fist_holding_money It has been my experience that those that have never attempted grant writing or have only given it a half-hearted try find it to be frustrating, unrewarding and just plain hard. That’s too bad because just like any other fund raising method, grant writing too is simply based on a series of steps.

Think it’s challenging to write a grant application? I would much rather face that challenge than turn away a child that needs medical attention. Or a cancer patient that can’t afford treatment. Or an abused animal that needs a loving home. These are real-life situations that deserve our complete attention and it’s time that we stepped up to the challenge.

To get you on your way, and to prove to you that it’s not nearly as hard as you think it is, you’ll find the following sequence of steps helpful in your efforts:

Decide which of your programs is most worthy of grant funding. Gather your staff, key decision makers such as your Board president and community partners that you regularly collaborate with to identify top prospects for funding. Decide which program has the most urgency and make that your priority focus for funding.
Develop your grant program idea. Getting clear on who you’re trying to help and what you’re trying to accomplish is the idea and this is an ideal time to set reachable goals and objectives to do just that. Goals are simply a broad statement of what it is you’re trying to do while an objective is something more concrete and measurable to ensure that the goal is met.
Find funders to support your program. Many nonprofits miss this – make sure that you don’t! Grant funders have their own agenda and mission that they’re trying to promote. If your program isn’t a good fit for their mission then you’re not a good candidate for funding. Do your research and only apply to organizations that have a similar mission to your own. A couple of great free grant research sites to try are www.tgci.com and www.grantgopher.com.
Follow grant application guidelines to the letter. Grant application reviewers reveal that many, many applications are rejected right off the bat because the applicant simply didn’t follow directions. For more examples of what not to do see my post on The Grant Writing Hall of Shame. Take note!
Be a gracious grant recipient. You’ve gotten the grant, now what? Thank them and then thank them some more. You’d like a repeat grant, wouldn’t you? Be on time with required reports, send updates on your program with personal stories and spend the money exactly how you proposed in your application unless you get clearance otherwise.

For more in-depth, step-by-step instruction, be sure to sign up for my ½ day grant writing training taking place Wednesday, November 9^th! Find details here.

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President
written by Laura Weber, November 05, 2011

I also suggest putting together basic information that many funders ask for in grant applications. This would include things like demographics, what accounting methods you use, management structure, etc. etc. Having this information ready to place in grant applications can save you time because you can just plug it in and not have to recreate it every time.

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Principal
written by Richard Lacey, November 04, 2011

Excellent advice. As a former foundation program officer and consultant to nonprofits and foundations, I wish nonprofits had followed Betsy's five points and not wasted time and money spinning wheels and following wild goose chases. As a writer, you wouldn't send an article on, say, global warming to Sports Illustrated, nor would you send an article about a soon-to-be great southpaw fastballer to Scientific American...I hope