5.25.18 NY State's 2018 Consolidated Funding Application
Ah, springtime. Summer is coming. Kids out of school, almost time to relax and slow down - or is it?
Is your municipality, business or nonprofit applying for grants under this year’s NY State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA)? For planners, economic development experts, and the grant writers who often assist them, summer plans include more than camp.
The 2018 CFA will provide access to over $750 million in economic development resources. This year, funds are available through 11 state agencies including Empire State Development; NYS Canal Corporation; NYS Energy Research and Development Authority; Environmental Facilities Corporation; Homes and Community Renewal; Department of Labor; New York Power Authority; Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Department of State; Department of Environmental Conservation, and Council on the Arts. Many focus on economic development and job growth and are offered through the region in New York where your town, city, nonprofit or company does business.
Applications must be submitted by July 28, 2018, by 4:00 pm. The CFA works through a single, web-based application for all of the involved agencies, and it is a lengthy process. The online application system requires the skill to answer dozens of questions per application thoughtfully. Before even getting to respond to the questions, planning a project involves high-level collaboration, and often written support or municipality approval in advance of the application.
For example, the New York Main Street program offers resources to help revitalize downtown areas through building renovation and technical assistance. Municipalities or community development nonprofits are eligible to apply. Municipal resolutions authorizing the application must be passed before the deadline, and applicants that have partners with committed funds to leverage the grant reward make it more competitive. These things require time and care, and most of the programs through the other participating state agencies have similar requirements.
In short: the time is NOW to consider your application plans and strategies and to get started. There are information sessions by region going on throughout May and June where you can learn more; the schedule can be found here and the CFA Program Guidebook, which outlines available programs, can be found here.
It is critical to understand where your project fits in with your Region's stated priorities for community and economic development. To locate your region, learn about its stated plans and priorities, and for contact information to discuss the fit of your project, look here.
Ah, springtime. Summer is coming. Kids out of school, almost time to relax and slow down - or is it?
Is your municipality, business or nonprofit applying for grants under this year’s NY State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA)? For planners, economic development experts, and the grant writers who often assist them, summer plans include more than camp.
The 2018 CFA will provide access to over $750 million in economic development resources. This year, funds are available through 11 state agencies including Empire State Development; NYS Canal Corporation; NYS Energy Research and Development Authority; Environmental Facilities Corporation; Homes and Community Renewal; Department of Labor; New York Power Authority; Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Department of State; Department of Environmental Conservation, and Council on the Arts. Many focus on economic development and job growth and are offered through the region in New York where your town, city, nonprofit or company does business.
Applications must be submitted by July 28, 2018, by 4:00 pm. The CFA works through a single, web-based application for all of the involved agencies, and it is a lengthy process. The online application system requires the skill to answer dozens of questions per application thoughtfully. Before even getting to respond to the questions, planning a project involves high-level collaboration, and often written support or municipality approval in advance of the application.
For example, the New York Main Street program offers resources to help revitalize downtown areas through building renovation and technical assistance. Municipalities or community development nonprofits are eligible to apply. Municipal resolutions authorizing the application must be passed before the deadline, and applicants that have partners with committed funds to leverage the grant reward make it more competitive. These things require time and care, and most of the programs through the other participating state agencies have similar requirements.
In short: the time is NOW to consider your application plans and strategies and to get started. There are information sessions by region going on throughout May and June where you can learn more; the schedule can be found here and the CFA Program Guidebook, which outlines available programs, can be found here.
It is critical to understand where your project fits in with your Region's stated priorities for community and economic development. To locate your region, learn about its stated plans and priorities, and for contact information to discuss the fit of your project, look here.
1.7.16 NY Small Business Owners
– Should your 2016 Plan Include State Economic Development Funds?
In December, the Governor announced over $2B in economic and community development resources awarded across upstate New York through the Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC). For a grant writer, much of the excitement of the REDC awards comes during the application and award announcement phase. Murphy Grant Consulting was happy to assist the City of Plattsburgh in securing a $500,000 award from the NY State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Office to replace a failed foot bridge and transform the area into a vibrant, energy-efficiency minded part of the beloved Saranac River Trail. But I also got to thinking about my small business colleagues - where do they land in all of this?
While funding went to all regions in the State, a subset of these funds under the Upstate Revitalization Initiative provided three regions with $500 million over the next five years to support projects and strategies that create jobs, strengthen and diversify economies, and generate economic opportunity within the region. If your business (or nonprofit) operates in the Central New York, Finger Lakes, or Southern Tier regions, then you might want to explore whether plans have a fit for your business. In all regions, the plans might align with your services or products.
Much of the funding awarded in this round has to do with stimulating business incubators, creating jobs, and technologically-related industries. Even if your small business doesn’t involve these things, you might want to investigate whether there is a fit between the plans of your region and what you offer. Each region defined their own initiatives and priorities; for example, the Southern Tier identified “Food and Agriculture” as a priority area. A strategic alliance with a featured business might be possible for the services you do offer. You also might be able to learn more about ways to plug into development initiatives that could benefit your business. For example, Main Street development projects were awarded in many regions, which could create retail or office space opportunities that would help your business.
To learn more about the awards in general, view the project list sorted by region, and find links visit: http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/2015-regional-council-award-ceremony
To learn more about plans in regions that have Upstate Revitalization Initiative funds:
Central New York: http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/central-new-york
Finger Lakes: http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/finger-lakes
Southern Tier: http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/southern-tier
In December, the Governor announced over $2B in economic and community development resources awarded across upstate New York through the Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC). For a grant writer, much of the excitement of the REDC awards comes during the application and award announcement phase. Murphy Grant Consulting was happy to assist the City of Plattsburgh in securing a $500,000 award from the NY State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Office to replace a failed foot bridge and transform the area into a vibrant, energy-efficiency minded part of the beloved Saranac River Trail. But I also got to thinking about my small business colleagues - where do they land in all of this?
While funding went to all regions in the State, a subset of these funds under the Upstate Revitalization Initiative provided three regions with $500 million over the next five years to support projects and strategies that create jobs, strengthen and diversify economies, and generate economic opportunity within the region. If your business (or nonprofit) operates in the Central New York, Finger Lakes, or Southern Tier regions, then you might want to explore whether plans have a fit for your business. In all regions, the plans might align with your services or products.
Much of the funding awarded in this round has to do with stimulating business incubators, creating jobs, and technologically-related industries. Even if your small business doesn’t involve these things, you might want to investigate whether there is a fit between the plans of your region and what you offer. Each region defined their own initiatives and priorities; for example, the Southern Tier identified “Food and Agriculture” as a priority area. A strategic alliance with a featured business might be possible for the services you do offer. You also might be able to learn more about ways to plug into development initiatives that could benefit your business. For example, Main Street development projects were awarded in many regions, which could create retail or office space opportunities that would help your business.
To learn more about the awards in general, view the project list sorted by region, and find links visit: http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/2015-regional-council-award-ceremony
To learn more about plans in regions that have Upstate Revitalization Initiative funds:
Central New York: http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/central-new-york
Finger Lakes: http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/finger-lakes
Southern Tier: http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/southern-tier
11.3.15 Great
News for Challenge and for New York Farmers: The USDA Local Foods Promotion
Program Grant
Challenge Workforce Solutions has learned of a $100,000 award from the US Department of Agriculture, to connect local and regional smaller farmers with large-scale purchasers through its Finger Lakes Fresh Food Hub!
“There were a lot of applicants for this grant,”Emily Parker, Challenge spokesperson, says. “The FLF food hub in Groton addresses so many key issues that are important locally and state-wide, including access to local food, job creation and sustainable food systems”. The grant will help smaller-scale farmers to aggregate, process and package fresh, healthy foods so they can be purchased at a scale to help their businesses thrive. It will also include organic certification, which is important to some larger institutional buyers such as hospitals.
Murphy Grant Consulting was glad to work with the Challenge staff, and couldn't be prouder to assist this organization that has been improving lives through meaningful job creation for those with barriers to employment for over 45 years. The full story appears in this week’s Tompkins Weekly, http://www.challengeworkforcesolutions.org/assets/TompkinsWeekly151102.pdf .
To learn more about Challenge and the Finger Lakes Fresh Food Hub, visit www.ChallengeWorkforceSolutions.org or www.FingerLakesFresh.com.
Challenge Workforce Solutions has learned of a $100,000 award from the US Department of Agriculture, to connect local and regional smaller farmers with large-scale purchasers through its Finger Lakes Fresh Food Hub!
“There were a lot of applicants for this grant,”Emily Parker, Challenge spokesperson, says. “The FLF food hub in Groton addresses so many key issues that are important locally and state-wide, including access to local food, job creation and sustainable food systems”. The grant will help smaller-scale farmers to aggregate, process and package fresh, healthy foods so they can be purchased at a scale to help their businesses thrive. It will also include organic certification, which is important to some larger institutional buyers such as hospitals.
Murphy Grant Consulting was glad to work with the Challenge staff, and couldn't be prouder to assist this organization that has been improving lives through meaningful job creation for those with barriers to employment for over 45 years. The full story appears in this week’s Tompkins Weekly, http://www.challengeworkforcesolutions.org/assets/TompkinsWeekly151102.pdf .
To learn more about Challenge and the Finger Lakes Fresh Food Hub, visit www.ChallengeWorkforceSolutions.org or www.FingerLakesFresh.com.
9.15.15 Over $10 Million Raised in Grant Funding
I just learned that as of an award notification late last week, I have written proposals that have raised over $10M for some great causes! That is over my entire career, but many have come since I opened Murphy Grant Consulting in 2012. Ten million is actually NOT a lot for some writers who focus on large federal projects. My submissions have ranged from just $500 to upwards of $1M in value – so this is a good bit of work.
It’s easy, when busy, for me to neglect milestones. I think it is for a lot of us with our heads down working hard – but it tickles me when I stop and let it sink in, what my service really means for people. Below are some of my favorite things that all of that work, those grants, have made possible.
Since starting my own business, I’ve written over 90 proposals in 3.5 years. Not all of them get funded, my rate as of today is about 2 for 3. The ones not chosen very often provide learning opportunities for the organizations I serve that can hone their program focus or strengthen their proposals for future use.
There’s a lot to be grateful for today, in a life of service to those who do great work on behalf of others. Thanks for reflecting with me. If you will excuse me, I have to get back to a proposal due later this week!
6.15.15 Funding and Projects Growing Together to Benefit Children
The Discovery Trail recently learned of new grants for its Kids Discover the Trail! (KDT!) expansion. One was through the Community Foundation of Tompkins County’s spring grantmaking cycle, from the Ujeni Grants for Advancing Public Education, the other from the J.M. McDonald Foundation.
KDT! provides educational programs at the Discovery Trail’s world-class venues, where children gain experiences that inspire them to become more engaged students, better critical thinkers, and lifelong learners. KDT! Ithaca started eleven years ago as a pilot project of the Ithaca Public Education Initiative in the Ithaca City School District. It then grew to include students in pre-K through grade six attending Trumansburg Central Schools. In the 2013-14 school year, Murphy Grant Consulting began helping the Discovery Trail in its quest to expand KDT! and bring its learning benefits to students in the other four school districts of Tompkins County. The program is growing as Discovery Trail sites and schools are ready, and as funds are raised to serve eventually over 5,600 elementary-aged children in all six school districts in Tompkins County.
As the mom of an Ithaca elementary school student, I get to enjoy watching the program in action when my son takes his trip every year and meets kids from other schools through KDT! Ithaca’s unique buddy-up feature. It’s very rewarding to work on gaining support for a project with tangible value for so many children.
What makes these two gifts so special is that these foundations are new funders; donors who had not heard of KDT! before, but are interested in its mission. Now the Discovery Trail can build relationships with these organizations, and perhaps through them, extend the practices and learnings of KDT! to other schools in other settings across New York State someday.
To learn more about the program, visit http://www.discoverytrail.com/planning/kids_discover_the_trail.php To learn more about its work specifically in Ithaca, http://kidsdiscoverthetrail.org/
*-photos in collage courtesy of the Discovery Trail, Ithaca Public Education Initiative, Nancy Grossman and Randi Beckman.
The Discovery Trail recently learned of new grants for its Kids Discover the Trail! (KDT!) expansion. One was through the Community Foundation of Tompkins County’s spring grantmaking cycle, from the Ujeni Grants for Advancing Public Education, the other from the J.M. McDonald Foundation.
KDT! provides educational programs at the Discovery Trail’s world-class venues, where children gain experiences that inspire them to become more engaged students, better critical thinkers, and lifelong learners. KDT! Ithaca started eleven years ago as a pilot project of the Ithaca Public Education Initiative in the Ithaca City School District. It then grew to include students in pre-K through grade six attending Trumansburg Central Schools. In the 2013-14 school year, Murphy Grant Consulting began helping the Discovery Trail in its quest to expand KDT! and bring its learning benefits to students in the other four school districts of Tompkins County. The program is growing as Discovery Trail sites and schools are ready, and as funds are raised to serve eventually over 5,600 elementary-aged children in all six school districts in Tompkins County.
As the mom of an Ithaca elementary school student, I get to enjoy watching the program in action when my son takes his trip every year and meets kids from other schools through KDT! Ithaca’s unique buddy-up feature. It’s very rewarding to work on gaining support for a project with tangible value for so many children.
What makes these two gifts so special is that these foundations are new funders; donors who had not heard of KDT! before, but are interested in its mission. Now the Discovery Trail can build relationships with these organizations, and perhaps through them, extend the practices and learnings of KDT! to other schools in other settings across New York State someday.
To learn more about the program, visit http://www.discoverytrail.com/planning/kids_discover_the_trail.php To learn more about its work specifically in Ithaca, http://kidsdiscoverthetrail.org/
*-photos in collage courtesy of the Discovery Trail, Ithaca Public Education Initiative, Nancy Grossman and Randi Beckman.
1.19.15 Have you wondered how to find grantors online? Murphy Grant Consulting is presenting a workshop on this very topic on April 28th!
You have a great program, or a great idea for a
program.
You know funding “should” be out there – but is it? How do you know where to look? And if you find a funder, or even a whole list of them, how do you know which ones will like your proposal?
There are no silver bullets to grant-seeking. However, there are some good online resources that can help you get closer to finding funders that fit your mission and projects.
This session will introduce participants to several resources. We will work through searches using GrantStation, Foundation Center’s Foundation Directory Online, and Guidestar, and will learn how to assess whether a particular funder might be a good fit and to follow up with them. Participants will also learn how to try out some of these resources for free once the session is over.
The Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County hosts this workshop on April 28th, and many others that could help your nonprofit. Details and registration here: http://www.hsctc.org/index.php?page=training
You know funding “should” be out there – but is it? How do you know where to look? And if you find a funder, or even a whole list of them, how do you know which ones will like your proposal?
There are no silver bullets to grant-seeking. However, there are some good online resources that can help you get closer to finding funders that fit your mission and projects.
This session will introduce participants to several resources. We will work through searches using GrantStation, Foundation Center’s Foundation Directory Online, and Guidestar, and will learn how to assess whether a particular funder might be a good fit and to follow up with them. Participants will also learn how to try out some of these resources for free once the session is over.
The Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County hosts this workshop on April 28th, and many others that could help your nonprofit. Details and registration here: http://www.hsctc.org/index.php?page=training
8.18.14 Are YOU Tuff eNuff? Murphy grant consulting is proud to sponsor the Tuff eNuff Challenge at Greek Peak for the Second Year in a row!
Last fall, over 400 people ran, walked, climbed and crawled through the first- ever Tuff eNuff Challenge held at Greek Peak, a run to support the Alcohol & Drug Council of Tompkins County and Cortland Prevention Resources. The steering committee is getting everything ready for another great run - and there is still plenty of room to participate in the 5K/10K course on September 14th. This 2-minute video will tell you more:
https://vimeo.com/103508861
Visit http://tuffenuff.greekpeak.net/ for more information!
Last fall, over 400 people ran, walked, climbed and crawled through the first- ever Tuff eNuff Challenge held at Greek Peak, a run to support the Alcohol & Drug Council of Tompkins County and Cortland Prevention Resources. The steering committee is getting everything ready for another great run - and there is still plenty of room to participate in the 5K/10K course on September 14th. This 2-minute video will tell you more:
https://vimeo.com/103508861
Visit http://tuffenuff.greekpeak.net/ for more information!
6.18.14 Can For-Profit Businesses Really Get Grants?
I get asked this question pretty often, and the simple
answer is...sometimes. It came up just yesterday
at a luncheon for women who own small businesses (www.womenTIES.com) and I know it won’t be
the last. It just depends on what for. If you are proposing new technology in a specific field, or training needs in a growth industry, your chances will better; but just as in the nonprofit world, you have to show a clear fit with the interests of your audience.
For example, this spring I worked with a couple of for-profit companies
on energy conservation-related proposals to the NY State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA). Grants for
businesses tend to be very focused and specific.
Luckily, Micki Vandeloo has provided this excellent article
that outlines just how a business can determine whether their needs or new
product plans are potentially fundable.
It appeared on the blog for GrantsChampion which is owned and operated
by fellow grants professional and incredibly lovely, smart person, Jana
Hexter. I think I may just keep a copy
of it with me for the next business function I attend. Read on & thanks for visiting:
http://www.grantschampion.com/grants-for-social-entrepreneurs-and-for-profit-companies/
9.26.13 Crowdfunding and the Power of Story
In between proposals this summer, I worked with Emma Frisch and Regi Carpenter on a video for PEAKS, an online site that helps organizations raise funds in a relatively new way – crowdfunding. (Like Kickstarter, but for charities).
Though technology changes, human behavior and comfort around fundraising hasn’t shifted much. When funding streams tighten, many nonprofits look to diversify –
for many, that means ramping up private appeals, but not everyone is at ease with asking, or has a board full of directors at ease with asking. Whether using online means or direct conversation, how can you be sure you are making it as easy as possible for your champions to ask for support for your organization? Have them tell a good story.
This video summarizes the process that professional storyteller, Regi Carpenter, used with Scott Callan, director of the History Center. Then I walked him
through his final sentence – the one that is so hard for many people to actually get out – the request for funds. The whole process took less than two hours, and the result was a clear, descriptive, two minute pitch. The best thing about it was watching Scott’s eyes light up when he told us the story of why the History Center’s work feels so important to him. It was beautiful.
Neuroscientists understand that story is key to human evolution; our species is hard-wired for story. If you want to really pull people in to the heart of your mission,
consider storytelling. Even if you just want to get out of the weeds of running your organization and revisit why your work is so important – search for your
important story. It will rejuvenate you and help you convey your organization’s relevance in a way your audience can feel.
This video will give you a taste of how that works!
Though technology changes, human behavior and comfort around fundraising hasn’t shifted much. When funding streams tighten, many nonprofits look to diversify –
for many, that means ramping up private appeals, but not everyone is at ease with asking, or has a board full of directors at ease with asking. Whether using online means or direct conversation, how can you be sure you are making it as easy as possible for your champions to ask for support for your organization? Have them tell a good story.
This video summarizes the process that professional storyteller, Regi Carpenter, used with Scott Callan, director of the History Center. Then I walked him
through his final sentence – the one that is so hard for many people to actually get out – the request for funds. The whole process took less than two hours, and the result was a clear, descriptive, two minute pitch. The best thing about it was watching Scott’s eyes light up when he told us the story of why the History Center’s work feels so important to him. It was beautiful.
Neuroscientists understand that story is key to human evolution; our species is hard-wired for story. If you want to really pull people in to the heart of your mission,
consider storytelling. Even if you just want to get out of the weeds of running your organization and revisit why your work is so important – search for your
important story. It will rejuvenate you and help you convey your organization’s relevance in a way your audience can feel.
This video will give you a taste of how that works!
3.15.13 Sharpen Your Hatchet
The other day in a coffee shop I ran into a colleague who runs one of the many nonprofits in the Fingerlakes region. I asked how he was doing, and he looked up from his IPhone just briefly enough to give me a wild-eyed, “oh, you know. Busy. CRAZY Busy!” Every day I see friends who work in our wide-ranging human services community, all in the business of making lives better and promoting lasting change. Many are stressed.
With tight times over the past few years, nonprofit staffs are shrinking and resources –
including time – are stretched thin. In the past month alone, I’ve heard four different leaders
say there was a deadline they missed for a really promising grant, or opportunity to engage
a new donor, or research into new resources that they would like to have done – except they,
and everyone else in their organizations, are just too busy right now.
In short, these leaders would love to have time to sharpen their hatchets. They all fully
intend to – right after they get done whacking away at the giant oak in front of them.
Luckily for a few of them, they have become clients of Murphy Grant Consulting. With one nonprofit, I’m helping a new Executive Director get the team on schedule with grant deadlines, clearly articulated goals, and a unified, compelling message. Another savvy leader whose programs rely largely on federal support is embarking on a search of potential new resources that may not just save her programs, but actually take them in exciting new directions.
I can provide temporary support – long or short-term – to an organization facing a similar predicament. I have experience working with leaders and teams to help
lighten the load and make really good use of limited time so you can tell your organization’s story best, and get the support you need to help those you serve.
If this sounds familiar, please contact us - let me see if I can help you sharpen your hatchet.
With tight times over the past few years, nonprofit staffs are shrinking and resources –
including time – are stretched thin. In the past month alone, I’ve heard four different leaders
say there was a deadline they missed for a really promising grant, or opportunity to engage
a new donor, or research into new resources that they would like to have done – except they,
and everyone else in their organizations, are just too busy right now.
In short, these leaders would love to have time to sharpen their hatchets. They all fully
intend to – right after they get done whacking away at the giant oak in front of them.
Luckily for a few of them, they have become clients of Murphy Grant Consulting. With one nonprofit, I’m helping a new Executive Director get the team on schedule with grant deadlines, clearly articulated goals, and a unified, compelling message. Another savvy leader whose programs rely largely on federal support is embarking on a search of potential new resources that may not just save her programs, but actually take them in exciting new directions.
I can provide temporary support – long or short-term – to an organization facing a similar predicament. I have experience working with leaders and teams to help
lighten the load and make really good use of limited time so you can tell your organization’s story best, and get the support you need to help those you serve.
If this sounds familiar, please contact us - let me see if I can help you sharpen your hatchet.
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