GRANTS
By Bill J. Harrison
Volunteer board members use three little words to strike terror into
the heart of an executive director, "Write a grant!" An often
requested duty of the staff of any charitable organization. What is
this fascination with grant writing? Grants are difficult to write,
hard to get, and the strings attached to a grant often makes them
so time-consuming they aren't worth the effort. Yet organizations
continue to pursue grants as if they were the only method of raising
money. There are easier, quicker and more efficient means of raising
money for your organization.
However, millions of grant dollars are available to tenacious
organizations, who know how to ask and whom to ask.
If your organization seeks grant dollars, there are many types of
granting organizations to be considered. Grants are given by
foundations, both public and private, corporations both large and
small, individuals and local, state and national governments.
Grants have several common elements. They all have "strings"
attached, meaning the grant comes to you with certain conditions and
guidelines, which are fully spelled out in the granting materials you
receive when you begin to research granting agencies. Generally,
detailed paperwork is involved with grants. Yearly reports on the
project are required, but often are asked for on a more frequent
basis. There are extensive follow-up procedures required of your
organization, such as on-site visits by granting organizations and
reports submitted on all facets of funded programs.
To be effective in this fiercely competitive market, study the
following grant-writing guidelines:
1. Do your homework. Successful grant writing requires a thorough
study of the granting agencies you plan to approach for gifts.
Writing grants has to be a rifle approach not a shotgun attack.
Direct your grant proposal to an individual, not "Dear Corporation
or Foundation."
2. Look for local granting agencies first. Agencies in your own state
or town are more partial to grant requests that come from their
geographical location.
3. Match your needs to the needs of the granting agency. Most
granting organizations have written materials which specifically
state the kinds of programs and activities they prefer to fund. If
you're seeking operational dollars, avoid sending your grant
requests to a foundations that specifically states they will not
fund operations. For example, if you're looking for money for a
program to train nurses, then research those granting agencies who
fund health-care education.
4. Study granting agencies and follow their requests to the letter.
If they initially ask for a two-page cover letter, with a one-page
projected budget and a self-addressed stamped envelope, do exactly
that. Organizations who offer grants don't have the time to sift
through reams of detailed requests, no matter how important you
think your request may be. Follow their guidelines carefully if
you hope to reach the next step, which is the actual proposal.
5. Write a grant proposal exactly as the granting agency stipulates.
If they require a one-inch margin on each page, or a specific
number of pages, conform. To you, it may seem unimportant or even
frivolous, but you're not the one making the grant. Also keep in
mind, grants are quite often sought for matching or short-term
dollars. If the guidelines ask you to explain how you intend to
continue the project after their dollars end, be specific and
factual. This information is vital to the success of your
receiving a grant. More requests for grants are rejected in this
one area than for any other reason, so don't be vague or deceptive
when discussing this area. You should know where additional
dollars can be acquired to perpetuate your program. Be honest,
complete, and factual in your proposal and follow prescribed
guidelines carefully.
6. Even if initially turned down, keep trying. To receive grants you
have to bulldog tenacity. If one granting agency turns you down,
find another and start again.
Researching, writing, and submitting grants is not an easy process,
but for those organizations who are dedicated to this type of funding,
it's certainly worthwhile.
An excellent way to see how your grant proposal should be prepared is
to contact organizations who have been successful in this funding area
and ask them for copies of their paperwork. Most organizational
directors are willing to share their secrets for success.
Finding Granting Agencies: How do you find granting agencies? In
addition to writing letters and making phone calls, there is also an
organization that can help with your research. The Foundation Center
offers information on foundations worldwide, maintaining information
centers in major libraries across the country. Check your local library
to see if they have a Foundation Center. If not, write to them at:
79 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10003, or call 1-800-424-9836.
City, state and the federal governments also maintain bureaus and
informational outlets for people researching funding sources. A local
phone book lists information numbers to call for assistance. The best
way to find out if a local corporation provides grant money is to call
them and ask for granting information. Generally, they're happy to comply.
Although grants are difficult to obtain, like all areas of fundraising,
once you've experienced success, it's very hard to stop.
If your organization is determined to write grants, the best advice is
what Winston Churchill said to the English people, "Never give up.
Never give up."
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This resource is (c) 1992 by Bill J. Harrison and is excerpted from
"Fundraising: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly."
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