As promised, I’m back this week with the exciting second installment to this series. Last week, we discussed how to show the importance of your organization in the community. If showing need in your previous grant applications went something like this, “It’s important that we receive funding for this worthwhile program,” then you now know that kind of wording just doesn’t work. Details and statistics about your program pack a much bigger punch. Try something like this, “Our tutoring program serves 100 inner-city youth ages 10-12 that have no other opportunity in the area to receive this type of instruction. Tutors are providing the equivalent of $10,000 worth of instruction each month and there has been a 10% decline in school violence since the program has been in place.” Can you now show a need for your program? Check – it’s reducing school violence. Can you demonstrate a significant impact? Yep – instructional services worth $10,000 each month is pretty significant. And, have we clearly stated that if this program were to be discontinued due to lack of funding that no one else is around to provide it? Yes. You stated that no one else in the community provides your service.

So, enough about last week. Let’s get on with the new stuff! This week we’re focusing on who your organization affects. Make it clear to grant funders just who your target audience is – in other words, in whose life are you making a difference? And, do they even need your assistance? Be able to answer these questions clearly and concisely:

Who Does Your Program Affect?

Can you easily identify your target audience? Don’t try to save the world! In describing your target audience, be very specific. “We serve cancer patients at or below federal poverty guidelines that are referred to us by oncology doctors in the Central Alabama area. They are financially unable to follow the doctor’s prescribed course of treatment.” See how easy that was?
Can you demonstrate why this particular target audience should be assisted in some way? Yup – basically just did in the above example of this target audience. Again, this particular group was not being served by any other agency.
Are there any other target audiences you expect to serve in the future? Again, don’t try to save the world but if it makes sense in your mission to expand your target audience be specific about why this particular audience is being chosen.

Tune in next week when we’ll be discussing how to present your program for maximum impact!

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