10 Secrets to Writing Grants that Get Funded
1. Understand the needs of the grantors. Behind every foundation grant is a philosophy, intention or basic principal. These principles not only determine how grants are funded, if you pay attention, they will also tell you how to approach the foundation and what areas of your proposal are the most important to the foundation. Before you even start writing the grant, you need to:
Find out about the granting organization and understand the reasons they are offering grants
Determine what they want in return for the funds 'positive publicity, leverage of funds, provide vehicle for in-house volunteers'
Discover who actually will be reviewing your application ' is it the director, a funding or grants committee, bureaucrats'
If the information isn't available on their Website, ask for examples of recently funded projects, and also for some that have been rejected.
2. Develop your proposal to fit the application. You have a great idea, you've identified a need, and you've got the tools to make it work. And you have found a grantor who shares your goals. But you still have to make sure that your project matches the funding guidelines of each potential funder.
Make sure the major budget items in your project are clearly eligible for funding.
If only part of your project is relevant to a particular funding opportunity then find other way to fund the rest of the project, and let them know (this not only shows them how resourceful you are, it will ensure that you have enough money to actually fund your project).
Use the restrictions and guidelines of the grant opportunity to make sure that you've thought your project through and have planned for all contingencies.
If you don't understand what the funder needs or wants, the ASK ' don't make assumptions.
Look at your project through the eyes of the grant reviewer. Where is your project weak' What are it's strengths' Are you duplicating services' Do you have the capacity to carry out the work' If you've got any doubts, now's the time to address them.
3. Make sure that you understand and can comply with the eligibility requirements and regulations you must comply with. It's a waste of everyone's time and resources to apply for grants whose requirements are beyond your resources.
Be certain you understand what you're getting into ' including grant deadlines, scope of work, reports, etc.
Can your organization commit to the contract and other legal requirements'
If the application process takes a long time and funding is not for six months to a year, will your project still be relevant and ready to go'
4. Get a second opinion, and ask for help when you need it. Often people don't flock to help with fundraising activities. (I don't know why!). But, if you're new to proposal writing and you're taking on the grant writing job for your organization, once you've done the research and know what it's going to take to put together a winning grants package, ask for the help you need from others in your organization.
Get someone else to proofread your application, and make sure that it's clear and compelling. A confusing application will end up in the discard pile. When possible, ask someone who knows little or nothing about the project, because if they can understand the need, urgency and goals of the project, you have a better chance that so with the grant reviewer.
The budget is one of the most important parts of your application. If you don't understand them, get help from your accountant or someone who does.
Don't be afraid to ask the grantor for help. Don't expect them to write the application, but they can answer specific questions and even help you to brainstorm ideas.
5. Bring your own resources to the table. Even if you're not applying for a 'match grant' every funder wants to get the maximum 'bang for their buck'. Identify partners, associated projects, volunteers, supporters, donors, resources, etc. You want to give them the sense that you are able to stretch the resources you receive to the maximum amount.
Provide documentation that you have more time, resources and expenditures invested into the project than the amount you're requesting funds for. Funders want to fund projects that are important and valuable.
Show that you have resources from a variety of places; the broader the support the better. This will demonstrate that you're a good risk.
6. Show the public support for your project. Every project can benefit from grass-roots support and involvement. ......
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