I think my charity could really benefit from applying for grants, but where do I start?
Charitable organizations provide crucial assistance to many different groups and communities. Raising the funds necessary to provide these benefits can be quite time-consuming. Frequent fundraisers require a lot of organization and a lot of hands to be successful. In addition to fundraising, you've been asking yourself the following question: "I think my charity could really benefit from applying for grants, but where do I start?" Applying for grants might seem like a difficult process, but with patience and organization, your group can become pros at finding grants to assist your charity. Here are some helpful tips to get you started:
1. Determine eligibility. Before you put in all the work of applying for grants, make sure you know your eligibility status. You wouldn't want to go through the application process only to find out that your charity can't receive the grant. There are a variety of organizations that are eligible for grants, including government, education, public housing, nonprofit, for-profit, small business, and even individuals. Each different type of organization must meet specific requirements for grant eligibility. Keep in mind that most foundations request a copy of a 501(c)(3) letter from the IRS before giving a grant--this shows that you've taken the steps required by the IRS to be recognized as a tax-exempt public charity.
2. Create a powerful mission statement. A mission statement is a crucial tool for your charity. You obviously have a strong commitment to the goals of your organization, and you are probably very passionate about the work you are doing (why else would you be looking for grants?). Your job is to convey this feeling to potential donors--you want to make them feel just as strongly as you do about your mission. You must convince them that your organization has what it takes to reach your goals. Avoid using cold, technical speech and don't ramble in your statement--you want to make an emotional connection and you should do it in a concise manner.
3. Find grant opportunities. There are two sectors which offer grants--foundations and corporations, and government agencies. Foundations exist to give money to charitable organizations like yours. Foundations can be run by families, community members, or corporations. A corporate giving program is different and usually run by the corporation's marketing team. Government funding is available at three levels--federal, state, and local. Some federal agencies give grant money directly to charities, but federal funding usually gets distributed to the state or local governments, who then decide which charity will receive it. The Foundation Center offers an online directory that you can use to look for potential donors (there is a monthly charge for the service) and some local libraries allow you to use this service free of charge. Federal grants are a bit easier to search for and you can find them online for free.
4. Write grant proposals. This is the trickiest part for a lot of people looking for grants. Once you have a solid mission statement and you've done extensive research locating prospective grants, you need to write a proposal. Maybe you don't have a strong writer in your group, or you just don't like writing. There are many free online tools and tutorials that can help you in the writing process. It's incredibly important to clearly illustrate your need for funds and a detailed plan describing how you will use those funds to better the community. It is helpful to include relevant graphics to break up the reading and allow the potential donor to visualize your plan--colorful charts and graphs are very helpful when used in moderation.
Grants are incredibly helpful for charities. Grants often provide charities with a larger sum of money than they might gain through fundraising activities. Applying for grants can be a tedious process, but it isn't that difficult if you stay organized and look in the right places. Remember that your organization's mission statement is incredibly important--this is how you will connect with potential donors and make them believe in your charity and its purpose. Please feel free to contact us to learn more about grants that could help your charity.