Needs assessments conducted broadly in the community and specifically by an organization are valuable tools for all individuals who write grants. They help the writer use facts to describe the challenges experienced by the target population of the grant proposal. In addition, the outcomes of the services provided should naturally address these challenges.

Strategic plans are the plans of how organizations will respond to the challenges experienced by their community. They use the strengths of the organization to address specific challenges. Ideally, organizations also partner with other organizations in areas where they do not have strengths to provide the target population with additional or more comprehensive services to address more of the challenges identified in the broader community. Grants written should have services which align to its organization’s strategic plan.

What You’ll Learn: 

• where to find community needs assessments
• how to create and distribute simple and thorough needs assessments
• the challenges of what needs assessments don’t say
• how to be involved in needs assessment and strategic plan development
• the drawbacks to being involved in needs assessment and strategic plan development
• how to reference needs assessments in a grant proposal
• where and how to reference strategic plan alignment in a grant proposal

Price: $25

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GPC Competencies:

GPCI Competency 2: Knowledge of organizational development as it pertains to grant seeking

Skill 2.4: Identify values, mission, and goals of your organization’s overall strategic plan as it relates to the grant process/grant seeking
Skill 2.5: Identify methods of accessing and/or conducting mission-focused planning and needs assessments with applicant organizations

GPCI Competency 9: Ability to write a convincing case for funding

Skill 9.1: Make a persuasive argument

Target Audience: Grant professionals, development professionals, executive directors, and anyone who wants to learn about needs assessment and strategic plans and how they can benefit the organizations they serve.

Level of Experience: Intermediate

Presented By:  Julie Assel, GPC, President/CEO Assel Grant Services

Length: 60:00

Julie Assel, GPC
President/CEO Assel Grant Services

Julie founded Assel Grant Services in 2007 and has over fifteen years of experience in grant writing, research, and management. She has written and reviewed numerous federal, foundation, corporation, and local grants focused on education, healthcare, STEM, mental health, substance abuse, homeless outreach, human services, and small business. She is a Grant Professional Association Approved Trainer, and currently serves as the President of the Grant Professionals Certification Institute’s board of directors. Julie has successfully secured over $144 million in grant funding over since 2003.

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