Grant writing is both a science and an art. Successful, competitive applications will
require subject matter expertise, general grant writing, agency- and grant program
specific grant writing experience, and in some circumstances research methods expertise.
The following grant writing guidelines are intended to support you as you’re researching
and working on a grant.
Resources for Grants Development
Used by Grantors to:
Initiate communications
Provide grant application forms
Invite potential applicants to grant application webinars and other resources
Size and scope of an LOI varies widely
Sometimes simply requests general ideas, and contact info (name, address, and email)
Concept Paper
Concept Paper
Share the concept paper with prospective partners, your Department Chair, Dean and/or
partners for conceptual agreement to proceed.
Determine the amount (range) of funding to be requested
Discern the type of funding support needed (seed money; operating costs; research;
program development)
Consider all fields of interest relevant to the project (higher education; family
services; community development)
Highlight/Identify some key words which can be used to search for funding sources
Review literature for similar programs and determine how they were funded
Have the commitment of your College, President, VP, Dean, and Department Chair (to
the project), and the Grants Office (in providing grant proposal writing and/or assistance)
Review all possible sources, i.e. collect funding opportunity notices (RFP; RFA; NOFA)
Research upcoming grant opportunities and identify RFP/RFA appropriate for project(s)
Identify those opportunities most appropriate
Check eligibility requirements
Check funding priorities
Check deadlines
Grants.gov, Federal Register, and State of California’s Grants Portal (free)
Direct Agency Contact (free)
General funding alerts: no-cost and subscription (free)
Topical grants alerts: no-cost and subscription (free)
Foundation Directory: foundation libraries (at cost)
California Grants Portal: Grants.ca.gov is managed and hosted by the California State Library.AB132 (section 8334.1) expanded the Grants Portal mission, requiring state grantmakers
to submit post award data for all grants closing on or after July 1, 2022.
Federal grants: Federal funding opportunities published on Grants.gov are for organizations and
entities supporting the development and management of government-funded programs and
projects.
Chancellor’s Office Grants page: The Chancellor’s Office administers grants that benefit local districts or the California
Community Colleges system as a whole.
The Foundation Center: Candid’s Foundation Directory gives access to information needed to be smart and
strategic with your funding requests.
