Key Strategies for Successful Grant/Project Management

Suggested Guidelines

Grant Proposal Writing:  The Shenandoah RC&D Council writes funding proposals to government agencies, foundations, and corporations on behalf of sponsors and other organizations when consistent with the Shenandoah RC&D Council annual and strategic plan.  To convince others your idea has merit and is worthy of other support, the initiator needs a brief project pre-proposal describing the project idea.  The initiator seeks support for the idea from the appropriate RC&D Committee and Council.

The purpose of the proposal development is to convince a funder that a project is worthy of support.  A proposal brings together the need for the project, a sound rational for a particular approach to solving the problem, the organization’s capability to implement the project, and a justification for the project’s budget.  Many projects fail because most want to begin by preparing a proposal to receive grant funds rather than planning the project.

For project success, The Shenandoah RC&D needs co-sponsors’ assistance with:

1.      Clear, well-written goals, project methods, and project implementation plans.

2.      Maintaining continual contact with the funder(s) and providing regular progress reports.

3.      Creating and maintaining good records and an effective project information system (for tracking allocations, expenditures, project activities).

4.      Routinely asking questions regarding funder rules and policies and how they apply to the project.

5.      Effectively monitoring and evaluating the project on an ongoing basis.

6.      Developing an effective organizational structure for the project and clearly defining roles and responsibilities of all involved with the project.

7.      Developing a strong project steering/oversight committee and working regularly with this group.

8.      Maintaining continual contact with staff, consultants and sub grantees; providing needed training and regularly monitoring their activities.

9.      Encouraging local and regional involvement and actively participating in meetings benefiting the project.

10.  Maintaining effective coordination among all parties involved with the project.

11.  Allowing adequate time for grant administration activities.

12.  If projects must continue beyond the funding period, actively develop ideas for future project support.

The Shenandoah Resource Conservation District & Development Council, Inc. prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.  (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,

Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.