Grant Writing with The King of Rock ‘N Roll

Anyone who knows me well knows that I L.O.V.E. Elvis Presley. I’m not just a fan. I’m a fanatic. Yes, I’m that kind of fanatic. The infatuated kind who collects memorabilia, reads books about his life, silently celebrates his birthday and knows the words to nearly all of his songs. I totally get this level of dedication. I’m also an old soul and hopeless romantic. No musical artist will ever replace my love for the big E-P. No one has even come close. The upside is that I’m pretty confident that I can win any game of Elvis trivia.

So, in a lighthearted “dog days of summer" post and in honor of the 34th anniversary of his passing, I’m sharing a few tips about grant writing from The King himself. Uh, huh. Enjoy!

 

Follow that Dream: Create a Road Map for Your Vision!

Elvis was born in a small two-room home in Tupelo, Mississippi. His father had an eighth-grade education and struggled to support his family. Life wasn’t always easy. Fast forward….when Elvis was 25, he had a Rolls Royce and was paid $125,000 for a six-minute appearance on a Frank Sinatra TV special! Six minutes. His success didn’t happen overnight and he worked hard. He also had a plan, a team of people to support him and a vision. 

Grant writing forces you to put your big dreams and visions down on paper, to map them out and to have a plan for success. It’s okay to start small. Funders want to know how you’ll get to the Rolls Royce, whether that’s today, tomorrow or next year. Spend the time to clearly identify your goals, your objectives and your measurements of success. Then, hold yourself accountable.

 

Partnerships are Like Yummy Sandwiches: Clearly Describe Your Collaborations. 

Peanut butter, bananas and mayonnaise are good on their own and even better together. Right? Elvis thought so and the culinary trend caught on. (I don’t personally enjoy this delicacy. Bacon would be a better choice than mayo.) This sandwich is a genius combination and a great metaphor for collaboration. 

When you are trying to fund a project, think about ways you can highlight your collaborative partnerships. Let your funders know that you have strong and qualified team of people to see the project through from start to finish. If your peanut butter is even better with mayo, tell them how. Prove it. Fry it up and let them try it. Share letters of support and testimonials that demonstrate the value of your partnerships. How do the strengths of your organization work with the strengths of your partners? Make your project tempting to fund because of your ability to collaborate.

 

Shake Your Hips: Don't Be Afraid to Blaze a Trail! 

When Elvis first hit the scene, conservatives balked, girls fainted and jaws dropped. He looked like a well-groomed southern boy and sang with a deep blues soul (we'll save the hips for another post)! Who would have thought this was possible? There was no Elvis before Elvis, but that didn’t stop him from following his dreams. He blazed his own trail. He doled out hip-shakin’, heart-racin’, rockabilly blues that the world never knew existed. 

When a nonprofit creates new programs in order to respond to the needs of the community, there might not be a model to follow. You’ll need to create one. If homeless children need back to school supplies and no one else has a program to help, you might be the first—go for it. If there is a gap in service it usually means no one else is filling it. Step up to the plate. Make a commitment as an organization to dedicate yourself to serving your mission. Foundations primarily exist to make change happen. Innovation, creativity and thoughtfulness are generally appreciated if they have goals attached to them.

If the heat of the summer is slowing you down or you are discouraged by recent grant denials, take a minute to shake up your approach to funders—Elvis style. Think outside the box, give your funders something delicious to sink their teeth into and show how you are innovative. The King did all of this and definitely set himself apart from the competition!

Thank you. Thank you very much.

~Cheers!

Proposal Writing: Getting Personal in Grant Writing

It's Friday and this is how I feel. I know many grant writers often find themselves draped over the keyboard and exhausted by the writing process. You give every word you have and even attempt to make up new ones before you're spent. If you have never experienced this...keep writing, it will happen. Promise.

Proposal creation is craft. A creative endeavor. Technical language and dry prose can linger on the page, but at the end of the day (or week or month) you have created something that wasn't there before. You've communicated in a sophisticated way that is only possible between human beings. You've taken an obscure idea or project and given it legs, wings, a voice and pointed it in the right direction. How can you not get personal about writing a proposal?

Get personal in your proposal. It's okay. 
There are good ways and bad ways to interject a personal touch into a grant proposal. Do it right and you'll connect with the funder in a way that matters and makes them feel something about your project. Do it wrong and you'll risk your future funding opportunities. Remember, it's personal for your organization, not for you. Be one with the organization and you'll find the right words (oh, Yoda).

Here are a few simple ways that you can give a personal touch to any proposal application--short, long, fat, squiggly or something in the middle. Think of it like your favorite spice. A little dash goes a long way.

• Connect with the funder's mission and focus. Point out how your organizations are similar. 
• Mention a recent community event, site visit or shared connection. Did you recently give a tour? Can you weave a personal connection into your proposal or better yet, cover letter? 
• Tell a Story. Share a thoughtful, true and meaningful story about someone who benefits from your organization's work.
• Do your homework and find another similar project that has received a gift from the funder. Remind them of this connection and your likeminded work. 
•  Finally, say thank you. "Thank you kindly". "Thank you in advance". Be gracious and respectful. Don't sound like a talking computer. That's so 1968. 

Proposal writing is a tough, technical craft. However, you must remember that you are always writing for other people. People who (usually) know how to feel just like everyone else. If you were on the other end of your proposal, what would move you to award funding to your organization?

Photo thanks: Nicole Elkington 

~Cheers!

Grant Writing Budgets: Direct vs. Indirect Expenses

This is a post from May 2009. After a few fundamental questions from peers and clients, I thoughts I'd share it again with Grant Savvy readers.

When creating a project budget you will need to determine your costs to support the entire program. This includes staff, supplies, building and transportation costs. It can seem scary or overwhelming to create a budget that supports an entire program, but if you break it down into your line items and approach it like you would a personal budget, you will save yourself some sweat and tears.

Usually, your costs will fall into two different categories, direct and indirect expenses.

Direct Expenses are costs that come from the purchasing of goods or services to support or start your program.

• Personnel costs (sometimes called personnel services)
• Supplies (office supplies, paper, pencils, rubber bands, printing, etc.)
• Travel (air travel, bus, car, train, room & board accommodations)
• Equipment (office furniture, cameras, printers, radios, shelves, scanners, etc)

Indirect Expenses are costs that are required to run your organization regardless of the program you want to create or support. It is best to work with your finance department to determine these costs because they can often be tricky to understand and interpret. In the simplest terms, they are usually the administrative and/or overhead costs and can be calculated in one of two ways:

• As a percentage of total direct costs (in my experience, this is most common)
• As a percentage of total personnel costs

Understanding direct vs. indirect costs is important not only because some funders don’t fund indirect expenses. Your budget reflects the financial viability of your program and you must be able to accurately display all costs associated with the life of the project. Yes, ALL costs. Don’t ever attempt to hide any of the costs you will need for your program, no matter how small.

~Cheers!

Educated Grant Seekers Have the Advantage

As the calendar year comes to an end, development professionals and grant writers are busy compiling reports for funders.  It is also an ideal time to start stewarding your grant makers and educating yourself about what matters to them.

Since 2008, the the nonprofit field has seen an enormous shift in grant making. Corporate giving has transformed the way we think about donor engagement and they way we need to think about long-term partnerships with funders. Grant makers want more than just a few pages telling them where their money might go...they want to see it themselves.

Proposals can no longer be hastily written and submitted to a foundation because you had lunch with a program officer---several months ago. Personal relationships are not a free pass for not following the rules and honoring your obligation as a grant seeker. Grant writers need to be diligent about doing their homework and educating their development team. Is the foundation accepting unsolicited proposals? What other programs do they fund? Would they be a good partner for our organization?

Foundations want to have real connection with the organizations and programs where they are investing their money. Don’t assume you have a real connection when you don’t.  Don’t force one just because you think you can squeeze a few pennies from the funding tree. 

As we begin submitting proposals for 2011, it will be necessary to spend quality time stewarding your funders by including them on mailing lists, inviting them to events and providing them with timely reports. Knowing what the donors need to know in order to choose you over your competition can only be discovered through good research.  An educated grant seeker will always have the advantage over the uneducated ones.

For more great tips for grant writing in 2011, check out The Foundation Center's Guide to Proposal Writing, 5th Edition., where Jane C. Gleever shares key information and a realistic view of what grant makers are really looking for when they fund projects and programs. A must read for 2011 success!

~Cheers!

Grant Writing and Treating Funders as Partners

"What donors really resent is being kept in the dark or being thought of as 'them' as in, 'How do we placate them?' Treat them as partners." ~Bruce W. Flessner, Bentz Whaley Flessner

As grant writers we have a remarkable opportunity to create a conduit for building relationships among likeminded groups. We know the right things to say and we know how to say them.

The importance of knowing your donors (or funders) before you make an ask of any kind cannot be overstated. In the case of foundation funding and corporate sponsorships, knowing your donors can make or break your deal. As I learned from Hank Rosso's, Achieving Excellence in Fund Raising, the time, efforts and patience required to earn a corporate gift or cause-related sponsorship is more than an individual gift. This is because you must know your donor and provide them with a distinct benefit for partnering with you.

Through experience, I created five quick checklist tips that have helped me prepare for my first meeting or ask. Each tip reminded me to stay partner-focused and I now use this same list when writing grant proposals.

1. Look for a partnership with your donor, not just a check. How can you keep them involved?
2. Can you see the clear link between the donor and the organization? Can you explain it?
3. Does the partner have an interest in the mission or project?
4. Does the partner have the ability to give at the expected level?
5. Do you have fair, clear policies that protect your organization and the donor? Can you explain them?

Corporate and foundation fundraising requires that you treat donors like partners. Building trusted, long term relationships will bring you the most success as a fundraiser and grant writer.

~Cheers!

Keys for Successful Grant Research

Planning for 2010 requires researching new funders to add to your submission list. Listed below are 10 elements of grant research that will guide you towards maintaining a strong research process. These are also useful parameters for overall donor research.

1. Identify prospects including your own donors. Research their background and history and find appropriate ways to approach them.

2. Resources are available and need to be read under the fundraising lens. Press releases, annual reports, directories, internet searches, files and fundraising databases are some examples.

3. Manage and update your information on a regular basis. You want to be able to identify links between donors, organizations and giving history.

4. Database. You should a have a solid, reliable database that can be used for research and analysis of giving and soliciting. It can be a spreadsheet to begin...anything that captures your data.

5. Find prospects through your own "6 Degrees of Separation". Each donor can open up new avenues and ways to turn prospects into donors

6. New prospects can be found through your research to find new groups or funders who are aligned with your organization's interests.

7. Match prospect interests with your own and your work. Do not force the fit. Do your research.

8. Personal intelligence gathering and experience to confirm your research, find out new details, names and other bits of information, but beware of GOSSIP! Don't assume anything.

9. Approach strategies define preliminary approach plans, revise your angles for asking and always look for the best 'ask' based upon your research.

10. Supporting donor development by growing relationships and through support of your own donors. This includes capturing information about how they like to be approached, how to keep them informed and how you can improve the relationship in the future.

Adapted from: "Prospecting Strategies for Online Research" JMG Solutions, Inc.

~Cheers!

Grant Savvy Book of the Week: Change Philanthropy

Change Philanthropy: Candid Stories of Foundations

Maximizing Results through Social Justice

By Alicia Epstein Korten

I understand that we are grant writers and not grantmakers, but this book will give you perspective from the other side of the table. It is our job to constantly seek understanding about the direction of the funder and how our project will fit into their overall goals. How does our request fit into their grantmaking strategy? How can we offer a good fit for everyone?

There are many times when we wonder, "What is the funder really thinking?". It is good practice to explore trends in grantmaking strategies and community development to better understanding how your organization is just one piece of a much larger pie.

Alicia Epstein Korten is the chief executive officer of ReNual, a strategic-planning consulting firm who can undoubtedly provide great insight about grant makers and their motivating for supporting some and not others.

Editorial Review of Change Philanthropy:

This groundbreaking book shows how to increase funding for social justice philanthropy. Social justice philanthropy provides direct services to alleviate suffering and works to transform the systems and institutions that cause that suffering. Written in an engaging, easy-to-read style, Change Philanthropy offers an insider's view what works and what doesn't work when developing grantmaking strategies in support of social change. It gives clear guidance showcases foundations of all types and sizes including Liberty Hill Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Needmor Fund, Jacobs Family Foundation, Discount Foundation, Global Fund for Women, Schott Foundation, Ford Foundation, and the Open Society Institute. The book also includes a wealth of illustrative examples and contains practical suggestions and tips that can be applied immediately to support any social justice agenda.

· Offers a guide for increasing funds for social justice programs
· and suggestions for foundations on which programs to fund
· Gives step-by-step advice for developing a successful grantmaking strategy
· Includes a wealth of examples from leading foundations
· Sponsored by The Center for Community Change

~Cheers!

Basic Steps to Grant Writing

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) offers a library of resources for all types of development professionals, including grant writers. Below is an excerpt from one of their fact sections about basic grant writing. I hope this is a helpful piece to add to your own writing library. Enjoy!

What are the basic steps to grantwriting?
1. Determine that you have a need.

2. Suggest a solution through planning, research, and experience.

3. Determine whether the grantmakers' goals will help you achieve your objectives, while matching your purposes.

4. Target your proposal to grantmakers appropriate to your field.

5. Present your proposal.

What are the components of a grant proposal?
1. Every grantmaker has different guidelines, priorities, deadlines and timetables for their organizations. Some accept a Common Application Form (CAF), a single proposal accepted by a number of grantmakers to help grantseekers save time and streamline the grant application process.

2. Always follow the exact specifications of the grantmakers in their grant applications, Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and guidelines.

3. Present your full proposal neatly, professionally, and in an organized package.

4. Type and single-space all proposals.

5. Write, organize and present your proposal in the order listed in the application and guidelines.

6. Only include the information and materials specifically requested by the grantmaker.

7. The proposal is judged on content and presentation, not weight.

8. Unless required, do not include an index or table of contents, or bind the proposal, and be sure to sign it and submit the number of copies requested by the grantmaker.

How do I find someone to submit my grant proposal to?
Research is the key to finding a compatible grantmaker. While there may be many grantmakers that match your organization's interests, locating the handful that will be most swayed by your proposal is important. Various methods of locating grantmakers include:

1. Web searches. Many organizations have websites devoted to their philanthropic interests. Find one that coincides with your goals.

2. Philanthropic publications. Many publications and periodicals publish reports of grants coming from different organizations.

3. News reports. Often an organization or individual will publicize their grant program for specific purposes. This is often useful for locating grantmakers in the local area.

4. Direct contact. It is beneficial to specifically tailor your grant request to the organization you are submitting it to. Knowing the details of the organization's philosophy and mission is an invaluable tool to beginning a grant relationship.

Find more information by visiting AFP Online's Resource Center!

~Cheers!

Grant Savvy Books: Managing the Nonprofit Organization

Managing the Nonprofit Organization: Principles and Practices
By Peter Drucker

While this book isn't completely grant writing related, it has a great deal of information regarding the management of nonprofits and its fundraising activities. Drucker focuses on real-world examples about leadership, mission, volunteers and donor relationships. This approach to uncovering the order of nonprofit management is incredibly useful for anyone working for or with a nonprofit organization at a leadership level.

As a grant writer or fundraising consultant, it is imperative that you have a strong understanding of the nonprofit world, not just fundraising. Your ability to relate to a nonprofit client in terms of the "big picture" makes your contribution more meaningful than just taking on the task of writing a proposal.

This book is a fast read and the chapters are broken up by narrative, interviews and analysis. A big recommendation from Grant Savvy for this one! Enjoy!

~Cheers!

Evaluation Planning and Measurable Objectives

To add a some more to yesterday's post about learning from sample proposals, I've opted to share a few bits from Beverly Browning's book, "Perfect Phrases for Writing Grant Proposals". This whole book is filled with sample phrases that you can learn from to craft your own proposal.

One of the more confusing pieces of the proposal process is creating an evaluation plan and explaining your objectives, outcomes and criteria for success. Endlessly, it seems, I am explaining what an "outcome" is and how the objectives meet the goal, etc. It is a difficult thing to wrap your brain around sometimes.

Below are a few examples that I enjoyed in Browning's book. I highly recommend adding this to your book shelf for easy reference when you hit a wall with your writing or need a creative way to describe your measurement framework.

Question: Who will be involved in the evaluation process?
Answer: (For a Fire Safety and Education Program) The evaluation will be conducted on site at each of the targeted elementary schools. Using a stakeholder approach, teachers, administrators, students, and their parents will be asked to provide feedback on the impact of the program.

Objective A: Increase performances for school-age audiences by 25% or more and work to align accompanying music history lecture with the Department of Education's Academic Standards for Arts and Humanities.
Measurement A: Number of lectures and accompanying performances for school-age children and feedback from students and teachers.

It is imperative that you state specifically how you will measure your objective. Giving answers with broad terminology or unattainable feedback goals is not answering the question. Keep it simple and measureable. That is what a funder wants to see!

~Cheers!

Learning From Sample Proposals

Thinking that another, similar organization's proposal can be substituted for one of your own is a mistake. Grant proposals are unique and no two are alike. No two organizations are alike, foundation guidelines are not alike and thinking that your proposal could be a copy of something that has already been submitted is not the way to craft a winning grant.

We can learn a lot from reviewing proposals and reading samples of grant outlines. As writers our senses are altered when we edit work that is not our own. We notice the voice and flow of words that didn't come from our thoughts. We learn a what works and what definitely doesn't. Reviewing grants gives writers the chance to "beg, borrow and steal" good ideas to add their own toolbox.

Below are sample excerpts from two different proposals. Notice the different approaches to the question. Each was asked to answer: What are your long-term funding strategies?

A. ABC Organization's long-term funding strategies for sustaining this effort includes obtaining foundation and corporate grants, soliciting individual contributions and sponsors, in-kind gifts, and conducting a full-scale capital campaign.

B. Collaboration with other programs and agencies continues to be a key to sustainability. The sharing of resources and referrals to external programming allow us to ensure that resources are not duplicated, as well as pooling the knowledge gained to develop the most effective and most innovative education methods. Diversification of funding is also critical in program sustainability. Finally, sustainability will come in the form of an increased emphasis on volunteers. Properly used volunteers can have a tremendous impact on the ability of an agency to serve the community, and over the past three years XYZ Organization has increased its commitment to the use of volunteers in program delivery.

The first proposal was asking for $30,000 a year, for two years. The second, a $5,000 one-time grant.

If you were a grantmaker, which answer sparks your interest? Which answer gives you the information you need? (Remember, grantmakers review a lot of proposals and skim for the answers.) Which response gives you confidence in the grantees actions? Is their plan feasible or is it just fluff that answers the question without a lot of detail?

There is no possible way of knowing what the discussion sounded like when the grants were reviewed. Both answers addressed the question, but how well did they do it in context to their request? Being clear and concise is the best way to form your response.

I hope you learned something from reading these answers and could craft something even better for your own proposal!

~Cheers!

Hosting a Site Visit or Tour

Site visits by funders can be a vital part of securing the funding you requested and an important step in the proposal process. A visit can be scheduled before or after your request is formally submitted. You can also invite funders to your organization even if a site visit is not part of their traditional grant process.

When you bring grantmakers to your organization, the work that you do turns into something real and tangible. It makes the words in your proposal come to life.

Your site visit is like any other tour you would give. The preparation may vary slightly, but it's not rocket science. There is no need to over-complicate the tour because it is called a "site visit". If your site visit is required there may be specific guidelines set forth by the funder. Make sure you are aware of these requirements.

Prepare your team with:

• the background on the funder
• what/why you are seeking funding
• an organized tour route
• input from key volunteers or staff related to the project

Do not include people on your tour who don't have a direct link to your tour's purpose. Too many people can quickly overwhelm the situation.

It is incredibly important, especially in small organizations, to let staff know you are having visitors. Do not assume they will be okay with a surprise visits into their workspace. This can have a negative affect on morale when staff who hold your operations together aren't notified of important tours.

Keep remarks by executive directors and board leadership to a minimum. Let your funder ask the questions. Don't go to great lengths to prepare complicated PowerPoint presentations--this is rarely necessary.

Your experience should be "real" and it should reflect your organization. Don't overhaul your workspace or tell staff to dress in a way they normally wouldn't. Your site visit is about showing how you operate on a daily basis. Needless to say, tidying up and taking out the trash is probably a good idea.

After your site visit be sure to send a thank you letter signed by leaders who were part of the visit. This process is no different than after a meeting. Sharing your thoughts on what went well and expressing words of thanks can go a long way!

~Cheers!

Grant Savvy Books: Consulting and Evaluation with Nonprofit and Community-Based Organizations

We're back, Savvy Readers! Enjoy today's posting for the "book of the week".

Consulting and Evaluation with Nonprofit and

Community-Based Organizations

By Judah J. Viola, PhD, and Susan Dvorak McMahon, PhD

I have not personally read this cover to cover, as it just hit the market. However, their publishing website gives a great overview and provides some feedback from readers.

According to the book review, "The need for consultation and evaluation among non-profits and government agencies has soared in recent years, as funders have demanded accountability and agencies are ill-equipped to provide the types of data-based information needed."

Consulting and Evaluation with Nonprofit and Community-Based Organizations fills a critical gap in the academic literature for non-profit management. This unique text is a collection of advice and voices from a diverse group of successful, practicing consultants who work with non-profits and government agencies. Through surveys and interviews, these experts relate detailed information on how they got started in consulting, what types of services they provide, what types of clients they serve, the biggest challenges they face, and much more. The book also integrates current topics from a wide variety of sources, so that interested readers can easily access important information all in one book.

“As a beginning consultant I sought out a guide such as this but no other source provided such a range of information and experience. The detailed advice, tools, and examples provided in this book will aid new and experienced consultants alike to begin or grow a successful consulting career. It certainly did for me.”

—Michelle R. Bloodworth, PhD, Community Psychologist and Educational Consultant with Apex Education

Stay tuned this week for a full line-up of Grant Savvy features!

~Cheers!

Donor-Directed vs. Donor-Advised Funds

Although it may fall outside of the "grant savvy" library, the question has come up about the difference between a donor-directed and donor-advised fund AND how we, as grant seekers, can find opportunities with these funds.

A donor-advised fund is just that. A fund set up, usually with a community foundation, by a donor. The fund has a specific purpose or focus such as "at-risk youth", "homelessness" or "education"--something of importance to the donor.

The donor-advised fund is typically the easiest, most flexible avenue for creating a large giving entity. Donors to these funds provide suggestions on which causes their money should support.

In the case of a donor-directed (or donor-designated) fund it is set up similarly, but the donor is specific about which organizations or groups will receive funding.

How does this affect grant seekers?

It is important to know about and be involved with local community foundations that mange these donor funds. Good relationships go a long way when tapping these opportunities.

While donor-directed or advised funds are usually closed to applications and even note: "does not accept unsolicited proposals", it doesn't mean you shouldn't look for ways to inform the community foundation advisors about the work you do.

A great example of this happened last year with an organization that I was working with. The organization received a call from a trustee/financial advisor of a local community foundation. She had attended a roundtable discussion focused on the interests of her donor where one of the organization's program managers gave a presentation.

The financial advisor took what she learned about the program and shared it with her donor, who held a donor-advised fund with the community foundation. She recommended they make a gift to this valuable program. The donor agreed. A few weeks later, the organization received a substantial, unsolicited gift. They have been told that a gift will probably arrive in 2009 as well.

There isn't a formal method for seeking support from these types of funds, but it is possible. It is the job of the community foundation to match their donor's interests with an appropriate project, program and/or organization.

It is not a typical grant seeking method, but after some relationship building, it can evolve. Donor-advised funds may ask you to provide reports or "apply" annually to receive funding. Be prepared and don't let this opportunity slip past your radar. Patience is key.

~Cheers!

Grant Savvy Books: Fund Raising Realities Every Board Member Must Face

Fund Raising Realities Every Board Member Must Face
By David Landsdowne

While this book focuses on how to engage your board and fundraising committee, David Landsdowne provides lessons in fundraising that everyone can understand. Whether you are a grant writer on contract or part of a development team, "fundraising realities" still apply.

Near the end of the book, Mr. Landsdowne notes, "People won't support you simply because you want them to. But they will give when they see a personal benefit or when you translate your campaign into compelling human terms". Sound familiar?

This book is a quick read and really can be completed in one hour.

~Cheers!

Sample Grant Proposal Rejection Letter

For those of you who have never had the good fortune of receiving a rejection letter, below are a few samples of the vague language that can be included. I hope this is useful to our Savvy readers!

The first letter is from a larger foundation that reorganized its funding structure and thus many good organizations were left off of this year's funding cycle.

The second letter came from a smaller foundation in another state that funds specific programs and requires the applicants specifically mention a geographic priority. You'll notice the many reasons given, but that the foundation also welcomes future applications and discussion.

SAMPLE 1

Dear ABC Organization,

Thank you for your recent application to the XYZ Foundation. The decision-making process was a difficult one, with many worthwhile organizations vying for a limited amount of grant dollars.

Unfortunately, your organization was not selected for funding at this time. It is our hope that you will be able to obtain financial support from other sources. We wish you success in your efforts.

Sincerely,

XYZ Foundation Executive Director

SAMPLE 2

Dear ABC Organization,

Thank you for your most recent request for financial assistance. Unfortunately, we are unable to entertain your grant for this fiscal year.

In some cases, we do not approve a grant because the request does not specifically confine itself to [our program interests]. In others, it is because the request concerns salaries, professional fees, general operating expenses or building programs. Sometimes, we are unable to approve a request due to incomplete documentation. Unfortunately, in some cases, there simply are not sufficient assets from which to fund all worthy requests.

We invite you to submit a new request for assistance to us in the future. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly should you need further assistance with this matter.

Respectfully,

XYZ Foundation Board Chair

~Cheers!

Proposal Rejection: Saying Thank You

Your grant wasn't funded, but it doesn't mean the grant process is over and that all opportunities are lost.

Did you follow the guidelines? Did you make a good case? Did you answer each and every question that the funder asked? Did you spell the names of the contact person correctly? Nothing can be overlooked and the smallest error (yes, even a typo or misspelled name) can lead to rejection.

If you think you did everything correctly and cannot see an obvious reason for your rejection (we'll discuss larger rejection issues in later postings), then it is a good idea to search for more details about your proposal.

It's fair to say that your rejection letter will offer little or no feedback. Assuming you have a strong relationship with a program officer, you can ask for feedback directly. Government agencies may provide comments or feedback with their rejection. Be careful not to overstep your relationship in this area.

Program officers are busy and may not like to get too involved with organizations that didn't receive their foundation's funding. A short phone call is the most appropriate. Make your conversation brief. Ask for suggestions. Ask if they would welcome another proposal from you in the future. Is there a timeframe for resubmission? Take notes and thank them for their time.

Thanking a funder even when you didn't get funded is a critical part of the grant process. Especially if a funder spent time helping you prepare your proposal for submission. A "thank you" can go a long way with anyone. Write a letter thanking the potential funder for their consideration and if you are still a good fit, even include an invitation to visit during an upcoming event at your organization.

Don't loose sight of a worthy funder just because they didn't write you a check this time around. Include them like you would any prospect into your fundraising strategy. Make sure they get newsletters, invitations to events, annual reports, etc. Be mindful of the things you mail to them...you don't want to look like you are wasting resources. However, if it matches the funders interest, make sure they see it.

A good foundation will value your efforts to keep them aware of your organization. Develop a strategy to build your relationship and if their feedback gives you an opportunity to apply again, don't let the chance pass you by.

~Cheers!

Grant Savvy Books: Grant Writing: Strategies for Developing Winning Government Proposals

Grant Writing: Strategies for Developing

Winning Government Proposals
By Patrick W. Miller

There is no doubt that writing a government proposal takes a different approach than one to a family foundation. A skilled grant writer may struggle when first making the transition from traditional program proposals to government ones. I know this from personal experience.

It is the best of grant writers who can transition effortlessly between the two types of proposal writing. Practice makes perfect.

In Grant Writing: Strategies for Developing Winning Government Proposals, the author discusses in detail the RFP process and creating a budget for government funders. The book includes charts, exercises and planning tools for post submission processes. Revised in September 2008, this new edition includes the most updated information.

Patrick W. Miller and Associates is a Chicago-area business dedicated to providing textbooks and customized workshops and seminars for individuals or organizations interested in grant writing, academic assessment and evaluation, academic writing, research methods, and body language.

Courtesy of Patrick W. Miller and www.pwmilleronline.com.

~Cheers!

Where Does Grant Funding Go?

In a time when we are all competing for dollars that come from a smaller pot, a rejection letter or drop in funding amount is inevitable this year. However, as I have noted previously, foundations are still giving.

Where does the money go?

The easy way to figure this out is to look back at a funders 990s or grants award list, but what about the big bucks?

The Foundation Center does a stellar job of compiling statistics about which organizations receive the most funding. You can look up who received the most funding in your metro area, your state and the trends in subject area for at least the past five years.

Here is a sample listing of the Top 50 Recipients of Foundation Grants in the State of Indiana, circa 2007. Data is available for all fifty states and the District of Columbia.

This is a valuable tool for consultants who work across multiple states and for determining trends in regional giving. There is a wealth of information in the statistics area of their Find Funders section. Check it out!

~Cheers!

Creating a Proposal Budget: Part 3

How Much Should I Ask For?

Through experience I have learned that the budget is one of the first things that a funder reads, regardless of it's location in the proposal packet. They like to see a where you are taking them.

Knowing how much to ask for in a proposal has a fairly common-sense answer, but the actual "asking" part requires some finesse.

It's hopefully obvious that when you underestimate your costs, you increase your chance for failure. Likewise, when you overestimate your costs, you decrease your chance of building a dependable reputation with your funder.

So, how much should you ask for? A whole project's worth of funding? Or just a piece of the pie? Well, it depends. (classic fundraising mantra...ohmmm) It's about finding your fit.

• Does your funder like being the only supporter?
• Do they like to have reign over possible naming opportunities?
• Do they want to anchor your partnership?
• Has your potential funder taken on entire projects with other organizations?
• Can you provide your potential funder an opportunity to make a multi-year pledge to fulfill a larger gift?

If the answer is "yes", then you can probably be safe approaching them for full funding. Keep in mind, you need to stay in their giving guidelines and have a solid plan for sustainability after a few years of their support. Don't be foolish to ask for $150,000 when their largest gift in the last five years was $15,000. Remember to do your research.

On the flip side, it is more common to find funders who want to be part of your project, but shy away from being the only major funder. It's less risky to know that a particular foundation won't break your project if they cannot come through with funding.

• Has your potential funder noted that they like collaboration?
• Can you make your potential funder a partner in project development?
• Can you connect your potential funder with others who are supporting you?
• Can you find a way to leverage funding from a company's foundation and corporate marketing budget?

Nine times out of ten, I have a question on the grant proposal that asks if and who is also funding the proposed project. Below is an example taken directly from the Minnesota Common Grant:

Additional funders. List names of corporations and foundations from which you are requesting funds, with dollar amounts, indicating which sources are committed or pending.

Be reasonable in your request. Decide what you need to fund and what can be funded elsewhere. Respect the mission of the foundation/funder and don't take advantage of their ability to fund you. Funders are smart folks, they know how the game is played.

As noted in "The Only Grant Writing Book You'll Ever Need", "...they are looking for a budget that's not too high, not too low, but just right." Goldilocks knows her stuff!

~Cheers