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GrantProse, Inc., Newsletter
June 2, 2009
Vol. 2, No. 11
Newsletter Editor: Rita Lewis
North Carolina's leading newsletter for information on grants.
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Dear Colleagues,
The GrantProse vision is to provide high quality, personalized services and resources that are reasonably priced and widely accessible. Toward this end, we provide this newsletter free and hope you will forward it to your colleagues. We welcome your suggestions--please email ideas to Rita Lewis, newsletter editor.
We have launched a new design for the GrantProse website. Please be patient with us if you encounter problems . . . we are our own webmasters! We will continue to support favorite links such as Grant Alerts and Web Resources in a more user-friendly environment that provides you the latest and best information on grant development resources.
Also, we are in the process of developing webinars to provide training over the Internet. We anticipate hosting our first webinars in the next couple of months. As always, thanks for your appreciation of our work.
Bill CarruthersGrantProse, Inc.
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Bulletin Board
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June 11, 2009. Grants Information Network (GIN) of NC meeting, 9-11 am. RV Rikard will lead a discussion on the pros and cons of organizing GIN as a 501(c)3 nonprofit. GIN has relied on volunteer time and services for many years, and establishing a more formal identity may create new opportunities for growth and development. Come to this meeting and get in on the ground floor with your ideas! Visit the link above for directions.
June 15-16, 2009. The Grants Information Network of NC will conduct its popular two-day grant-writing workshop in coordination with Wake Tech Community College. This workshop is designed for the novice to beginning grant writer. Contact Mary Brady for information.
July 7-October 14, 2009. GrantProse is conducting a series of two-day grant-writing workshops at the Western Wake campus of Wake Tech Community College. These fast-paced, individualized workshops are designed for those with beginning to intermediate grant-writing skills and experience. Participants will create text in response to common proposal sections (e.g., problem statement, project design, evaluation plan) and practice budgeting. Rather than "sitting and getting," you will be writing and budgeting...bring your laptop and be prepared to have your work critiqued. Visit the GrantProse website for more information and to register for any of the following dates: July 7-8, August 18-19, September 15-16 or October 13-14.
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In the Spotlight
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Proposed Fund for Nonprofits
The Obama administration, through First Lady Michelle Obama, has announced plans to create a $50 million fund to support nonprofit and community groups. The "social innovation fund" would help capitalize and expand effective programs and nonprofit organizations. Read the NY Times article about the proposed funding, which will need the approval of Congress.
Economic Recovery Workshops
The NC Office of Economic Recovery & Investment (OERI)
is holding a series of Economic Recovery Workshops in various locations
around the state. The workshops, led by OERI director Dempsey Benton,
feature representatives from state and federal agencies administering
recovery funds in North Carolina, and provide information and guidance
to local municipalities, businesses and interested citizens on how
recovery funds will be administered. Three workshops have been held to
date; workshops for Raleigh and Wilmington are scheduled for June 4 and 5, respectively. Check OERI's website for times and locations, and for highlights from past presentations.
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Tips & Resources
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E-Reading Room
For a grant writer, reading a winning proposal is like curling up with a good novel, only better. Seeing what others have written can help us craft better, more successful, proposals. The US Department of Education maintains an online reading room that provides free access to proposals for which multiple requests have been (or are likely to be) received under the Freedom of Information Act. Visitors can find sample proposals for Early Reading First, Smaller Learning Communities and FLAP grants, among others.
Get LinkedIn with GIN
The Grants Information Network (GIN) of North Carolina has established a professional networking group with LinkedIn, affording you more opportunities to network and share information about developing grant proposals and managing grant programs. If you already have a LinkedIn account, search for "Grants Information Network (GIN) of North Carolina" using the "Search Groups" query and then request to join the group. If you do not have an account, sign up for one for free on LinkedIn, and then search for the GIN group and request to join. The GIN group now boasts 55 LinkedIn members from across the state. If you have questions about GIN on LinkedIn, please email RV Rikard.
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Guest Column
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Dress for Success
By Michele Oros
The appearance of a grant proposal can be compared to the clothes worn for an important job interview. While we are admonished against judging a book by its cover, first impressions make a powerful statement about the conscientiousness and capacity of the applicant. To start, be certain a proposal contains all required components and the correct number of originals and copies. All documents must be clean and pressed, free of cat hair and baby's breakfast. Bind pages as directed and assemble the packet in the prescribed order. Mismatched buttons and untied shoes do not inspire confidence.
Avoid avant-garde fashion statements unless the culture of the grantor encourages self-expression. Type size and style are generally specified in the guidelines, along with margins, spacing and character, word or page limits. Most grantors do not reward creative interpretation of formatting directions. Grantors who require blue ink for signatures will not read proposals signed in any other color. Formatting guidelines test applicants' ability to follow directions and help assess whether they will manage projects with fidelity.
Spelling and grammar mistakes convey a subtle shabbiness that undermines credibility. Do not rely upon computer programs to flag spelling errors; they will not catch misused homonyms. Grammar-checking software can be helpful but may suggest obtuse revisions. A better choice is to find, or hire, a skilled editor who can help your organization present itself with professionalism and polish.
You can't forget to wear socks unless you're as famous as Albert Einstein. So always--check your proposal in the mirror before it walks out the door.
Michele Oros has written and managed grant-funded projects for Beaufort County Schools since 2003. She also helps organizations in her community find and obtain grants, and teaches grant-writing workshops through NC's community college system.
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Grant Opportunities
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Deadline: 7/06/09
Program: Family Connection Discretionary Grants
Agency: US DHHS, Administration for Children and Families
Description: Funding to help children in (or at risk of entering) foster care to reconnect with family members.
Award Amount: $450,000-$1,000,000
Website: ACF
Eligibility: Nonprofits, government agencies
Deadline: 7/01/09
Program: A Brighter Future
Agency: United Methodist Church
Description: Grants for projects and programs addressing the needs of children ages 5-18 in the areas of violence prevention, anti-abuse and relationship abuse.
Award Amount: Up to $4,000
Website: UMC
Eligibility: Community and faith-based organizations
Nine new grant alerts have recently been uploaded to the GrantProse website. To view these and many more opportunities, visit www.GrantProseInc.com.
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