National 4-H Council has released a new grants portal, located at http://grants.4-h.org. This portal is a one-stop resource, housing a wide variety of funding opportunities and related forms (applications, reports, etc.). Grants and award information will continue to be available on Council’s program webpage, but this new system will be the primary resource for all funding opportunities.

The portal has been used for two funding opportunities thus far, and National 4-H Council has received very positive feedback on the ease of using the system and the convenience of viewing funding opportunities and completing applications online. The new system makes learning and applying for funding opportunities, submitting reports, and receiving information from National 4-H Council much easier. Questions and comments about the portal can be directed to 4HGrants@fourhcouncil.edu.

How to Register through WebGrants:

1. Log on to http://grants.4-h.org
   
2. Click the ‘Register Here’ link
   
3. Enter all required information
   
4. Click ‘Register’
   
5. You will receive an email confirming your registration
   
6. Once approved, you will receive another email from National 4-H Council with a username and temporary password

a. Follow the instructions in the email

i. Log on to http://grants.4-h.org and sign-in with username and temporary password

 

How to apply for a Funding Opportunity

1. Log in to system: http://grants.4-h.org
2. Click on Funding Opportunities

a. Find the program to which you wish to apply

i. Click on the appropriate Opportunity Title

b. Review Opportunity Details

i. If this is the Opportunity you wish to apply to, proceed; otherwise go back to step 2

c. Click on Start a New Application Process
d. Enter all required information

i. Some fields will automatically be populated with your information

e. Click Save
f. Confirm information
g. Click Return to Components
h. Click on next component to be completed
i. Click Edit

i. Enter all required information
ii. Click Save when complete
iii. Review information for completeness

1. Click Mark as Complete

j. Repeat steps h-i
k. Make sure all Components are Complete; a checkmark will appear under “Complete?”
l. When all Components are complete, click Preview
m. If accurate and complete, click Submit
n. Click OK

What Makes a Successful Proposal?

At National 4-H Council, we are constantly working to provide valuable information to the 4-H community to assist all applicants in applying for program-related funding opportunities. The introduction of the on-line grants portal (http://grants.4-h.org) is our latest advancement in helping you, the prospective grantee, successfully apply for a National 4-H Council 4-H programming grant. Although this advance has removed many of the opportunities for error that in the past has resulted in a proposal being denied, there are still some points you will want to be aware of as you begin the process of applying for a National 4-H Council grant.

When preparing a proposal for a National 4-H Council funding opportunity, the following criteria are important to remember:

Thoroughly read the entire RFP before you begin.

• Start preparing the proposal well before the deadline; waiting until the last minute often results in forgotten elements and simple errors that make the submission less likely to be funded.
• Review all program objectives and create a plan that you can implement that clearly addresses the stated objectives.
  
• Note the project implementation dates to ensure you will be able to meet all reporting and deliverable deadlines.
  
• Make sure your budget is suitable for accomplishing your plan; accurately reflects the allowable costs to fulfill grant requirements; and has been checked for math errors.
  
• Please remember, indirect costs are never allowed on Council RFPs or RFAs.
  
• Ensure that all necessary attachments are included and do not include attachments that are not requested.
  
• Allow enough time for review by your LGU Sponsored Programs Office, if required.
  
• Don’t forget, your state level Extension 4-H/Youth Development Program Leader or LGU Administrator must have time to approve the proposal as well!
  
• Please note: failure to adhere to ALL requirements may exclude your proposal from consideration for the funding opportunity.
  
• Contact the Account Manager listed on the RFP for any questions.

Thank you for your interest in funding
through National 4-H Council.