tips for a successful federal grant application deborah rosenbloom director of programs jewish women...

Tips for a Successful Federal Grant Application

Deborah RosenbloomDirector of Programs

Jewish Women Internationalwww.jwi.org

Overview

• Preparation• Searching for Opportunities• Applying• Partnerships• Timeline/Process

DUNS

• Data Universal Number System• Tracks allocation of federal funds • Register now:

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform

CCR Central Contractor

Registration• Apply at www.ccr.gov

– Can take 3 business days if already have TIN or EIN

– If not, get TIN/EIN from IRS – takes 2 weeks!

**RENEW ANNUALLY**(5 business days)

• For help: https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/doc/

UserAccount.pdf– If problem after registering:

www.fsd.gov

• E Biz POC (point of contact)

• Special Password: M Pin• E Biz POC to designate

AOR who may submit

AOR = authorized organization representative

AOR process

• AOR needs user name/password– Must wait 1 business

day after getting CCR– Then complete profile

on Grants.gov– Must know DUNS to

complete profile

• User name/password = electronic signature

• E Biz POC gets email AOR applied for user name/password

• E Biz POC logs on grants.gov using M PIN to approve

• AOR gets confirmation email

Registration Checklist + Details

1. Step by Step Guide to Registrationhttp://www.grants.gov/section910/

Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf

2. Applicant User Guidehttp://www.grants.gov/assets/

ApplicantUserGuide.pdf

How to locate grants

• List-serves

• Check websites

• Subscribe: www.grants.gov

Request for Proposals (RFP) Posted

• Submit Letter of Intent (LOI)• Register for TA Conference Call• Ensure organization has completed

DUNS, CCR, E Biz POC, AOR process!• Complete standard assurances• Get signatures!• Get Financial statements (usually

audit)

T/A Conference Call

• Register

• Read RFP

• Determine questions

• Email or ask questions

Realistic project

• responsive to request

• collaborative partners

• capacity to accomplish – Expertise, budget, timeframe

Critical to Success

• Call grant office for clarification

• Collaborate with community stakeholders

• Start early and don’t give up

Partnerships

• Why?• Who?

– What makes a good partner?• Working relationship: reach out now• Complements your expertise• Brings additional resources• Increases likelihood of successful project

Writing the proposal

• Read RFP again • Call grant office for clarification, if

needed• Assign staff responsibilities for grant • Internal timeline• Start collecting letters of support

Basics of writing

• Over write, edit later• Use bullets, lead the reader• Keep editing and share with

partners• Be sure proposal is responsive• Use language from solicitation• Double check font size, page length• Outsider to read for clarity and typos

Narrative

• Statement of need• Measurable objectives• Program description and plan • Organizational capacity• Staff expertise• **Don’t assume reader is familiarwith your organization or work**

Four Key Questions

1. Why do you need the funding?2. What you will do with the funding?3. Why you? – capacity and resources

you and partners bring to the project4. How much $$ do you need?

Be sure Need Statement connects to the Project.

Abstract

• Don’t write at last minute

• Selling tool

• Strong, dynamic summary of project

Budget and Budget Narrative

• Be realistic

• Relate to project

• Clearly show how $$ will be spent

Partner letters (MOU)

• Clearly state history/relationship

• Clearly state responsibilities in project and how will work together

Letters of Support

• List of potential letters• Assign staff and timeline• Provide description of project• Provide address and solicitation #

Before Uploading & Sending

• Check for correct signatures• Double check on page limit/font• Follow order of documents as

requested• Upload early in day • Post hardcopy by deadline• Save copy for your files

Questions? Deborah Rosenbloom drosenbloom@jwi.org

www.jwi.org