# Presentation: 014723

## Identifying Strategiesfor theLong Term Survival of an MRC

- Tom Lawrence, NREMT-P
- Program Director
- Rhode Island Medical Reserve Corps

## Objectives

- Discuss ways to demonstrate the value of an MRC to the host community.
- Identify beneficial partnerships for an MRC unit to build.
- Identify sources of Grant funding for an MRC project.

## What Is the Value of an MRC?

- MRCs provide a means of pre-identifying a potential pool of licensed medical professionals
- Identifies those willing to volunteer
- Addresses liability protection measures for medical providers and those who benefit from  their efforts
- Provides potential solutions for surge capacity

## What Is the Value of an MRC?

- Provides volunteer opportunities for members of the community
- Provides training for potential disaster workers
- Provides solutions to other agencies for deliverables from their contracts & grants
- Builds stronger communities

## Beneficial Partnerships

- State, County, and Local Departments of Health
- Emergency Management Agencies (EMA)
- MMRS Agencies
- United States Postal Service
- Local Chapter of American Red Cross
- Citizen’s Corps Council
- Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

## Beneficial Partnerships

- Law Enforcement Agencies
- Fire Departments
- EMS Providers
- Professional Organizations
- Volunteer Agencies & Coalitions
- Transportation Authorities (Port, Airport, Transit, etc)

## Beneficial Partnerships

- Hospitals, Hospital Associations, & Healthcare Centers
- Churches, Synagogues, & Temples
- Colleges, Universities, and other Schools
- Fraternal Organizations
- The United Way or other collective fund raising efforts

## Your Organization

- Invite smart & influential corporate and community leaders to sit on your Board of Directors
- Seek their advise for funding sources and the organization’s mission and goals
- Expect each member’s financial support of your organization

## Your Organization

- Meet with your Board regularly (Perhaps more often than required by your charter)
- Seek projects that both have merit in your community and have identifiable supporters
- Build support for your organization whenever & wherever you can

## Your Organization

- Engage in visible projects and venues
- Develop a speaker’s bureau to carry your message to potential supporters
- Create alliances and establish “Credit Balances” wherever you can
- Do Not Burn Bridges

## Identifying Sources of Funding 

- Local Host/Grantee Organization
- Support from formed MRC Partnerships
- Funding from Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) agreements
- In-Kind % FTE contributions from corporate & government partners

## Identifying Sources of Funding 

- Donations of material and funds from other Non-Profit organizations
- Providing services to partner agencies in return for goods or services
- Starting a Development Committee in your Organization
- Applying for local, state, and national grants for specific projects, items, or for operating expenses

## Grant Writing

- Identify organizations interested in your type of activities and goals
- Carefully review each organization’s granting history
- Write a letter of interest to the individual responsible for reviewing proposals
- If submitting an application, follow directions exactly

## Grant Writing

- Carefully proofread your applications
- Meet all deadlines
- If a grant is awarded, write a follow-up letter, and promptly report on your project’s achievements

## Helpful Web Resources

- _[http://www.libraryspot.com/features/grantsfeature.htm](http://www.libraryspot.com/features/grantsfeature.htm)_
- _[http://www.usc.edu/dept/source/grantsweb.htm](http://www.usc.edu/dept/source/grantsweb.htm)_
- _[http://www.aasa.org/issues_and_insights/funding/](http://www.aasa.org/issues_and_insights/funding/)_

## Helpful Web Resources

- http://nnlm.gov/gmr/hiiwire/grant.html
- http://www.channing-bete.com/fundinginformation/
- http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Swearer_Center/funding/grants.shtml

## Helpful Web Resources

- http://www.volunteersinhealthcare.org/fundCont.htm
- http://www.brahec.jmu.edu/local.htm
- http://www.fahc.org/Health_Improvement/Health_Foundation/02apply_grant.htm

## Tom Lawrence, NREMT-PProgram Director401-615-9151401-640-9568tlawrence@lifespan.org

## Thank You!