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Governor's Grants Office News
Martin O'Malley Anthony Brown
Governor Lt. Governor Spring 2012
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Greetings!
This is the time of year when we compile our Annual Report that lists the various federal grants received by all Maryland state agencies - what we pull in, and what each agency does with the funds. The data is still coming in but there will be no surprise that the end of the Recovery Act means an overall reduction in federal funds to Maryland state government, and to federal grant recipients (and sub recipients).
We will provide the exact figures in the next newsletter but when grant funds are tight this could be the optimal time to brush up on your grant seeking and grants management skills.
This e-newsletter touches on a variety of possibilities, whether learning more about the OMB circulars (including the proposal to merge them together) or seeing if the job skills listed in the new Maryland Grants Manual match those in your toolbox. Upcoming Grants Office webinars will provide advice on preparing for the end of an audit (based on real world experience from the last two months) and how to use available Census data to make your best case in a grant application. Other trainings from some of our partners and colleagues focus on finding grant opportunities nationwide and the basics of grant writing.
Federal grant programs will continue to fluctuate (though the forecast for the year ahead is clearly more down than up). Keeping your skills sharp never goes out of fashion.
Sincerely,
Eric Brenner
Governor's Grants Office |
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 New Proposed Office of Management and Budget Regulations For Grants
The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) wants to revise their regulations for improved efficiency. This would be a major change to ALL of the OMB circulars that govern and guide grantees through the federal grants management and Single Audit process.
The "advanced notice of proposed action" is in the Federal Register and posted to the Governor's Grants Office website for future reference. OMB is actively seeking comments by APRIL 30, 2012. If you are a grants manager, now is your chance to weigh in on the future of federal grants management.
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Maryland is First State To Use Online Auction to Raise Funds for Venture Capital Program
InvestMaryland will deploy first round of funds to seed early stage companies this summer
 Governor Martin O'Malley and Peter Greenleaf, chairman of the Maryland Venture Fund Authority, announced that $84 million has been raised for Maryland's Innovation Economy through InvestMaryland - an historic initiative created by the Governor and passed by the General Assembly last year to invest in the State's promising start-up and early stage companies. The $84 million raised far exceeds a goal of $70 million and was generated through an online auction of premium tax credits to insurance companies with operations in Maryland. While other states have sold tax credits to fund similar venture capital initiatives, Maryland is the first state to use an online auction to raise the capital for such a program. The inaugural round of investments will be made in innovative companies this summer through several private venture capital firms and the State's successful Maryland Venture Fund (MVF.)
"We are pleased to announce that Maryland has taken a significant step forward in generating capital for our businesses and creating jobs," said Governor O'Malley. "For the first time in our nation's history, a state has successfully held an online auction to raise funds for a venture capital program and as a result, Maryland will infuse $84 million in venture capital into our Innovation Economy to create jobs. Our State is well-positioned to be a leader in the new economy as a global hub of innovation - a leader in science, security, health, discovery and information technology. That's why last year, together with business leaders from across the State and the General Assembly, we chose to invest in our diverse and highly-educated workforce and the skills and talents of our people for the jobs and opportunity of tomorrow." InvestMaryland is the largest venture capital investment in history by the State. The program is being implemented through the Venture Fund Authority and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED). |
GGO Publishes Online Grants Manual
The Maryland Governor's Grants Office has created an online Grants Manual.
The manual will be updated to keep grants professionals at state agencies, local governments and non-profits up-to-date with technical information about the grants process on both the federal and state level. The manual displays consolidated information on best practices and other federal grants information in one reference document.
Having a guide to go to can help prevent mistakes made with federal funds coming to state agencies, and in many cases, flowing to local governments and community organizations.
To access the Grants Manual, go to the What's New section at the center of the Governor's Grants Office's homepage at grants.maryland.gov. If you have any questions, or suggestions, please direct them to Grants Office Deputy Director Merril Oliver at MDGrantsOffice@gov.state.md.us.
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 Find out about fresh state grant opportunities
Just a reminder if you are interested in finding a grant, go to www.grants.maryland.gov, center of the page, "Available Maryland Grants." You can sign up at the site to receive email notifications as grants are posted. The link is provided to the full announcement and application. Look for the "subscribe" box at the bottom right hand side of the page. |
Upcoming Workshops
The Governor's Grants Office (GGO) is hosting a free webinar on Thursday, April 12 at 11 a.m. for grants managers about how to prepare for the audit interview. "Communication Strategies for the Grants Audit Conference," will feature GGO Deputy Director Merril Oliver and guest speaker Preston Alderman, CPA. Read more about it and register now.
The Foundation Center is hosting a free grants workshop: "Grantseeking Basics," Wednesday, April 04, 2012 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the Hyattsville library. Limited seating, register now.
The Foundation Center is hosting a free Grantseeking workshop specifically for Individuals in the Arts on Wednesday, May 02, 2012 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the Hyattsville library. Limited seating, register now.
U.S. Representative Roscoe Bartlett is hosting a free grants workshop for constituents on Friday, March 30, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Mount St. Mary's University Frederick Campus. Limited seating, register now.
Annapolis Library on West Street will offer a free workshop "Proposal Writing and Proposal Budgeting Basics," on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 from 2-5 p.m. as well as "Guide to Online Grantseeker Resources," also on May 9, from 6-8:45 p.m. You will learn about the Foundation Center's flagship grants database that is housed at the Annapolis library as well as other services and products associated with the Foundation Center to help you with grants search.
Annapolis Library on West Street will offer "Introduction to Finding Funders" on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 from 2-5 p.m. and also on June 13 from 6-8:45pm: "How to Approach a Foundation." Both workshops are free.
Please register for any Annapolis Library events by email to ann.cooperating.collection@gmail.com or by phone, 410-222-1750. Include your name, organization, phone number and email address. Space is limited.
HOLD THE DATE: On June 27, 2012 the Governor's Grants Office will host a webinar about how to tap into the Maryland State Data Center, a partner with the U.S. Census. The demographic data you find can be useful to include in grant applications. Stay tuned for more information in the next newsletter.
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JOB OPENINGS
Maryland Public Television (MPT Foundation) in Owings Mills has an opening for a Grants Specialist. Here is the job announcement. Outreach and Grants Management Coordinator - Staff Specialist I and
Grants Management Administrative Specialist - Administrative Specialist IIIPrince George's Community College has an opening for a full-time Grant Writer.
For the job description, contact Brenda Mitchell, Office of Institutional Advancement, Largo, Maryland, 301.322.0858, mitchebs@pgcc.edu. There are several financial jobs available at the Calvert Foundation in Bethesda. Do you know of a job our brilliant readers should know about? Please email whatever details you have to scasey@gov.state.md.us for this newsletter and for our social networks. We love to tweet about jobs! |
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