Author: Judy Duany

Are You Ready to Apply for Grants?

You have a great project your organization is super excited about, and you think you are ready to apply for a grant. But are you really ready? The kneejerk reaction is to say, “Yes, of course,” because you’re so eager to get started on the process.

But wait! You can’t afford a false start that will disqualify your organization and keep it out of the running for the funding. So, before you say you’re ready to apply for a grant, take a step back. And another. The best thing you can do to increase your chance of obtaining grant funding is making sure you’ve done your legwork.

Need a partner to help you in the long run or the short run? We can team up with whatever help you need with grant research and every other aspect of grant proposal development. We’re experts and love what we do. You’re in it to win it. Let us help!

How to fund your 501 C3 – Part 1

Grants – the name itself conjures up feelings of red tape and bliss. However, for NPOs they can be an essential tool for success. On the bright side, grants can be generous, they tend to attract additional grants, and they’re validating – the problem is applying for them requires some grant savvy. The best way to break the ice is to identify the types of grants available for NPOs.

Here’s a collection of some of the more common genres of grants available for NPOs:

  • Start-up grants. Also referred to as “seed money,” the idea is to give an initial boost to promising NPOs so they can focus on getting the ball rolling rather than raising money. The downside is they typically decrease each year – they’re not intended to be permanent.
  • In-kind grants. Sometimes goods and services are just as useful as funding, and they can come in unexpected ways. For example, it’s not uncommon for foundations to provide human resources, such as legal and accounting services. This genre also includes marketing grants to help get your NPO noticed.
  • Endowment grants. This breed of grant contributes the interest of an investment, on the contingency that the principal funds remain untouched. The principal can also be added to via other contributors, or fundraising campaigns.
  • Planning grants. Evolving your NPO consumes valuable resources that can be prohibitive. Planning grants are kind of like seed money for new development; they fund the pre-execution effort required to advance your mission.
  • Donor-directed grants. Having donors on your side can be advantageous beyond their direct contributions. In some circumstances, individuals involved in foundations are in positions to influence how that organization’s funds are directed – this is called a “donor direct grant,” and it’s usually listed as individual giving by nonprofits.
  • Program and General Operating grants. These are the ‘workhorses’ of the grant world. Program grants are funds given to a specific program (also referred to as “restricted funding”); General Operating grants are given to the organization to use however they see fit (“unrestricted funding”) and can be applied to overhead and/or program expenses as needed.

Stay tuned for our next e-blast which will talk about where to find these!

Donor Cultivation

Competition is tough, and there’s no such thing as a guaranteed grant. We don’t want you discouraged or downhearted, and that’s why we’re here to talk about some best practices when soliciting funds from donors.

First thing: the ones who are doing the funding are not just a giant dollar sign with legs. They’re people too, and who they are matters. It’s important to know the people you’re reaching out to for funding as best you can before making the first move. Are they a private group or foundation, run by or in the name of an individual or family? Perhaps they’re operated by a company who uses their business profits to give grants. Some of the private foundations submit 990 PFs (PF meaning private foundation), which detail who they’ve given money to in the past. When you’re researching potential donors, it’s very helpful to see if their 990 PF is available.

Once you’ve identified a potential funder, you need to understand you won’t be the only suitor at the table. Grant organizations are overwhelmed with applications, so you need to reach out and ask when they might be available to discuss your proposition. This could take time. You’ll need to be prepared to answer any initial questions they will have (they’re checking you out too) and be poised and patient as you present yourself. This first contact between you and a potential donor can reveal key things for and about both parties. Maybe when they give you more information you’ll have to write them off your list of potential partners. Maybe they’ll be just what you’re looking for.

The final best practice when approaching funders is to deal in where you are now as much as where you want to be. Your mission is worthwhile and your vision is strong, but never be afraid to be open about areas where you’ll be able to improve. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Funders know you’re coming to them because you need help. You’re showing initiative. You want to grow. You aspire to something greater. Painting a picture of a perfect organization will make grantors wonder why they’re needed in the first place. Honesty means credibility in the eyes of investors.

Have you looked into which partners may be right for you? In an ideal world there would be a passionate and people-friendly organization who would handle all your grant writing, research, review drafting and they’d – wait a minute, that’s us! We specialize in all that and more, and we’d love to team up and aid you in drafting the best possible grant request. Reach out to us today!

Giving Thanks Non Profit Style

Saying thank you to a donor is perhaps one of the most important steps in the grant writing process. It not only signifies the end of one aspect of your relationship, but also strengthens that relationship and the possibility of future support. Unfortunately the number of non-profit organizations who actually follow through with this step is extremely low. By not taking the time to write a meaningful thank you letter, you are inadvertently telling the donor that you did not appreciate their funding; this sets the tone on all potential future funding. On the other hand, if done correctly, a thank you note can set your organization up for further funding success.

Just like any letter, there are a few things that you should focus on to ensure it makes an impact. Here are some tips on what you should include.

Be prompt. Always send your thank you letter within 48 hours of receiving your donation.

Keep it short. Chances are your donor is very busy so be clear, concise, and to the point.

Acknowledgment is the key. While you should always stay somewhat formal, it’s always acceptable to express your excitement when sending a thank you note. Be sure to reference their donation and what you will be using the funding for (and make sure it is consistent with what you stated in your initial grant proposal!).

Consider a handwritten note. A handwritten note goes a long way. It adds that special personal touch and shows that you invested your time and effort into writing it.

Check Your Work: Always, always, always check and double check your writing.

Still need more help? Williams Grant Writing (WGW) has the team, time, skills, and systems in place to act as your grant writing partner. WGW can help you research funding opportunities, review draft applications, apply for the grant funding, and help you stay on top of reporting and deadlines. WGW has a proven track record of connecting nonprofits to funding. Contact us today to see how we can help!