Grants come in many forms. They can be from local communities, state or federal governments, foundations, or non-profit organizations. While the Internet provides a vast array of information, I thought I might help this group with the basics. So, hold on to your hat, we’re going for a ride…

(I’ve taken this info from experience, websites, friends, and other grant-writers)

Preparing for the Grant
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The biggest part of grant writing is in the initial stages. The time you spend getting your information together is the longest, but can be re-used for future applications. Work hard at this stage so your writing is simplified later.

TIP ON PERSPECTIVE: Even if a grant application takes six months to write, do it. The six months will go by anyway, and at the end of it you won’t look back with regrets.

The first step falls under preparation. Your mission statement does a lot to make clear your objective, so write it well. For yourself, write out the objective of your grant search, and this will help you to keep focused, especially when you are irritated with the whole process.

Determine the broad project goals, then identify the specific objectives that define how you will focus the work to accomplish those goals.

Example:
Goal: Improve production quality.
Objective 1: Recruit advanced production talent.
Objective 2: Train mid-level producers.
Objective 3: Upgrade production equipment.

Did you notice that these goals and objectives suggest the proposal will request support for recruitment activity, production training, and equipment purchase.As an alternative, a different proposal, while having the same goal might focus only on equipment upgrades.

Draft expected project outcomes in specific measurable terms.

Make sure you draft a timeline that includes your planning phase, the period of time you search for funds, proposal writing, and the project start date. Periodically update the timeline as you learn more about submission deadlines, etc.

Next we will talk about “How to identify which funding sources to go after.” Hope you benefit from this.

August 18, 2009, SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson today announced a call for proposals for the New Visions/New Mexico contract award program provided by the NM Filmmakers Program at the NM State Film Office. Now in its fourth year, the program annually awards a total of $160,000 (up to $20,000 per project) to local filmmakers to help fund their original narrative, documentary, animation and experimental film projects. The program is open to all filmmakers in the state and awards can be used toward the completion of existing projects or the development of new ones.

“Homegrown filmmakers are key to the future of the film industry in New Mexico and I am committed to making sure they have every opportunity to succeed,” said Governor Richardson. “We have world-class talent in our state, and this program is a unique and important way to support worthy individuals working on promising projects.” In exchange for funding, applicants are required to provide a service to the state as part of their contract, such as training other New Mexicans in the industry or providing mentorship, public screenings or lectures free of charge to state residents. “The New Visions New Mexico program provides the boost that can help new filmmakers complete their first projects and help others reach the next level in their growth and experience,” said Lisa Strout, director of the New Mexico Film Office. “Past winners have had their work screened at festivals around the country and some have used it to leverage more funds and discover new opportunities.” Panavision, a major supplier of cameras and lenses for the film industry world-wide, is once again partnering with the NM Film Office to provide the use of two motion picture camera packages (HD, 16 mm or 35mm) with no rental charge to two of the filmmakers that receive funding. The deadline for proposals is October 16th, 2009. A selection panel will review each proposal based on a number of criteria, including the artistic quality of the project, the applicant’s demonstrated ability and creativity, managerial and fiscal competence, the quality of service offered to the state and the applicant’s effort to reach a broad diverse audience. Recipients will be announced in late November 2009 and contract work will begin in early 2010. Trish Lopez, NM Filmmakers Program Director at the NM Film Office, will conduct free informational sessions about preparing a New Visions/New Mexico application and about the NM Filmmakers Program on the following dates: Monday, August 31st – 12:00pm Albuquerque: UNM Arts Lab Tuesday, September 1st – 6:00pm Santa Fe: Jean Cocteau Theatre 418 Montezuma Wednesday, October 7th – 7:00pm Las Cruces: CMI Theatre in Milton Hall on NMSU Campus Space is limited, so please call (505) 476-5600 to reserve a seat for any of the three sessions or for additional information. Applications can be printed online at www.nmfilm.com or picked up in person at the NM Film Office at 418 Montezuma Avenue, Santa Fe, NM.

Contact: Pahl Shipley, NM Film Office (505) 476-5613