Before asking for funding, non-profits should ensure that their own financial and organizational paperwork is in order.
With the increase in requests, many grant funders quickly winnow out groups based on typos or math errors and some also decline those who have not followed their own bylaws, filed proper government paperwork or whose reputation as productive followers of their own mission has been tarnished.
Updating Organization Requirements for Grant Eligibility
In order to increase the chances of success, non-profit organizations should first ensure that their in-house requirements are met.
The first task should be to create and follow a budget for the organization. This should include a monthly and annual budget to make it easier for staff and board members to track expenses. Many states require that non-profits file with state offices so this should be done annually. If the organization has a volunteer plan for training and assignments, this would be an asset to include in an application.
Creating Grant-Winning Projects
Before asking for money, the organization needs to identify tangible needs such as special projects, new exhibits, or cultural events. Grant funders usually refrain from funding organizational requests and prefer projects that give them the opportunity to see measurable results of their funding.
To further bolster the application, organizers should identify the project’s coordinator and volunteers in addition to other potential sources of funding. Some grant funders want to know that the project does not hinge on their request and that planners have the creativity and foresight required in case not all funding is approved.
Partnerships with the local tourism, library, chamber of commerce and other non-profit or high-profile groups will bolster the application and show grant funders that the organization has a well-thought plan supported by others in the community.
Identifying Prospective Financial Resources
The key to obtaining grant funding is to locate a set of prospective financial sources for a project. For example, it would not make sense to ask for money for an arts festival from a company that primarily invests in science competitions. But, asking a company for funding for that same arts event may make sense if the company has a cultural interest in the community.
Know Your Grant Funder’s Objective
State funders can be difficult to determine but collaborating with other local groups may give a non-profit organization’s request an added lift. Staying with the example above, the arts festival may benefit from combining with a local historical group to add extra events giving the event a more diverse appeal. Because of federal guidelines, states need to share their money with broad-reaching projects so proposed diversity in the audience will aid grant applications.
State and Federal Resources
Historical and arts organizations in particular should contact their state about securing federal and state funds for projects that will appeal to diverse groups or address the needs of the underserved.
Private Companies and Foundations
While the economy plays a major part in how often a company or foundation donates to a cause, research can aid a grant request. While the internet can be a tremendous asset in researching grant donors, there are also several scams that will not benefit the organization.
For an easy reference guide, check the local library for a guide to relevant private foundations. These show topic preferences, allowing nonprofits to focus their attention on the foundations that will most likely consider their requests.
After identifying potential donors, it is best to confirm the address and contact information by using the internet since that information does sometimes change.
Another helpful resource is to add the non-profit’s name to an email list for sites such as the Foundation Center. While the Foundation Center offers grant classes and relevant newsletters, it also emails a Request for Proposals from legitimate foundations and companies looking to donate funds for specific interests.
Local Donors Looking for Tax Relief and Good PR
Fortunately, communities often have manufacturing companies, banks, attorneys or other professional offices and corporations that sponsor non-profit events in return for good marketing and tax relief.
In order to boost requests for funding, supply possible donors with a marketing plan showing that their name will be used in all posters, press releases, ads, brochures, t-shirts and other marketing materials.
While maintaining corporate ties, also keep up with local grant givers such as community foundations and bank trusts that offer grants on an annual or semi-annual basis. The staff of these organizations usually offer guidance to non-profits but enforce strict deadlines and rules.
Before Submitting a Grant Application
Finally, be sure to attach positive PR for the organization’s previous projects to grant requests and always triple-check for typos, grammatical errors and miscalculations in the budget, because these mistakes can sink a stellar grant request.
Bonnye Good - Bonnye Busbice Good received an Editor's Choice award for her article on Your Historic Home's Interior Design Secrets and has also written ...
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