How to Apply for HAVA Grant Funds
HAVA grant funds is short for the Help America Vote Act, which was established in 2002 to raise awareness of the presidential election in 2000, the year George W. Bush was named president. This grant was put into place to replace punch card voting systems. This is to ensure votes are documented and accounted for properly, and to provide assistance to administer certain programs and laws in regard to voting. HAVA has received over $60 million in both state and federal implementations since it was created in 2002. To be considered for the HAVA grant funds, the county auditor must submit an application that is reviewed and graded by the Internal HAVA Workshop. This group of individuals is formed by members of the Office of Secretary of State (OSOS), elections division staff. Applying for the HAVA grant funds is competitive, but is well-worth the time and effort.
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Instructions
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Download and print out your application form (see Resources below).
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Include the county contact information. This information is mandatory to have your application considered.
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Write a summary as to how your county will use the funding from the HAVA grant funds. State the reason the funds are needed, and tell the board how the grant will provide a solution to those needs. This information must be as clear and concise as possible. This information will be taken into consideration when the board views the application.
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Create and include a budget spreadsheet. This spreadsheet should showcase how the funds will be allocated once received. For example, if $1 million will go toward developing voting pamphlets, then include that pertinent information into the spreadsheet. It is crucial to be as concise as possible when creating the budget spreadsheet. The board reviewing this information wants to know exactly how the funds you are applying for will be used to improve the voting system in your county.
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Write a persuasive budget narrative that justifies your need for the grant in which you are applying, include details that offer improvements for surrounding counties within your state. Give accurate breakdowns of how funds will be executed to meet the need you have within your county.
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Be sure that your narrative meets the board’s criteria for eligibility of the funds, for instance, if the HAVA grant funds are awarded to grantors who are seeking to improve the election process, then it would be beneficial to include such information in your narrative and justification for the grant. It would do your application a great injustice to include information that is not relevant to the use of the HAVA grant funds. Read and understand the purpose of the grant before applying to ensure you secure the grant.
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Fax or mail your signed and completed application to the mailing address provided.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider hiring a grant writer to write your proposal and submit your application.
Have an editor proofread your document several times before submitting it for consideration.
Never apply for a grant without understanding the purpose of the grant funding.
