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How to Increase Your Odds of Getting a Grant


How to Increase Your Odds of Getting a Grant
Presented by Sandy Newell & Glenda Norvell
June 6, 2088


  • Idea Development
    • Mission, Vision, Strategic Plan
    • Realistic and Innovative
    • Target Grantor’s Purpose

    Organization's Mission, Purpose and Plan + Need + Activities = Idea Statement
    • LSTA: Library Services and Technology Act
      Libraries with a Masters Librarian (ML) may apply. Deadline is March 15 every year. Literacy programs may partner with a library. The Single Administrative Head of the System must apply but can do this on behalf of a member library.

      CLIC: Community Libraries In Caring
      Targets rural libraries as defined by REDI (Rural Economic Development Initiative). ML is required.       The Single Administrative Head of the System must apply but can do this on behalf of a member library.

      More funding sources: Family Literacy Resource Guide (Florida Department of Education)

      Evaluating Ideas/Proposals
    •  Is the idea based on need (customer input)?
    •  Is the idea realistic and a little innovative for your community?
    • Is the project for “basic” services? If yes, will the funder award grants for this type of service or can you redesign the service to meet the funder’s criteria?
    • Is the project focused (on a target customer, on specific activities etc.)

    You be the reviewer!     Evaluate these Idea Statement Summaries.
  • Quality Application/Quality Program
    • 50/50 Management
      • Program Management
        How can you recognize an effective literacy program?
        VALF provides training and technical assistance for volunteer literacy programs in Florida. For more information, contact us at literacyflorida@hotmail.com. The following guide is also a good resource:

        50/50 Management A Guide to 50/50 Management
        By Anne DuPrey

        Pay attention to your reputation and program effectiveness. Document successes. Agencies with a track record of running a quality program of service are more likely to get funding.

        Effective Program Management
        ·         Routinely evaluate all aspects of service (Daily, weekly, monthly)
        ·         Yearly hold a meeting to evaluate your organization’s effectiveness.
        ·         Measure: Tutor Effectiveness, Learner Progress, Organizational Effectiveness, Serving the “right” population etc.
        ·         Spend an equal amount of time maintaining your literacy program as you do on starting a new program.

        Balancing Intake with Support for Volunteer Literacy Program

        Tutor and Student Intake Focus
        A. Tutor Intake (5 Steps)
        1.         Recruitment
        2.         Orientation
        3.         Training
        4.         Assessment
        5.         Matching

        B.         Student Intake(4 Steps)
        1.         Recruitment
        2.         Orientation
        3.         Assessment
        4.         Matching

        C. Support Focus (11 Steps)

        1. Tutor/Student Follow-up
        2.         In-Service Training
        3.         Recognition
        4.         Communication (Newsletters, Web Page, Blog, Wiki, Phone Calls)
        5.         Tutor/Student Support Groups
        6.         Resource Materials
        7.         Ongoing Student Assessment
        8.         Computer Learning Centers
        9.         Support Service Referrals
        10.         Rematching
        11.         Data Collection

        Program Management Links

        Extensive list of volunteer literacy samples compiled in Washington State
        http://www.literacynow.info/Page.aspx?cid=191

        Measuring the Difference Volunteers Make: A Guide to Outcome Evaluation for Volunteer Program ManagersA pdf booklet published by the Minnesota Department of Human Services in 1997


        _all.html** Fundraising and grant writing tip sheet for library literacy programs

        **http://www.thinkfinity.org/**
        Resources educators, students, …

        **http://www.buildliteracy.org/**
        Resources for library literacy programs

        www.floridaliteracy.org
        Florida Literacy Coalition

  • Summary of Proposal










  • Implementation


  • Additional Questions, Comments and Evaluations
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