Grant Funding for Nonprofit Organizations

HBIF Meeting 12-09

Grant Development for Non Profits

A Seminar By:

Administrator

Nicole RoachMarketing Coordinator

CharityNet USA

Key Speaker

Melanie Swift MNMDirector of Nonprofit Services

CharityNet USA

Welcome!

• CharityNet USA: A “One-stop” resource center for nonprofit organizations nationwide!

• Key Speaker: Melanie Swift

• Questions

• Recorded Webinar Available At:

http://www.charitynetusa.com/webinararchive/index.php

Agenda

• Grant Funding Overview

• Identifying Projects

• Developing the Idea

• Proposal Outline & Contents

• Funder Identification

Grant Writing Overview

• In the public and nonprofit sectors, foundation and government grant funding is a major source of operational revenue.

• Knowing the steps involved is essential for those working in an organization's development department.

• Eloquent writing skills-including exceptional spelling and grammar, and the ability to follow directions are essential.

Grant Writing Overview

• The process of grant writing includes:– Identifying

– Matching

– Communicating

– Implementing

– Reporting

Identifying Projects

• What are the unmet needs in the community that the applicant agency is positioned to meet?

– How do you know this is a need?

– What data is available to document the need?

– Is the project within the mission of the applicant agency?

– What is a reasonable scope for the project?

Identifying Projects

• Once a project is identified, consider:– If the project is

implemented:

– Who would do it?

– Where would it be done?

– Who would benefit from it?

– What would the specific benefits be?

Developing the Idea

• Developing a proposal idea requires knowledge of the applicant agency and the funder. You must know both agencies’:

– Missions

– Board Affiliations

– Organizational and Administrative Structures

– Current Services and Projects

– Anticipated Results

Funders

•Just as nonprofits have missions, so do funders.

•Foundations and corporate giving programs typically publish their funding missions. Funder missions can be located through:

The Grant Proposal

The Grant Proposal

• Grant proposals generally include versions of the following sections:

– Executive Summary

– Introduction (Organizational Background)

– Need Statement (Problem Statement)

– Objectives

– Methodology

– Evaluation Techniques

– Sustainability

– Budget

Executive Summary

•Should be the last section written, but comes first in the outline. Provides a basic overview of the proposal.

•States overall impact the funder will have on the community through the project.

•Must reflect the funder’s mission, interests, and values.

•Reiterates the qualifications of the agency to carry out the project.

Introduction

•Used to introduce the applicant agency to the funder.

•Clearly describes the experience and expertise of the applicant agency.

Need Statement

•Defines the community need to be addressed.

•Most critical section of a proposal.

•Establishes baseline data, clearly states statistics on the need to be addressed by the proposed project

Objectives

•Defines clear goals and objectives.

•Should tie directly to the need statement.

•Should contain at least one goal and two objectives.

• Goal- Broad based statement of the ultimate expected result.

• Objective- Measurable, time-specific result expected of the project.

Methodology

• Usually the longest section of the proposal.

• Lets funder know exactly what you will be doing with the funds requested for the project.

• Paints a detailed picture of the project in an easy to read narrative.

WhoWhat Wher

e When

Evaluation

Sustainability

• A.K.A. Future funding

• No funding source wants to support your project forever.

• Should provide a specific plan for future funding of the project.

• Explains how the project will continue once the funding being requested runs out.

Budget

• Translates the methodology section of the proposal into dollars.

•Paints a clear picture of the project with numbers.

•Should place a dollar value to what has been described.

•Funder may request specific budget forms.

Types of Funding

• Four major types of grant sources exist today:• Foundations

• Corporations

• Individuals

• Government

Foundations

•All foundations are set up with a mission and bylaws that must be adhered to.

•Foundations have duties to be publicly accountable.

•There are more than 63,000 private and community foundations in the U.S. today.

•Total foundation giving exceeds $30 billion annually.

Foundations

•There are 3 types of foundations that may provide funding:• Private (foundation/independent)

• Corporate or Company-sponsored

• Community Foundations

Private Foundations

•Usually set up by wealthy families or individuals

•Assets generally come from one source and are invested to earn income

•Usually set up to benefit a specific cause or causes

•The bylaws stipulate the types of causes it will support and the types of agencies it will fund

Corporate Foundations

• Must have the approval of its corporate board or shareholders

• Will typically fund programs within their geographic service area

• Most fund initiatives that will somehow be of benefit to their employees

• Most like direct benefit to their surrounding community

Community Foundations

• Set up within specific geographical locations.

• Make grant awards only within their geographical area.

• Awards are typically small, and not for multiple years.

• A community foundation usually accepts contributions from various sources, who advise on the use of the funding.

Corporations

Government

• Government grantors include city, county, municipality, state, and federal agencies or departments.

• There are three types of government grants: • Block grants

• Programmatic grants

• Discretionary grants.

Summary

•Always remember that proper spelling, grammar, and formatting are essential.

•Follow binding directions closely.

•Recognize the competitive factor.

•Prepare for rejection, follow-up, and restructuring.

Upcoming Webinars

• Nonprofit Board of Directors 20 Best Practices: 6-10-2010 3pm EST

• Developing a Strategic Plan: 6-17-2010 3pm EST

Special Promotion

10x10 Program

Q & A

• CharityNet Nonprofit Services

• 501c3 Prep• Grant Writing• Strategic Planning• Website Development• Graphic Design• Marketing• Bookkeeping & Accounting• Nonprofit Services

Q & A

• Contact Us• Nicole Roach: [email protected]

• Melanie Swift: [email protected]

• Visit www.CharityNetUSA.com or Call 407-857-9002

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