Is Your Organization Grant Ready?

How many grants has your organization received in the past four years?
If the answer is none, or sparse, it's time to do some homework.
Homework assignment will vary depending on whether the organization has established a track record. Does your organization have cash sponsors or corporate donors?

Small and large organizations struggle to get aspects of their plan together. Here are some very general questions. Do you know how to write outcome measures? What kind of statistics are tracked? Can your team manage a project timeline? Is your funding plan reasonable? How will you demonstrate fiscal responsibility?

Make sure to have a copy of nonprofit status, tax identification number and other documents to send as attachments.

Set up a simple form to track research. Use the research to decide if the organization meets the grantors funding guidelines and other pertinent information.

Determine if the grantor accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry or full grant proposals. What are the grant reporting requirements?

There are different types of grants-program, project, operational funding, capital projects, capacity building grants, technology, equipment and mathing grants to name a few. Most do not fund 100% the identified need. Be prepared to submit required figures, ratios, corresponding budgets if requested, and a list of other supporters.

Cash In On Volunteer Hours

Is your organization tracking volunteer time? If not, it would be wise to begin now. Volunteer time may be used in some instances to help obtain a grant. Second, keep track of how many people your organization serves. If your organization serves special populations or people from more than one geographic area keep on counting. It may help you obtain a grant. Review our prior post on Grant Readiness.

Grant Training

Grant Readiness Part 1

• Align your mission and vision statement with a visual strategic business plan.
• Increase organizational visibility.
• Understanding your ABC’s and PDF’s.
• Write measurable goals.
• Manage a simple project timeline.

Grant Readiness Part 2

• Set up an evaluation and improvement process.
• Statistics-Your New Best Friend
• Research grants and set up a basic grant tracking spreadsheet.
• Foundation Relations and Expectations.
• Fulfill your end of the agreement.

Grant Writing: Developing Creative Strategies

• It’s a Match: How to Satisfy the Requirement Without Using Cash
• Fiscal Sponsors:  Understanding the Parent –Daughter Relationship
• Company’s Coming