During these slow times for federal grants, nonprofits shouldn't be standing on the sidelines waiting for grant solicitations to be released, says FAM editor and veteran grants specialist Ray Sweeney.

"This year especially, nonprofits should be making calls to program officials for insights on their important programs," says Sweeney, who has years of grant submission and management expertise. "With a new administration, decisions are now being made on what new programs to implement, but decisions are being made on the direction of existing efforts."

For instance, funding for faith-based groups is still very much up in the air. The White House is continuing a faith-based effort, but not many details have been released.

Staffers at various federal agencies tell FAM that decision-making is still ongoing for faith-based funding programs. A visit to websites for the faith-based offices at the federal agencies indicates that the programs are still being formed. Not even all the sites have the new faith-based name--Office of Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships--but instead are still called by the old moniker--Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives.

Staffers tell us that decisions are still being made about the signature Bush-era faith-based funding programs, including the Compassion Capital program and Access to Recovery at the Health & Human Services Dept. They say if a faith-based program is still mentioned on a particular federal agency website, odds are good that it will remain.

However, they tell FAM that the programs will be reworked to meet the current White House's faith-based agenda that emphasizes community and religious partnerships, instead of a strict focus on faith groups. A call to program officials should get nonprofits involved in the process.

Ways to ensure successful contact

Sweeney suggests the following when contacting federal program officials.

Go to the source: Nonprofits shouldn't spend tons of time trying to pinpoint just the right person, Sweeney says. They should visit the program's website and try to locate a contact name. If one isn't readily apparent on the program website, locate the previous year's grant guidance, which should list a contact person. Nonprofits shouldn't worry if the contact is out-of-date or that the person may have changed with the administration, because the information is a year old. Odds are the phone number will either lead to the correct contact via a message or directly speaking with the person, Sweeney says. Nonprofits should be aware that program contacts aren't dictated by administration changes. These individuals are full-time federal employees, with job security, which is why they can provide insights without repercussions, Sweeney says.

Develop a message: Nonprofits should be prepared for a discussion on the program prior to making a call to a program official. Yes, they may simply talk to a program contact that sends them to another source or they just may get voice mail. Regardless, they should make the call ready for a discussion, armed with some knowledge of the program and what they want out of the call, including:

• Program particulars.
• Funding history.
• Controversial aspects of the program that may be reconsidered.
• Appropriateness of nonprofit's effort to program's goals.
• Personal insights on strengths and weaknesses of programs.
• Expectations from the call.
• Involvement expectations.

Think big: When contacting program officials, nonprofits shouldn't just be thinking about an update on the program. They should be ready to offer assistance, rather through helping guide the grant guidance formulation through participation on committees or volunteering as a grant evaluator. Being on the grant guidance committee for the program or serving as a grant evaluator can really help nonprofits get on the radar of program officials, Sweeney says. Nonprofits shouldn't hesitate about asking about ways for them to get intimately involved in a funding program.

Keep in regular contact: Nonprofits shouldn't think of contact with program officials as a one-time deal. They should keep in regular contact and form a rapport with the program officials, Sweeney says.

Info: Sweeney wants to hear from FAM subscribers about grant seeking issues. Contact him at 301/588-6380, ext. 175 or rsweeney@cdpublications.com with questions or other concerns.

This story was sent to susan@tgci.com by jrogers@cdpublications.com.

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