With our experience in grantmaking and grant-reviewing we know what funders want to see on your grant application.
Precise and simple answers, relevant statistics and 18 years of successful proposal writing experience goes into the professional work we provide our clients. All of our work is done by contract with an exact scope of work tailored to your nonprofit needs.
With experience as a grant reviewer for local projects, Health and Human Services and the Compassion Capital Fund Project all of our expertise will be used to create a comptitive proposal for your program.
What are some of the things you need to have in order to get a grant? Glad you asked! Below you will find an exhaustive list and explanation of the things you need to be successful.
Corporate Structure: You will need articles, bylaws, a board of directors and a IRS determination letter approving your nonprofit status.
Information and Experience: Organizational history is the history of your organization and what you have done in your community, You will also need to know your target population which tells us who you are serving, Your partner info tells us who you are working with and, who has funded you. You will need a Bio of all key personnel that tells something about your team.
A website is mandatory and is a key source of information about your nonprofit. Please get one that stands alone and that is not connected through a parent site. Also get a website that you can update and edit without having to pay extra or track down a webmaster.
Grantees will also want information about your new, current or expanded project, statistics regarding the people you serve including how and when you serve them.
Financials are needed to keep accurate track of your income and expenses for 990 reporting and to keep track of your assets. In the beginning you may want to use a system of tracking such as an “in-house” Quicken but as you grow you may want to go to the non-profit version of Quick Books. Sooner or later you will need a CPA.
A plan of sustainability: Grants are only temporary and will fund your project for a specific time or purpose. Grantors are now asking nonprofits for a plan that includes financial survival after the grant money is gone.
Checklist for organizations who need grants or proposals written:
1. Signed contract with a grant writer or consultant.
2. Articles of Incorporation
3. Bylaws signed by the board of directors.
4. 501 c 3 determination letter from the IRS
5. Mission/vision statement
6. Board of Directors names and positions
7. Written Organizational history, target population, accomplishments,
8. Description of partnerships
9. Bio’s of key personnel
10. Website with its own URL (not through another site)
11. Minimum Two year history of working in your nonprofit industry (excpt for seed money grants)
12. Financial documents professionally prepared
13. A Plan of Sustainability for the future of your project and organization is needed. : as stated earlier you must have a plan to sustain your program before grants. A spokesman for the Jacobs Center (Jacobscenter.org) told me that the biggest barrier to one of their projects was that the neighborhood they were trying to help disdained any assistance from non-profits because when the money ran out they never stayed. It took a few years to win the trust of the neighborhood. the Jacobs Family and foundation promised to stay and has never left
·Membership and attendance in a coalition that serves your nonprofit industry (optional)
For Religious Organizations For religious organizations or ministries who wish to expand into community work:
1. A permanent headquarters with a physical address (mailing address can be P.O. Box and Funders often have geographical limitations)
2. A consistent theme, in addition to your religious purpose, A consistent theme that you serve that is inspirational and non-religious. (I.e. domestic violence, education, women, men, youth).
3. Proof of your service to the communities that you serve (Reference letters, news articles, pictures, written testimonials)
For Federal Competition:
Registration with Central contractors Registration: CCR.gov and Grants.gov
If the organization does not have these items in place a grant writer will find it difficult, if not impossible to write or research for a grant/proposal.
As always Foundation Consultants can assist you with these items under our Capacity Building Services until you are ready to submit a proposal.
I hope this helps you on your way to building your capacity to help more people in your community.
