MoCAP FAQs

1. What services does MoCAP provide?

MoCAP provides services in two areas:

A. Pre-Application Tools and Information – MoCAP offers website resources (www.mffh.org/mocap) and training opportunities related to federal and large private grant procurement.

B. Direct Support on a Grant Application – If an organization identifies an appropriate funding opportunity, MoCAP can support the organization’s proposal development by providing fully subsidized grant consultation services. These are designed to meet the organization’s individual needs but may include one or more of the following:

• Read/critique of a draft proposal
• Proposal coordination/editing/writing
• Content expertise
• Assistance gathering supportive data or literature

MoCAP is not:

• A means by which MFH submits a grant application on behalf of an organization.
• A way for MFH to provide matching grant funds.

2. What kinds of grants can MoCAP help with?

MoCAP helps with federal and nationally competed private funding applications for health and prevention services. 

3. What kinds of grants do not qualify for MoCAP help?

MoCAP does not help with these kinds of applications:

• State funding agencies or private funders located in Missouri.
• University research grants, in most cases.  To use MoCAP services, university projects must demonstrate a strong connection with a community-based organization or has a strong health service delivery component. For example, MFH could not support an application for a faculty member to study emergency room utilization, but could support a medical school’s application to improve graduation rates among diverse nursing students. 

4. How does MFH define “health and/or prevention services”?

MFH uses the World Health Organization definition: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” (World Health Organization Constitution, 1948)

5. Who is eligible to use MoCAP consultation services?

MoCAP resources are available to nonprofits and government organizations that provide health and prevention services to people and communities in the MFH service area  (click to see service map).

When a request for MoCAP services is received, MFH screens the organization to determine its eligibility, readiness to apply, and fit with the specific funding opportunity. Not all organizations that request MoCAP assistance are approved.

No. 

7. Is there a fee for MoCAP services?

No

8. How do I sign up for MoCAP consultation services?

As soon as your organization identifies an appropriate funding opportunity, e-mail MoCAP staff at mocap@mffh.org and include the following:

• Name of funder, announcement title, application due date, and web link to guidelines.
• Draft concept paper or outline of your organization’s programmatic idea. See MoCAP Suggested Outline for details.
• Brief synopsis of your organization’s history, including prior grant funding and a description of your capacity to manage the grant if funded. 

9. Can I use MoCAP services more than one time?

Yes. Prior use does not disqualify an organization from using the services in the future.

10. Would MoCAP help be given to more than one organization go after the same funding opportunity?

It depends. MoCAP supports collaboration, as opposed to competition, whenever possible. If two or more organizations want to apply for the same grant and will target the same service area and population, those organizations are directly competing; MoCAP will support the work of the stronger organization or collaborative group. If two organizations are applying to serve different regions or target populations, each organization is eligible to receive MoCAP assistance commensurate with its need. NOTE: MFH does not share grant application information with other organizations competing for the same funding

11. What does MFH require from organizations receiving MoCAP consulting services?

Recipients of MoCAP services are asked to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that states MFH’s expectations of MoCAP customers and consultants. At a minimum, all organizations are expected to:

• Complete the funding application process to the best of their ability.
• Devote the necessary staff resources to the application process.
• Work effectively and efficiently with MoCAP-subsidized consultants.
• Provide MoCAP with a copy of their final, submitted proposal.
• Let MoCAP know whether or not their proposal is funded and share reviewer comments.

MFH does not share grant application information with other organizations.

CONSULTANT FAQs

1. What criteria does MFH use to select MoCAP consultants?

At a minimum, all MoCAP grant consultants must:

• Have past experience assisting community or governmental organizations prepare and submit grant applications. 

  Consultants assisting with federal applications must have a history of success with federal funders. 

• Have experience in health and prevention services.

• Be available to provide grant writing services in the timeframe needed to meet a grant submission deadline.

Submit the following items by e-mail to mocap@mffh.org:

• Resume
• List of client organizations from the past 5 years.
• List of funded grants in which you had a coordinating or writing role, including the names of the funding organizations.
• Description of your topical areas of expertise in health and prevention services
• References we may contact who are with organizations who have paid for your grant consultation services in recent years.
• Typical fee range.

MoCAP consultants do not need to reside in the MFH service region. Consultation occurs via telephone, email and rarely in-person meetings. NOTE: Consultant travel is not typically covered by MFH’s MoCAP funding.