Grant Writing Basics for Beginners

Course Project – No specific organization

Readiness Checklist:

• Is your organization properly organized and established?
  • Board of Directors
  • Clearly stated vision and mission
  • Paperwork in order: Federal & State organizational documents, Articles of organization, tax status documents.
  • Up to date financial statement and budget
  • Additional information about what the organization does and examples of past projects, numbers supporting these projects.
  • List of staff and volunteers
• Once you have the above in order
  • Prepare your team. Communicate and let them know you are looking for grant opportunities and that you are going to need their help.  Get everyone on board!
  • Look for grant opportunities that are a perfect fit for your organization. You want it to line up well with the services you provide.  Don’t waste time and resources on a grant that does not fit.
• After you identify a grant you want to pursue, develop a solid plan of attack.
  • Develop a timeline that allows plenty of time to complete.
  • Get all team members bought in to the vision and plan. This is key to success!
  • Customize the grant application to show how your organization will make the most of the grant if they receive it. Follow all the grant guidelines.
  • Have a well outlined plan to report on the use of the grant if you receive it. Have this ready before the grant is awarded.
  • Once the decision is made, always follow up accordingly.
  • Make notes that will allow you to have more success in the future.

 

What are your long-term project goals?

   I am a board member of a private family foundation.  We take grant requests each year from non-profits that are aligned with our vision and mission.  In addition to providing funds to the organizations that are approved, we are thinking about also helping them in the area of grant writing.  The hope is to have members of our board that are trained in grant writing and can educate them on how to apply for more grants successfully.  This will allow them to grow and increase their sustainability.