Writing a Winning Grant Proposal Kathy Whitmire CEO

Writing a Winning Grant Proposal Kathy Whitmire, CEO, Transformation Health Partners Rena Brewer, CEO, Global Partnership for Telehealth Sherrie Williams, COO, Global Partnership for Telehealth

OBJECTIVES 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Define the skills of a grant writer Complete the registration process and find support resources Understand the elements of a grant proposal Describe the organization process Write a successful proposal

What Skills are needed for Grant Writing? The key skills of a Grant Writer are: n Excellent written communication skills n Top-shelf research skills n Ability to understand the needs of both the agency in need of funding and the organization that is offering the grant money n Great organizational skills n Being able to understand execute complex instructions n Outstanding computer skills https: //www. humanservicesedu. org/grant-writer. html

Steps to prepare for your success • Identify the need for funding • Research & find the right funder • Seek input from stakeholders • Study the Grantor’s website & previous grant awards • Read guidance and follow instructions carefully • Remember to review criteria • Present a logical solution to the identified problem. • Tell the same story in the proposal narrative and the budget • Convince the funder you know what you are doing Register for Electronic Submission

Register for Electronic Submission n Register on Grants. gov (may take 4 -8 weeks) q Obtain DUNS number (Data Universal Numbering System) q q Obtain Grants. gov credentials q q https: //www. dnb. com/duns-number. html https: //www. grants. gov/web/grants/home. html Register on Sam. gov and register your entity q q Apply for your CAGE code (up to 4 weeks) q q (System for Award Management) Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Assign an AOR to submit grants (Authorized Organizational Representative);

Download your application package

Complete your SF-424 submission before deadline

Types of Grants - Grants. gov • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) • Health Resources and Services Administrations (HRSA) • National Institutes of Health (NIH) • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)

Grant Resources • https: //www. ruralhealthinfo. org/funding/newopportunities • https: //www. grants. gov/learn-grants/grantprograms. html

What Determines Which Grants Are Funded? • Overall Score • Program considerations • Availability of funds

WRITING YOUR GRANT

Elements of a Grant Proposal n n n Summary or Abstract Introduction Statement of Need or Problem Objectives Methodology Evaluation Sustainability Budget Management / Key Personnel Conclusion Attachments/Appendices

Abstract q q q This section should be written last Brief description of the applicant Definition of the problem to be solved Statement of objectives to be achieved Outline of goals or key activities Statement of funding request along with any special considerations

Statement of Need: q q q Describe the Problem State the needs of the target population Support the need by data specific to the problem in your area How will your services impact the population or take care of the problem Statement of objectives to be achieved State the solution that your services will provide

Objectives: q q Important to clearly state your objectives Make sure they are SMART n Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time sensitive EXAMPLE: To increase diabetic retinopathy eye exams by 25% from 100 in 2019 to 125 in 2020 Do not write too many objectives – 4 to 5 maximum

Methodology: q q q q State how you will achieve your objectives What will your service provide Be specific and descriptive Who will do what When will it be done Where will it take place How will it be done Support your methods and design with supportive research

Evaluation: q q q How will you know your project is accomplishing its stated objectives? Quantitative versus Qualitative Methods Create Measures that can be tracked n Document baseline in your proposal Describe how you will measure Who will measure How often will you measure

Sustainability: q q Future Funding – State how you will support your project after the funding period ends. Ideas for Sustainability: n n n REIMBURSEMENT FOR SERVICES COST SAVINGS. COMMUNITY SUPPORT / EXPANDED MARKET. CITY AND COUNTY SUPPORT. COMMUNITY AND CIVIC LEADERS SUPPORT. LEVERAGE ADDITIONAL GRANT DOLLARS

Resolution of Challenges: q Potential challenges and resolutions: n Fostering effective leadership n Demonstrating impact n Retaining network member participation and interest n Ever changing political landscape n Building community support and collaboration n Technology adoption

Work Plan: GOAL #2 Conduct a detailed analysis to identify opportunities & gaps in OUD prevention, treatment, recovery workforce, associated services, & access to care within the Stephens County service area & existing federal, state & local OUD resources that could be leveraged within the community. (see Appendix B for examples) Activity 1: Identify current sources of OUD Awareness and Prevention (A&P) in the community including school system, court system, jails, hospital, behavioral health providers, and pharmacies and create a gap analysis Process Indicators Number of existing OUD Outcomes Indicators Percentage of OUD A&P initiatives for gaps analysis initiatives that are active and on-going Tracking Plan Dissemination Plan Project Director & Program Detailed reporting of Director to track the number of events, attendees & materials distributed at identified OUD A&P findings to stakeholders in a timely and unbiased way on a monthly, quarterly and/or as needed basis

The Budget The budget is often the most challenging part of a proposal, even for fundraisers who've mastered the "writing"� part of the process. The budget should help tell the story! n n How do I allocate time for staff working across multiple projects? When can I include indirect costs and how do I know how much to add? Why do funders ask for details on income and what do I need to show them? How do I account for in-kind donations?

Good Presentation 3 Simple Steps: Read the application instructions carefully n Don’t forget … . . . read the application instructions carefully n

Organization Tips n Print guidance, highlight requirements and place in a notebook with tabs for reference. n Create a list of action items – Support letters, data needed, research topics, etc. n Upload narrative guidance to Google docs so that your team can share the same document and highlight areas as they are completed. n Create a checklist of attachments with page count to ensure you don’t exceed page limit.

Good Presentation Organize your research strategy to answer 4 essential questions: n What do you intend to do? n Why is the work important? n What has already been done? n How are you going to do the work?

Good Presentation n n Be realistic … not overly ambitious Discuss potential problem areas Discuss possible solutions q Explain rationale for your decisions Be explicit Reviewers cannot read your mind … Don’t assume they know what you intend

Good Presentation Prepare a reviewer-friendly application n Be well organized and clear n Use logical transitions between sections n Add section headings -- major and minor n Make tables and figures easy to view n Eliminate all misspellings and type-O’s

Good Review n n Good Presentation will keep your reviewers happy! Reviewers often work late at night Help them stay alert and interested Make your application easy to read and easy to understand Convince reviewers to advocate for your idea n Get reviewers on your side!

MOST IMPORTANT SLIDE! Most common reasons for not receiving funds: n Lack of new or original ideas n n n n Superficial or unfocused work plan Lack of knowledge or expertise in the topic Lack of experience in the essential methodology Questionable reasoning in methodology and approach Absence of acceptable rationale Unrealistically large amount of work Lack of sufficient detail

Don’t give up!! n n n Initial failure is common Understand which parts of the application process are under your control Learn from a failed submission and succeed – the majority do q Study scoring and feedback from reviewer q Discuss with program to decide if problems are repairable q Attend diligently to each criticism q Keep a positive tone and attitude

Good Luck You will have great success with: n Good planning and teamwork n Good Ideas & Collaboration n Good Grantsmanship n Good Presentation n Good Review

Wishing you the best! Contact us for more information. OUR ORGANIZATION www. gatelehealth. org