We are fortunate to have worked on both sides of the grant-making process. We work with funders administering grants to organizations to help carry out their mission and purpose. We also work with organizations pursuing grants from funders and have written several blogs about grant writing here and here.
In this blog, we will focus on the funder side of the grant-making process and strategies that funders can employ to improve the outcomes of their grant awards. Yes, the structure of a Request for Proposal (RFP) can have a positive or negative impact on grantees’ and funders’ accomplishment of their goals.
Whether a funder is establishing a new grant program or looking to update its current grant, how your RFP is structured can influence how the funds are ultimately used. This is why we are sharing our tips to help improve the overall grant making process starting with the RFP.
1. Have a Clear Purpose for the Grant Program.
One of the first questions we ask funders is what they hope to accomplish from this grant funding source. As a prospective grantee, since we work with many of them, I find it really challenging to write a grant application when there is no clear purpose or focus. Having identified goals, program priorities, and guidelines helps the funder select grantees who are best aligned with supporting the accomplishment of their goals. It also helps prospective applicants know whether their organization, programs, and services are a good fit (or not) for supporting the funder’s goals.
We worked with a funder who wanted to review one of their current grant programs. They were not seeing the outcomes they had hoped for from the grant program, and after reviewing their RFP, we saw some areas for improvement. Their goals were broad and general, so the applicants submitted proposals that lacked focus and direction. We worked with the funder to clarify what they wanted to accomplish with this grant program and revised the RFP to better communicate the goals, priority focus areas, and expectations. The next grant cycle resulted in better applications and, ultimately, grantees with the intentional purpose of supporting the funder’s goals!
2. Seek Partner Feedback and Alignment.
Grant programs are administered by the funder but can be developed collaboratively. We are seeing a growing trend of funders contacting partners for feedback and input to inform a grant program. This is especially helpful when launching a new grant program and/or seeking revisions to a grant program. When doing this, we recommend including partners who will not have a conflict of interest in participating in the grant development / RFP process. We also suggest a variety of stakeholders with different perspectives. This may include researchers, consultants, past recipients, trade association representatives, and other funders.
We worked with a government agency to help them implement a new state grant program. The client could have developed the grant program and RFP internally, but they saw the value (and we agreed!) in seeking input from key stakeholders to help inform the development of the grant program. Over 3-4 months, the stakeholder group reviewed data in the state, researched best practices in other states, and developed the program goals and guidelines. The result was a comprehensive RFP that laid a solid foundation for the new grant program. While it was more time up-front spent planning, it created tremendous buy-in and ownership in the industry as the new grant program launched.
3. Develop a Well Structured and Organized RFP.
While it might seem mundane and simplistic, how an RFP is packaged can make all the difference to the application, selection, and award/ monitoring process. It truly sets the tone for the grant program. Here are some simple tips that we find helpful when writing the RFP and responding to them as grant writers:
- Include a “Table of Contents” outlining the key elements in the RFP package.
- Use “Headers and Footers” to identify page numbers, the RFP’s date, and the RFP’s name.
- Use a “Numbering System” to communicate each new section, such as Introduction, Submission Instructions, Narrative Requirements, Forms, etc.
- Use “Section Headers” to identify different sections within the big Numbering System.
- Include “Forms” that communicate how you want the information provided. This could include forms for a Budget, Evaluation Plan, Target Population Demographics, etc. Forms can also be a great space saver.
- State the “Selection Criteria” that will be used to rate the applicants. If you have identified points for particular sections, that would be even better.
- Include a “Checklist” with the order of the grant application package. This helps the applicant double-check that they have all of the required items and is also an internal check for the funder that everything needed is being requested.
We worked with a client who awarded funding to support before, after, and summer school programming. The program and RFP process had been operating on “auto-pilot” for many years and passed on from one staff member to the next. As a result, the RFP application and forms had consolidated different forms and information, resulting in a disconnected RFP packet. It was no wonder when the applications came in that they, too, were not well organized or structured, which made the review process very difficult. We worked with the client to review the application package and identify what information was necessary, the order in which the information was needed, and what could be removed. We removed half of the RFP from its previous version, and the new RFP had much more clarity/ focus!
4. Go Digital with the Application Process.
With the growth of technology, various options, and systems can be implemented to help make the RFP process more efficient and effective for both the funder and the applicant. When possible, we encourage clients to use digital forms to post-grant application information and receive applications. A free option is Google Forms. There are several low-cost online options for creating and accepting forms that we encourage funders to consider if their budget allows. Some funders choose to design their own system embedded on their website to accept grant applications. Whatever the path, options are available for nearly every type of funder and their budget. We often see an ROI on time saved through technology, and applicants tend to appreciate these digital systems.
We worked with a funder who still wanted multiple hard copies of the grant proposals on a CD-ROM. A flash drive was not acceptable. Many computers are being made without CD-ROMs. The client hadn’t considered new digital systems available to submit grants that could make the process easier for them and their applicants. We presented different options that they might consider for their RFP. The funder took a “baby step” of accepting email submissions. We hope the next step will be using one of the digital options.
By investing some up-front time in thoughtfully planning and structuring a grant program’s RFP application, the funder will see positive benefits in helping to accelerate their impact. Transform Consulting Group is available to support funders in accomplishing their goals through the grant-making process. Let us know if you have a new program, need assistance setting it up, or want someone to take a look at an existing program.
