competitive grant seeking for for-profit businesses
TRANSCRIPT
Competitive Grant Seeking for For Profit Businesses
Presented by Diane H. Leonard, GPCMicki Vandeloo, GPC
DH Leonard Consulting & Grant Writing Services, LLC
Introductions• Diane Leonard, GPC, Owner,
DH Leonard Consulting & Grant Writing Services
• Thirteen years of fundraising experience
• More than eleven years of professional experience in grant seeking and grant making
• Success percentage of 65% of proposals being funded - have raised tens of millions of dollars for clients
Introductions• Micki Vandeloo, GPC, Grant
Consultant, DH Leonard Consulting & Grant Writing Services
• 25 years of manufacturing experience• 10 years writing grants for for-profit
and non-profit organizations• Bachelors in Industrial Engineering,
MBA• Unique combination of technical skills,
creativity and writing expertise
Workshop ObjectivesTo learn:● The type of grant funding for-profit businesses are
eligible for;● What types of activities and outcomes within a business
are appropriate for grant funding;● How to apply for grant funds as an individual business or
through partnerships; and● Best practices from case studies of for-profit company
experiences.
Agenda
• Overview of Grants• For-Profit Business Grants• NYS Combined Funding Application• Case Studies• Resources• Questions
What is a Grant?
What is a Grant?
noun1. a sum of money given by an organization, esp. a
government, for a particular purpose.
What is a Grant?
How Grant Applications Vary by Funder Type
How Grant Applications Vary by Funder Type
• Important to understand the motivation behind the funding opportunity as it will change how you put the application together• Government funding focuses on connection to
governmental policy (i.e. - job creation)• Private funding focuses on connection to mission
and often the hands on program
Creating Compelling Grant Elements That Tell a Story
Creating Compelling Grant Elements That Tell a Story
• Critical to create a consistent story/message• Need to engage reviewer, share passion for
project• Need to demonstrate how proposed project
will create impact
Cover Letter• Request amount• Tailor the message• Reference past contact• Components of proposal included• Offer to answer questions/meet• Signature from leadership
Executive Summary
Typically, a maximum of one page
Should Include:• Request• Need• Project Description• Organization and its expertise
Statement of Need
Include:• Statistics to demonstrate need• Anecdotal information (quotes, cases, etc)
Appeal to:• Senses• Things anyone can relate to• Funder's organizational priorities
Project Description
5 Main Sections
• Goals & Objectives• Methods (Activities & Timelines)• Organizational Capacity/Staffing• Evaluation• Sustainability
Organization Capacity
• Date of founding and mission• Organizational structure, expertise and
programs• History/success of providing similar programs• Information on staff and board• Audience served
Evaluation
• What does success look like for the project?• Are goals and objectives measurable and
how will they be measured?• If goals and objectives are not being met,
what corrective actions will take place?• What will be done with evaluation
information?
Sustainability
Sustainability
• Answer the question of how the program/project will continue beyond grant support
• Be honest about plan• Continuous grant seeking isn’t a long-term
solution
BudgetExpense Information Including:
PersonnelNon-PersonnelOverhead (know each funder’s limits related to overhead!)
Income Information Including:Earned IncomeGrants and Gifts
Budget Narrative/Justification• Use of formulas within
budget forms and within budget narratives
• Critical to have budget narrative/budget justifications align with the project narrative
AttachmentsProvide only the attachments requested
If there are other attachments you wish to provide that are not requested with the application, reference them in your cover letter as available upon request from the funder
Top Reasons Proposals are Denied
1. The program does not meet the funder's priorities
2. The program is not located in the geographic area of funding
3. The proposal does not follow the required format
4. The proposal is poorly written and difficult to understand
Top Reasons Proposals are Denied (cont.)
5. The objectives and plan of action for the project greatly exceed the budget and timelines for implementation
6. There is insufficient evidence that the program can become self-sufficient after the grant is completed
For Profit Business Grants
Funding Sources for Businesses● Local Sources of Funding
○ Local government economic development programs
○ Local utilities○ Community colleges○ USDA regional offices○ Funding through Tax Increment
Financing or Zones (Blighted or Empowerment)
Funding Sources for Businesses (cont.)
● Statewide Sources of Funding○ State economic development entities○ Federal funding issued to states for
management/distribution (ARRA)○ Funding to support initiatives
■Recycling■ Training■ Transportation
Funding Sources for Businesses (cont.)
● Federal Sources of Funding○ Small Business Innovation Research
(SBIR)○ Small Business Technology Transfer
(STTR)○ More likely to access by partnering with
a college or non-profit
Projects That Stand The Best Chance of Getting Funded
● Job creation/retention!!!!● Avoiding layoffs or plant closure● Local economic impact
Projects That Stand The Best Chance of Getting Funded
● Increased skills● Individual/group training
Projects That Stand The Best Chance of Getting Funded
● Equipment energy savings● New technologies
Projects That Stand The Best Chance of Getting Funded
● Well thought out and planned activities
“Must Have” Documents for Successful Grant Applications
● Business plan● Strategic plan● Project plan with realistic numbers and
schedule● Training plan● Financial statements
Potential Funding Hurdles● Project not consistent with funding cycles● Project delays waiting for funding approval● Unwillingness to share financials/personal
information● Davis-Bacon and other federal regulations● Inability to commit to project objectives
NYS Combined Funding Application (CFA)
NYS Combined Funding Application (CFA)
NYS Combined Funding Application (CFA)
NYS Combined Funding Application (CFA)
Frequently Asked Questions● What is the CFA?● What agencies make funding available
through the CFA?● Who is eligible? How often?● How are applications score?
NYS Combined Funding Application (CFA)
Additional Information and Resources
http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/
Case Studies
Case Study 1: Equipment Funding
● Steel service center received a $2.3 million grant
● Grant was to purchase machinery to serve the wind energy industry
● Resulted in 25 new jobs, 8 retained jobs and a 25% increase in sales
Case Study 1: Equipment Funding
Notes
Lessons Learned
Case Study 2: Training Funding● Company wanted to train its employees on
continuous improvement and quality techniques
● Launch of training program was delayed while funding applications were reviewed
● Awarded $15,400
Case Study 2: Training Funding
Notes
Lessons Learned
Case Study 3: Recycling Funding● Company collects and processes recyclable
material● Need to purchase equipment to increase
capacity to serve a growing customer base ● Applied for $30,000 in funding ● Denied because the company couldn’t obtain
the customer commitment letters
Case Study 3: Recycling Funding
Notes
Lessons Learned
Case Study 4: Company That Turned Down $600,000
● Company applied for manufacturing incentive program.
● Awarded the grant several months after application, but funding was contingent on hiring 20 additional people.
● In the time it took for the funding to be approved, the company had already hired 10. They turned down the funding as they couldn’t commit to hiring 20 more.
Case Study 4: Company That Turned Down $600,000
Notes
Lessons Learned
Resources
Published Daily on the Grant Writer’s Blogwww.dhleonardconsulting.com
Resources
Micki’s Bloghttp://www.lakeviewconsulting.net/blog.html
Resources
Federal Register www.federalregister.gov
Grants.govwww.grants.gov
Resources
New York State Grants Gatewayhttp://www.grantsreform.ny.gov/
Consolidated Funding Applicationhttps://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/
What Will Be Different?
What will YOU do differently when you return to your office?
What/how will you share with members of your team?
Questions?
Think of a question afterward?
Email Diane at [email protected]
Email Micki at [email protected]