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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.
New Development - We continue to make progress with our redesign of the GrantProse website. We have added a new feature of archiving these newsletters. If you've lost track of a website address that we shared in a newsletter, now you can find the newsletter in our Archive. And, we 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.
Bill CarruthersGrantProse, Inc.
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ARRA and NC |
News on stimulus funding in North Carolina
NC Receives Funds to Improve Water Quality
The US Environmental Protection Agency has awarded North Carolina $714,400 to improve water quality and create jobs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources has received the funds--part of nationwide stimulus funding for Water Quality Management Planning (WQMP) grants--to help prevent water pollution and protect human health and the environment through the creation of green jobs. WQMP grants support such activities as setting standards, monitoring water quality, and planning to restore polluted waters. Some of the funds can be awarded to regional and interstate planning organizations. The EPA is also encouraging states to use the funding for innovative activities such as developing plans to adapt to climate change and analyzing trends in water availability and use.
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Bulletin Board
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August 13, 2009. Grants Information Network (GIN) of NC meeting, 9-11 am. Speaker TBA.
August 18-19, 2009. GrantProse will conduct a grant-writing training program for individuals with intermediate to advanced grant-writing skills. Specifically designed for North Carolina grant writers, the $205 program is very attractively priced compared to this type of training from national vendors. Bring a laptop and be prepared to critique and be critiqued. You will gain practical experience writing for different sections of the grant proposal, and hone your skills with individualized, expert instruction. Visit the GrantProse website for further information and registration details.
August-September, 2009. The Council on Entrepreneurial Development, in partnership with the Small Business Technology Development Center, will offer a three-part training program focused on starting and growing a company via local and federal grant funding. The first session is focused on connecting with local and federal granting sources. The second session will provide an entrepreneur's perspective on grants and tips on preparing a grant proposal and identifying funding sources. The third session will offer one-on-one counseling sessions with expert grant writers and specialists. Visit CED's website for more information on the workshops, which will be held August 20, September 10 and September 24.
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In the Spotlight
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GIN Seeks Members for Working Group
The Grants Information Network (GIN) of North Carolina has organized a working group to study the options for reorganizing GIN as a legal entity (e.g., as a nonprofit organization). At present, GIN functions as an informal resource for North Carolina grants professionals. Working group members--who meet via email, the Internet and teleconferencing--plan to produce a recommendation for GIN members by the next general meeting on August 13. The working group is seeking representation from the eastern and western portions of the state. If you are interested in joining the working group to craft a proposal for GIN, please contact RV Rikard at (919) 995-2721 or rvrikard@ncsu.edu.
Media Guru
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Tips & Resources
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USDA Funding Resources
The Rural Information Center is a division of the US Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Library that provides services and information for rural communities, local officials, organizations and businesses working to maintain the vitality of America's rural areas. The Center offers several funding resources, including the Federal Funding Sources for Rural Areas Database. The database, maintained in cooperation with the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, allows users to search for information on rural federal programs, including project grants. The Center's Rural Funding Sources webpage contains information on major funding programs, tools and assistance (e.g., grant-writing resources and disaster assistance) for rural areas from both public and private sources. And the Center's Guide to Funding Resources is an online primer on the process of grantsmanship, including where to look for funding and a bibliography of grant-writing publications.
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. If you have questions about GIN on LinkedIn, please email RV Rikard.
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Guest Column
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The Bottom Line
By Michele Oros
While eyes may be the window to the soul, budgets bare the hearts and minds of grantseekers. A budget that mirrors, in numbers, what a proposal describes in words affirms an applicant's intent to align money with mission. Conversely, a budget that does not appear to support the focus of a project, or violates budgetary guidelines, can sink a grant application.
While a limited number of grants are earmarked for capital projects or purchases, most grants support programs designed to address specific needs among a target population. Funds can be used to hire personnel, purchase materials and equipment, and conduct program activities.
Unless grant guidelines limit or specify the percentage of an award that can be spent in various categories, it is wise to aim for a balance among expenditures. Budgets that devote more than half an award to personnel or equipment may be red-flagged if the purpose of the program is to provide a service. Personnel-heavy programs are hard to sustain after grant funds expire, and limiting services or activities to buy things can send the wrong message to readers. A narrative that clearly justifies the need for all expenditures may save a proposal with a lopsided budget, but the burden of proof will be on the applicant.
A narrative and budget must be integrally crafted to increase the likelihood that a proposal will be funded. Use numbers like you use words--lay bare your intentions for all to see.
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: 7/31/09
Program: Rape Crisis and Victim Services Program
Agency: NC Dept. of Health and Human Services
Description: Funding to prevent sexual violence and provide assistance and services to victims of rape.
Award Amount: Up to $20,000
Website: NC DHHS
Eligibility: Nonprofits, government agencies (community-based rape crisis centers)
Deadline: 8/10/09
Program: Striving Readers
Agency: US Dept. of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
Description: Funding to raise middle and high school students' literacy levels in Title I-eligible schools with significant numbers of students reading below grade levels.
Award Amount: Varies
Website: US DOE (CFDA #84.371A)
Eligibility: K-12
Eight 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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