Navigating the complexities of government grants requires expertise, strategy, and precision. At raSmith, our grant specialists provide comprehensive support to help organizations identify funding opportunities, craft compelling proposals, and successfully manage awarded grants. Our services encompass every stage of the grant process—from strategic planning and application development to post-award compliance and financial oversight.
We collaborate closely with clients to match their projects with the appropriate funding sources, ensuring competitive and well-positioned applications. Whether you're seeking funding for parks and recreation, community development, or other government-backed initiatives, raSmith’s expertise can help you maximize your success.
Our local government clients in Wisconsin may access our online grants and funding directory to learn about more than 150 funding programs available through more than 40 local, state, and federal agencies and organizations. raSmith has developed and maintains “Wisconsin Grant Seekers,” a LinkedIn group consisting of more than 500 members. This online forum enables group members to exchange information regarding funding sources.
Grant Writing and Management Services
Strategic Grant Planning
- Needs Assessment and Opportunity Identification: We evaluate an organization's current state, goals, and capabilities to pinpoint key areas for improvement or expansion through grant opportunities. This service performs research and identifies relevant grant opportunities that align with the organization's mission and objectives, to ensure a strategic match between the client's needs and available funding sources.
- Grant Matrix Development and Funding Source Analysis: We create a unique comprehensive evaluation tool to assess and prioritize potential grant opportunities based on what is included in the community’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) or other planning documents. We also consider our client’s organizational goals, project alignment, and funder objectives. This service includes developing a customized matrix to score grant opportunities, analyzing various funding sources, and providing strategic recommendations to maximize the chances of securing grants that best fit.
- Strategic Positioning for Competitive Applications: We help organizations align their grant proposals with funders' priorities and program objectives to maximize opportunities for success. This service involves analyzing the organization's strengths, developing compelling narratives that highlight innovation and significance, and tailoring applications to meet specific grant requirements while emphasizing the project's potential impact.
- Grants and Funding Directory Access: raSmith offers a specialized online grants and funding directory exclusively for its local government clients in Wisconsin. This unique resource compiles over 150 funding programs sourced from more than 40 local, state of Wisconsin, and federal agencies and organizations. The directory is designed to provide clients with detailed information for each program, streamlining the grant application process.
Grant Application and Writing Support
- Grant Writing and Proposal Development: We craft compelling, tailored grant proposals that align with funders' priorities and highlight the client's strengths and project impact. This service typically involves conducting thorough research, developing persuasive narratives, creating detailed budgets, and ensuring all application requirements are met to maximize the chances of securing funding.
- Application Review and Enhancement: We meticulously examine completed grant applications to ensure they meet all requirements and effectively communicate the project's value. This service involves critically assessing the grant proposal's content, structure, and clarity; offering constructive feedback; and making strategic improvements to strengthen the application's overall competitiveness and appeal to funders.
- Budget Development and Justification: We create detailed, accurate, and compliant budgets that align with both the project's needs and the funder's guidelines. This service involves itemizing costs, providing clear justifications for each expense, ensuring all budget categories are appropriately addressed, and demonstrating the cost-effectiveness and financial feasibility of the proposed project to enhance the overall grant application.
Post-Award Management
- Grant Administration and Compliance Oversight: We manage the entire grant lifecycle, ensuring adherence to funder requirements and regulations. This service typically includes tracking expenditures, preparing and submitting required reports, maintaining proper documentation, and implementing internal controls to safeguard against non-compliance, thereby allowing the organization to focus on project implementation while minimizing risks.
- Financial Monitoring and Reporting: We establish and maintain robust systems for tracking grant expenditures, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting to funders. This service involves creating detailed financial records, reconciling expenses with the approved budget, preparing comprehensive financial reports, and providing insights to help the organization effectively manage grant funds and maintain transparency throughout the project lifecycle.
- Audit Preparation and Support: We assist organizations in preparing for and navigating through grant-related audits. This service includes organizing and reviewing financial documentation, ensuring compliance with grant terms and regulations, preparing staff for potential auditor inquiries, and offering expert guidance throughout the audit process to minimize findings and maintain the organization's credibility with funders.
Ongoing Grant Consultation
- Continuous Funding Opportunity Monitoring: We systematically track and analyze emerging grant opportunities from various funding sources to identify those aligned with the client's goals and capabilities. This ongoing service involves staying updated on federal, state, and private foundation grant announcements, assessing their relevance to the organization's mission, and promptly notifying clients of suitable funding prospects to ensure they do not miss potential funding opportunities.
- Long-term Funding Strategy Development: We create a comprehensive 12 to 18-month roadmap outlining an organization's grant seeking plans and priorities. This service involves identifying well-aligned grant opportunities, charting out deadlines, and developing a strategic framework that balances contributions with investment returns while understanding and mitigating risks, helping organizations achieve sustained success in their funding efforts.
- Capacity Building for In-house Grant Management: We work to strengthen an organization's internal systems and staff capabilities for effective grant management. This service typically involves assessing current practices, developing tailored training programs, implementing robust grant management processes, and providing ongoing support to build the organization's capacity to manage grants efficiently and compliantly in-house.
