handouts

Philanthropic Giving - USA

„Contribution Sources „Individuals 80.8% „Bequests 6.8% „Foundations 7.3% „Corporations 5.1% „Uses of Contributions „Religion 44.1% „Education 12.5% „Human Svcs. 8.1% „Health 8.8% „Arts, Culture, Humanities 6.9% „Public/Social 4.9% „Environment 2.8% „International 1.4% „Unclassified 5.3%

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What is a Proposal?

„The act of proposing, or suggesting something for acceptance, adoption or performance.

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Prospect Research

„Federal Funding

„Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance www.cfda.gov

„Ask ERIC (Educational Resources Info

Center). http://ericir.syr.edu/

„Federal Register

www.access.gpo.gov/sus_docs/aces/aces140.html

„Department of Education – www.ed.gov „Department of Health and Human Services

www.os.dhhs.gov

Prospect Research

„State Funding

„State of Georgia – www.georgia.gov „Foundation Center – Cooperating Library

„Atlanta Field Office and Library

Suite 150, Grand Lobby Hurt Building, 50 Hurt Plaza Atlanta, GA 30303-2914 (404) 880-0094

„Georgia Department of Education –

www.doe.k12.ga.us

Prospect Research

„Foundations

„The Foundation Center – www.fdncenter.org „The Chronicle of Philanthropy –

philanthropy.com

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Prospect Research

„Know your project

„Elements „Know your funder

„Is your project a fit?

„Have similar projects been funded

„Contact previously funded organizations

„Can proposal be improved from past efforts

„How can you improve your chances of funding?

Source: The Fundraising School Center on

Philanthropy 10

What is a Foundation?

„A nonprofit, nongovernmental organization with a principal fund or endowment of its own. „An organization which maintains or aids

charitable, educational, religious, or other activities serving the public good, primarily by making grants to other nonprofit

organizations.

„An organization created and organized as a corporation or charitable trust under state laws and which receives federal tax-exempt status from the IRS code.

Types of Foundations

„Independent

„Founded by an individual, a family or a group of individuals.

„Company Sponsored

„Created and funded by companies as separate legal entities.

„Operating

„Does not make grants. Funds are expended to operate its

own charitable programs.

„Community

„Publicly supported foundation operated by and for the

benefit of a specific community or geographic region.

Examples of Foundations

„Independent „Ford Foundation „Flinn Foundation „Company Sponsored „General Electric „Microsoft „Community Foundation

„The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

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Getting Organized

„Worksheets

„Assessing your organization

„Prospect Research „Foundation „Individuals „Requesting Guidelines „Phone „Fax „E-mail „U.S. Mail „Internet 14

Assessing your Organization

„Is your organization well-managed?

„Defined Hierarchy „Fiscally sound?

„Conduct annual review of its finances

„Have a developed history?

„Has organization expanded services since its

inception.

„Have a record of program integrity?

„Have programs that were instituted

Prospect Research

„Foundations „Individuals

Proposal Components

„Cover Letter „Executive Summary „Statement of Need „History/Mission of Organization „Project Description „Goals/Objectives/Activities „Budget & Budget Narrative

„Evaluation

„Management „Sustainability „Narrative

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Cover Letter

„Written after the proposal has be completed „Elements of a cover letter:

„One page

„Give a brief description of program „How program fits into their funding priorities „Amount requested from foundation „A brief description of your organization

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Executive Summary

„Briefly describe problem your organization plans to address.

„A brief description of the program that will address the problem.

„The amount of funding needed to address the problem.

„A brief description of why your organization is equipped to address the problem.

„It should be one page.

Statement of Need

„What is the problem or social need that is central to your organization’s concern? „Why is this a problem?

„Who is being affected by the problem? „What are the consequences of this problem if

not addressed? „Documentation

History and Mission

„History

„A brief description of how and why the

organization came into being and its current activities.

„Mission

„A statement of the human and societal needs the organization exists to serve.

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Project Description

„Detailed description of how the organization plans to implement the program, which will address the need. This description should include the location where the program will take place and the procedures that will be followed to ensure the success of the program.

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Goals and Objectives

„Goals

„A statement of what the organization plans to accomplish with the proposed program. „Objectives

„Measurable, achievable, time specific and

results oriented tasks that ensure the goals are achieved.

Sample Goal & Objective

„Goal: Our Core Knowledge curriculum will

help children read better.

„Objective: Our core knowledge program will

assist 250 children in the 4th_{grade improve}

their reading scores by one grade level as demonstrated on standardized reading tests administered after participating in the program for six months.

Budget & Budget Narrative

„Financial description of the proposed project and explanatory notes. „Components of a Budget „Personnel „Fringe Benefits „Travel „Equipment „Supplies „Contractual „Construction „Match or in-kind „Indirect Costs

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Evaluation

„Provides information that has been gathered to determine if the stated goals and

objectives have been met.

„There are two types of evaluations

„Formative „Summative

Source: The Fundraising Institute 26

Formative Evaluation

„Anticipates results while planning „Who is the target audience? „Is there the ability to monitor progress? „Is the timeline realistic?

„What methods will be used in gathering data? „Who is responsible for each aspect of the project? „What factors would change the course midway? „Who will judge results?

„How much impact will the program have? „Is there a contingency plan to modify midway? „Unintended consequences?

„Follow-up planned?

„Have money and time been budgeted for evaluation?

Summative Evaluation

„Provides tools for assessment at the end

„Has program achieved stated objectives? „To what extent are accomplishments attributed to

program?

„Was program conducted the way it was

designed?

„Was the relationship of components to the

effectiveness of the program.

„How will evaluation data be collected? „How will evaluation data by analyzed? „How will evaluation data be reported?

Management

„Outlines how the program will be managed and the personnel involved

„Department Head „Program Director (s) „Coordinators „Assistants „Administrative „Volunteers

Source: The Foundation Center Online 29

Sustainability

„Need to demonstrate to the funder the long term financial viability of the program once funding has ceased.

„What are the funding streams of your

organization?

„current „projected

„Current base of support of your organization „Individuals

„Foundations „Corporations

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Narrative

„This is the chronological explanation of each of the components of the proposal.

„Statement of Need

„History/Mission of organization „Project Description

„Goals/Objectives

„Budget & Budget Narrative „Evaluation

„Management „Sustainability

Attachments

„501c 3 (IRS determination letter) „Copy of organization’s 990 „Articles of Incorporation „Current operating budget „Audited financial statements „Letters of Support „Annual Report „Project Budget „Board of Directors „Staff

Grant Process

„Submitting your proposal is just the beginning

„The review process can take a few weeks or a

few months, depending on the foundation

„You may be asked to submit additional

information about your program and/or organization

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Grant Management

„Your Organization has been awarded a grant

„Send a thank you acknowledging the award signed by your president and/or CEO.

„Inquire about forms, procedures and deadlines

for submitting reports.

„Financial „Progress „Final

„Submit reports on a timely basis.

„Keep all information pertaining to funded grant

together.

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Grant Management

„You have been declined for funding

„There are several reasons why proposals are not submitted. Don’t be discouraged.

„Send a thank you note to the funder for their

consideration of the proposal.

„If appropriate, contact the foundation and speak

to the grants officer.

„Request the reviewer’s comments, if available.

Why Proposal are Declined

„ Project has not been documented properly.

„ Project does not strike viewer as significant.

„ Prospective clients have not been involved in the planning and

determination of goals.

„ Proposal is poorly written.

„ Proposal objectives do not match objectives of the foundation.

„ Budget not in range of available funding.

„ Proposal has not been coordinated with like organizations.

„ Organization has failed to show it can carry out the program.

„ Goals and objectives are too ambitious

„ Foundation guidelines were not followed

„ Not enough evidence that program can sustain itself.

„ Inadequate Evaluation.

Helpful Handouts

„Sample Foundation Summary „Prospect Research Worksheets „Assessing your Organization „Sample Budget & Narrative „Proposal Writing Worksheets „Proposal Checklist

„Grant Writing Tips „Sample Grant