SC Grant Proposal and Program Experience Essay

Respond to the following prompts and submit your answers, in PDF format, adhering to the following:

Standard letter (8 ½” x 11”) page size

12-point font

Single spaced text and 1-inch margins

Narrative should not exceed 5 pages

1. Project Abstract [2 Pages Max]

FGSC participants will write several components of a grant proposal during the 10- week engagement. Please create a draft project abstract for a place-based initiative that you would propose for grant funding. Please include: (1) project goal, (2) population to be served, (3) activities or services to be delivered, (4) intended project outcomes, and (5) collaborative partners to be invited/engaged. Note: Your abstract does not have to reflect a real-world project or involve an existing organization. You can imagine your own “mock” project. However, the focus population you choose should be real, with a discernible geography, socio-demographic characteristics, and/or perceived service needs and gaps. You will have the opportunity to refine/update/change your proposal elements if selected for the cohort.

2. Program Experience [1 Page Max]

WJWI focuses on neighborhood-based, cradle-to-career strategies, as defined by adherence to the six principles detailed below. Briefly describe your involvement in a place-based and/or cradle-to-career initiative that improved the economic and social mobility of children and families and aligned with these principles.

Continuity

Programming within a neighborhood that spans the full cradle-to-career (C2C) continuum with clear links between all developmental stages • Services may be provided by a single organization or a collection of organizations, but they should be coordinated and connected

Accountability

One organization / entity is accountable for all C2C outcomes within the neighborhood

Though services may be delivered by multiple providers, there is a singular centralized body taking responsibility across the continuum

Accountable entity leverages data to inform outcomes

Neighborhood-based

The programming is rooted in and designed for a particular neighborhood, with a focus on the most historically underserved communities, where outcomes are rarely impacted by systems change

Systems Change

The effort engages systems leaders and leverages conditions of systems change to support the formation and sustaining of contiguous, accountable, neighborhood-based strategies

Systems change/related efforts provide access to sustainable funding for efforts over time

K-12 Engagement

The approach includes a focus on K-12 education, given the central role the system plays in shaping children’s outcomes

This focus may involve working to influence school systems, operating/partnering with a K-12 school, or operating/partnering with afterschool, weekend, and/or summer programs

Proximate Leadership

The effort is led by members of the community being served

Leaders should have deep connections and longstanding relationships within the community

3. Grant Writing Experience [1 Page Max]

Briefly describe your experience supporting or writing grant proposals by answering the following questions:

How many grants have you written?

How many of those grants were you the lead grant writer and how many were you supporting another grant writer or team?

How many of the grants were awarded?

What skills did you learn or strengthen during your prior grant writing experience?

What grant writing knowledge or skills do you hope to develop through the FGSC and in the future?

4. Future Goals [1 Page Max]

Briefly explain how your involvement in the FGSC will advance your personal or professional goals.