Often when grant professionals come into new roles, they are responsible for standing up the new grant management function at their organization. If this includes the capacity to manage grants with a federal origin, the task can be daunting. 

According to Pamela Jacques, MS, CPW, CHES, manager of Grants Administration at Kettering Health in Kettering, Ohio, here are eight things you need to know to get started. 

To get started:

1. Before applying for grants, assess your organization’s level of grant readiness. Grant readiness is your organization’s ability to apply for, manage and report on funding. Some elements of grant readiness are having 501c3 paperwork, a board of trustees, a bank account, organizational budget, accounting staff, mission/vision statements and staff capacity and experience to handle a project. 
2. Assess your organization’s past performance with grants. What grants has it received and how were they funded? Who implemented the program/grant funded activities? Did the program meet the goals and objectives of the funding? How were financial reports generated? Looking at this past performance can help you identify strengths and challenges to address. 
3. If you want to apply for federal and other public funds, read the entire Uniform Guidance (UG). Sadly, it’s not riveting, but it is important. It tells you exactly what grant-specific policies and procedures you need to develop. Keep notes as you read to build your to-do list.
4. When you develop policies and procedures, involve stakeholders. People appreciate being involved in standing up systems they have to live with. This will help you develop policies and procedures that are compliant and easy to follow. 
5. If you have a federal funder, ask them if they can send you any guidance documents for its interpretation of the UG. Federal agencies are required to follow the UG, but they have some leeway in how they interpret it. Sometimes this is on the agency website. For instance, I searched, “HRSA Uniform Guidance” and found a web page outlining how the agency interprets the UG, including tip sheets. 
6. Find your local chapter of the Grants Professional Association (GPA). Connecting with this group gives you valuable contacts who are usually willing to offer advice and direction. 
7. Attend every free webinar you can find. Travel budgets are tight, but webinars often feature industry experts who offered terrific advice and insights. GPA offers webinars for members and has a treasure trove of past webinars you can stream at your leisure. Many federal agencies offer regular training webinars too. 
8. Being a UG-compliant organization makes your organization a stronger candidate for non-public funding. It illustrates a commitment to strong checks and balances. 

Throughout this process, invite internal and external stakeholders to be part of your work. Remember grant writing, implementation and management are best when done by teams. Diverse perspectives and input are in invaluable part of building a successful grants management infrastructure.

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