| 1. Assess your project |
- Who is leading this project?
- Who will benefit from the results?
- What need are you addressing?
- What are your goals & objectives?
- When will the project begin? When will it end?
- Where will the project take place?
- Where are the beneficiaries of the project?
- Why is this project important?
- Why are you the best person/organization to undertake this project?
- Why should the funder provide support?
- How will you accomplish your goals & objectives? Is this doable?
- How much will this cost?
- How will you evaluate your success?
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| 2. Identify potential funders |
| ...Typical resources for identifying funders |
- Word of mouth, newspaper articles, sponsors
- On line search engines and databases
- Corporate / foundation directories
- Past donors
- Board / staff contacts
- The Foundation Center
- Local businesses
- Funders' websites
- Professional Affiliations
- The Chronicle of Philanthropy
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| ...Qualify the Funders |
- Study the web site or printed publications for granting details.
- Consider the funder’s grant making approach. How does it think problems are best solved?
- How are funding decisions made?
- Are there funding cycles or deadlines?
- What is the preferred mode of applying? How does the funder want to be contacted?
- Are there any special instructions?
- How does your program fit with the funder's interests?
- What is the amount of total giving? For how many grants?
- What is the range of grant amounts? What is the average size grant?
- What is your organization’s history with this grant maker?
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| 3. Initiate Contact Phone calls, visits, email, letters of inquiry |
- Show that you've done your homework. - Review available information about the funder. - Demonstrate why this funder will be interested in this project.
- Be substantive - Describe the need concisely and clearly present the proposed solution. - Avoid jargon, boosterism, and flowery subjective statements that can’t be supported by facts or others’ statements. - Be factual and persuasive.
- Keep it short - Be direct. - Respect funders' time constraints. Letters of Inquiry generally are 1-3 pages; often, the funder will indicate a page limit. Do not go over that limit!
- Excite the funder - Interest the funder into wanting to learn more about your project. - Be compelling.
- Answer the “5W’s and H” - Describe the project, and its impact, succinctly and clearly. - Assume the funder is not familiar with your idea.
- Bonus points - Your project benefits many people. - You propose a novel approach. - Your project is a partnership, conducted collaboratively with others. - Your project is inclusive of those you plan to help. - You can demonstrate institutional or community support. - The grant will leverage additional support. - The work will continue after the foundation grant has ended. - Others will replicate your project.
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| 4. Prepare Proposals |
| ...Ten tips for preparing grant applications |
- Follow directions.
- Answer all the questions completely.
- Use a clear writing style.
- Assume your readers know nothing about the project or organization.
- Demonstrate how you are solving a community problem.
- Give concrete examples.
- Show what sets you apart from others.
- Be specific about the support your partners/collaborators will provide.
- Be honest.
- Ask for assistance from the funder.
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| ...Typical proposal outline |
- Cover letter
- Organization Background/Summary
- Statement of need (Problem)
- Opportunity (Project Mission)
- Request
- Project Goals
- Timeline
- Outcome/Evaluation
- Project Budget
- Enclosures
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| ...Typical Enclosures |
- Proof of non-profit status [501(c)3 letter]
- List of volunteers/board members and their affiliations
- Audited financial statements or operating budget
- Financials (990, audited financial statement, budgets)
- Diagrams or schematics, if applicable
- University administrative endorsement if requested
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| 5. Follow through |
| ...What happens after “NO” |
- Don't despair
- Review rejection letter for clues
- Keep them posted
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| ...What happens after “YES” |
- Acknowledgements - Thank you letters - Receipts
- Communication - Reports - News articles - Phone calls/emails when appropriate
- Recognition - Donor lists - Press releases - Special events - Mementos/plaques - recognition on website
- Evaluation - Interim and financial reports - Narrative and budget
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