Keywords

Municipal government -- Florida -- Polk county, Polk county (Fla.), Proposal writing for grants -- Florida -- Polk county

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the grant writing policies and practices of the fifteen municipalities in Polk County, Florida having a population less than 25,000, compare these findings qualitatively, and to present the data in a form usable by any city in Polk County so each city can make any needed adjustments to their grant writing strategy that will increase their success of grant funding. This study is needed now because smaller cities are continuing to feel the effects of the recession, a slumping housing market, and a reduction of real estate property values which means lower tax revenue. City managers and staff need to sharpen their grant writing skills to maximize the success of their grant applications. Both quantitative and qualitative research methodology were used in this study. The quantitative research data was gathered with the aid of a survey sent to each city manager of the selected cities. The qualitative research data consists of follow-up interviews with the fifteen city managers. Fourteen of the fifteen cities responded and all returned surveys were 100% complete. The results of the survey include respondent demographics, a lengthy discussion of each city‟s attitudes and history with grant application and administration, and the training level of staff involved in grant writing. The chapter goes on to analyze and discuss the policy of local elected officials regarding grants and concludes on the topic of challenges facing Polk County municipalities and possible solutions that may increase their grant writing success. The final chapter brings the study to a conclusion with a summary and a review of the findings from the survey. Several recommendations are offered that, if implemented, could increase the success rate cities are currently achieving with grant applications. Several iv implications are offered of possible outcomes if no changes are made, and finally, specific areas of future research and study are discussed.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2011

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Jones, Daniel

Degree

Master of Arts (M.A.)

College

College of Arts and Humanities

Department

English

Degree Program

English; Technical Communications

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0004092

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0004092

Language

English

Release Date

December 2011

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Subjects

Arts and Humanities -- Dissertations, Academic, Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Humanities

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