1. Grant Programs forGrant Programs for
Rural AmericaRural America
Kent BrooksKent Brooks
Western Oklahoma State CollegeWestern Oklahoma State College
June 6, 2005June 6, 2005

2. Why are we Here?Why are we Here?
(in 20 minutes or less)(in 20 minutes or less)
 Because of the classroom needs weBecause of the classroom needs we
have in delivering the educationhave in delivering the education
needed by the digital natives we nowneeded by the digital natives we now
serve are differentserve are different

3. DisclaimerDisclaimer

This message is a natural handmadeThis message is a natural handmade
product. The slight variations inproduct. The slight variations in
spelling and grammar enhance itsspelling and grammar enhance its
individual character and beauty andindividual character and beauty and
in no way are to be considered flawsin no way are to be considered flaws
or defects.or defects.

4. When I wantWhen I want
to learnto learn
somethingsomething
why do I go towhy do I go to
GoogleGoogle
instead ofinstead of
taking a classtaking a class
at the college?at the college?

5. When I wantWhen I want
to learnto learn
somethingsomething
why do I go towhy do I go to
GoogleGoogle
instead ofinstead of
taking a classtaking a class
at the college?at the college?

6. Grant 101Grant 101
(in 20 minutes or less)(in 20 minutes or less)
 The Grant Puzzle—Without all the piecesThe Grant Puzzle—Without all the pieces
all you have is a half finished picture withall you have is a half finished picture with
holes in it.holes in it.
• ResearchResearch
 problem—solution-funderproblem—solution-funder
• Plan and ManagePlan and Manage
• PartnersPartners
• How much will this costHow much will this cost
• CommunicationCommunication
• WritingWriting

7. My Basic Rule of ThumbMy Basic Rule of Thumb
 Don’t write it unless you want to doDon’t write it unless you want to do
a project anywaya project anyway
• Does it match your organizationalDoes it match your organizational
missionmission
• Does it match your organization’sDoes it match your organization’s
capacitycapacity
• Is it realisticIs it realistic

8. Grant BasicsGrant Basics
 Idea must be credibleIdea must be credible
 Involve others and communicateInvolve others and communicate
 Use simple languageUse simple language
• ((www.fightthebull.comwww.fightthebull.com))
 Support what you saySupport what you say
• Brief citationsBrief citations
 Be positiveBe positive
 Be specificBe specific

9. Grant Basics (cont.)Grant Basics (cont.)
 Don’t be boringDon’t be boring
• data,facts, human elementdata,facts, human element
• words & graphswords & graphs
 Answer the questionsAnswer the questions
 Have someone read your draftHave someone read your draft
 Always AskAlways Ask
• Who are you writing toWho are you writing to
• What are you asking forWhat are you asking for

10. Grant SourcesGrant Sources
PublicPublic PrivatePrivate
Detailed RFP’s*Detailed RFP’s* Few detailed RFP’sFew detailed RFP’s
Format is keyFormat is key General interestGeneral interest
areasareas
Scored by reviewScored by review
panelpanel
Letter of inquiry orLetter of inquiry or
brief proposalbrief proposal
OrientationOrientation
WorkshopsWorkshops
Relationships carryRelationships carry
more weight thanmore weight than
proposalsproposals
RFP’s Requests for ProposalsRFP’s Requests for Proposals

11. And Always RememberAnd Always Remember
 Victory doesn’t always go to theVictory doesn’t always go to the
strongest, swiftest or smarteststrongest, swiftest or smartest
• Other organizations may have aOther organizations may have a
stronger relationship with a boardstronger relationship with a board
(private)(private)
• Geographic distribution, diversity ofGeographic distribution, diversity of
approaches or diversity of fundeesapproaches or diversity of fundees
• Politics do sometimes come into playPolitics do sometimes come into play

12. Web Sites for ResearchWeb Sites for Research
PublicPublic PrivatePrivate
www.cfda.govwww.cfda.gov www.guidestar.orgwww.guidestar.org
www.grants.govwww.grants.gov www.grantsmart.orgwww.grantsmart.org
www.firstgov.govwww.firstgov.gov
www.usda.govwww.usda.gov
www.fdncenter.orgwww.fdncenter.org

13. Web Sites for ResearchWeb Sites for Research
Data to support your assertions:Data to support your assertions:
http://www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/federalfuhttp://www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/federalfu
nds/nds/
Distribution of Federal Funds toDistribution of Federal Funds to
Rural AreasRural Areas
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/nofas/indexhttp://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/nofas/index
.html.html
Rural Development FundingRural Development Funding
NoticeNotice
http://www.kc.frb.org/RuralCenter/RuralMaihttp://www.kc.frb.org/RuralCenter/RuralMai
n.htmn.htm
Center for the Study of RuralCenter for the Study of Rural
America: Federal Reserve Bank ofAmerica: Federal Reserve Bank of
Kansas CityKansas City
http://http://
www.nal.usda.gov/ric/ruralres/funding.htmwww.nal.usda.gov/ric/ruralres/funding.htm
Most of the AboveMost of the Above

14. Bonus SectionBonus Section
PTFP & USDAPTFP & USDA

15. Public Telecommunications FacilitiesPublic Telecommunications Facilities
Program (PTFP)Program (PTFP) –National–National
Telecommunications and InformationTelecommunications and Information
Administration, U.S. Department ofAdministration, U.S. Department of
Commerce - Focus = EquipmentCommerce - Focus = Equipment
Distance Learning and TelemedicineDistance Learning and Telemedicine
Grant Program (DLT)Grant Program (DLT) –Rural Utilities–Rural Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of AgricultureService, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Focus = Equipment- Focus = Equipment

16. PublicPublic
TelecommunicationsTelecommunications
Facilities ProgramFacilities Program
(PTFP)(PTFP)
Distance Learning GrantsDistance Learning Grants

17. Distance Learning GrantsDistance Learning Grants
 Activate Telecommunications FacilityActivate Telecommunications Facility
 Extend Telecommunications FacilityExtend Telecommunications Facility
 NOT “IMPROVE” (replace equipment)NOT “IMPROVE” (replace equipment)
 Must have television (video)Must have television (video)
componentcomponent
 Videoconferencing equipmentVideoconferencing equipment
supportedsupported
 NOT JUST INTERNET TEXT-BASEDNOT JUST INTERNET TEXT-BASED
LEARNINGLEARNING

18. Variety of TechnologiesVariety of Technologies
 Satellite InterconnectionSatellite Interconnection
 ITFS; MicrowaveITFS; Microwave
 Fiber; DS3; Telephone LinesFiber; DS3; Telephone Lines
 Internet; ATM/SONETInternet; ATM/SONET
 Cable channelCable channel
 Portion of Digital Broadcast SignalPortion of Digital Broadcast Signal

19. Distance Learning &Distance Learning &
TelemedicineTelemedicine
Grant and Loan ProgramsGrant and Loan Programs
Telecommunications ProgramTelecommunications Program
Rural Utilities ServiceRural Utilities Service
U. S. Department of AgricultureU. S. Department of Agriculture

20. Program PurposeProgram Purpose
The Distance Learning & TelemedicineThe Distance Learning & Telemedicine
Program is designed to encourage andProgram is designed to encourage and
improve distance learning andimprove distance learning and
telemedicine services in rural areastelemedicine services in rural areas
through the use of telecommunications,through the use of telecommunications,
computer networks, and related advancedcomputer networks, and related advanced
technologies.technologies.

21. Applicant EligibilityApplicant Eligibility
 Deliver or proposing to deliverDeliver or proposing to deliver
distance learning or telemedicinedistance learning or telemedicine
servicesservices
 Be an incorporated organization orBe an incorporated organization or
partnershippartnership
 An Indian tribe or tribal organization;An Indian tribe or tribal organization;
 A state or local unit of government, aA state or local unit of government, a
consortium; orconsortium; or

22. Applicant EligibilityApplicant Eligibility
 Other legal entity such as a privateOther legal entity such as a private
corporation either not-for-profit orcorporation either not-for-profit or
for profitfor profit
 Be operating a rural communityBe operating a rural community
facilityfacility
 Be delivering distance learning orBe delivering distance learning or
telemedicine services to entities attelemedicine services to entities at
rates that ensure that the economicrates that ensure that the economic
value and benefits of the DLT grantvalue and benefits of the DLT grant
are passed on to other entities or toare passed on to other entities or to
residents of rural areasresidents of rural areas

23. Applicant Eligibility (cont.)Applicant Eligibility (cont.)
NOTE:NOTE: RUS electric andRUS electric and
telecommunications borrowers aretelecommunications borrowers are
eligible for loans onlyeligible for loans only

24. Rurality RequirementRurality Requirement
Rurality is significant in two ways .Rurality is significant in two ways .
. .. .
1.1. For project eligibility to qualifyFor project eligibility to qualify
for the DLT Programfor the DLT Program
2.2. As a scoring criterion to rankAs a scoring criterion to rank
eligible projectseligible projects

25. Rurality RequirementRurality Requirement
To Qualify for the DLT Program . .To Qualify for the DLT Program . .
..
A project must meet a minimumA project must meet a minimum
eligibility of 20 points based on aeligibility of 20 points based on a
rurality calculation that determinesrurality calculation that determines
the extent to which a project servesthe extent to which a project serves
rural areas.rural areas.

26. Rurality RequirementRurality Requirement
As a Scoring Criterion . .As a Scoring Criterion . . ..
Once it is determined that a projectOnce it is determined that a project
serves a rural area, the project mayserves a rural area, the project may
be awarded points based on thebe awarded points based on the
relative rurality of a project’s servicerelative rurality of a project’s service
area.area.

27. Rurality RequirementRurality Requirement
Calculation & ConsiderationsCalculation & Considerations
 Each end-user site will receiveEach end-user site will receive
points. The final score is thepoints. The final score is the
average score for all end-user sitesaverage score for all end-user sites
included in the project.included in the project.
 If the hub is utilized as an end-userIf the hub is utilized as an end-user
site & hub – the hub must besite & hub – the hub must be
included as one of the end-userincluded as one of the end-user
sites for the rurality calculationsites for the rurality calculation
 A project’s rurality calculation mustA project’s rurality calculation must
be based on the 2000 U.S. Censusbe based on the 2000 U.S. Census
datadata

28. Rurality Calculation TableRurality Calculation Table
 Exceptionally RuralExceptionally Rural 4545
pointspoints
(population 5,000 or less)(population 5,000 or less)
 Rural AreaRural Area 30 points30 points
(population: 5,001 - 10,000)(population: 5,001 - 10,000)
 Mid-Rural AreaMid-Rural Area 15 points15 points
(population: 10,001 - 20,000)(population: 10,001 - 20,000)
 Urban AreaUrban Area 00
pointspoints

29. DLT Grant ProgramDLT Grant Program
• Seven Scoring CriteriaSeven Scoring Criteria
4 Objective & 3 Subjective4 Objective & 3 Subjective
• Competitive process based onCompetitive process based on
points scoredpoints scored
• Total possible points - 225Total possible points - 225

30. Grant ProgramGrant Program
 Objective Scoring CriteriaObjective Scoring Criteria
• Comparative Rurality of the Project ServiceComparative Rurality of the Project Service
Area (Up to 45 Points)Area (Up to 45 Points)
• Ability to Leverage ResourcesAbility to Leverage Resources
(15 % minimum match) (Up to 35 Points)(15 % minimum match) (Up to 35 Points)
NOTE: Although 15% makes you eligible it willNOTE: Although 15% makes you eligible it will
take 50% to be competitivetake 50% to be competitive
• Economic Need of the Applicant’s Service AreaEconomic Need of the Applicant’s Service Area
as estimated by the National School Lunchas estimated by the National School Lunch
Program (NSLP) (Up to 35 Points)Program (NSLP) (Up to 35 Points)
• Project Participation in EnterpriseProject Participation in Enterprise
Zone/Empowerment communities (EZ/ECs)Zone/Empowerment communities (EZ/ECs)
and Champion Communitiesand Champion Communities
(Up to 15 Points).(Up to 15 Points).

31. Grant ProgramGrant Program
 Subjective Scoring Criteria:Subjective Scoring Criteria:
• Innovativeness (Up to 15 Points)Innovativeness (Up to 15 Points)
• Cost Effectiveness of the SystemCost Effectiveness of the System
(Up to 35 Points)(Up to 35 Points)
• Need for Services and BenefitsNeed for Services and Benefits
Derived from Services (Up to 55Derived from Services (Up to 55
Points)Points)

32. Grant Eligible PurposesGrant Eligible Purposes
- Acquiring (lease or purchase)Acquiring (lease or purchase)
eligible equipment. Eligibleeligible equipment. Eligible
equipment means:equipment means:
• computer hardware and softwarecomputer hardware and software
• audio or video equipmentaudio or video equipment
• computer network componentscomputer network components
• telecommunications terminaltelecommunications terminal
equipmentequipment
• data terminal equipmentdata terminal equipment
• inside wiringinside wiring
• interactive video equipmentinteractive video equipment

33. Grant Eligible PurposesGrant Eligible Purposes
- Acquiring instructionalAcquiring instructional
programming.programming.
• Educational material, including computerEducational material, including computer
software, which would be used forsoftware, which would be used for
educational purposes in connection witheducational purposes in connection with
eligible equipment buteligible equipment but does not includedoes not include
salaries, benefits, and overhead ofsalaries, benefits, and overhead of
medical or educational personnel.medical or educational personnel.

34. Grant Eligible PurposesGrant Eligible Purposes
Limited to 10% of the GrantLimited to 10% of the Grant
− Technical AssistanceTechnical Assistance
• Assistance in learning to manage,Assistance in learning to manage,
operate, or use equipment oroperate, or use equipment or
systemssystems
• Studies, analyses, designs,Studies, analyses, designs,
reports, manuals, guides,reports, manuals, guides,
literature, or other forms ofliterature, or other forms of
creating, acquiring, orcreating, acquiring, or
disseminating information.disseminating information.
• Instruction for using eligibleInstruction for using eligible
equipment, including any relatedequipment, including any related

35. Grant Eligible PurposesGrant Eligible Purposes
Limited to 10% of the GrantLimited to 10% of the Grant
- DevelopingDeveloping instructionalinstructional
programmingprogramming
- Providing engineering orProviding engineering or
environmental studies relatingenvironmental studies relating
to the establishment orto the establishment or
expansion of the phase of theexpansion of the phase of the
project being financed with theproject being financed with the
grant.grant.

36. Ineligible Grant Purposes IncludeIneligible Grant Purposes Include
 Salaries, wages, or employee benefitsSalaries, wages, or employee benefits
to medical or educational personnelto medical or educational personnel
 Salaries or administrative expenses ofSalaries or administrative expenses of
the applicant or the projectthe applicant or the project
 Acquisition, installation, or constructionAcquisition, installation, or construction
of telecommunications transmissionof telecommunications transmission
facilitiesfacilities
 Site development and the destruction orSite development and the destruction or
alteration of buildingsalteration of buildings
 The purchase land or buildings or forThe purchase land or buildings or for
building constructionbuilding construction

37. DLT Grant ProgramDLT Grant Program
FY 2005FY 2005
 Application WindowApplication Window

Not open yet – I think it will beNot open yet – I think it will be
early this yearearly this year
 Competitive Application ProcessCompetitive Application Process
 15% Required Matching15% Required Matching
Contribution 50% needed to beContribution 50% needed to be
competitivecompetitive
 $50,000 Minimum/$500,000$50,000 Minimum/$500,000
MaximumMaximum

38. Grant ProgramGrant Program
FY 2003FY 2003
 266 Applications received266 Applications received
 234 Eligible for review234 Eligible for review
 84 Grant Recipients - $32.584 Grant Recipients - $32.5
millionmillion
 57 Educational & 27 Medical57 Educational & 27 Medical
ProjectsProjects


39. Grant ProgramGrant Program
FY 2004FY 2004
 329 Applications received329 Applications received
 274 Eligible for review274 Eligible for review
 66 Awards $24 million66 Awards $24 million

40. Where From Here?
• What is your vision
• Survey info
• Commitment and Support Letters
• Equipment Specs and pricing
• Budget
• Government Obligation Documents
• USDA = paper application
• Commerce = paper + electronic