What is the best way to approach the application process for federal funding through the Governor’s Crime Commission? Adonicca McAllister, lead juvenile justice planner for the commission, shared her recommendations at a recent grant-writing workshop.
Here are her tips for helping your program stand out among applicants for Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance, Children’s Justice Act, Juvenile Justice/Title II, Violence Against Women Act or Victim of Crime Act funding.
1. Start Early and Stay Organized
Grant applications are more than just forms. An application requires comprehensive planning. Read the request for application thoroughly and let it serve as a roadmap. Read the document multiple times to understand requirements, program priorities and eligibility criteria.
Make a list of required documents and gather the files early. Nonprofits, for example, will need certifications including 501(c)(3) verification, 990 tax forms and a list of members of the board of directors. You’ll also need to ensure your organization has required policies in place – for example whistleblower, data breach and travel policies.
Note key dates, and don’t procrastinate. The team at the Governor’s Crime Commission will be available to answer questions and provide assistance throughout the application process, but we are not staffed to handle a last-minute surge of requests.
2. Prioritize System Access
We use a grants management platform called the Enterprise Business Solutions platform. It’s a new platform implemented last year, so even if you have applied before, you’ll want to hop online and confirm you have access and know how to navigate the platform. We’ve developed training materials that can be found here.
If you are completely new to applying for grants with the State of North Carolina, keep in mind that the processes for obtaining required credentials, such as an NCID, can take time and are not managed by our office. Request access early to avoid last-minute issues.
3. Highlight Partnerships
The reviewers who score GCC grants will notice partnerships. Highlight collaborative efforts that demonstrate a focus on making a community-wide impact. Consider building partnerships with public and private agencies. Alignment of your program with existing initiatives can support the sustainability of your program beyond the grant period, and that’s something we all like to see. Engage community members and decision-makers for long-term support.
4. Strengthen Proposals with SMART Goals and Credible Data
Data-driven applications have a competitive edge. Use statistics to illustrate the scope of the problem your program will address. Incorporate findings from reliable public databases, local research or state- and nation-wide studies. Be sure to choose statistics that highlight the unique needs of your community.
Use the scoring matrix in the RFA resources section to align goals with evaluators’ expectations. Applications that clearly outline specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound – or SMART -- objectives tend to score highest.
Get the Facts: Justice Data Portal
The Criminal Justice Analysis Center in 2022 launched this interactive tool that provides credible county- and state-level data.
Visit the Portal
5. Seek Peer Feedback
Before submitting your application, ask a colleague or partner to review the document. A fresh set of eyes can catch overlooked errors and provide constructive suggestions.
Visit our website to access additional resources including video of the grant writing workshop and 2024 RFAs.