Guide to Obtaining Grants
Finding Grant Money
The first rule of grant writing is to be aggressive. You want to think outside the box, and do what others are not doing, obtaining a grant is not impossible. You want to be subscribing to trustworthy grant newsletters and other sources of information on grant money. You may also want to Google every grant keyword you can think of. There are many grants available and they can range from Federal, State, and Local governments as well as Corporations and Foundations.
Grant Writing Tips
- A human element needs to be involved (Making phone call / networking)
- Make sure your needs match the grants requirements and what they are asking for
- Mention significant accomplishments as an organization
- Information on other collaborative support with donors or organizations
- Follow their directions to a T, no deviations (ask for double space, 12 font, aerial style, DO IT!)
- When funder knows the organization they are working with, they will be inclined to look at you harder
- VERBAGE is Key! Make sure wording matches what the grant is asking for
- Sentences should be a maximum of 20 words and direct about what and how you will be using the money for.
- Be direct and ask for the amount you need, you are asking for money anyway by writing the grant letter
- Make sure outcome based objectives are direct, while minimizing the risk to your organization
- Important things to incorporate are logic, emotion and credibility (Credibility is huge, make sure it has some impact)
- Credibility can be community leaders or elected officials that endorse your kind of program (Always think your organization, not you)
- Speak of your organizations needs, not the communities (People Fund People, Not The Community Need)
- You can start with a delayed start, which means you are going to tell a short story of a person or situation in your department that is directly related to the grant topic then go into who, how much, what for.
- REMEMBER: Less Is Sometimes More, be direct with what you are asking for or explaining
DUNS Number
Duns Universal Numbering System allows the government to track where federal money is being distributed and how it’s being used. In 2003, the federal government starting requiring all applicants and recipients to obtain a DUNS number. If you need a DUNS Number you can call 1-866-705-5711 or apply online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform
Grant Money
Once you receive the grant money, it is recommended that you read the documentation carefully before spending the money. You must abide by their rules; they may require a separate bank account as opposed to depositing the grant money into the city’s general fund.
Spending Grant Money
Write down everything and don’t step over the line one bit. When it comes to grant money, be more rigorous in how you spend it than what is required by the grant. The quickest way out of the grant game is to get caught spending it on something that wasn’t specified in the grant.
Grant Reports
Most of the time you will have to submit a report back to where it came from, telling them how you’ve spent the grant money. This report is as vital as the grant proposal. The next year you might ask for grant money again and the next step they’ll take is reviewing how you spent the grant money from the year before. Keep a record of everything that your department does and keep it updated regularly. In addition, maintain reporting to state and federal agencies are necessary components in the grants process.
Last Thoughts
Grant money is always a plus and nothing is better than free grant money. Please find on our Grants and Funding page some links for grants to apply for. I hope this guide has helped and informed you with your grant process.
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The JAG program provides critical funding to support a wide range of components within the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, drug treatment and enforcement, planning, technology improvement and training.
The purpose of the FY 2011 PSGP is to create a sustainable, risk-based effort to protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, particularly attacks using explosives and non-conventional threats that could cause major disruption to commerce.
Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI)The UASI Program provides funding to address the unique planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas, and assists them in building an enhanced and sustainable capacity to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism.
Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP)The Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP) provides funds to directly eligible tribes to help strengthen the Nation against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks.
Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP)TSGP provides funds to owners and operators of transit systems (which include intracity bus, commuter bus, ferries, and all forms of passenger rail) to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies.
Operation StoneGarden (OPSG)The OPSG Program provides funding to enhance cooperation and coordination among local, tribal, territorial, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure the United States’ borders along routes of ingress from international borders to include travel corridors in states bordering Mexico and Canada, as well as states and territories with international water borders.
Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) ProgramThe MMRS Program provides funding to support the integration of emergency management, health, and medical systems into a coordinated response to mass casualty incidents caused by any hazard.
Intercity Passenger RailThe IPR Program creates a sustainable, risk-based effort to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies within the Amtrak rail system.
State Homeland Security Program (SHSP)The FY 2011 SHSP provides funding to support the implementation of State Homeland Security Strategies to address the identified planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs at the state and local levels to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events. SHSP also provides funding to implement initiatives in the State Preparedness Report.
COPS Secure our SchoolsCOPS Secure Our Schools (SOS) grants provide funding to state, local, or tribal governments to assist with the development of school safety resources.
National Capital Region Homeland Security ProgramThe leadership of the District of Columbia, the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, area local governments, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for National Capital Region Coordination (NCRC) are working in partnership with non-profit organizations and private sector interests to reduce the vulnerability of the National Capital Region (NCR) from terrorist attacks.