Accessing grant funding for a non-profit agency: An opportunity for a master of science in nursing graduate student

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in females; although African American women over the age of 45 years are diagnosed less often than White women, a higher mortality rate occurs from the disease. Healthy People 2020 has identified several goals that support initiatives to reduce this disparity. The use of screening with mammography has been shown to help with identifying breast abnormalities and lessen the rate of late stage breast cancer diagnosis. A non-profit agency targeting women in underserved communities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers assistance with accessing care for breast health and screening. Funding is essential for maintaining programs for non-profit organizations. This poster discusses the opportunity and method for a graduate nursing student to assist with grant writing during the 2012 – 2013 academic year for the purpose of finding monetary resources to support program needs. A grant proposal was submitted to a cancer research agency; another in progress will be submitted to a corporate foundation. Developing a trusting relationship with agency staff is important to allow the student to gather comprehensive data and information necessary to complete the grant application. The novice grant writer encountered challenges with tailoring specific data required for individual grant proposals. Collaboration with a grant specialist and a preceptor facilitated the learning process. Assistance with access to grant support from the graduate student can aid funding to help maintain programs. The student will have opportunity to gain proficiency in the grant writing process, an essential skill for providers of public health.