Grant Writing Grant Writing MCQ 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'cost sharing' or 'matching' in the context of grant proposals?
- Splitting the grant award between two organizations
- The applicant's contribution of resources (cash or in-kind) to supplement the grant funds (Correct answer)
- A method for distributing funds to subgrantees
- The funder's practice of awarding partial funding to multiple applicants
Correct answer: The applicant's contribution of resources (cash or in-kind) to supplement the grant funds
Cost sharing or matching refers to the portion of project costs borne by the applicant, demonstrating commitment to the project.
Question 2: An 'in-kind' contribution in a grant budget refers to:
- Cash donations from community members
- Non-cash contributions such as volunteer time, donated space, or equipment (Correct answer)
- Funds carried over from a previous grant year
- Revenue generated by the project itself
Correct answer: Non-cash contributions such as volunteer time, donated space, or equipment
In-kind contributions are non-monetary resources such as volunteer labor, donated facilities, or equipment that have a verifiable dollar value.
Question 3: Which evaluation type assesses whether a program is being implemented as designed during the grant period?
- Summative evaluation
- Impact evaluation
- Process/formative evaluation (Correct answer)
- Cost-benefit analysis
Correct answer: Process/formative evaluation
Process or formative evaluation monitors program implementation in real time to ensure activities are occurring as planned.
Question 4: The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA), now part of SAM.gov, is primarily used to:
- Submit grant applications electronically
- Search and identify federal grant programs by agency and program number (Correct answer)
- Report financial expenditures to the federal government
- Register an organization's nonprofit status
Correct answer: Search and identify federal grant programs by agency and program number
SAM.gov (formerly CFDA) is the central database where federal assistance programs are listed with descriptions and contact information.
Question 5: A 'consortium' grant proposal involves:
- A single organization applying on behalf of its board of directors
- Multiple organizations partnering together, with one serving as the lead/fiscal agent (Correct answer)
- A funder pooling money from multiple sources before awarding it
- A researcher applying for both federal and private funds simultaneously
Correct answer: Multiple organizations partnering together, with one serving as the lead/fiscal agent
Consortium grants involve multiple entities collaborating, with a lead organization handling fiscal and administrative responsibilities.
Question 6: When a funder requires a 'project narrative' be double-spaced with one-inch margins and not exceed 15 pages, grant writers should:
- Interpret these as suggestions and use professional judgment to exceed them if needed
- Follow all formatting requirements exactly, as failure to comply can disqualify the application (Correct answer)
- Use single-spacing to fit more content and note the deviation in a cover letter
- Request a waiver from the program officer before submitting
Correct answer: Follow all formatting requirements exactly, as failure to comply can disqualify the application
Formatting requirements are typically strict and non-negotiable; submissions that violate them are often rejected without review.
Question 7: Which of the following best defines 'outputs' in grant writing terminology?
- Long-term changes in community conditions
- The direct products of program activities, such as number of people served or trainings conducted (Correct answer)
- The financial resources invested in the project
- Changes in participant knowledge or behavior
Correct answer: The direct products of program activities, such as number of people served or trainings conducted
Outputs are the direct, countable results of program activities (e.g., '500 people trained'), distinct from longer-term outcomes.
Grant Writing Grant Writing MCQ 3
What is 'cost sharing' or 'matching' in the context of grant proposals?