How to Write a Successful Grant Proposal
Clean Cities June 21, 2006 Adrienne Henzmann ahenzmann@fsec.ucf.edu 321-638-1004
Where do you begin?
Activities before the RFP is released Prewriting activities after the RFP is released Writing, reviewing, rewriting and editing the narrative Preparing budgets Producing, reproducing, packaging and delivering the proposal Postsubmission activities
• Patrick Miller, Ph.D in Grant Writing: Strategies for Developing Winning Proposal
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Activities before the RFP is released
Deciding if you have a project or program that would be more successful, if you had some money to give it a boost Reviewing websites, publications for grant opportunities Finding a “match” Reviewing winning proposals
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Prewriting activities after release of RFP
Read the RFP thoroughly Plan your approach Schedule plenty of time Analyze RFP requirements and your ability to meet them Review similar, successful projects Garner support from partners, community
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Writing the proposal
Follow the grant maker’s guidelines, directions Submit proposal in complete, appropriate format, with attachments State needs and objectives clearly and concisely Use proper grammar and correct spelling
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More on writing
Involve several “specialists” in the writing process, if possible
Writer(s) Budget developer(s) Reviewers Partners
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Write, review, rewrite and edit the narrative
Write, review . . .
Identify reason for the project (need) Identify goals and objectives List tasks to be accomplished Explain the funding needed
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Write, review. . .
Identify deliverables Develop strategies to evaluate project Describe support for activities from the community or industry
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Write, review . . . Technical Description
What you will do When you will do it Who will do it What their qualifications are How long it will take How much it will cost
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Write, review . . . Technical Description
Address all points listed in RFP Use short, concise sentences and paragraphs (Introductory title) Use bullets, simple tables and diagrams to illustrate description of your project or program Follow RFP formatting directions Avoid acronyms, jargon
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Write, review . . . Executive Summary
First opportunity to “sell” your project Make it eye-catching Give reviewers reason to read on Base it on the technical description “Interesting”, “compelling”, “convincing”, “persuasive”, “unique” should be reactions of reviewers
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Write, review . . . Budget
Be sure your figures are accurate Use the forms, if provided Or use a spreadsheet Keep it simple Get someone to review it
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Final preparations
Production Copying Packaging Delivery Waiting . . .and waiting . . .
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Final prep . . .
Production
Side-by-side review of RFP and proposal Ensure that every page is in its proper place First sigh of relief
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Final prep . . .
Reproduction
Make exact number of requested copies Fasten them in the manner requested Check each individual copy for correct order of pages – and all pages
Packaging
Follow funder’s directions
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Final prep . . .
Delivery Follow directions concerning delivery method Pay careful attention to deadline – DON’T MISS IT! Second sigh of relief In some cases early-arriving proposals have an advantage.
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Follow-up activities
Negotiation Notice of award New list of requirements Adjustments Reporting Celebrating! The work is just beginning
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What if you don’t get the grant?
(Heaven forbid!)
Find out why Debrief with reviewers’ comments Discuss how to strengthen the budget or project plan for next time Review winning proposals, if available
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Credits
Miller, Patrick, Grant Writing: Strategies for Winning Proposals, Reese, Susan, “Grant Writing 101”, Techniques (April 2005) Ward, Deborah, “The Top 10 GrantWriting Mistakes” in the Journal Principal (May 2002)
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