Faith-based Grants

Approximately one-third of grants in the United States are faith-based grants. That is great news for the faith community. Some grants are for Christian minstries and have broad guidelines, but many are also denomination specific or give a preference. One of the first things to rule out is geographic area. Applying for a grant for ministry needs on the West Coast from a grantor that only serves New Jersey or Tennessee doesn't work.

Although some grants are earmarked for the faith community, other grantors may provide funding if the ministry falls within the funding guidelines, serves the community and is in the foundation's geographic area.. Examples include food banks, nutrition programs, innovative programs to reduce obesity or compassionate health care, emergency housing, a teen center, the arts, gardening, the environment or sustainabilty.

If your program or project cost is $35K, it may take five grants to get it done. When researching for grants consider the funding limit of each grantor and what aspect of a project they are most likely to fund. After reading the instructions four times contact the foundation to find out if the grantor is interested in the proposal. Expect to write at least five grants for every one that is funded. If your organization is small, has an inadequate track record or lacks manpower, expertise or finances to hire a grant writer, consider working with project partners. Each project partner must have some decision making authority and bring something to the table. The project group is assembled before the grant is written, lays out a strategy, identifies who will manage the grant and how funds will be allocated. All project participants manage their own budget and report to the grant manager. The grant manager assembles all the information, gains approval from management and submits the grant. The same process applies to the evaluation and reporting process. A little creativity goes a long way. The next post will address secular nonprofit organizations.