grant writing
"DigitalBicycle" Program Development
Organization:
Lowell Telecommunications Corporation VISTA Name:
Ben Sheldon
Program Start:
8/2005
Program End:
8/2006
Project Description:
Ben will serve in a capacity building role related to the social network and technical infrastructure of the DigitalBicycle project. This will include some work in PHP/Drupal, working on user interface and workflow issues, assisting in the development of custom Linux installs for organizational “seeds”, and serving as a liaison with partner organizations. Writing will be a key part of Ben’s service, including documentation, training materials, and grant application materials. He may also serve as a representative of the DigitalBicycle at conferences and meetings, and may be asked to participate in presentations and panel discussions.
Project Outcome:
Ben successfully created a content moderation module for Drupal using PHP for comments, users, and submitted content. Ben also created an Amazon Lists type module, that allowed users to create lists of things like on Amazon, and get them in an RSS feed.
Ben also did a huge amount of outreach and networking for the “DigitalBicycle” project. He spoke on the New Media Distribution panel at the B&H Photo conference in NYC and at the Beyond Broadcast Conference.
Ben also created logos and graphics for “DigitalBicycle” using inkscape.
Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator
Organization:
DANEnet VISTA Name:
Blake Hall
Program Start:
8/2005
Program End:
8/2006
Project Description:
Our Americorp*Vista member will assist in organizing computer related volunteer projects and mobilizing volunteers. In October of 2005 DANEnet will sponsor a day of service to celebrate our 10 year anniversary and the VISTA will help plan this event.
Project Outcome:
Blake spent most of his time working on the DANEnet Day of Service. Which was a success in the fall of 2005. He also with the EPICS service learning program at the University of Wisconsin where he is teaching the current students (the reality of nonprofits and low income citizens [fall term]; Web programming [spring term])
Blake is also working with the Youth Resource Network to create a Web portal for youth serving activities/agencies.
Lastly, Blake helped to write a successful Youth Visions proposal and he has been the day-to-day DANEnet presence on that grant.
Fundraising and IT Support
Organization:
Carlos Rosario International Career Center VISTA Name:
Mark Betz
Program Start:
8/2005
Program End:
8/2006
Project Description:
The AmeriCorps*VISTA will research and develop prospective sources of funding and new programs and analyzing industry trends. The project will also enlist volunteer support for direct service through teaching a technology program, increasing the use of technology in our ESL program, and providing technical support and tutoring assistance.
Project Outcome:
Mark was able to implement an open computer lab at the school that provides basic to advanced technology to help students. With regular lab hours he is able to make himself available on a consistent basis for the entire student body. Mark also helps teachers with class projects that include working with students on particular software programs or internet research, etc. Responding to staff IT needs, Mark is able to work on a one-on-one basis providing training and helping staff identify ways in which technology can make their work more efficient.
Mark has also been working with the Family Literacy program, an off-site program where we provide literacy classes to parents in partnering elementary schools.
Mark has also been instrumental in integrating the community wide technology workshops offered during our Community Days. Community Days take place on periodic Saturdays and are open to the community at large, especially the immediate neighborhood. They offer a variety of educational workshops and social services. During Community Day, Mark was able to hold an open computer lab with activities designed for children, as many of the Community Day activities were family oriented.
Fundraising
Organization:
United Teen Equality Center (UTEC) VISTA Name:
Nathan Biggs
Program Start:
6/2005
Program End:
6/2006
Project Description:
In short, Nathan is helping us build the sustainability to continue all of UTEC’s mission. He has spent much focus on building systems (i.e. donor recognition systems) so that his work will last longer than his immediate 1-year impact. he produced our first ever annual report!! And, he has excited the entire development departament about the possibilities inherent in individual donor fundraising through his infectious excitement about such fundraising.
Project Outcome:
Nathan has done an excellent job in his role as a VISTA here at UTEC! He took on a leading role in coordinating UTEC’s most comprehensive and successfull fundraiser to date. He has contributed immensely by helping us organize and develop a new online grants database (which I strongly believe will be a model for other nonprofits on how to best integrate technology into their development work). He has written and won grants. He has created a well organized foundation/donor recognition system that has substantially improved our capacity for relationship building with funders. And he has provided much excitement around the development of a new individual donor organization process. I have been very pleased with Nathan’s work (this being his first time in a development position as this) and would rehire him in a minute.
Impact Quote:
Nathan took a leading role in coordinating all aspects of our first major fundraiser. With our Dvelopment Director out sick for some time during this period, he was sometimes running this without a ton of support. He took this as a challenge and semed to be invigorated by the challenge… never pessimistic or overwhelmed by stress. In the end, we had nearly 200 guests attend and profited nearly $10,000. Moreover, all those who attended coninue today to talk about how professional and well orchestrated it was. Ultimately, Nathan was able to establish the inception of what will now be the annual fundraiser event for UTEC….each year building upon the success of all his work this past year.
Community Outreach
Organization:
Community Software Lab VISTA Name:
John Miller
Program Start:
8/2005
Program End:
3/2007
Project Description:
Goal 1: Increase Community groups served from 25 to 100
Goal 2: Increase & Improve UMASS Lowell / community anti-poverty community groups
Goal 3: Make it much easier for non techs to update and create web pages.
Goal 4: Create effective system for fund raising through grants
Goal 5: Increase number of effective volunteers from (3) per year to (5) by evaluating potential volunteers more carefully and providing more formal training to new volunteers.
Project Outcome:
John is a big part of our growth from 25 to 35 organizations.
Three program directors have told me almost exactly: “Without John, I wouldn’t have learned how to update my websie.”
Youth Program Development
Organization:
United Teen Equality Center (UTEC) VISTA Name:
Diliana de Jesus
Program Start:
8/2003
Program End:
8/2004
Project Description:
Our Americorps VISTA project focused on increasing the capacity and sustainability of UTEC’s Multimedia programs through various development-based responsibilities. Diliana was responsible for grantwriting (specifically focused on enhancing our community technology programs), organizing special events (fundraisers, open houses, etc.), coordinating phone-a-thons, developing PR materials and UTEC’s first-ever annual report. Diliana was expected to work with and train teen leaders in all aspects of their development work.
Specific responsibilities included:
•Attend, participate, and occasionally facilitate all staff meetings and planning retreats.
•Serve as a counselor and role model for youth involved in the Fundraising Team.
•Design and carry out annual development workplan.
•Research and write grant proposals.
•Coordinate special event fundraisers.
•Develop a resource guide for the Development Department.
Project Outcome:
Diliana’s background in communications has only strengthened her contribution to UTEC by focusing on increasing the capacity and sustainability of our multimedia programs through various development-based responsibilities. She also works with and trains teen leaders of the Fundraising Team in all aspects of their development work. In addition, she assists with the program development in the areas of video production, sound recording, and web design. It is obvious what a tremendous asset Diliana is for our organization, but it is also apparent that Diliana herself has grown professionally from the hands-on development work of our multimedia programs. She plans to continue this type of work well into the future.
Diliana has played a major role in being an active participant in the organization’s overall development. She has consistently supported her co-workers, emphasizing the team environment at UTEC. Diliana has the skills to bring an idea to life. For instance, UTEC’s first major fundraiser will be taking place early next month. Diliana worked with teens in the Fundraising Team to gather ideas/themes for the event. Since then, she has developed and followed a timeline to make the event a future success!
Diliana has accomplished the following major tasks as based upon her workplan:
• Completion of first-ever UTEC newsletter (second issue now in progress)
• Just recently completed first-ever Annual Report.
• Completed three monthly Open House Nights (and built a system for carrying out this work).
• Developed new mailing list for all fundraising activities.
• Secured donations from various businesses as part of program ads for newsletter.
• Completed and submitted various grant applications (as well as grantwriting training course).
• Developed new bios for all staff.
• Currently documenting all work as part of a new Fundraising Resource Guide.
• Currently planning a special event fundraiser to support a new capital campaign.
• Interviewed and hired teen fundraising staff.
Outreach and Development Coordination
Organization:
Playing to Win (PTW) VISTA Name:
Kristen Wernicke
Program Start:
6/2003
Program End:
6/2004
Project Description:
In the fall of 2003, the Playing2Win organization welcomed the assistance of two Vista- Fellows: Mr. Max Benitez, Youth Technology Instructor, and Ms. Kristin Wernicke, Outreach and Development Coordinator. During the course of their tenure, Mr. Benitez and Ms. Wernicke served the center in several component capacities.
As Outreach and Development Coordinator, Ms. Wernicke’s responsibilities included the following:
•Researched, coordinated, wrote, and edited general operation and program-specific grants including those to AOL, Ford Foundation, C. Virginia Fields Borough Needs, Home Depot, and William T Grant Foundation.
•Developed and maintained relationships with youth, media, non-profit, and public interest organizations on the local and national levels, including the above mentioned Harlem organizations as well as the Global Action Project, Educational Video Center, Reel Youth, Camp Interactive, Manhattan Community Boards 10 and 11, and community websites east-harlem.org, mibarrio.org.
•Created local resource list for community technology center issues and similar organizations.
•Worked on building an infrastructure for outreach (i.e., managing and creating databases) that is accessible to youth and other staff.
•Developed and maintained outreach database
•Expanded and intensified program partnerships in New York City and the US
•Developed programs and assisted with planning for future outlook of the community technology center
•Researched and wrote both general operation and specific program grants
Project Outcome:
Vista Fellows were involved with the following:
• The development of research instruments and conduct of an on-going survey of 100 participants and adult and youth programs to better serve our community.
• The development of volunteer support program for the ongoing support of 10 volunteers and recruitment of 10 others.
• Oversaw teacher support assessments and provided ongoing support for 4 teachers in youth and adult programs.
• Provided technical support for our center to keep the 50 machines and network running smoothly
• Assisted with the development of 5-10 proposals to raise approximately $100,000
• Assisted in the development of our Job Training Program recruitment and development.
Impact Quote:
As the purpose of the AmeriCorps*VISTA program is to provide useful outreach to local communities, our participants echoed their sentiment through visible outreach and service projects. One example I am reminded of was the special PBS viewing of “Every Mother’s Son,” coordinated by Mr. Bentinez. The event called for local law enforcement agents and community members to come together in support of the idea of social change, justice and a forum for communication and healing. This project used the power of media and the passion of human nature to discuss the realities of police brutality in New York City. This event is also an example of a sustainable solution effort and the ability of change.
- Shawna BuShell, Executive Director
CTC Assistance
Organization:
Downtown Jackson CDC VISTA Name:
Angela Carson
Program Start:
8/2003
Program End:
6/2004
Project Description:
The property which provided space for our lab was sold to another owner. The new owner wasn’t interested in keeping the programs. We move all equipment which was held in storage for more than 7 months. We partnered with another local property and we moved twice to new property. Finally, in April we move to the final location for the computer lab.
These moves hindered Angela’s work with the lab. However she was quite helpful in other areas. She wrote the first MLK grant which was funded. She provided research for many of the grants that have been developed during the 8 months of her stay. She developed the system for reporting and documenting for a new program brought on this year. She also developed the accounting and financial system documenting agency resources.
Project Outcome:
The computer lab is presently up and running. The Web sight was not developed, as no one at the agency has the skills to help Angela to develop the Web. She networked the computers to one laser printer and set up the eight new computers. She developed a training curriculum for use with the summer and after-school children.
The positive results of the MLK grant provide an environmental program to teach youth about the value of our planet. The youth also enjoyed a conference on “Discovering How Amazing you really are” and learning how to find the greatness within themselves.
CTC assistance
Organization:
Pangea Foundation VISTA Name:
Judy Siegel
Program Start:
8/2003
Program End:
8/2004
Project Description:
Judy’s main responsibilities were supervision of the lab, supervision of the Tech bus, grant writing, technical maintenance and marketing. When she was not able to find the answers she needed, Judy was very adept at doing research to enable her to accomplish her goals. For example, she was a member of several listservs that allowed her to bounce ideas off of others in the field.
Goal 1: Sustain current schedule of introductory classes offered in Cox Technology Lab while building stronger relationships within community and with businesses and other non-profits to build capacity
Goal 2: Program Development and Grant Writing
Goal 3: Develop plan to provide consistent technical support in lab
Project Outcome:
Program Development:
Developed curriculum for basic computer classes for both children and adults:
•Introduction to Microsoft Word
•Introduction to Microsoft Excel
•Introduction to the Internet & Email
•Introduction to Computers
Grant Writing:
•Solely wrote and applied for Hewlett-Packard hardware grant valued at $11,000 (January 2004)—not awarded.
•Collaborated with Occupational Training Services for San Diego Foundation grant, valued at $25,000 (February 2004)—not awarded.
•In process of applying for hardware through San Diego Futures Foundation. Update of this grant was received resulting in 16 refurbished Dell computers
•Applied for IMPACTPLUS grant (March 19)—not awarded.
•Waitt Family Foundation 2660 for Grand Reopening
Marketing
•Created flyers and monthly calendars for tech lab classes
•Distributed to community centers, libraries, schools, community colleges, etc.
•Handed out flyers at YMCA games
•Marketing activities on on-going basis as needed (i.e., upcoming plans for Grand Re-Opening, etc.)
Networking/Relationship Building
•Attended monthly Community Tech meetings
•Attended 3 symposiums presented by San Diego Foundation
•Participated in planning committee for Black Family Technology Awareness Week
•Established ongoing relationship with the Urban League for technical support and guidance
Technical Support
•Currently studying for A+ certification exams and working on repairing broken computers in lab
•Brought in Futures Foundation to conduct tech assessment of lab—completed.
•Working on securing donated servers for lab
Tech Bus
•Assist children in using educational software on tech bus. Bus goes out 4 times a week to local elementary schools
•Buy new software for bus as needed—researched and purchased language and math programs
CTC Program Building and Outreach
Organization:
Westside Youth Technical Entrepreneur Center VISTA Name:
Shaneka Smith
Program Start:
8/2005
Program End:
8/2007
Project Description:
The focal point of Shaneka’s work over the last year has been developing our computer literacy programs that serve community residents, and helping develop our youth programs that seek to document youth experiences and develop valuable skills by teaching video development and editing.
Project Outcome:
Shaneka served as the lead in hosting several major youth centered events, including the Intel regional teen summit and the college tour. Recently Shaneka has worked in areas of project and grant development and assisted in managing several major programs and helping with the outreach and marketing of our programs.
In her Second service year Shaneka continues to work closely with the teenage youth and is currently hosting a Girls program for teens ages 13 to 18. The youth are currently involved in forming their own T-shirt corporation from the ground up. Shaneka has helped the youth write business plans, design images for print, and worked towards building an entrepreneurial mindset in the youth. Shaneka continues to develop technology related programs that have youth learning Photo Manipulation using Adobe Photoshop, Animation using Macromedia Flash, Video Production using Sony Vegas and other programs that engage the youth.