Finding the Elusive Dollar: Grant Search Tips and Tricks

1
Finding the Elusive DollarGrant Search Tips and
Tricks

• Jeff Imparato
• Topeka/Shawnee County Public Library
• Kristi Wilson
• Washburn University

2
BEFORE You Begin Your Grant Search

• Do you REALLY KNOW your project?
• Can you describe your project in 15 sentences or
  less?

3
Select Your Keywords

• Keywords help to narrow down your grant search.
• Puts your ideas into action-oriented wording and
  steps
  
• Keywords will help to determine the type of
  funding you will be seeking.

4
Describe Your Project

• Use the tried and true open-ended questions we
  all know from grade school, with a little
  tweaking!

When? Why? How Much? So What?
Who? What? Who? How?
5
WHO (are you)?

• The organization you represent (WU)
• IRS structure
• Geographic location
• Organizations mission
• Key fields of interest
• Specific types of support needed
• Who will be served by the project

6
WHAT (is the need you are addressing)?

• Needs Statement
• Needs Assessment (to back up your claim)
• Literature review
• Surveys
• Research
• Is anyone else addressing this need?

7
WHO (will this project serve)?

• Who will directly benefit from your project?
• Who will indirectly benefit from your project?

8
HOW (will this project be implemented)?

• What are you doing in your project?
• How will you deliver the service or develop the
  research you are proposing?
  
• This section is ACTION-oriented.
• Important to know before you approach funders!

9
WHEN (will this project begin and end)?

• How long will you need financial assistance?
• When can the funder expect results from your
  project?
  
• Do you have a sustainability plan?

10
WHY (is this project worthwhile)?

• Why is YOUR project the BEST way to address the
  need you have identified?

11
HOW MUCH (will this project cost)?

• What is the approximate budget for your project?
• What will the funds be used for?
• How much will you be asking for in grant funds?
• Is there a match requirement (cash and/or
  in-kind)?

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SO WHAT?

• What makes this particular need important to
  address?
  
• What is the BROADER IMPACT?

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Private Funding Search(Foundations)

• Jeff Imparato
• Introduction
• Foundation Center Directory
• Foundation Center Collection

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Kristis Search Tips and TricksPrivate Funding

• Purpose and activities See if the funder has a
  preference for giving to certain types of
  projects.
  
• Geographic location National or Kansas.
• Limitations (emphasis, primarily, limited)
• Application information What types of
  information can you obtain about the funder?
  
• IRS filing (990 form) Will tell you who the
  funder has given to within a year.

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Kristis Search Tips and TricksPrivate
Funding-contd

• Take plenty of discs!
• Name grant search results by the keywords you
  have used for the search.
  
• If a funder comes up in multiple searches for the
  same project, pay attention!
  
• Most of the funders have websites-visit them.
• Check with WEA BEFORE you approach a foundation
  for project funding!
  

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Public Funding Search(Government)

• WU Grants Office Website
• http//www.washburn.edu/php/grants-office/funding.
  php
  
• Grants.gov
• Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
• Agency websites

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Kristis Search Tips and TricksPublic Funding

• Look for eligibility requirements
• WU is NOT a non-profit 501(c )3 institution.
• FA (Indirect) Costs-we can assist you with these
  calculations. Do not shy away from a grant due
  to this issue!
  
• Check on Agency websites for more inclusive grant
  information and application instructions (can
  start grant preparation ahead of time).
  

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Kristis Search Tips and TricksGeneral
Information

• Keep an open mind about the focus of your
  project.
  
• Remember your project must also move the
  FUNDERS mission forward.
  
• Check application deadlines to see if you can
  realistically turn in a QUALITY grant proposal.
  
• Review the list of recent grantees to see if
  there are any parallels between your project and
  what they have funded in the past.

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Kristis Search Tips and TricksGeneral
Information-contd

• Note the high, low and average amount a funder
  gives for a project.
  
• Check to see if WU has received prior funding
  from the entity you are researching.
  
• Pay attention to grant administration
  requirements.
  
• Electronic grant submissions-check with the GO
  office to make sure WU is registered with the
  funder for electronic submissions.
  
• Do your homework BEFORE you contact a funders
  Program Manager.
  

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Who Does What?

• Performing a grant search is a COLLABORATIVE
  effort.
  
• Grants Office-will identify possible funding
  opportunities.
  
• Applicant-must review these opportunities and
  identify the funders they want to seriously
  pursue.

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Upcoming Attractions

• Grants Office database to store information about
  grant opportunities.
  
• Develop a funding bulletin for faculty/staff
• Please let me know if you discover grants of
  interest during your searches!

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Questions
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Thank You for Attending!

• Jeff Imparato, Supervisor
• Foundation Center Funding Collection
• Topeka/Shawnee County Public Library
• [phone]
• jimparat_at_mail.tscpl.org
• Kristi Wilson, Grants Facilitator
• Grants Office-Division of Continuing Ed
• Extension 1403
• kristi.wilson_at_washburn.edu