Embedded Files
Check out these resources to aid in your search for grant funding!
Amy Jackson's Grant Presentation
Introduction to Grant Writing - Amy Jackson - Wingate University 9.3.21 (1).pdfGetting Started
First, speak with your supervisor to find out the best practices for grant proposals and applications at your host site. Your supervisor can help you determine who you need to contact about managing grant opportunities. There may be an office or department that grants go through, and those are the folks you're looking for! They will most likely have connections to funders in the community and can help you with finding resources.
If you do end up finding a funding opportunity, be sure you coordinate with the appropriate office and follow the established process for submitting an application.
Tips
When you are looking at foundations that could potentially give you funding, it is important to make sure your proposed project and ask amount are appropriate. For example, if an organization's assets are only $20,000, they probably will not be giving a ton of money away. Keep in mind that private foundations must pay at least 5% of their assets each year in the form of grants or charity.
It can be helpful to create and maintain relationships with funders. That is one area where collaboration with the advancement office can be helpful since they likely have relationships with some funders. It might be helpful to schedule an introductory meeting with the funder before you submit the grant to ask any questions that you might have and to form a relationship.
Make sure to thank the funders even if you do not receive the grant. You may also ask for feedback from them unless they indicate not to.
Of course, your proposed budget should reflect your program activities/description.
Make sure to plan accordingly and submit your grant on time, or even before the deadline. You will likely need information from other people in your organization, so make sure you have all of the information you need before the deadline approaches.
Intro to Grants
Introduction to Proposal Writing - This free course will provide an overview of how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation. They also provide sample documents of actual winning grant proposals.
Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal - This site gives examples and hints for each section of a funding proposal.
The Art of Grantsmanship - This paper explains the steps to writing a grant, from planning and research, all the way to the actual writing of the grant. There is a timeline included, as well. It is written by Jacob Kracier, MD, PhD.
Nonprofit Quarterly - The Basics of Grant and Prospect Research - This article has a plethora of useful tools and tips.
Funding Search
Foundation Search - They help to uncover funding opportunities and have services for grant development.
Foundation Directory Online - This resource is free at most libraries. Check your local library's website to see if they have access to this tool and bring a flash drive with you so that you can download all the information and resources that you find. It's updated weekly with information about grant opportunities. There's a free one-hour tutorial that shows you how to make the best of your searching experience. There's also a newsletter that has different subscriptions to choose from based on your interests.
Guidestar - This tool allows you to look at any other IRS-registered nonprofit organizations to see who has provided funding for them and organizations that they've funded, including the dollar amount given, and purpose of funding. This is a great tool to use to see what organizations have funded food pantries in the past.
Grantsmanship Center - This website offers resources by state, including top funders, community foundations, and corporate giving programs. They also provide training, technical assistance, and consulting to nonprofits.
Grants.gov - This website is designed to enable federal grant-making agencies to create funding opportunities and applicants to find and apply for these federal grants. The Grants.gov Online Help provides explanations and step-by-step instructions for both applicants and grantors to complete these processes.
Newsletters
Receive Alerts and Newsletters containing updates about system enhancements and training resources
Subscribe to all new grant opportunities (Grants.gov)
Receive a daily email listing all new grant opportunities
Subscribe to opportunities (Grants.gov)
Receive notifications when changes are made to a specific opportunity's forecast, synopsis and/or packages
Subscribe to saved searches for grant opportunities (Grants.gov)
Receive notifications for new opportunities matching saved search criteria
AmeriCorps Webinars
Writing_Winning_Grant_Proposals_resources_03.24.21.pdfWriting Winning Grant Proposals: Resource List and Summary Table
Strategizing_Your_Funding_Search_resources_12.17.20.pdfStrategizing your Funding Search: Additional Resources
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