Do you need grant funding for your nonprofit organization? If you do you are most certainly not alone in your needs. This combined with the fact that because of regular government budget cuts there's not as many federal dollars available as there once was. And because of our current economic recession foundation dollars are down as well. What you now have are some serious concerns facing your nonprofit organization.
On the other hand there is still a vast source of funding out there for your organization. But, even more so today than ever, in order for you to get your share of the treasure that's out for you. You must approach the matter of grant getting in an organized and systematic manner.
And you must make the process of obtaining grants a regular and ongoing activity for your organization. Here are some guidelines to help you get the grant funds you seek:
* Carefully assess your funding needs by asking yourself a number of very important questions, such as: How much funding do you need? How will this funding be used? Who will benefit from this funding? And, how will this funding be used? Having clear answers to these kinds of questions are a key part of any request for funding, and will help you determine the kinds of grantors you should be approaching.
* Make a list of your target grantors specific to your needs. You can do this by going to the main branch of your public library. Where you should find some kind of grant research center with a wealth of grant funding directories you can use.
* If you live in a very small community and your library doesn't have a grant research center. You should contact The Foundation Center, 79 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10003, (212)620-4230 where you'll find a wealth of grant directories too, that you can purchase directly from them. Be sure to request a copy of their current catalog when you contact them.
* Contact each grantor on your list for a copy of their current funding guidelines, and proposal requirements. While all grant directories do list grantors basic funding requirements and rules. You should still always contact them before you apply. Since what's listed could be actually much different from what they currently do, and your time is too valuable to waste it.
* Prepare a clear concise attractive development proposal of between 8 to 12 pages. While many large nonprofit organization tailor make a proposal for each program or project they're marketing to get specific grantor, this can be a very time consuming process if your organization is small or mid-sized, without the staff and support that many large agencies have. Thus it's better to prepare a standard proposal covering your capital, program, and operating needs. Then target it with a well-prepared submission cover letter.
* Even in those cases where a grantor does have specific proposal requirements. You'll find still that most of what you've already prepared can be incorporate into your custom proposal quite easily. Allowing you to prepare custom proposals in those situations where it's needed. This is especially true when seeking federal funding, where your proposal must be targeted to the requirements of the federal grantor.
* Keep in mind the fact that the easiest kinds of grant to obtain are grants for capital needs items. And grants for unique, exciting, and innovative programs and projects. Whereas the hardest items to get grant for are operating cost items. So you should use grantors primarily for capital and program funding objectives. And secure private gifts from individuals to raise most of your operating cost funds.
* Set aside a block of time each week, even if it's only three or four hours. During which time you or a designated staff member will devote to the three key areas of effective grant solicitation. Namely, researching funding sources, preparing, and submitting proposals. Doing this will keep you up to date on who's doing what, improve proposal preparation skills, and keep those grants coming in regularly.
Yes, you can get the grant funds you need to effectively operate your nonprofit organization. And help all those people who need the help that you provide them. But you must go about getting the grants you need in an organized systematic fashion. And refuse to take "no" for an answer, because the cost of doing otherwise is much too great for so very many.
Berwyn J. Kemp is a development consultant who helps nonprofit organizations obtain funding. For free subscription to his newsletter Nonprofit Funding Solutions, or full details on his funding products and services, or to read more of his re-printable articles you can visit: http://www.berwynkempassoc.citymax.com/
Chicago limo Skokie ..I meet and talk to hundreds and hundreds of business... Read More
Many auto detailers fall short in their sales presentations. I... Read More
As a specialist in getting restaurants open, it is surprising... Read More
Your grandfather probably told you to "learn something new everyday".... Read More
With all the cabinet refacing business opportunities out there, you... Read More
If you're an entrepreneur responsible for your own small business... Read More
How far away is the person you need to meet?We... Read More
Has this ever happened to you... 'John, you have a... Read More
Concrete Roof Tile Business: During the 2004 summer season, storms... Read More
Take advantage of world politics today and start your own... Read More
After over 30 years of participating in hundreds of businesses,... Read More
Why should you do informative talks to smaller groups?Informative talks... Read More
I ran a franchise company for many years, a car... Read More
A Small Business Opportunities Magazine is one of the new... Read More
Where do you find the right people for a business... Read More
Many small businesses do quite well due to the blood,... Read More
One of the best marketing strategies a business or organization... Read More
A solopreneur I know disappears from my radar screen for... Read More
Why Alliances FailWhen do you know an alliance is falling... Read More
One thing I have noticed in my travels to different... Read More
Small business owners can relieve a lot of their own... Read More
Lance Armstrong this week won an unprecedented 7th Tour de... Read More
One major issue not being addressed right now in the... Read More
In my 18 years of consulting I have heard it... Read More
A corporate shell could be liken to a house that... Read More
limo O'Hare Bonfield ..If you are looking for a way to own your... Read More
How to do itPeople skim through newspapers and magazines and... Read More
Some marine biologists feel that the concentration of dead marine... Read More
If you are thinking of turning your current into a... Read More
Many self employed professionals find themselves overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused... Read More
Work smarter, not harderWhat is one of the best ways... Read More
Sacred cows take a long time to die. We get... Read More
Everyday, customers and business owners are bombarded with billboards, logos,... Read More
Thinking of starting a business on line? If so there... Read More
Traditional advertising methods are still being used for almost 90%... Read More
"Order Now!" "Your Business Will Fail If You Don't Have... Read More
If you discovered the bottom line in your business depended... Read More
And is having a logo really that important?My answer to... Read More
The air in my client's office nearly crackled with her... Read More
A Private Investigator is a professional trained in the art... Read More
Why does research and education play an important part of... Read More
If your home business is not performing the way you... Read More
Where do you look for the appropriate alliance?One of the... Read More
Articles abound advising the business community how to properly screen... Read More
Q. I am a former pastor who left the ministry... Read More
Remember those drawings from science class of how a lever... Read More
One of the simplest ways to expand your marketing efforts... Read More
That's right ? are you making enough mistakes in your... Read More
Most small businesses simply go about their daily business and... Read More
When we speak of branding most of the time people... Read More
Small Business |