Grant Writing I: Before You Write That Proposal
You’ve been tasked with finding grant money for your organization. Where to get started?
Check out The Foundation Center’s free webinar, Before You Seek A Grant. It provides an invaluable checklist for nonprofits to use to ensure you’re ready for the scrutiny that will come from funders, including characteristics of success, what funders are looking for, and key elements to get started.
Then, take some time to think like a funder, says Dalya Massachi, author of Writing to Make a Difference.
She tells Tony Martignetti of Fund-Raising Fundamentals that most donors want to fund discrete projects, not an entire organization, so it’s wise to have some clear, distinct project descriptions of the work your group does.
For example, if your group provides services and programs to people of diverse backgrounds or ages, you might be able to describe two or three different projects – one to get urban youth outdoors, another to get urban youth or veterans valuable training, another to create a vital community of seniors volunteering on public lands.
Consider your list of possible funders -- what they want to fund, and how they want to support organizations. Not all will give funds. Some funders may only make in-kind gifts of facilities or supplies. Others may want to engage their own workforce in volunteer work. Consider these opportunities as you put your project list together.
Think about key words that will help to define these projects, and capture a funder’s attention. Brainstorm key words with other members of your group. Make a list of these key words to come back to as you begin your proposal writing.
Don’t forget to emphasize the area where you are working. It will appeal to local funders that support local projects, but can also appeal to national-level funders with a particular interest in your area, for example, a national corporation with employees based in your area.
Resources
If you haven’t yet visited the Foundation Center online, do it now. And then bookmark it!
Many materials are free. If you live near DC, New York, Atlanta, Cleveland or San Francisco, you can access the Foundation Center in those cities.
Or visit one of the Foundation Center’s “Cooperating Collections” in 450 locales across the nation where you can access free online information about funders.
Grant Writing II: Building Credibility and Trust
The Chronicle of Philanthropy is hosting a 3 part podcast on proposal writing with host Tony Martignetti of Fund-Raising Fundamentals. This is summary number 2 of the podcast series, which can be found here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fund-raising-fundamentals/id451822858
Once you’ve done the research for your proposal, what do you need to consider while writing it?
According to Caroline Pappajohn of New Door Ventures in San Francisco, and Dalya Massachi of Writing to Make a Difference, you need to understand your funder’s interests and mission, then be explicit in the proposal about how your project helps achieve that mission. Funders are looking for solid investments, so you’ll need to convince them that your project will have results.
Build trust and credibility by describing measurable results you’ve achieved. Or, if your organization is new, cite the expertise or quality of the management team that will be working on your project.
New organizations can also refer to deep community involvement that they’ve generated.
For data, it’s okay to cite others’ research (be sure to credit the source), especially if it helps you set the context or demographics for the problem to be addressed.
You must provide sufficient background about your project to educate funders that may not be familiar with the need or area of work. Put it in context, and explain why your organization is uniquely qualified to solve the problem.
Instill a sense of urgency. Answer the question why does the problem need to be addressed now? And what will result if the funder invests in our solution to the problem?
Funders love measurable goals, so try to find ways to articulate those. That’s good business sense for your organization as well. For example, how can you track growth in the number or diversity of volunteers you can engage? What long-term benefits of training are measurable and might be of interest to funders? What wilderness values can be renewed, protected, restored, because of your work?
Dalya Massachi uses the acronym FIRST as a reference for proposal writing:
F – Include facts and figures (local or national) that support your need statement, provide context
I – Stress the importance of the issue [and its urgency]
R –Be clear on the results of your project, and include measurable outcomes
S – Detail the solution you are proposing
T—Include your organization’s track record, or testimonials by supporters/constituents, or both
Massachi provides a template for proposal writers at her website: http://writingtomakeadifference.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Sample_grant_proposal_format.pdf
Check out the numerous fundraising podcasts on the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s site
Additional Resources
If you haven’t yet visited the Foundation Center online, do it now. And then bookmark it!
Many materials are free. If you live near DC, New York, Atlanta, Cleveland or San Francisco, you can access the Foundation Center in those cities.
Or visit one of the Foundation Center’s “Cooperating Collections” in 450 locales across the nation where you can access free online information about funders.
Grant Writing, III: Your Program Officer
The Chronicle of Philanthropy is hosting a 3 part podcast on proposal writing with host Tony Martignetti of Fund-Raising Fundamentals. This is summary number 3 of the podcast series, featuring Dalya Massachi and Ted Smith, which can be found here:http://philanthropy.com/article/Reach-Out-to-Foundation/133129/
Part three of the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s podcast on grant writing essentials urges grant writers to build a relationship with the foundation’s program officer.
The program officer will be the first to read your proposal, to determine if it fits with the funders’ criteria and mission. S/he will be the person who presents your proposal to the funding decision board.
That’s why you must take the time to ensure the program officer understands your program, and even is inspired by it. A meeting or phone call before you submit your Letter of Intent (LOI) is optimal, but if that isn’t possible, try to check in with the program officer while you’re writing the proposal, or shortly after you’ve submitted it.
How to reach the program officer? Call the donor’s offices and ask to speak to the program officer for your proposal, then be ready to talk about your work. If you can get a meeting, consider taking along other staff, to help explain your work from multiple perspectives.
Remember that the program officer is often someone with years of nonprofit experience, including within the field you’re working, so expect to make a new ally, one that understands and appreciates your work.
Additional Resources
If you haven’t yet visited the Foundation Center online, do it now. And then bookmark it!
Many materials are free. If you live near DC, New York, Atlanta, Cleveland or San Francisco, you can access the Foundation Center in those cities.
Or visit one of the Foundation Center’s “Cooperating Collections” in 450 locales across the nation where you can access free online information about funders.