Grant Writing Grant Writing 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of including letters of support in a grant application?
- To replace the needs statement with endorsements from community leaders
- To demonstrate community buy-in, partnerships, and organizational credibility to the funder (Correct answer)
- To formally commit partner organizations to financial contributions
- To substitute for an organizational budget when one is unavailable
Correct answer: To demonstrate community buy-in, partnerships, and organizational credibility to the funder
Letters of support from partners, clients, and community leaders strengthen credibility by showing that others believe in the project's value and feasibility.
Question 2: Which of the following best defines 'target population' in a grant proposal?
- The geographic region where the grant funds will be spent
- The specific group of people the proposed project intends to serve (Correct answer)
- The funder's priority demographic for philanthropic giving
- The number of people who will be aware of the project
Correct answer: The specific group of people the proposed project intends to serve
The target population describes who will directly benefit from the project, including demographic characteristics and size of the group to be served.
Question 3: What is 'grant stewardship'?
- The process of writing and submitting grant applications
- Responsibly managing grant funds and maintaining a positive relationship with funders through communication and reporting (Correct answer)
- Hiring a professional grant manager to oversee all grant activity
- The process of closing out a grant at the end of the award period
Correct answer: Responsibly managing grant funds and maintaining a positive relationship with funders through communication and reporting
Stewardship involves fulfilling all grant obligations — financial reporting, programmatic updates, and relationship cultivation — to build trust for future funding.
Question 4: What is a 'no-cost extension' in grant management?
- Additional funding added to a grant without requiring a new application
- An approved extension of the grant period without additional funds to complete project activities (Correct answer)
- A penalty-free grace period for late financial reports
- A funder's decision to waive indirect cost requirements
Correct answer: An approved extension of the grant period without additional funds to complete project activities
A no-cost extension gives grantees additional time to complete project work using already-awarded funds when circumstances prevent completion by the original deadline.
Question 5: When a funder requires a '1:1 match,' what does this mean?
- The applicant must submit exactly one application per funding cycle
- The organization must contribute an equal amount in cash or in-kind resources for every dollar granted (Correct answer)
- One staff member must be dedicated full-time to the grant project
- The proposal must match the funder's template exactly
Correct answer: The organization must contribute an equal amount in cash or in-kind resources for every dollar granted
A 1:1 match requirement means for every dollar the funder provides, the grantee must contribute an equal amount from other sources.
Question 6: What is the best strategy when a grant application asks for 'evidence-based practices'?
- Describe innovative, untested approaches that distinguish your organization from competitors
- Cite peer-reviewed research or established models that demonstrate your methods produce measurable results (Correct answer)
- Reference your organization's own anecdotal success stories as primary evidence
- Explain why established practices don't apply to your unique community context
Correct answer: Cite peer-reviewed research or established models that demonstrate your methods produce measurable results
Evidence-based practices are methods supported by rigorous research, and citing them reassures funders that their investment will produce proven, replicable results.
Question 7: What does 'DUNS number' (now replaced by UEI) historically refer to in federal grant applications?
- A unique identifier assigned to organizations to track grant awards and federal contracts (Correct answer)
- A security clearance number required for classified government research grants
- A tax identification number used exclusively for nonprofit organizations
- A code assigned by the IRS to verify 501(c)(3) status
Correct answer: A unique identifier assigned to organizations to track grant awards and federal contracts
The DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number was a 9-digit identifier required for federal grants, replaced in 2022 by the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in SAM.gov.
Grant Writing Grant Writing 5
What is the purpose of including letters of support in a grant application?