Grant writing can be an effective way of raising funds for your organization. Once you get yourself organized, it can be fairly easy to assemble a grant proposal. Follow these tips to ensure your success in obtaining grant funds for your nonprofit organization.
1. Get your supporting documents organized.
The first step in successful grant writing is to get yourself and your supporting documents organized. There are several items that are commonly asked for that you can gather and make copies of.
These include:
• Form 990 (your organization's tax return)
• 501(c)3 letter (your IRS tax-exempt document)
• Annual report
• Organizational information (brochure, etc.)
• Financial Statements
• Audit
• State, local fundraising permits
• Letters of support
Every time I've set up a Development office, I got myself a set of stacking trays to hold supporting documents. I made several copies of each document and put them in a tray. Then when I needed to get a grant proposal ready, every document I needed was at my fingertips.
2. Know your programs.
Make sure you know your "fundable areas" for your organization and have some verbiage ready to describe each area. What are the particular programs or needs that require funding? Do you have capital needs? Operational needs?
Special projects? Infrastructure? For each program or fundable area, be ready to provide:
• Program summary (the "who", "what", "when", "where" of the program)
• Program budget (the "how much")
• Previous success
A word about program budgets: as you prepare a program budget, make sure to include both direct and indirect costs.
3. Identify your target grant funders.
Listen up! A little research can go a long way! Check out the Foundation Center online at www.fdncenter.org or at your local library (many libraries have access to these materials). Also check out Guidestar at www.guidestar.org.
4. Research your target grant funders.
Private foundations are required to file a form 990, which is a valuable source of information for you. You can learn who sits on the Board of Directors, who the foundation granted funds to along with the amount, and the amount of the foundation's assets. This information can help you ask for an amount that is neither too low nor too high.
5. Make sure you have a "hand-in-glove" fit.
Before you write the first word, make sure your proposal will be a good fit for the funder. Know what the funder's priorities are and make sure your proposal fits within them. Sending a proposal for a food pantry when a foundation only funds environmental issues is a waste of both your time and theirs.
6. Tickle yourself for grant follow-up.
Keep yourself organized by creating a calendar to track proposal deadlines and follow-up timelines. It'll save you a lot of headaches. Plus, it will help you build a positive relationship with your funders when you submit information in a timely manner.
Make sure you know what kinds of information you will need for follow-up so you can track it during the grant period. You won't be scrambling at report time and cause yourself to be late or appear disorganized.
7. Make a "new best friend" with each grantor.
Make the effort to get to know the people at the foundations you are working with. Treat the foundation staff like any major donor - get to know them, take them to lunch periodically, send them a holiday card, etc. Invite the foundation's administrator and Board of Directors to visit your facility to see your programs firsthand.
8. Get your Board members involved.
Find out who sits on the Board of Directors of the foundation you are applying to, and circulate the names through your own Board members. See if any of your Board members know any of the foundation Board members and would be willing to make a contact. This peer-to-peer connection can be very helpful in increasing your chances to receive funding.
9. Follow up on proposals that were declined.
Always follow up with foundation administrators if the answer to your proposal was "no." This will show the foundation staff that you are serious about your work and could help you glean helpful information. You might ask, "How could I improve this proposal next time?" Oftentimes, they will provide you with some truly useful insights. And, always thank them for their time in talking with you!
10. Keep a record of your proposals.
Be sure to keep a copy of your entire proposal for your files. You may need to refer back to it if the funder calls with questions. And if you submit another proposal to this funder in the future, you'll have something to start with. Keep both a paper copy and a digital copy of your proposal.
(COMPILED BY THE IPC NGO RESOURCE SERVICE DIVISION)
The first step in successful grant writing is to get yourself and your supporting documents organized. There are several items that are commonly asked for that you can gather and make copies of.
These include:
• Form 990 (your organization's tax return)
• 501(c)3 letter (your IRS tax-exempt document)
• Annual report
• Organizational information (brochure, etc.)
• Financial Statements
• Audit
• State, local fundraising permits
• Letters of support
Every time I've set up a Development office, I got myself a set of stacking trays to hold supporting documents. I made several copies of each document and put them in a tray. Then when I needed to get a grant proposal ready, every document I needed was at my fingertips.
2. Know your programs.
Make sure you know your "fundable areas" for your organization and have some verbiage ready to describe each area. What are the particular programs or needs that require funding? Do you have capital needs? Operational needs?
Special projects? Infrastructure? For each program or fundable area, be ready to provide:
• Program summary (the "who", "what", "when", "where" of the program)
• Program budget (the "how much")
• Previous success
A word about program budgets: as you prepare a program budget, make sure to include both direct and indirect costs.
3. Identify your target grant funders.
Listen up! A little research can go a long way! Check out the Foundation Center online at www.fdncenter.org or at your local library (many libraries have access to these materials). Also check out Guidestar at www.guidestar.org.
4. Research your target grant funders.
Private foundations are required to file a form 990, which is a valuable source of information for you. You can learn who sits on the Board of Directors, who the foundation granted funds to along with the amount, and the amount of the foundation's assets. This information can help you ask for an amount that is neither too low nor too high.
5. Make sure you have a "hand-in-glove" fit.
Before you write the first word, make sure your proposal will be a good fit for the funder. Know what the funder's priorities are and make sure your proposal fits within them. Sending a proposal for a food pantry when a foundation only funds environmental issues is a waste of both your time and theirs.
6. Tickle yourself for grant follow-up.
Keep yourself organized by creating a calendar to track proposal deadlines and follow-up timelines. It'll save you a lot of headaches. Plus, it will help you build a positive relationship with your funders when you submit information in a timely manner.
Make sure you know what kinds of information you will need for follow-up so you can track it during the grant period. You won't be scrambling at report time and cause yourself to be late or appear disorganized.
7. Make a "new best friend" with each grantor.
Make the effort to get to know the people at the foundations you are working with. Treat the foundation staff like any major donor - get to know them, take them to lunch periodically, send them a holiday card, etc. Invite the foundation's administrator and Board of Directors to visit your facility to see your programs firsthand.
8. Get your Board members involved.
Find out who sits on the Board of Directors of the foundation you are applying to, and circulate the names through your own Board members. See if any of your Board members know any of the foundation Board members and would be willing to make a contact. This peer-to-peer connection can be very helpful in increasing your chances to receive funding.
9. Follow up on proposals that were declined.
Always follow up with foundation administrators if the answer to your proposal was "no." This will show the foundation staff that you are serious about your work and could help you glean helpful information. You might ask, "How could I improve this proposal next time?" Oftentimes, they will provide you with some truly useful insights. And, always thank them for their time in talking with you!
10. Keep a record of your proposals.
Be sure to keep a copy of your entire proposal for your files. You may need to refer back to it if the funder calls with questions. And if you submit another proposal to this funder in the future, you'll have something to start with. Keep both a paper copy and a digital copy of your proposal.
International Peace Commission-IPC
(Incorporated as Not for Profit in the USA)
www.ipc-online.info
Helpline: +1 816 984 6316
(Incorporated as Not for Profit in the USA)
www.ipc-online.info
Helpline: +1 816 984 6316
