Pennsylvania Grant & Resource Directory - Pennsylvania House ...

Grant Basics
1. Determine your need. Draft a plan and circulate for input.
2. Research and find opportunity. Search or browse websites, catalogs and private foundations for potential grants.
This may require some creative thinking. Study the decision makers position or mission statement. Gather facts
and figures to support your need. Often grant solicitations will describe what they do not want, but will not
fully explain what they will accept.
3. Locate the grant contact person or website. Once you have identified potential funding sources inquire with the
grant contact to learn the application process and how best to present your request in a way that maximizes the
chances of award selection.
4. Write proposal. Learn how to write grant proposals, incorporate the decision makers’ terms, best interests or
focus.
5. There are seven components to a proposal: 1) introduction of the organization; 2) summary of project or need;
3) problem/needs assessment; 4) project objective; 5) project design; 6) funding needs and project budget; and 7)
project evaluation or review.
6. Review and edit the grant application(s).
7. Check regularly. Keep records, follow-up as needed and thank everyone for their help. Sign up for notifications
and check websites weekly for updates and new grant postings.
How Your Representative Can Be of Further Assistance
• Partner or coordinate with local groups working toward the same goal(s).
• Direct the applicant to websites, contact persons and grant writing sources.
• Write letters of support.
• Follow-up with grant sources to ascertain status of the grant.
Grant Writing & Resources
• Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) – Developing and Writing Grant Proposals
www.aspe.hhs.gov/cfda/ia6.htm – An overview on how to develop and write a proposal.
• Foundation Center’s Proposal Writing Short Course – A short, free tutorial on how to start and organize.
www.foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/index.html
• Pennsylvania website – www.pa.gov
Visit the state’s main web page for further information regarding grant and assistance program funding. Or, go to the
agency and in the homepage search section, type a particular program name or enter the word “grant.”
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PA Grant & Resource Directory
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