How To Find A Grant Where Is The Money and How Do I Get It?
Define Your Idea Take your idea from the general to the specific Broad: I want to create an interest in poetry among kids Specific: I am creating a summer poetry program where the children at my elementary school will come once a week to read and listen to poetry, to write poetry, and to meet published poets.
Searching for Funding Sources Where to Look: Major Types of Funders Federal Agencies State Departments City/County Agencies Private Foundations Corporations The library or a grants research center, like the Foundation Center. Look in Grant Making guides, in books and sources that detail local funders CD-Rom databases The Internet most foundations and research centers have web pages and libraries & centers have online sources you can use Try to find several sources that seem to match your program Investigate thoroughly each source: what they fund, who they fund, what type of funding they provide Choose at least three sources to investigate as potential funding sources
Facts about Foundations According to The Foundation Center, there are more than 63,000 foundations in the United States today comprising four types: Independent foundations established by a person or family of wealth (this comprises the largest group); Company-sponsored foundations (also called corporate foundations) created and funded by business corporations; Operating foundations established to operate research, social welfare, or other charitable programs deemed worthwhile by the donor or governing body; and Community foundations supported by and operated for the benefit of a specific community or region. (http://www.fdncenter.org/learn/orient/intro6.html)
Foundations Private, Corporate, and Operating Foundations are Private Foundations. Technically, community foundations are Public Charities (sometimes called "public foundations"), but these foundation provide GRANTS not handouts that makes an important part of the grant search
Who Gets Foundation Grants? Nonprofit Organizations that qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, making them tax exempt. These are organizations whose purposes are: charitable educational scientific religious literary cultural Public schools, libraries, and other government organizations also qualify as public charities, although they may not have 501(c)(3) status (certificate), they have the same definition. Occasionally funders will make grants to organizations whose tax exempt status is still pending, but most will ask for proof of your nonprofit status before considering you for funding. Source: The Foundation Center (http://www.fdncenter.org/learn/orient/org1.html)
How Do Corporations Fund? Direct-giving Programs: Are not separately incorporated and do not adhere to private foundation laws or regulations or file a Form 990-PF. Enable the corporation to deduct up to 10% of its pre-tax income. Give to nonprofits whose programs benefit the communities where their employees live and work. Corporate support can be cash grants or in-kind gifts. Company-sponsored foundations: Are separate legal entities that maintain close ties with the parent company, and their giving usually reflects company interests. Must follow the laws and regulations governing private foundations, including filing an annual Form 990-PF with the IRS. Sometimes companies have both mechanisms and will fund from both of them, depending on the requesting organization and its need(s). Source: The Foundation Center (http://www.fdncenter.org/learn/orient/org3.html)
Contact the Funder Request an application kit by telephone, e-mail or mail OR download the package from the funder s web site Check the application packet it will probably contain, aside from application forms, proposal guidelines, and program descriptions Review the materials in the packet and make sure that you understand all forms, descriptions and guidelines Contact the program officer to establish communications with them let them know who you are, describe your project, and make sure that you are applying to the RIGHT program Review and be sure you understand the funding guidelines and the DEADLINES
Parts of a Proposal Executive Summary Project Description Statement of Need (part of the Project Description) Budget (may include both a spread sheet and a narrative) Organization Profile Conclusion
Executive Summary Written for the agency s board members who will not be reading your entire proposal The very first page of your proposal - concisely explains your project Six paragraphs is the average length, though sometimes the summary is two pages (not recommended!). Explains the project: why it is unique, why it should be funded and includes the total cost of the project The shorter the better Work hard and long on the Executive Summary it could be the one document that get the grant for your organization
Statement of Need This is included in the Project Narrative Explains the need (why your organization is applying for a grant) NEVER exaggerate the need or underestimate your organization s assets A Statement of Need can be the second or third paragraph of a project narrative, or it can be spread throughout the narrative explaining each need as the need is described. It is easier for a funding agency to have a few introductory paragraphs that explain the need, and then detailed explanations of each need as your narrative develops
Your Project Explain why your project is unique and should be funded Explain to the agency how you discovered this need Explain why the project will strengthen your institution Explain how the project matches your organization s Mission Statement Explain your organization s qualifications at they relate to this project Describe the Target Audience, who you will reach and why they might need or want this project Explain how the project will benefit the community Define the goals/aims of the project Detail how you will achieve the goals and explain expected outcomes Include a Timeline of Milestones
Goals Your project and your goals should match the granting agency s interests and programs On your Timeline list the major moments: What will happen? When will it happen? Why will it happen? Explain how existing resources will be used to achieve these goals Explain what equipment/facility/personnel you need to achieve the goals Include all the details of the project: public relations events, conferences, travel, meetings, events, classes, training sessions, etc. and list any/all fees you will charge for these events
Outcomes Explain how you will measure your milestones to determine if the project has reached its expected goals Identify the evaluators and explain their credentials Explain how your evaluation plan is both objective and instructive
The Budget $ Determine all the things that will cost money in this project $ Determine which things you are going to ask the funder to pay for $ Research each item so that you have a real cost for each one, and not an estimated/imagined one $ Develop a simple one page (if possible) budget statement, with line item details and costs $ If the funding agency has a budget sheet and budget formulae, use and follow them $ Have a financial person review your budget $ Write a Budget Narrative
Budget Narrative $ Many agencies require both a budget sheet and a budget narrative $ The budget narrative explains all the expenses listed on the budget sheet $ The budget narrative should be concise and should use the same types of presentation techniques used in the Project Narrative $ DO NOT INCLUDE A BUDGET NARRATIVE IF THE AGENCY DOES NOT WANT ONE
Organization Profile Describes the history and structure of your organization, including the names and titles of all officers and board members Explains your organization s primary activities, the services provided by it, and its constituency Includes your Mission Statement Should be on one page only
Conclusion Summarize all the main points Try do keep the summary to three or four paragraphs Explain clearly so that your project stand out and is easily understood Do not try to conclude by flattering the funding agency Do not try to conclude by name-dropping or with hyperbolic praise for your organization or project
Appendices Do not include them unless you need them Follow the funding agencies guidelines about appendices If you don t know their policies, call the program officer Keep it simple don t include items just to inflate your organization s importance Each appendix should be included ONLY to support or explain a point or item in your Project and/or Budget Narratives Letters of Reference, Resumes, Curriculum Vitae may be considered as Appendices or may be considered parts of the application packet it depends on the funding agencies guidelines Don t send a bulky package remember you have to make copies and pay for the mailing of all the required copies
Common Attachments A copy of your organization's 501(c)(3) letter from the IRS; or A copy of your organization's "not a private foundation" letter from the IRS; A list of your organization's trustees and their professional affiliations; A copy of your organization's budget and most recent audit; and A brochure describing your agency
You may have to send Letters of Reference usually three are requested The Referee should be someone who knows the organization and its work BUT is not part of the organization Follow the funding agencies guidelines some agencies want the letters sent directly to them, some want them included in sealed envelopes, some don t care how they are presented, so long as they are included
Internal Procedures Complete all internal forms and procedures Obtain all the required signatures from organization officers Submit your proposal and the completed internal forms and procedures to the proper officer or office Meet or beat the internal deadline so that you will meet the funder s deadline
Answers to Questions If you have questions about the grant process and basic grant budget information, as well as CSU procedures for submitting a grant applications, visit: http://www.csuohio.edu/research/faq.html Or c.sell@csuohio.edu