Planning>
"Chasing the Money Doesn't Work"
Grant professionals know from experience that "chasing money" isn't a successful tactic since, to be effective, the first step is preparation of a strong project design. It is also important to understand and communicate ways a request for funding will assist the funders to achieve their goals. In addition, always consider the size of the potential grant award compared to efforts required to plan and implement the project.
Budget Preparation:
Most grant application packages include a form(s) the funder or agency expects to be used for the money request. Budgets should be created using "real" or researched costs-rounded numbers can raise suspicions. The grant development specialist has templates to use as models for new proposals.
Direct cost categories include: personnel (salary and fringe); supplies and materials; travel; equipment; evaluation; and other. The proposal budget should comply with institutional policies regarding job titles and procurement rules.
Indirect costs (known as facilities and administration costs) should be requested in all proposals if allowed by the funder. For example, federal higher education grants allow only 8 percent of the total to be allocated to indirect costs. The office of research administration maintains a chart for calculating cost rate percentages by type of project (on-campus, off-campus, sponsor-limited and other reduction).
A separate budget justification or explanation for each cost is usually required. The justification should show how costs are calculated as well as why an item is needed to support the project. For example, travel costs must comply with institutional policies. Costs for supplies or equipment (unit cost over $5,000) will vary depending on the subject field but should be within standard parameters.
Funding Sources and Resources
- Federal Grant Sources: Grants.gov is the electronic grant submission portal for over 900 programs of federal grant-making agencies. In addition, individual agency web sites often provide more information about specific grant opportunities and forecasts. The Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance is a government-wide comprehensive resource on programs, project and grants.
- State of Missouri Grant Sources: Various agencies or organizations concerned about arts programs; higher education and secondary education programs and natural resources have websites describing grant opportunities and guidelines.
- Private Foundations: The Foundation Center's Philanthropy News Digest and its online directory lists thousands of family or independent foundations nationally. In addition, the grants development specialist has access to subscription databases through the office of research administration. The GuideStar site provides information about registered nonprofit organizations using the IRS 990 form.
- Businesses: Local and national companies also provide funding opportunities through corporate foundations, but the Missouri State University Foundation should be contacted first by the grant development specialist to ensure that the company has not already been solicited for funds according to their guidelines.
Proposal writers can also review important demographic information from the Census Bureau and labor market data from the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The National Center for Education Statistics is the federal agency for collecting and analyzing data related to public education.