Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund

 

How to write a grant proposal workshop 2010


“How-to-apply” Workshops


The purpose of the workshops is to help potential applicants to understand the application guidelines and process.  The workshops also give farmers some face time to get specific questions about their projects answered.  Participants in the workshops come away better informed about the project.

(See helpful hints below)


The workshops utilize past TCRP projects as examples of income diversification strategies.   In addition to talking about the cost-share program, RAFI promotes other resources for farmers, including our financial counseling and publications, such as The Farmers’ Guide to Agricultural Credit. 

 

Central Region Schedule

Central Field Coordinator: Julius Tillery (919-259-4101) or email: julius@rafiusa.org

    1. Alamance County: July 20, 2010 6pm
      Contact: Roger Cobb Phone: (336) 570-6740
      Address: Alamance County Extension Office
      209-C N Graham-Hopedale Rd., Burlington, NC 27217

    2. Robeson County: August 3, 2010 6pm
      Contact: Nelson Brownlee Phone: (910) 671-6278
      Address: Robeson County Extension office
      O.P. Owens Agriculture Center
      455 Caton Road., Lumberton, NC 28360

    3. Columbus County Workshop is August 5th at 6pm.
      Contact Person: Howard Wallace   Phone: 910.640.6606
      45 Government Complex Rd (Suite A)
      Whiteville, NC 28472

    4. Franklin County meeting is August 11th at 6pm.
      Franklin Co Extension Office
      Contact person:   Martha Mosley  (919) 496-3344
      Address: 103 S Bickett Blvd
      Franklin County Extension Center
      Louisburg, NC 27549

    5. Halifax County: August 12, 2010 6pm
      Contact: Lennie Breeze Phone: (252) 583-1683
      Address: Halifax County Extension Office
      359 Ferrell Ln., Halifax, NC 27839

    6. Sampson County: August 17, 2010 6pm
      Contact: James Hartsfield Phone: (910) 592-9513
      Address: Sampson County Extension Office
      55 Agriculture Pl., Clinton, NC 28328

    7. Warren County:August 19, 2010 6:30
      Contact: Paul Mckenzie Phone: (252) 257-3640
      Address: Warren County Extension Office
      158 Rafters Lane, Warrenton, NC 27589

    8. Moore County: August 23, 2010 3 pm
      Contact Person: Taylor Williams Phone: (910) 947-3188
      Agricultural Center: 707 Pinehurst Ave., Carthage, NC 28327

    9. Bladen County August 24 at 6pm.
      contact: Becky Spearman (910)-862-4591
      Extension Office 450 Smith Circle Dr. Elizabethtown, NC 28337

    10. Johnson County: September 7, 2010 6pm
      Contact:Bryant Spivey Phone: (919) 989-5380
      Address:Johnston County Extension Office
      2736 NC Hwy 210 , Smithfield, NC 27577

    11. Person County: September 9, 2010 6:30pm
      Contact: Carl Cantaluppi Phone: (336)598-0272
      Address:Person County extension office
      304 S Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573
      Room 123.

    12. Cumberland County: September 13, 2010 6:00pm
      Contact: Kenneth Bailey Phone: (910) 321.6860
      301 E Mountain Drive
      Fayetteville, NC 28306-3422

    13. Montgomery County: September 20, 2010 6:00pm
      Contact: Danielle McKnight Phone: (910) 576-6011
      Montgomery County Extension Office
      203 W Main St., Troy, NC 27371

    14. Wilson County September 21st, 2010 6pm
      Contact: Billy Little. Phone: (252) 237-0111.
      Wilson County 1806 SW Goldsboro St., Wilson, NC 27893

    15. Chatham County September 29, 2010 6:30pm

      Contact; Julius Tillery, Phone: 919-259-4101
      Address: 274 Pittsboro Elementary School Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312
      Across from the Pittsboro Elementary School



    Helpful Hints: Write a Successful Proposal
    Please type or print clearly. Remember that each reviewer has to read dozens of
    proposals.

        • Don't use small type, (use 12 point or larger) Make Your Application Easy to Read!


        • Develop clear goals. Whether you are trying to solve a marketing problem or do
          something no one's even thought of yet, simple and clear goals let the reviewers know
          WHAT your goal is. Then - as they read your application - they can see HOW you are
          going to reach your goal.

        • Plan ahead on how to accomplish your project. Think about the details before you fill
          out the proposal. This helps you and also lets the reviewers know that you have thought
          through all the steps of your project.


        • Measure your results. Chances are you are going to measure something. So, whether it
          is crop yield or increased market share, make sure that what you are measuring will give
          you the information you need to tell if you have accomplished your objectives.


        • Timing is everything. Let the reviewers know WHEN you will be doing the things you
          plan to do. A detailed timetable lets them know that you have given this work some
          thought and that you have a clear idea of the time it will take. Please detail how you will
          handle any additional workloads that this project may create.


        • Choose cooperators to complement your skills. When you enlist the cooperation of
          people who have expertise in areas that you don't - research, marketing, outreach,
          whatever - they'll help you make your project better and increase your chances of
          receiving funding. Pick your cooperators carefully, and make sure each one has the
          skills you need for your project. Your cooperators may be other farmers with expertise
          in production, marketing or other enterprise skills. You may also want to involve
          extension agents, crop consultants, non profit groups, university or Department of
          Agriculture specialists. Include letters of intent from cooperators with your proposal.


        • Develop a clear outreach plan to share what you learn from your project. Outreach
          activities can include field days, workshops, publications or any method to get the results
          of your project to people who can use them.


        • Develop a realistic budget. Please carefully itemize your expenses on the budget
          worksheet and enter your sub-totals for funds requested and for matching contributions.
          Then enter the project totals on the last line of the second page of the budget worksheet
          for each year that funds are requested. You can round the cents to the nearest dollar.


        • Attend a Workshop to learn how to prepare a proposal. Workshops are being
          organized to help applicants learn the "dos and don'ts" of writing a proposal. If
          you are interested in attending a workshop contact the RAFI-USA office or staff.
          ________________________________________________________________________

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