In the grant application materials, writers should specifically highlight how the project will come to fruition and how the gifted funds will make a difference. Measure Resources to Achieve Goal For gift-giving bodies to want to fund specific non-profit projects, they need to understand how their money will be used, and to what effect. Grant writers for non-profit organizations can respond to this need by detailing in clear and measurable terms how grant money will result in benefits for a community. It's important with this communication that non-profits again focus on how their community will best be served rather than how their organization will improve. Demonstrate Project Innovation Foundations will be more eager to fund a non-profit if that organization can show an innovative approach to a problem. Rather than rehashing old ways of responding to community problems, non-profit organizations that can illustrate new, unique, and effective ways of handling problem areas will have an advantage.
These grants most often target specific areas of interest of the funder. For instance, a businessman with close ties to Israel who has a 'rags-to-riches" personal story may fund a foundation that offers grants to nonprofits, religious groups, and individuals who cultivate educational initiatives in Israel. Corporate grants are funded by for-profit businesses. These grant resources may be furnished by company profits, donations from employees, or may be directed through a separated foundation sponsored by the corporation. Why do businesses offer grants? Grants build goodwill in the communities where the funder operates. Corporate funders are savvy enough to offer grants that line up with the company's products and services. A home improvement business, for example, understands the power of home ownership and may fund homelessness or urban home renovation initiatives. Government grants are funded by city, county, state, or federal budgets. They are designed to meet the needs of the community (local, state, or nation) and usually address that community's social problems.
The expected results of the project are explained along with the total budget. Include information about funding you receive from other sources and the amount you are requesting in this grant. Introduction: The introduction is an overview of the history and purpose of the organization and the goals that relate to the grant proposal. Include accomplishments and the areas and population the organization serves. Statement: Next is the statement of the need or problem. Begin by explaining the big picture, explaining the problem or need in general, then go over the causes of the problem. Tell what is currently being done about the problem and where the current resources are lacking. Finish with an explanation of how your organization will fill those gaps. Goals and Objectives: List and explain the goals of your project and how you will measure each objective. Also explain how your organization will measure the progress made toward those goals. Methods and Schedule: List what actions will be taken to achieve your goals as well as all staff member's responsibilities.
2. Non-Profit Identification Summary - Here list the name, address, email, website link, telephone number, and fax numbers of your non-profit. You should offer a contact person and a brief overview of the non-profit. 3. Grant Proposal - This should also be one page and includes a summary of your grant proposal. You will need to include total funds requested, a budget, and any matching or donated funds. 4. Proposal - This should be the bulk of your grant that defines, outlines, and proposes your grant need. 5. Organization - This document should clearly outline who you are, how long you've been in business, who you serve, what you have achieved as well as what part of your community will benefit from the grantor. 6. Need - Clearly outline why you need the money. List problems, project, and solutions and tell the grantor how by receiving funding you can make a difference. 7. Objectives - What are the objectives of the non-profit? What will change if you receive grant money? 8. Documentation and Criteria - Explain the project or problem and tell the grantor how you will achieve success, be able to document it and what criteria will you use for the documentation process?
Define what's at stake and be explicit in your request. Cut to your request quickly in your grant writing, especially when presenting to executives. Clearly and concisely explain your request and how funding from this organization would make your big idea come to life. If the grant writing is clear on the answer to this question, chances are the recipient will be, too. Here are some questions to consider when grant writing: Has a project been done like yours before? If so, how is what you're doing pushing that idea forward? What would happen to the project if money from this funder didn't come through? Why does your idea matter to you, to the funder, and to the world? Oftentimes artists speak figuratively about the big picture, and in doing so, sacrifice the specific details and nuances that make our work unique. Now is the time to write with passion from your personal point of view. As Nancy Duarte wrote in her book HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations, "no presentation should be devoid of emotional content, no matter how cerebral the topic or audience. "
There are strings attached: While unrestricted funding exists in the funding world, it's much rarer to win than grants with more specific goals. Typically, the grant will be allocated to fund a new program, which encourages frequent grant applicants to create new programs instead of supporting past successes. The Cheat Sheet: Don't Start Grant Writing Until You Complete These 5 Steps! In other words, applying for funding from foundations, corporations or the government can be an awesome way to supplement your current fundraising plan. But by itself, grant writing won't solve huge problems in your fundraising plan. Here's your cheat sheet when deciding whether to rally your resources to apply for grant monies: Create a diversified fundraising plan, where grant-awarded money constitutes no more than 20% of your fundraising goals. This is true for any part of your fundraising plan—for example, you should be nervous if a single major donor represented much more than 20% of your revenue. √ Make sure you have the resources and time to research foundations and grant writing opportunities for your organization.