Essential Grant Writing Skills (In Person or Online)

Strong grant writing skills weigh heavily on a proposal getting funded.  Are you good at writing the needs statement, but perhaps less so when it comes to the program plan or budget? 

This training will cover three major components that will help you write an effective grant application: the needs statement, the program plan and the proposal budget. 

Learning Objectives

• Understand the key components of a needs statement
• Discover how to balance statistics with stories
• Understand the key components of an effective program plan
• Know how to decipher the information requested on a program budget
• Understand your Statement of Functional Expenses and how it relates to admin, overhead and fringe benefit costs in your program budget

Agenda

9:00 - 10:30     Needs Statement, Erin Hielkema and Jenny Jackson, The Grant Plant
10:45 - 12:15    Program Description, Sandra Ortsman
1:00 - 3:00       Grant Proposal Budget, Mandy Funchess, CPA, Schlenker & Cantwell

Description

A well-crafted needs statement demonstrates that there is a problem that is important and urgent.  It relates the problem to your mission statement and the funder's priorities.  The needs statement is your first opportunity to impress the grant proposal reviewer.  It establishes the problem and builds the case for the program you propose.  Join the experts from The Grant Plant to learn how to construct a compelling needs statement.

The project or program description is where you make the case for your project, demonstrate how it will have impact, and show your capacity to implement it.  Join Sandra Ortsman to delve into the "what will be done" section of writing a successful grant proposal and learn how to connect the program plan to the needs statement.

Your grant proposal budget tells the funder how you plan to utilize and steward their investment. A good budget will corroborate your program narrative and include evaluation. It helps to reinforce the picture formed by the funder. Your program budget tells a story--be sure it's telling the story you want the funder to hear.  Join Mandy Funchess, CPA, with Schlenker & Cantwell, as she translates your financial information to grant application forms from United Way of Central New Mexico, the City of Albuquerque, and Bernalillo County.

Available through live streaming--participate from your computer or mobile device.  Engage during the training by emailing comments and questions.

Level

Introductory

Audience

Executive Directors, Grant Writers, Program staff, and anyone involved with the grant writing process.

Presenters

Erin Hielkema co-founded The Grant Plant, Inc. in 2003 as a local, women-owned, small business. As its Vice President, Erin oversees quality control, business development efforts, and ensures outstanding research and writing product delivery to clients. Erin heads up all of The Grant Plant’s prospect and data research efforts and works closely with clients to develop programs and written proposals.

Jenny Jackson is a Resource Development Officer for The Grant Plant, Inc., where she is responsible for project management and proposal development. Jenny has a wide range of successful grant writing experience, from large federal grants to smaller community foundation grants. She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies from the University of New Mexico.

Sandra Ortsman has nearly a decade of experience working in culturally specific domestic violence agencies in New Mexico and Mexico. Her work has focused on developing, securing funding for and evaluating innovative programs that meet the unique needs of domestic violence survivors. Ms. Ortsman is a Community Planner who is actively engaged in her community.

Mandy Funchess, CPA is the Senior Audit Manager with Schlenker & Cantwell where she performs financial statement audits and internal control assessments for corporations and not-for profit NMAEYC's. Mandy has served as Board Chair for The Storehouse, Wesley Kids Preschool & Daycare and is the Chair-elect for the New Mexico Society of Certified Public Accountants. She has also volunteered with Junior Achievement and serves as an United Way CPA Panel Representative.