Do you have a program or project you would like to see funded? Are you considering applying for an upcoming Nebraska Library Commission grant to support this project? Anyone interested in providing continuing education and training for Nebraska library personnel or improving library and information services to Nebraskans is welcome to participate in this session. Kathryn Brockmeier will provide a grant information session leading up to the December 2009 grant deadlines for two of the Nebraska Library Commission’s grant categories: the Continuing Education/Training Grant and the Library Improvement Grant. Kathryn will be joined by Laura Johnson and Richard Miller, who will answer specific questions about Library Commission grant priorities and review. The session will provide the following: * An overview of two grant categories of the NLC: the Continuing Education/Training Grant and the Library Improvement Grant Eligibility requirements * A detailed study of the application process and grant review, including timelines and deadlines * Grant proposal writing hints NCompass Live - November 12, 2009.

1. Continuing Education/Training & Library Improvement Grants: Grants Information Session NCompass Live – November 12, 2009

2. About the presenters Research Analyst Special Projects Associate Grant writer Evaluator Kathryn.Brockmeier@Nebraska.gov 402.471.4002

3. About the presenters Laura Johnson Continuing Education Coordinator Continuing Education & Training Grants Laura.Johnson@ Nebraska.gov 402.471.2694

4. About the presenters Richard Miller Library Development Director Library Improvement Grants Richard.Miller@ Nebraska.gov 402.471.3175

5. About you Your role Library Director Trustee Friends/Foundation Board Your credentials

6. About you, cont’d

7. Online Information http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/libdev/grant.html http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/libdev/Conedgrants/ Cegrant2010/index.html http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/libdev/lsta/lsta.html Please read very carefully through the information presented on these pages, to be in compliance

8. NLC Grant Guidelines Eligible entities Purpose and activities (priorities) Types of support Deadlines The Nebraska Unicameral will be meeting in a special session in November and is expected to approve budget cuts to state agencies. The amount of money available for grants is likely to be less. We will inform the library community of any such reductions.

9. Eligible Entities CE / Training Grant Accredited public libraries (may be in conjunction with recognized community organizations or agencies) Groups/consortia of public libraries Regional library systems State-run institutions Library Improvement Grant Accredited Nebraska public libraries Identified institutional libraries Nebraska Regional Library Systems Other organizations can partner with an eligible entity for purposes of submitting a grant application for a collaborative project.

10. Purpose and Activities (priorities) CE / Training Grant Assist Nebraska libraries to provide improved library services to their communities through continuing education and training for their library personnel and supporters. Library board members, volunteers, advocates, and other supporters may be included in the training, as appropriate. Library Improvement Grant Facilitate growth and development of library programs and services in Nebraska public and institutional libraries, by supplementing local funding with federal funds designated for these purposes.

11. Purpose and Activities (priorities) CE / Training Grant Applications from libraries cooperating with other libraries or entities will be given first consideration Applications from libraries which have never received a Continuing Education and Training Grant will also be given preference Library Improvement Grant

12. Types of Support CE / Training Grant Projects which develop the knowledge and skills of Nebraska library personnel in furtherance of the institution's mission. $250 to $5,000 will be awarded  cost of academic education for individuals  cost of attending statewide professional conferences Library Improvement Grant One or more of the six “LSTA purposes” http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/libdev/lsta/lsta.html Minimum grant award is $500

13. Deadlines CE / Training Grant Available Nov. 3, 2009 Due Dec. 17, 2009 Recipients announced Jan. 15, 2010 Library Improvement Grant Available Oct. 20, 2009 Due Jan. 6, 2010 Recipients announced Feb. 16, 2010

14. Before the Application Three organizing principles: Program Marketing Financial

15. Org. Principle #1: Program Problem statement / needs statement Goals & objectives Methodology (Action / tasks / activities plan) Publicity plan Evaluation plan Impact statement

16. Problem / Needs Statement Rationale – substantiate Community needs or patrons’ needs or even staff’s needs ( we need $) Describe the target audience Tell your story Stay focused on the need, not the solution Org. Principle #1: Program

17. Goals & Objectives Goals Based on the vision of where you want the program or target population to be when the grant period is over Can you write it in one sentence? “To…” or “Will…” Include target population Objectives Measurements or timelines go here Specific, measureable outcomes of your program Your promised improvements in the situation you described in the problem statement “Reduce,” “increase,” “provide” Org. Principle #1: Program

18. Actions / Tasks / Activities Clearly tell the reader what you will do (this is your solution to the problem) State reasons for selection of activities Describe who will perform the tasks and what they are responsible for Describe sequence of activities Include a timeline; it demonstrates you have thought your program through; don’t forget to include evaluation/ reporting Again…What – How – Who – When Org. Principle #1: Program

19. Publicity Plan How will you communicate with your target audience? How will you promote your program or service to your target audience (marketing)? How will you let others know about this program or project? Org. Principle #1: Program

20. Evaluation How effective is your program? Covers outputs, outcomes and process Describes data gathering methods Testimonials, success stories, observations, pre and post testing, questionnaires, interviews, activity logs, performance reports Final report form as your guide? Org. Principle #1: Program

21. Impact Statement Illustrates the impact your program will have on staff, library patrons, community How is the project significant or unique? How is the project addressing issues in the library or community? Can the funder’s money make a difference beyond the library? Can this project help you fulfill your own mission statement? Can others incorporate your program? Org. Principle #1: Program

22. Org. Principle #2: Marketing Introduction Formatting / presentation Funder research Attachment items

23. Introduction (cover letter?) Organizational background Mission and vision or purpose and goals of organization Describe library programs or previous training About your patrons or staff Collaboration (incl. volunteers) Interesting Free of jargon Brief (May add summary here?) Org. Principle #2: Marketing

24. Formatting / Presentation Provide what’s requested and follow directions Be coherent, logical; have someone else read it Pay attention to grammar and spelling Use bullet points or *’s to bring out important points Speak their language: use funder’s vocabulary Org. Principle #2: Marketing

25. Funder Research Seek funding to meet your mission Seek funding to meet your goals Is your project and the aim of the grant a good match? Org. Principle #2: Marketing

26. Attachments Cover letter – shine through! Letters of support; partnership letters Certification statement if required Signature page if required Estimates from suppliers List of materials for purchase Résumé/background of contracted personnel Course descriptions Org. Principle #2: Marketing

27. Org. Principle #3: Financial Project budget Budget justification / narrative Sustainability / dissemination

28. Project Budget Link dollar amounts to the components (what and who) that show up in actions/tasks/ activities Salaries/wages (your staff/personnel, your volunteers, contracted services) & benefits dedicated to this project Travel and per diem* Training costs/ registration fees Materials/supplies/ equipment Communications (printing, postage, ads) Grant funds – no more than 75% of total budget Local funds – at least 25% (in-kind & cash match) Cash match – minimum 10% of total budget * Per diem = daily allowance (for example, meals, lodging) Org. Principle #2: Financial

29. Budget: Job search assistance Total budget: $1,485 Request from funder = $1,100, or 74% of total budget Total match = $385, or 26% of total budget Cash match = $165, or 11% of total budget

30. Budget: Leadership Institute Total budget: $1,038 Request from funder = $778, or 75% of total budget Total match = $260, or 25% of total budget Cash match = $260, or 25% of total budget

31. Budget Justification/Narrative Amount you are requesting What percentage of the total budget are you requesting? Details behind the budget line items Narrate line items in the same order as your budget Org. Principle #2: Financial

32. Sustainability Funding sources want to know how you will continue/maintain/support your program after the funding runs out Can this program be replicated? Dissemination – how will you share information about the activities and results? Org. Principle #2: Financial

33. Writing a Summary In cover letter? Write it last Be brief Grab the most significant sentences from each section of the narrative If you can write this, you know you’ve made your point Proposed initiative Program design/plan of action Problem statement/ statement of need Goals Measurable objectives Impact on problem Cover letter?

34. Questions? CE credits