To add a some more to yesterday's post about learning from sample proposals, I've opted to share a few bits from Beverly Browning's book, "Perfect Phrases for Writing Grant Proposals". This whole book is filled with sample phrases that you can learn from to craft your own proposal.
One of the more confusing pieces of the proposal process is creating an evaluation plan and explaining your objectives, outcomes and criteria for success. Endlessly, it seems, I am explaining what an "outcome" is and how the objectives meet the goal, etc. It is a difficult thing to wrap your brain around sometimes.
Below are a few examples that I enjoyed in Browning's book. I highly recommend adding this to your book shelf for easy reference when you hit a wall with your writing or need a creative way to describe your measurement framework.
Question: Who will be involved in the evaluation process?
Answer: (For a Fire Safety and Education Program) The evaluation will be conducted on site at each of the targeted elementary schools. Using a stakeholder approach, teachers, administrators, students, and their parents will be asked to provide feedback on the impact of the program.
Objective A: Increase performances for school-age audiences by 25% or more and work to align accompanying music history lecture with the Department of Education's Academic Standards for Arts and Humanities.
Measurement A: Number of lectures and accompanying performances for school-age children and feedback from students and teachers.
It is imperative that you state specifically how you will measure your objective. Giving answers with broad terminology or unattainable feedback goals is not answering the question. Keep it simple and measureable. That is what a funder wants to see!
~Cheers!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Learning From Sample Proposals
Thinking that another, similar organization's proposal can be substituted for one of your own is a mistake. Grant proposals are unique and no two are alike. No two organizations are alike, foundation guidelines are not alike and thinking that your proposal could be a copy of something that has already been submitted is not the way to craft a winning grant.
We can learn a lot from reviewing proposals and reading samples of grant outlines. As writers our senses are altered when we edit work that is not our own. We notice the voice and flow of words that didn't come from our thoughts. We learn a what works and what definitely doesn't. Reviewing grants gives writers the chance to "beg, borrow and steal" good ideas to add their own toolbox.
Below are sample excerpts from two different proposals. Notice the different approaches to the question. Each was asked to answer: What are your long-term funding strategies?
A. ABC Organization's long-term funding strategies for sustaining this effort includes obtaining foundation and corporate grants, soliciting individual contributions and sponsors, in-kind gifts, and conducting a full-scale capital campaign.
B. Collaboration with other programs and agencies continues to be a key to sustainability. The sharing of resources and referrals to external programming allow us to ensure that resources are not duplicated, as well as pooling the knowledge gained to develop the most effective and most innovative education methods. Diversification of funding is also critical in program sustainability. Finally, sustainability will come in the form of an increased emphasis on volunteers. Properly used volunteers can have a tremendous impact on the ability of an agency to serve the community, and over the past three years XYZ Organization has increased its commitment to the use of volunteers in program delivery.
The first proposal was asking for $30,000 a year, for two years. The second, a $5,000 one-time grant.
If you were a grantmaker, which answer sparks your interest? Which answer gives you the information you need? (Remember, grantmakers review a lot of proposals and skim for the answers.) Which response gives you confidence in the grantees actions? Is their plan feasible or is it just fluff that answers the question without a lot of detail?
There is no possible way of knowing what the discussion sounded like when the grants were reviewed. Both answers addressed the question, but how well did they do it in context to their request? Being clear and concise is the best way to form your response.
I hope you learned something from reading these answers and could craft something even better for your own proposal!
~Cheers!
We can learn a lot from reviewing proposals and reading samples of grant outlines. As writers our senses are altered when we edit work that is not our own. We notice the voice and flow of words that didn't come from our thoughts. We learn a what works and what definitely doesn't. Reviewing grants gives writers the chance to "beg, borrow and steal" good ideas to add their own toolbox.
Below are sample excerpts from two different proposals. Notice the different approaches to the question. Each was asked to answer: What are your long-term funding strategies?
A. ABC Organization's long-term funding strategies for sustaining this effort includes obtaining foundation and corporate grants, soliciting individual contributions and sponsors, in-kind gifts, and conducting a full-scale capital campaign.
B. Collaboration with other programs and agencies continues to be a key to sustainability. The sharing of resources and referrals to external programming allow us to ensure that resources are not duplicated, as well as pooling the knowledge gained to develop the most effective and most innovative education methods. Diversification of funding is also critical in program sustainability. Finally, sustainability will come in the form of an increased emphasis on volunteers. Properly used volunteers can have a tremendous impact on the ability of an agency to serve the community, and over the past three years XYZ Organization has increased its commitment to the use of volunteers in program delivery.
The first proposal was asking for $30,000 a year, for two years. The second, a $5,000 one-time grant.
If you were a grantmaker, which answer sparks your interest? Which answer gives you the information you need? (Remember, grantmakers review a lot of proposals and skim for the answers.) Which response gives you confidence in the grantees actions? Is their plan feasible or is it just fluff that answers the question without a lot of detail?
There is no possible way of knowing what the discussion sounded like when the grants were reviewed. Both answers addressed the question, but how well did they do it in context to their request? Being clear and concise is the best way to form your response.
I hope you learned something from reading these answers and could craft something even better for your own proposal!
~Cheers!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Hosting a Site Visit or Tour
When you bring grantmakers to your organization, the work that you do turns into something real and tangible. It makes the words in your proposal come to life.
Your site visit is like any other tour you would give. The preparation may vary slightly, but it's not rocket science. There is no need to over-complicate the tour because it is called a "site visit". If your site visit is required there may be specific guidelines set forth by the funder. Make sure you are aware of these requirements.
Prepare your team with:
- the background on the funder
- what/why you are seeking funding
- an organized tour route
- input from key volunteers or staff related to the project
Do not include people on your tour who don't have a direct link to your tour's purpose. Too many people can quickly overwhelm the situation.
It is incredibly important, especially in small organizations, to let staff know you are having visitors. Do not assume they will be okay with a surprise visits into their workspace. This can have a negative affect on morale when staff who hold your operations together aren't notified of important tours.
Keep remarks by executive directors and board leadership to a minimum. Let your funder ask the questions. Don't go to great lengths to prepare complicated PowerPoint presentations--this is rarely necessary.
Your experience should be "real" and it should reflect your organization. Don't overhaul your workspace or tell staff to dress in a way they normally wouldn't. Your site visit is about showing how you operate on a daily basis. Needless to say, tidying up and taking out the trash is probably a good idea.
After your site visit be sure to send a thank you letter signed by leaders who were part of the visit. This process is no different than after a meeting. Sharing your thoughts on what went well and expressing words of thanks can go a long way!
~Cheers!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Grant Savvy Books: Consulting and Evaluation with Nonprofit and Community-Based Organizations
We're back, Savvy Readers! Enjoy today's posting for the "book of the week".
According to the book review, "The need for consultation and evaluation among non-profits and government agencies has soared in recent years, as funders have demanded accountability and agencies are ill-equipped to provide the types of data-based information needed."
Consulting and Evaluation with Nonprofit and Community-Based Organizations fills a critical gap in the academic literature for non-profit management. This unique text is a collection of advice and voices from a diverse group of successful, practicing consultants who work with non-profits and government agencies. Through surveys and interviews, these experts relate detailed information on how they got started in consulting, what types of services they provide, what types of clients they serve, the biggest challenges they face, and much more. The book also integrates current topics from a wide variety of sources, so that interested readers can easily access important information all in one book.
“As a beginning consultant I sought out a guide such as this but no other source provided such a range of information and experience. The detailed advice, tools, and examples provided in this book will aid new and experienced consultants alike to begin or grow a successful consulting career. It certainly did for me.”
Stay tuned this week for a full line-up of Grant Savvy features!
~Cheers!
According to the book review, "The need for consultation and evaluation among non-profits and government agencies has soared in recent years, as funders have demanded accountability and agencies are ill-equipped to provide the types of data-based information needed."
Consulting and Evaluation with Nonprofit and Community-Based Organizations fills a critical gap in the academic literature for non-profit management. This unique text is a collection of advice and voices from a diverse group of successful, practicing consultants who work with non-profits and government agencies. Through surveys and interviews, these experts relate detailed information on how they got started in consulting, what types of services they provide, what types of clients they serve, the biggest challenges they face, and much more. The book also integrates current topics from a wide variety of sources, so that interested readers can easily access important information all in one book.
“As a beginning consultant I sought out a guide such as this but no other source provided such a range of information and experience. The detailed advice, tools, and examples provided in this book will aid new and experienced consultants alike to begin or grow a successful consulting career. It certainly did for me.”
—Michelle R. Bloodworth, PhD, Community Psychologist and Educational Consultant with Apex Education
Stay tuned this week for a full line-up of Grant Savvy features!
~Cheers!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Technical Difficulties
Grant Savvy is experiencing changes. Please look for new postings later this week...we have lots of new stuff to share in the coming weeks! Thanks for being a "Savvy Reader"!
~Cheers!
~Cheers!
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