We’ve gone to the grant management mailbag for some common problems encountered in the “real-world” by “real-life” grant managers. Today we’re looking at four common grant mistakes regarding the un-allowability of public relations costs you may experience when managing your federal grant. Grant Mistakes: A Grant Manager Writes: “Are promotional items, such as pens, water […]
The Minimalist Guide to Internal Controls
Here is the minimalist guide to internal controls: Just remember 3-5-7. Let’s face it, understanding internal controls is critical to continued grant funding. A lack of well-developed internal controls can lead to costs being disallowed and even suspension and debarment from future grants. Does it seem overwhelming? Look at our simplified approach of 3-5-7. The […]
Inspector General Finds Unallowable Grant Costs
“Repay the unallowable costs!” That is the result no grant manager wants to hear, especially with federal funding. So, I speak a lot about keeping federal grants from being unallowable grant costs in terms of strong internal controls. Let’s shift gears and look at a real-life case study from the Office of the Inspector General […]
Three Secrets Grant Writers Need to Know About Grant Management
I was leading grant management training in Jackson, Mississippi, and was pleasantly surprised to have some people in the room who are involved with proposal development for federal awards. Now it wasn’t just professional courtesy that made me so happy to see them, but because some changes baked into the grant regulation 2 CFR Part […]
Decoding Grant Management-Success Tip: Revision of Budget and Program Plans
When it comes to budget revisions and program plans, I like to believe that it is rare that a grantee would intentionally misuse funds. However, without proper planning and documentation, an organization places itself at risk for waste, fraud, and abuse of grant funds. Prevention of these undesirable outcomes starts at the beginning of the […]
5 Shortcuts for Getting a Time and Attendance Process in Place
Time and attendance reporting for federal grants can be a minefield! I’ve tracked the unfortunate situation at a Pennsylvania non-profit having their grant funding frozen after $20 million in spending was out of compliance. It is a very sad story. Lots of audit findings, and lots of areas of non-compliance. Not to mention lots of […]
