Grants: A Reality Check
Texas Historical Commission ~ 2010
Carolyn M. Appleton, CFRE
Memorable Experiences
~ If you can’t explain it all on one page, you can’t explain it.
• Sometimes following a pre-set grant proposal format - as taught by some nonprofit support organizations - won’t work. By following the instructions of the chairman of a major Texas corporation, I secured $1,000,000.
• It is best to follow the instructions given by the prospective donor, and sometimes those go against the grain.
~ I need more information. Again.
• I had already provided a great deal of information to a potential donor, and thought I would throw up my hands at having to provide even more (and repeatedly)!
• But, responding courteously and quickly to requests for additional information led to a $1,475,000 grant. I did not think we had a chance, but happily, I was wrong.
~ Please have your director review and sign the enclosed contract.
• By carefully reviewing the grant contract upon approval of our $100,000 request, I learned a series of reports regarding the progress of the project were required. We were happy to comply.
• A few years prior, the nonprofit failed to failed to provide status reports, and had to return $1,000,000 to this same donor.
~ If you don’t grab their attention in your cover letter, your request will not make it to final review.
• This foundation receives so many grant requests, they have trouble considering all of them.
• A succinct, captivating statement of need in your cover letter – one not buried in the grant proposal – is just the ticket.
~ Sure, you can have a grant of $250,000. But if you want to make it worth our while, come up with a marketing plan, and we’ll consider $1,000,000.
• The chairman of a leading American corporation issued a challenge our nonprofit gladly accepted. We sought the advice of their preferred marketing firm, developed a suitable plan, and secured a $1,000,000 grant.
• Don’t be arrogant about - nor overestimate - your nonprofit’s in-house marketing capabilities.
~ Enclosed is a check for $1,000,000. Please call our office immediately upon receipt.
• The letter from a highly regarded donor was received by the secretary of a university president. She gave the check to the CFO for deposit and filed the letter. I had researched, written and submitted the grant.
• I learned the check arrived over a week later by a casual remark by a dean in a hallway. Don’t assume highly educated adults, nor administrative staff, know how to respond to charitable donations of this magnitude.
~ The economy has ‘tanked ’ and no one will give until the financial markets are on the mend.
• Admonished that my efforts would go unrewarded, I forged ahead with fundraising. After 8 months, a grant of $250,000 was made by a major Texas utility company to our nonprofit expansion project.
• Not everyone is negatively affected by an economic downturn, and even some of those who are, will rise to the occasion.
~ We would love to meet with you in person. Pick the time and place!
• We chose a popular, new cafe in which to hold an initial donor meeting regarding a potential, $250,000 grant.
• Yes, the French coffee and pastries were delicious! But, little did we know, the restaurant had hired Fabio to make a promotional appearance that same morning.
• While we adore Fabio … be sure to choose a quiet location for discrete discussions (smiles).
Thank you!
Carolyn M. Appleton, CFRE
E-mail:
WordPress Blog:
http://carolynmappleton.wordpress.com/
Fundraising Resources:
http://fundraisingresources.wordpress.com/
SlideShare:
http://www.slideshare.net/CAppleton/presentations
All rights reserved.
