GrantProse, Inc., Newsletter 
North Carolina's leading newsletter on grants
Vol. 7, No. 2
February 11, 2015
Dear Colleagues, 

Everyone's full of optimism and energy at the initial team meeting for a grant writing project. But many a team gets derailed at this critical juncture. Our feature article is about one simple tool you can use to maintain the momentum.

 

We also include links to grant-related resources, and as always, two new funding opportunities. Be sure to download the complete list of current funding opportunities from our website, and follow us on Twitter for your daily Grant Alert. 

 

Thanks for reading!

Bill Carruthers
CEO, GrantProse, Inc.
RFP Analysis:
One grant writing tool, many advantages 

 

By Eleanor Hasse and Rita Lewis

 

The initial team meeting for a grant proposal is usually marked by an abundance of optimism and energy. To keep smiles bright and the momentum going, make sure the meeting is as effective and productive as possible ----  go prepared with an RFP analysis.

 

Details are key

The RFP, or request for proposals, is the official funding announcement from the sponsoring agency. Also known as the NOFA (Notice of Funds Available) or SGA (Solicitation for Grant Applications), it contains the particulars of the grant:

  • Due dates for the proposal, letter of intent, or pre-proposal
  • Funder info (agency, website, CFDA number if any)
  • Award size (minimum and maximum)
  • Award term
  • Purpose of the grant program
  • What you can/should spend money on
  • Requirements (eligibility, partnerships, focus areas, evaluation, budget match, etc.)

An RFP analysis is a summary of these details and more. Every RFP is unique, so be alert to subtleties. For example, RFPs from the U.S. Department of Labor look similar, but grants from different programs, subagencies, or even fiscal years have distinct features and competitive priorities.

 

Your analysis should start with a careful reading of the entire RFP to uncover key points that might be buried in the instructions. A missed requirement can set you back hours or days, or----  if you never spot it---  doom your proposal.

 

Focus saves time

A long, disorganized discussion of the RFP at your initial team meeting will only bog things down. An analysis highlights the most important features of the grant and organizes information so the team can move quickly into program design and proposal writing.

 

An RFP analysis is also a useful reference during the entire proposal process. At the initial meeting, it keeps the most important considerations front and center. Faculty and nonprofit partners may not read the entire RFP, but they will read your summary, so be sure it contains everything they might need to know from the very first team meeting to proposal submission.

 

Leave no stone unturned

Other valuable information and instructions lie in ancillary documents separate from the RFP. For federal grants, the application package on Grants.gov may include links to webinars and FAQs. If the application package and the RFP conflict, the RFP is usually the ultimate authority----  check with the program officer if you're unsure.

 

You should also check recently funded projects for commonalities. Federal agencies often provide links to successful proposals or abstracts, which will give you an idea of what the agency wants to support.

 

Keep it simple but thorough

Your analysis can be a simple Word doc, or even handwritten notes on a sheet of paper. Every project is different in terms of both the grant and the needs of the applicant. Create a blank template with the bullet points above, and then tailor it to your circumstances and project.

 

As you read the RFP, highlight the pertinent details and plug them into your template. Once you're through the first project meeting, or even during it, you can start making a proposal outline and checklist, and move on to writing assignments.

 

Eleanor Hasse and Rita Lewis are members of the GrantProse staff. Check out our Resources page for grant writing guides, videos, and links to helpful websites. 

Resources
News you can use

 

Reports on Poverty, Collaborations 

Two recent reports from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shed light on poverty and multi-sector collaborations. Creating Opportunity for Families is a policy report that makes the case for a two-generational approach to breaking the cycle of poverty, addressing needs of parents and children simultaneously. The working paper Laying the Groundwork for Collective Impact makes suggestions for multi-sector initiatives; topics include grooming leaders, using data, and community engagement.

 

Locate Your Community Foundation

The Council on Foundations maintains an interactive map of community foundations in all 50 states, as well as a map of accredited community foundations. According to the Community Foundation Locator, North Carolina has more community foundations than all but one other state ----  89!

Grant Alerts
Now updated on the GrantProse website

 

The sooner you know about a new grant, the more time you have to write the proposal! Visit our Grant Alerts webpage to view the latest funding opportunities, including the two below. We also post new Alerts several times a week on Twitter, and smaller grants on our Community page. 

 

NEW

Deadline: 03/20/15 

Program: Grants to Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking on Campus
Agency: U.S. Department of Justice
Description: Grants to provide victim services and to reduce violence through safety and accountability efforts
Award Amount: Up to $750,000
Website: US DOJ 

Eligibility: institutions of higher education  

 

NEW 

Deadline: 06/04/15
Program: Agriculture and Food Research Initiative: Food Security Challenge Area
Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Description: Grants to increase food security through production research, education, extension, and crop/livestock development
Award Amount: Up to $4M
Website: USDA

Eligibility: nonprofits and for-profits; institutions of higher education; individuals 

GrantProse, Inc., assists institutions, agencies, and organizations in expanding fiscal resources and program operations, helping them locate and secure grant funds matched to their interests and needs. Please forward this email to colleagues using the link at the top right, and join us in social media to help us spread this valuable information.

We welcome feedback from our readers! Email questions and comments to Rita Lewis, newsletter editor. 
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