There is a finite amount of money in a foundation and always more people asking for money than there is to give. Many grant writers and nonprofit people do not fully realize when a nonprofit gets money, someone else does not. Foundation members must determine from the stack of grant applications which are the best[…]
Category: grant writing
Get Organized
It is almost pointless to write grants for a nonprofit who is disorganized. It may seem unnecessary to a grant writer how organized a nonprofit is, but I discovered it is easier to know what to write when I understand the needs, assets, and liabilities. The nonprofit does not have to be completely organized, some[…]
A Project’s Schedule
A schedule is a plan for accomplishing a series of events during a period of time. Foundations like a schedule. When they invest, like all investors, they are looking at completion or progress within a nonprofit in a reasonable amount of time. A schedule is not only the future, but the past. There should be[…]
We’re All A Team
One of the most important parts of grant writing is locating funds. Many times, it is the grant writer doing all the research to find grant opportunities, but I believe it should be a team effort with the nonprofit managers and staff involved. There are many opportunities for grant funding and getting donations. But a[…]
Two Grant Topics
A Nonprofit’s NewsletterA newsletter is a few pages of the latest information about a nonprofit. It provides an update on what is happening with the nonprofit and their mission. It does not take the place of a grant report nor a means to solicit funding. A newsletter is an update about what is happening with[…]
Showing Emotion
I’m more of a data and information person in a grant application. Since applications restrict the number of words, I focus on only putting in the facts. I refrain from adding emotion. However, this is wrong. There needs to be some emotion (not drama) in a grant application. Some passion to impress the foundation members[…]
Funds from the State
Some foundations get funding from their state government to distribute, via grants, through their area. The state guidelines provide the categories for the foundation to fund. Foundations in high populated areas can usually fund most of the categories and meet the state’s guidelines. Smaller foundations or those in a limited population area may fund only[…]
Update on Two Recent Blogs About Grant Writing
One recent blog was about crowdfunding and nonprofits. A grant I wrote required the nonprofit and project members to advertise, through their contacts, for donations on the foundation’s crowdfunding website. The advertisement did not happen. Too late, I tried to get everyone involved. Most of the members could not or did not want to get[…]
Working with Other Grant Writers
network with other grant writers
The Future is More Important than the Past
Foundations invest in nonprofits wanting their future investments to be as sure as possible. Therefore, a grant writer should limit their discussion about past successes in an application. It is more important to focus on future progress. Progress can start in the past by explaining recent accomplishments, keeping the explanation brief enough to draw a[…]
The Problem with Name Dropping
In an application, some grant writers list names from the past and present that are associated with the project. The writer, sometimes with the nonprofit’s encouragement, see the names as important and recognizable. But are the names important and recognizable to the foundation? Usually not. Even if a foundation member recognizes a name, they may[…]
Balancing Act
A nonprofit should balance their funding sources between donations and grants. They need to use equal effort in achieving funds from both. I have worked with many nonprofits and almost all of them rely on either donations or grants for the majority of their funding. Yes, they get involved in the other funding source, but[…]
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