Rhodes and I have traveled this week to visit Granmama and Grandaddy in Alabama (hence my “git'er done” reference – sorry, I just had to!) Contrary to popular belief, my family in no way perpetuates the myths that seem to plague folks born and raised in the South. I can proudly say that no one in my family has ever married a cousin, we have all of our teeth and we even have indoor plumbing! What we do not have, in my parent's home at least, is internet capability. My mom still thinks it's frivolous and sees absolutely no purpose in it. Sigh. So here I sit at a local coffee shop drinking bottomless cups of stale coffee and trying to avoid the stares of the baristas probably wondering why anyone would still be at the same table after five hours. Let them wonder!

Anyway, this appalling lack of convenience in my parent's home got me to thinking about all of the wonderful resources that the internet dutifully brings me each day as a grant writer. But – if you don't know about them, you can't take advantage of them. Of course, being from the South, it is ingrained in us to be polite and to share. So, allow me then to share some of my favorites with you:

Inquiry Letter Guidance – I recently received a question about samples of inquiry letters. As most of you know, many foundations require inquiry letters before full grant application submission is allowed. You want to put your best foot forward here so that you will be granted an invitation. The Foundation Center has excellent advice on how to write a compelling inquiry letter here. I also encourage you to network with others in your circle to see if they'd be willing to share some samples.

Free Grant Funder Resources – There are several, free sites that I use on a regular basis as I'm performing grant funder research on behalf of my clients. Yes, there are paid services out there but a word of caution on these – those that boast of thousands upon thousands of grant making foundations often include those foundations that have already preselected charities that they financially support and usually don't accept unsolicited applications. Be persistent in your research – there are plenty of foundations that will support your nonprofit's mission, you just have to use skill and patience in finding the right ones. Here are some sources that you'll like:

FREE Research – Foundation Websites
More FREE Research – Form 990’s (found on the www.FoundationCenter.org website) – find who they’re funding
The Foundation Center also produces The RFP Bulletin – send grant opportunities right to your inbox!
Also register at www.NozaSearch.com for grant activity updates
FREE continued…Chronicle of Philanthropy, www.philanthropy.com →Fund Raising Tab→ Guide to Grants→ Guide to Grants Database
Also FREE – The Grantsmanship Center, www.TGCI.com → Funding Sources Tab → View top givers by state
FREE – www.FundsNetServices.com – funding by category

Grant Application Samples – If you're new to the grant writing field, or just want to feel confident about your grant writing skills in general, you always like to see how others write. This is most easily accomplished through thumbing through actual grant application samples. One dependent resource is the federal government. Did you know that ALL federal grant application copies may be requested under the Freedom of Information Act? Link here to access how you may do so.

Grant Writing Tips and Tricks – WARNING! Shameless self-promotion ahead!!! For “60 Tips of Winning Grant Writers” click here. Yes, I use them and so do other grant writers in the know. Try them out for free.

Alright, after all that coffee, I'm off to use the convenient indoor plumbing. Enjoy your new, nifty resources and "git'er done." :)

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Free is Good...
written by Jason Shechtman, April 24, 2012

I've paid for many directories and databases that supposedly are full of grant opportunities; some are great. Others terrible. One thing I've learned is Google is your best friend. Just start from the beginning. And like Betsy said, BE PATIENT. I find that researching grantmakers and available grants is the hardest part of grant writing. The proposal? pbbt... Piece of cake!

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development consultant; grants research, proposal writing, media relations and special event coordination.
written by Margery Phelps, April 18, 2012

Liked your article-didn't have a problem with "git er done" even though I'm a born and bred Yankee from New England. The information about free access to foundation funding sources is very helpful since working with non-profits means that funds are frequently in short supply.

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Independent Grant Consultant
written by TracyS, March 21, 2011

Thank you for your generosity in sharing this valuable information.

Sincerely,
Tracy

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written by Suzanne Metzgar, February 24, 2011

I'm new to grant writing so this information is invaluable to me. Thanks for sharing!

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written by Amy Eisenstein, February 23, 2011

I'll admit, until the last line of the article, I had no idea what you meant by git'er done. Was feeling a little left out and yankee'ish.

Anyway, it's always helpful to have free resources at your fingertips. I advise my clients to take full advantage of all the Foundation Center has to offer (paid access from your desktop) for FREE by going to any of their free locations at many public libraries around the country. It is easy to sort by those foundations that take applications and those that don't. I also think it's important to know which foundations are in your area, even if they don't take unsolicited proposals, because you may be able to get an invitation to submit.

And, don't feel too bad about the lack of internet... my parents didn't get cable until last year when there was an extraordinary amount of pressure from their grandchildren.