A Basic Guide to Program Evaluation

More and more grantmakers are demanding program evaluations as a condition of funding. Management consultant Carter McNamara lays out a framework for conducting these evaluations, and he charts the various methods available for gathering valuable data.

Consulting Fees for Grant Proposal Writing

How much to charge for grant preparation and research is a question that vexes both consultants and the organizations they work for. Members of The Grantsmanship Center Forum, The Grantsmanship Center's online discussion group, offer their ideas and insights.

Contracts v. Grants

Grants and contracts are sometimes confused, creating misconceptions about the obligations they entail. Veteran grants manager Henry Flood explains the difference, both legally and practically.

Designing a Grants Filing System That Works

In the imperfect world of grants management, there's no such thing as an ideal system for keeping track of the voluminous paperwork that every office generates. The key, according to grants administrator Henry Flood, is to devise a practical system that works for you-and anyone who might succeed you.

Dos and Don'ts of Grant Proposals for Tech Funding

As the needs of nonprofits for technology increase, so do the numbers of grant proposals for tech-related projects and equipment. America Online's Michele Cavataio has pored over thousands of requests for tech funding. She knows which ones click-and which ones don't.

Foundation Staffing: Facts, Figures… Meaning?

The Foundation Center recently released a detailed report on the staffing patterns of grantmaking foundations. It provides lots of statistical data, but what does any of it mean for grantseekers?

Getting and Managing a Construction Grant

The federal government may not be as generous with construction funding as it once was, but many departments still award these grants for various purposes. Federal grants expert Henry Flood tells what's available and what to watch out for when applying. He also offers a blueprint for managing the grant once you have it.

Grant Tracking and Compliance Management

Every grant award requires a process for tracking project activities and demonstrating compliance with the grantmaker's conditions. Grants awarded by federal agencies are likely to have especially rigorous compliance and performance requirements, raising numerous questions in the minds of grants managers. Veteran grants administrator Henry Flood has compiled a compendium of key resources for finding the answers.

Grants.gov- Moving Ahead, Slowly

When it was officially launched last December, the government's cross-agency grants portal promised user-friendly, "one-stop shopping for information on applying for all federal grants." Is the new site living up to the promise?

Hard Data/Soft Data

The best grant proposals don't just make assertions. They back up claims with facts. Both statistical information and anecdotal evidence lend substance to a proposal. Norton J. Kiritz shows how both "hard data" and "soft data" can be used most effectively to bolster your credibility and sharpen your points.

In Search of Outcomes

Outcome evaluation can tell you if a program is really working, but too many grantmakers and grant recipients fail to plan for it. At a recent symposium for social services providers in Columbus, Ohio, a Grantsmanship Center trainer explained how to integrate outcome evaluation into the program planning process.

Jabberwocky Junkies

Why are RFPs, grant proposals, and other forms of communication among philanthropic organizations littered with jargon? Tony Proscio takes a wry look at our addiction to buzzwords, dissects a few trendy examples, and suggests some ways to kick the habit.

No Mercy from the Margin Police

When an Oregon-based agency's federal grant application was rejected solely because of a formatting glitch, the incident sparked raillery and outrage. Susan Compo reports on the Case of the Narrow Margins.

One Program Officer's Candid Tips for Grantseekers

As a program officer with the Kellogg Foundation, Dr. Joel Orosz dispensed frank advice along with grants. Speaking to a gathering of Grantsmanship Center alumni, he provided an insider's perspective on how foundations operate-and how grantseekers should approach them.

Responding to a Funder's Advice

Your agency submits a grant proposal to a longtime funder and the program officer responds with high praise. There's just one hitch-she also wants you to redefine your mission. What's a board to do? Three experts offer their own advice.

Some Thoughts on "Grantwriting"…

Norton J. Kiritz explains why “grantwriting” is a misnomer – and why the basis of good proposal writing is good planning.

Standardizing Foundation Grant Applications

There are 24 regional associations of grantmakers in the U.S., and half of them have already adopted a standardized application format. That may be good news for grantseekers looking for ways to save time and cut paperwork. But a format is only as good as the proposals it produces. Do standardized application forms really promote effective program planning? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each of the various formats?

The Secrets of Their Success

There's a lot more to grantsmanship than writing good proposals. Veteran development professional Martin Dickinson asked a number of successful grantseekers to talk about what they do to win support and build relationships with funders.

Tips for Submitting E-Grant Applications

More and more grantmakers are making it possible (and in some cases, mandatory) for proposals to be submitted electronically. Contributors to The Grantsmanship Center's Alumni Forum have some suggestions for handling the process more smoothly.

Understanding Indirect Costs

Many organizations fall short when they try to recover all the costs associated with grant-funded programs. Henry Flood and Richard W. Phelps explain why it's important to identify indirect costs and they show how to calculate an acceptable indirect-cost rate.

Understanding Research Proposals

While there are important differences between grant proposals for research and grant proposals for programs, there are also many parallels. Grantsmanship Center trainer Charles R. Putney outlines the major components of a standard research proposal, and he explains how they relate to similar components of a program proposal.

Understanding Standard Form 424

The universal cover sheet for federal grant applications looks simple enough. But since it's the first thing a reviewer reads, it needs to be done exactly right. Government grants expert Henry Flood tells what to look out for, and why it matters.

Valuing Volunteer Time

Donated labor often accounts for a significant portion of the in-kind match used to secure a grant. Here's how to calculate its dollar value.

When Grantmakers Come Calling

Grantees often view site visits with dread, but the vast majority of grantmakers have fairly benevolent motives for wanting to observe your work. Based on interviews with several experienced program officers, Joel Hoekstra offers eight pointers on preparing for site visits.

Where Proposals Fail

A Foundation Executive's Basic List of What to Do and Not Do When Requesting Funding.
by Bill Somerville

Writing Proposals for Capacity Building

Grant applications that focus on an organization's internal needs pose special challenges. Grantsmanship Center trainer Susan Chandler offers pointers for writing these proposals more effectively.