Giving Show: Top 10 Grantmaking Foundations

Today, I had the awesome privilege of being a guest on the Michael Chatman Giving Show with guest host, Ian Adair! We shared "Ian and April's Top Ten National Foundations" with listeners and tips for approaching the big players in the grantmaking arena. Many, many thanks to the loyal listeners who helped make my first appearance one to remember! We barley scratched the surface about finding the right foundation funder, but we had a great time!

Large foundations receive a lot of requests and it is the responsibility of an ideal grant recipient to do their homework before they approach the foundation. Don’t be intimidated if you believe your organization has a strong fit, BUT don’t jeopardize your future relationship with a poorly thought-out strategy. As a fellow development professional once said…”a little research goes a long way.”

I can't stress enough that just because you hear about a foundation on NPR and you know they have deep pockets, it doesn't mean that they are right for your organization or that you are right for them. 

Tips for Approaching National Foundations

• Know your funders. Research. Research. Research. What makes them tick? Do you share an interest? Do they fund organizations that are similar to yours? What is their annual giving? How many grants do they give per year? Do they have a regional representative or one in my community? 
• Use the Foundation Center and Grant Space. They are my magic fairy dust when I need to know more about a particular funder. They have FREE profile templates, webinars and training sessions. Yes, FREE! 
• Read the guidelines. I'm reminded of a direct quote from a foundation director a few weeks ago, "We don't get as many people reading the guidelines as we'd like". It's the nice way of saying, "Please don't waste our time or yours".  Don't force a square peg in a round hole.
• Start with a relationship in mind. What type of partnership can you create with a potential funder. They don’t want to be your bank account—even if they like limited contact with grantees.
• Respect the funder. Nagging gets you nothing. If a foundation does not want a lot of hands-on contact with a prospective grantee, you must respect their position.  Large foundations receive too many inquiries to respond to all of them like they want. They need policies that protect their organization too.
• Create your own Top 10 Foundations list to share with development staff and your board of directors. Do you have a relationship with any board members? Staff? Use the list as one piece of your fundraising pie and to jump start high-level giving.

Giving Show: Top Ten Grantmaking Foundations

1. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest operated private foundation the world.  The primary aims of the foundation are, globally, to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, and in America, to expand educational opportunities and access to information technology.
2. During 2009, the Walton Family Foundation invested more than $378 million in a wide variety of domestic and international projects that addressed significant social and environmental issues, and sought to create exciting new opportunities. The foundation continues to implement and expand grant making to fund a positive difference in many diverse communities.
3. The mission of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is to improve the health and health care of all Americans. Their goal is clear: To help our society transform itself for the better.
4. Through the support it provides, the MacArthur Foundation fosters the development of knowledge, nurtures individual creativity, strengthens institutions, helps improve public policy, and provides information to the public, primarily through support for public interest media.
5. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation supports children, families, and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society.
6. The Wal-Mart Foundation strives to provide opportunities that improve the lives of individuals in our communities including our customers and associates.
7. The grant making philosophy of Andrew Mellon Foundation is to build, strengthen and sustain institutions and their core capacities, rather than be a source for narrowly defined projects
8. Kresge Foundation has seven, narrowly defined programs that each in its own way works to improve the life circumstances of poor and low-income children and adults and those living in underserved urban and rural communities.
9. Annie E. Casey Foundation is a private charitable organization, dedicated to helping build better futures for disadvantaged children in the United States. The primary mission of the Foundation is to foster public policies, human-service reforms, and community supports that more effectively meet the needs of today’s vulnerable children and families.
10. Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts.

Happy researching, cultivating and fundraising!!

~Cheers!

Grant Savvy: Words of Wisdom From Passionate Players

 "Good friends and excellent teachers - Stick close to them! Wealth and power are fleeting dreams but wise words perfume the world for ages."  ~Ryokan  

It's been a while since Grant Savvy posted. We're editing, finding our mistakes, changing, fixing up the kinks and getting ready to take our savvy-ness to the next level. Soooo...while Grant Savvy spends valuable time tuning the blog and working with nonprofits that are trying to raise money for great causes, I hope you will consider checking out these favorite blogroll friends! They are all wise and passionate about nonprofits, fundraising and grant writing.  

1. Joanne Fritz: She is a guru and always impresses me with intelligent content and links to resources. I would ask her a million questions if we were ever stuck in an elevator together. Luckily she has a wonderful blog where I can dig for information all day and night. You'll be glad you found her!

2. Pamela Grow: Oh, Pamela. She is brilliant and one of my first Twitter friends. She constantly inspires me to be a better fundraiser and a better businesswoman. She knows her stuff and is passionate about helping organizations through the grant process. Visit her site and you'll be smarter.

3. Ephraim Gopin: I like Ephraim because he is fun and smart and loves fundraising. He recently posted a list of his Twitter Fine Fifty. It is a list of the 50 people, organizations and foundations he thinks a nonprofit/NPO worker should follow when they first join Twitter. The whole blog is a fantastic read, but this list will connect you with some amazing nonprofit folks.

4. Grant Space via the Foundation Center: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways! Grant Space rocks. It's like the Snuggle commercials that just make you feel good. Every page is filled with resources, samples, training opportunities...you won't leave disappointed!

To making new friends...

~Cheers!

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!

Grant Savvy’s Top 5 Tips for Winning Grants

I was invited to share a guest post with Digital Library Consulting about the "Top 5 Tips for Winning Grants." Compiling only 5 tips was a bit of a challenge because I easily could have created a list of 100+! At any rate, all of these tips are friendly reminders that I use every day when writing, coaching or engaging with nonprofits. Enjoy!

For nearly 10 years, Digital Library Consulting has made the task of displaying digitized materials on the web easy for the world’s most prestigious and innovative libraries and archives. Institutions such as Princeton University Library, Cornell University Library, and the National Libraries of New Zealand and Singapore, have all relied upon Digital Library Consulting’s products and technical expertise to successfully display millions of pages of digitized newspapers, books, photographs, and other media types to Internet users around the world. Learn more about Digital Library Consulting. 

Top 5 Tips for Winning Grants

Grant writing and proposal development can seem overwhelming. Some days, it is. However, when you take the time to educate yourself about the grant process, you’ll be one step ahead of your competition. Here are 5 tips for success:

1. Do your research. Make sure you have a fit with your potential funder.

Knowing whether or not your potential funding partner is interested in your project is important—very important. If you decide to approach a foundation that has a focus on animal habitats in Africa and you are a library looking for new books, you probably aren’t a good fit. Know what makes the funder tick. What is their mission? What are they interested in? You can access financial information, past giving history and guidelines through their website and online databases. If you submit something that isn’t a good fit, you are wasting everyone’s time.

2. Read the instructions. Read ALL of the instructions.

One of the most obvious and overlooked tips for success is to know what is expected of your application. Every funder has different guidelines, so know what they need from you and make sure you can provide it. A few quick tips for formatting:

• Complete the entire application and answer every question completely and to the best of your knowledge.
• Don’t give half-answers or false information.
• Follow word limits. They are not suggestions.
• Apply all required formatting (12 pt., Times New Roman, 1” margins, etc.) to the entire document.
• Use letterhead whenever possible.  

 

3. Begin with a relationship in mind.

Creating a relationship with a program officer before you submit a proposal is the ideal way to do things. It’s good to have someone to bounce ideas off of and who can be an internal advocate for you. Sometimes that isn’t possible, but reaching out in any way is a good idea. If the foundation accepts phone calls, pick up the phone and introduce yourself. Ask questions about what the funder’s goals are for this year. Clarify any technical questions that you may have about the submission process. If you can’t make a phone call, see if you can reach out via email. You want your funder to be a partner for more than one year and they want to be more than just your bank account.

 

4. Don’t rush the process.

Give yourself time to prepare your proposals. On average, a proposal will take 4-8 weeks to develop. Know exactly what you are asking for and know how you want to describe your work. Give all of your team members enough time to gather information, share their feedback and add to the process. You will also need time to secure signatures from leadership, define budgets, create letters of support and finally, package all of the materials accordingly. 

 

5. Measure your success.

Any investor or funder wants to see that you will be successful with their money. Wouldn’t you? Be thoughtful about your evaluation plan. Funders will usually have a question related to evaluating success and measuring your results. Think it through and stick to your response. Are you increasingly literacy rates? Decreasing school dropout rates? By how much? Why does this matter? How many people are you serving now? How many will you serve in 12 months? Usually 12 months after you receive funding, you will be required to report back on the progress of your program.

 

6. Bonus Tip: Ask for help.

It’s okay. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Seek out resources in your local community such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and Grant Professionals Association (GPA). Find free classes, tutorials and workshops that can help you improve your grant writing. There are also a host of reputable resources online including The Foundation Center’s GrantSpace. Never stop learning!

One of the great myths of grant writing is that there are only a handful of large, national or international funding opportunities. The truth is that there are many small, locally-focused grants that are available to nonprofits and community organizations. The more you develop a process to create a winning grant proposal, the more proposals you can submit and the better your chances will be that you see the funding in the bank!

~Cheers!

*In respect to full-disclosure, I was not paid to write this post for DL Consulting, I was not paid to endorse them and did not receive any form of compensation for my mention of their site. Thank you.*

Thank You Letter to Funders: Be Kind After Rejection

It's nice to hear "thank you" and it's nice to say "thank you." However, it's difficult to say "thank you" after you've been rejected.

It hurts (a little and sometimes a lot) when you spend time on a worthy proposal just to have it sent down the tube. Rejection is painful, but writers must keep mind that your proposal was rejected--you weren’t. 

Saying thank you is important and I believe it should be done even when you are sent a denial letter. It sounds easy, but how do you say “thank you” to someone who just told you "no"? What impression do you want to leave them with after you've said thanks (for nothin')?

Connecting with the funder via phone or in person is the best and more informative method for learning about why your proposal was rejected. At the big nonprofit shops, it is the role of the gift officer or development director to pursue this meeting. If you can't set a meeting, a letter is a good next option. In the smaller shops, where most Savvy Readers work, you have to wear lots of hats and letters are often the most efficient route. Finally, sometimes phone calls are not “allowed” and writing a letter or email is your only option.

Always try to follow-up after you write a thank you letter--especially if you don't get a response within a few weeks. If you still don't get a response, it's time to move on to next year. Keep the funder in your stewardship strategy file and find ways to incorporate them with your organization in other ways. You might be surprised by the impromptu conversations that come up at events or over coffee. When I write a "thank you for your rejection" letter, this is what I like to say:

Sample Thank You Letter to Funder 

Dear Mr. Doe:

On behalf of ABC Nonprofit Organization, I want to thank you and the XYZ Foundation for taking the time to review our recent grant proposal for the Community Action Arts Program. We appreciate your consideration of our request and value the work that you do for arts education and at-risk youth.

The Community Action Arts Program is an integral part of ABC Nonprofit Organization’s ability to reach children from underserved and low-income communities. We are actively seeking funding from other partners to support and sustain our efforts in the coming year. In the meantime, we welcome your suggestions as to how we could strengthen our program and our proposal.

While we could not partner with you at this time, we invite you to visit our facilities and see firsthand the difference that philanthropy can make for children and arts education in our community. Our program staff provide tours on a regular basis and would welcome you and your colleagues at your convenience.

Thank you again for your consideration. I will plan to follow up with you soon to explore ways ABC Nonprofit Organization can improve our proposal in the future. Should you require any further information, please feel free to contact me at 212-555-1234 or DevelopmentDirector@ABCNonprofit.org.

Warm regards,

Frank Lee Speakin
Development Director

Whatever the case, I advise you to be thoughtful and remember that your fact-finding thank you mission is designed to achieve two things: 1) Learn how and if you can improve your proposal and correct any mistakes and 2) Continue to have a positive relationship with the funder. Don’t do or say anything that would jeopardize your future opportunities or the reputation of your organization—even if you do feel like stealing their Swingline stapler and taking a baseball bat to their CPUs.  

~Cheers!

Twitterspeak Tips for Proposal Narratives

Can you tell your story in 140 characters or less? Do you go over your capacity when you are given word limits?

One of my favorite grant gurus is Cheryl Clarke—a fundraising consultant in Mill Valley, Calif.; author of Storytelling for Grantseekers: A Guide to Creative Nonprofit Fundraising and co-author with Susan P. Fox, CFRE of Grant Proposal Makeover: Transform Your Request from No to Yes. I’ve had the opportunity to hear her speak and she inspires me to do better and be more in my own writing. Cheryl is brilliant and super savvy!

A few years ago, Cheryl wrote a wonderful article for AFP’s Advancing Philanthropy called “Tell an Effective Story in A Twitter Grant Proposal”.  She wrote about the value and constraints of online grant applications (oh, that’s a whole ‘nother post). Cheryl also offered incredibly insightful ideas about how to use word/character limits to your advantage as a grant writer and how you can still let your personality shine through. Paring down your best information into limited spaces will make your proposal more thoughtful, concise and readable. These requirements can be frustrating, but also a great exercise in getting to what you really want to say.

“In a ‘sound bite” age, proposal writers are compelled to write ‘low-fat proposals’ when using electronic application forms. The key to successful writing is knowing not only what to trim, but also what to include so that the final results is a well-sculpted tale.”

~Cheryl Clarke

I spend time every day connecting with people all over the world because of Twitter and it’s remarkable that we can communicate in 140 characters or less about sophisticated (and not so sophisticated) matters. We need to cut the fluff and just leave the good stuff if we want our tweets to fit into the tiny box on the screen. Cheryl got me thinking, “why can’t we think like this when we create a proposal narrative?”

Here are few ways that I am attempting to Twitterfy my proposal narratives:

Be concise.

The best advice is “when in doubt, take it out”. I don’t live by this often enough and need to be reminded that I’m not selling the next "great manuscript" to Random House. I’m trying to win funding for an organization. Funders don’t care how many fancy words I know. They care about how I can communicate.

Don’t use $100 words when $10 words will do.

I know lots of big words, fancy words, archaic words and words that could kick serious butt in a Scrabble game. I also know that not everyone cares about that. When writing a proposal narrative, I try to look at big words, jargon and industry-speak from the outside perspective. Would your grandmother know what you mean? Would she fund the proposal? Don’t use “somatic cell nuclear transfer” when “cloning” means the same thing. Get it?

Show, do not tell (Thanks, Cheryl).

Telling the funder that what you are doing is innovative, unique (Worst. Word. Ever…in proposal narratives—avoid if at all possible) or groundbreaking—then prove it. How are you innovative? What outcomes demonstrate innovation? Anyone can say they are innovative…show me!

Proof. Proof. Proof and then get an editor to look at it again.

My tweets are not always error-free. I make mistakes when I write 140 characters in haste. However, there is no room for error in a proposal, especially one with character limits. Spell check. Proofread and give yourself time for the editing process. Don’t rush it just because it is an online application. Don’t leave anything unfinished.

Finally, have an editor or colleague give you feedback and a fresh perspective. I have a fabulous, talented and honest editor who I employ on all types of proposals. When I know that my time is limited or I have a lot on my plate (which increases the chance for error), she is an invaluable resource.

Happy Tweeting…

~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 Research: Using Online Databases

One of the most valuable parts of being a good grant writer is research. Where do you start looking for funders? What if you have a limited budget? Using an online research database helps narrow your research topic and gives you necessary background information to develop your proposal. Free grant research is available, if you know where to look. Other databases are available for a minimal yearly subscription fee (more on that topic soon).

There are several online databases that are easy to use and are free to access. They may not include the comprehensive information you will find in fee-based databases, but they are a good place to start or to verify giving information. My favorite FREE online sources are:

Foundation Center

Fundsnet Services

The Grantsmanship Center

NOZA Search

Remember that internet searching and online databases are only one part of a strong research strategy. Check with your local library, universities and subscription-based databases to fill in the gaps. Every area of fundraising also has affinity groups or specialized funder resources such as regional associations of grantmakers (RAGs).

Creating your own database of research information will speed up the process and allow you to keep key pieces of information close at hand.

~Cheers!

“That’s Your Secret Weapon!”: Going 007 to Get Ahead in Grant Writing

This is the beginning of a new year with new goals and challenges. What will make you stand out against your peers?

Recently, I have been creating a lot of personal goals related to achieving a healthy lifestyle. I bike, I do yoga, a eat an obnoxiously healthy diet and find time to de-stress, but I know I can always do more to feel my best. Last week, I was having a conversation with my practitioner and telling him about how much achieving a healthy lifestyle has focused my creativity and work. I feel sharper and less adapt to having a meltdown on my most stressful days. Without hesitation he said, “That’s your secret weapon. Being healthy and feeling centered".

I started thinking about what a secret weapon looks like to a grant writer. I thought I about dagger shoes, homing beacons, bowler hats, steel brief cases and microchip implants...nothing translated all that well to grant writing. However, it finally hit me, while James Bond may have the market covered when it comes to fancy gadgetry, we grant writers have secret weapons of our own. Secret weapons don't have to shoot lasers to be effective. They just need to work for you.

Let’s be honest, grant writing is competitive. Anyone who says otherwise has never written a grant, lost sleep over designing the perfect program evaluation or waited months to receive a reply (or rejection). Having the advantage that will make your work stand out is key to getting the award you are seeking. What will allow you to achieve your best result?

In previous posts, I’ve shared that the educated grant seeker has the advantage. Being educated is a secret weapon when others may be hastily creating proposals and throwing them out the door. Know the process, double check every submission and know what funders want to see. Leave the guessing to those who aren’t as serious about grant proposals. 

Another secret weapon is having a tickler file. Organization is unbelievably important to the success of any grant writer. Taking the time to organize your work by day, week and month helps you see the present and the future at the same time. When last minute projects come up, or a time-sensitive request lands on your desk, you’ll know how to weave them into your workload without missing any other submissions. 

Knowledge is fundamentally important when it comes to creating proposals that effectively and emotionally share your needs. Learn everything you can about your subject matter. Be the expert and teach others. If you work with environmental causes, know what other organizations are doing. How can you learn from them and create collaborative partnerships? What worked for them? What were their mistakes? If arts education is your field, pay attention to how other organizations are creatively engaging communities in artistic endeavors. How can you learn from their outcomes? How can you make your programs better?

I believe that everyone’s secret weapon is unique to their talents and work. Finding a secret weapon that focuses your grant writing efforts and keeps you headed in the right direction will buoy your spirits when you receive one too many rejection letters and it will help you soar past your goals when the checks start rolling in! In today’s grant market, going above and beyond will help you find the grant funding you need. So, start collecting your own bowler hats and laser keychains...you never know when they'll come in handy, but they always do!

"Learn everything you can, anytime you can--there will always be a time when you are grateful you did." 

~Sarah Caldwell

~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 & Words (Almost) Everyone Confuses and Misuses

That's right...everyone, including me, a professional grant writer confuses and misuses words.  As writers we like to think we're pretty witty with our words, but sometimes our wits get the best of us and our proposals. I hope this list of my most confused words (in writing and reading proposals) helps you check and recheck your own writing. Enjoy!

1. Affect: To have an effect upon (confusing, I know); acted upon or influenced. (i.e. How will the new rules affect me?").
2. Assure: To inform positively to remove any doubt.
3. All right (not alright): In good condition or working order. Alright is not accepted as a standard usage even though already and altogether have been officially recognized.
4. Complement: Something that completes or makes up a whole.
5. Compliment: An expression of praise, admiration or congratulations.
6. Effect: Something brought about by a cause or agent (i.e. "Every cause produces more than one effect").
7. Ensure: To make sure or certain.
8. Insure: To provide or arrange insurance for. **Assure, ensure and insure all basically mean the same thing. The big difference is that assure is associated with a person (i.e. "He assured us it was in the plan.").**
 9. Prescribe: To set down a rule or guide.
10. Proscribe: To forbid or prohibit.

Courtesy 100 Words (Almost) Everyone Confuses and Misuses

Knowing and understanding words that are commonly used in your organization or field (health care, social services, emergency response), is important in order to craft a strong proposal. However, using lingo or industry-speak should be avoided as much as possible. There are exceptions for using specific language in research-oriented projects, but overall it is incredibly important use words that your grandmother would understand. Being wise with your words will bring you the most success!

Check out the coolest dictionary, 100 Words (Almost) Everyone Confuses and Misuses for 90 more words that we all scramble in our brains!

~Cheers!

Grant Writing Success: Create a Boilerplate

Writing a great boilerplate for your organization can do amazing things for your grant writing efforts. Pulling together common information about your organization or program means that you'll have a solid start to your next grant application--whether you get two months or two days to create a finished product. Another plus in creating boilerplate information is that it can be shared with other members of your orgnization. It's always a working document, but should be created so that little needs to be changed when you apply it to a finished product.

Here are some key pieces to include in your boilerplate:

1. Organization Background
2. Mission & Vision
3. Organization's Current Programs and/or Actitivites (What do you do?)
4. Audience (Who do you serve, how many, how well?)
5. Overview of board members, staff, volunteers

If you don't already have boilerplate information, reach out to your marketing or public relations team for help with content. Once you have a nice boilerplate created, you'll wonder what you ever did without one!

~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!

Using Celebrity in Fundraising: Celebrity-Charity Crushes Are More Than Puppy Love

As part of Grant Savvy blog, I like to share my Celebrity-Charity crushes with readers. Not because I believe that celebrities have so much more to offer than the rest of us and deserve space on my blog, but because my “crushes” get what it means to bring awareness to a philanthropic cause.

I am in love with my crushes because they are involved with important causes that they are proud to commit time and money to support. I have no doubt that their lives are more exciting than mine and I'm sure they'll never know me, but I am enamored with what I know about their charity efforts. If a crush and I were ever trapped in an elevator, I’d be bending their ear about philanthropy, not their latest film role or album release. Nerd alert. Let Josh, Leo, Brad and Matt them be warned.

Celebrities don’t have much to do with grant writing, but endorsements have a whole lot to do with fundraising. While my celebrity-charity crushes are the ones you see in grocery store magazines and late night entertainment shows, I promise there are celebrities in your community who can drum up support too!

Local celebrities such as community leaders, board members, volunteers and even politicians can help get a cause and/or program recognized. Why do nonprofits hold ribbon-cutting ceremonies with local leaders with they begin work on a new building project? Why do you have an honorary chairman for your capital campaign? Even more importantly, how do you choose your board members?

You want to have partnerships with people who can garner publicity and lend their voice to your good work. Great leaders know that this their responsibility and like to have their name attached to causes with free press. If you have a good fit (think LAI), it should be a win-win.

As grant writers, we seek letters of support and endorsement to build our proposals. Why do we choose our endorsers? We choose them because they have some level of celebrity in their pocket. Whether it is with the community or beyond, their endorsement matters because people admire them. When a prominent community leader endorses your organization, people will pay attention.

It's no surprise that people with connections get things done ten times faster than people who don’t. Smart and admirable famous people know they can use their popularity to bring attention to unmet needs across the world. Why wouldn’t they use their fan base to raise money and improve social good all while polishing their image?! Fame is a powerful thing.

I wholeheartedly acknowledge that some celebrities attach themselves to causes for reverse benefits. Isn't it painfully obvious when a Hollywood star uses a good cause only to elevate their image? Unfortunately, this happens in every community. Take a look at volunteers, board members and community leaders you may know. Can you think of anyone who likes to tell people they are part of an organization, but they don't really do much to help out? It’s not celebrity-centric to be a moocher. Choose your endorsements wisely.

While I enjoy sharing my favorite celebrity-charity crushes and get a big smile every time they do something I think is wonderful, it’s not just for my own self-indulgence. I'm crushin' because I admire celebrities who make a difference for causes we both care about—they got my attention. Yes, I absolutely adore Josh Groban, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt, but not just because they look pretty and sound nice. *swoon*

Be creative and think of ways to elevate your organization with the support of well-known community members. Donors want to know you have likeminded supporters and want to be part of causes that matter to people they trust...you never know what doors might open up with a few "famous" friends.

Celebrities cannot change the world, but celebrities can bring the world to change.

~Cheers!

When I Grow Up: Grant Writing and Career Direction

On career day I don’t recall telling my teachers or guidance counselors that I wanted to be a “professional grant writer”. In fact, until high school I didn’t know such a career even existed. Now when I tell people that I am indeed a professional grant writer, I usually get quizzical looks and raised eyebrows. People often bid me an obligatory “ahhh…” and try to change the subject. All you grant writers know what I mean…

The truth is that I never saw myself as a grant writer, nor do I see myself as always being a grant writer. A writer indeed, a grant writer…we will see. Nearly all of the grant writers I know ended up in their current positions without setting out on a professional grant writing quest. I truly believe grant writing finds you first.

My dream job (I’m a millennial, I have many!) is to work for a foundation that builds health care resources for children. Whether it is here in the United States or abroad where the need for health care access and education is increasingly important— I know it is what I want to do. When? Sooner rather than later, but I’m in absolutely no hurry to stop doing what I’m doing now. I love my job…however, dull it may seem. I get to find creative ways to make a difference everyday and that’s more than enough to keep me happy!

Being a grant writer is about learning, teaching and sharing what you know about a problem and coming up with solution to make it better. Grant writing has taught me more about public policy, nonprofit management, community collaboration and health care than any of my other nonprofit roles. I’m constantly learning and I am invigorated by the good work of people who really want to impact their community and the world. Really…people like that do exist. It’s amazing.

Recently, I connected with several new Grant Savvy readers who just started a new career in grant writing and I’m thrilled that they are finding the Grant Savvy blog is a useful resource. Their infectious enthusiasm inspired me to write this post and to share my favorite (and fun!) careers links below. Where ever your own career trail leads you, let it be a happy one!

Grant Writing Careers
For Grantwriters Only
Careers in Grant Writing

Grant Gurus
Pamela's Grant Writing Blog
Joanne's Nonprofit Blog

Nonprofit Novas
Step-by-Step Fundraising
Get Fully Funded

If you want to connect with more super smart grant writers and nonprofit novas, check out Grant Savvy's list of Savvy Bloggers & Links.

~Cheers

Grant Writing & The Summer Time Slow-Down

Grant writers are some of the busiest development professionals in the nonprofit industry. I've held other development roles and can honestly say that grant writing is a distinct discipline. Our work is often viewed as 'slow' or 'easy' by colleagues who know that we spend countless hours researching, writing and polishing proposals. Wouldn't we rather be mingling with donors at a stylish happy hour event?

The answer for me is: no. I enjoy the daily work of being a grant professional and like the challenge of finding creative ways to make a difference. I am a sucker for deadlines and get excited knowing that six blank pages will eventually become a compelling case for support and hopefully funding for a program in need.

My busiest time of year is during the first and second quarter. This is usually because foundations and funders want to receive proposals/reports in time for their board meetings in the spring. January through May, I spend long hours researching, writing and reporting on the previous year's grant progress. Fewer proposals have summer deadlines because boards aren't meeting as often or foundation staff isn't available to work with grantees on a regular basis.

Summer is my time for a little professional development boost. When sunshine and snow cones arrive I finally have time to fit in an in-depth of my grant calendars, revamp old proposals and complete prospect research. Sure, these are things I do all year long, but during the 'slower' summer months, I can really clean up shop and create a road map for the next six months.

Luckily, the summer slow-down means that I'm also able to spend fewer hours at the computer and more time in the sunshine because I can review prospect research and edit old proposals without being tied down my desk. What’s not to love about that?

If you are a grant writer experiencing the summer slow-down, I hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to create a road map for the remainder of the year and find ways to make your proposals shine even brighter. I also take great delight in submitting several proposal that aren’t due until the fall…it’s a priceless feeling!

~Cheers!

Tips for Thanking Donors & Funders

The following is a list of top tips for thanking donors effectively. It is a great list to keep handy because it can be applied to individuals or foundation donors. The list is mostly common sense, but just like Emily Post shares common sense etiquette advice, we usually know what should be done--just not always how to do it. Enjoy this list and keep it close as a gentle reminder to stay on track with donor cultivating and stewardship.

• Ask donors for advice--it makes them feel valued.
• Focus on the most-loyal donors, and give them the attention they deserve.
• Use organization leaders and board members to call and thank donors.
• Send donors additional materials, such as books or articles about your organization's mission.
• Invite donors on field trips or site visits to see your work first-hand.
• Be specific in your thank-you notes about the results of the donors' gifts.

Adapted from article by Chronicle of Philanthropy

~Cheers!

Proposal Rejection: Saying Thank You is Critical

Last week I had the opportunity to share a guest piece with Sandra Sims of Step By Step Fundraising for the Step By Step Fundraising blog. I was thrilled and honored to write about a topic that has been on my mind lately as we approach the middle of the year: Proposal Rejection: Saying Thank You is Critical.

Step By Step Fundraising's mission is to connect you with fundraising strategies for your school or non profit, so you can continue to make a positive impact in the world.

Published since 2003 Step by Step Fundraising, has become a valued resource for the non-profit sector. It has been listed in several print publications and many online sources.

Visit their blog and follow Sandra on Twitter @sandrasims and @sbsfundraising!

Thanks, Sandra and Step By Step Fundraising!

~Cheers

Grant Writing & the 2010 Census

Census data can aid grantwriters in all phases of the proposal process. Knowing how to find data, how to gather information and and how to assimilate it into your planning is key to being effective.

If you can define how many people are underserved or how many people live below the poverty line in your community, you can make a case for developing a program to support their needs.

If you can define the diversity in your neighborhood and incorporate it into your narrative, you can point to the need to build resources that support culture, ethnicity and language needs.

Census data is also valuable when reporting or doing program evaluation. How does you program stack up to the demographics in your community? Did you serve the population that needed to be served? Did you miss an opportunity that you can build into future activities?

Bottom line: the census defines who we are as a nation. Every year, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to state, local and tribal governments based on census data. Accurate census data help determine congressional representation, grant funding and guide local decision-makers on where to build new roads, hospitals, housing, schools and more.

The 2010 Census form has 10 simple questions. Please complete and mail back your form. Encourage your family, friends, neighbors and organizations to do the same. For more information, visit the 2010 Census.

Using Stories in Grants to Demonstrate Needs

One of the most compelling ways to share your organization’s success or need for funding is to put a face to your program. Collecting stories, quotes and photos throughout the year will make the proposal process much easier. When your grant writer has creative tools at their disposal, the more powerful your proposal can become.

• Do you currently collect photos of program participants (with consent)?

• Do you have system for tracking feedback or comments (an important part of the evaluation process)?

• Do you save press-clippings that are relevant to your program needs or success?

• Do you get updates from program managers on a regular basis?

Incorporating a participant experience throughout your proposal can draw the readers into your story and help them relate to your needs. Effective storytelling is one important layer in establishing relevance to what you do. Consider a few techniques to make this work:

• Use a main character who can be present during the entire proposal. An example being a small child who enters a hospital via an emergency department for care, but cannot pay for services. Throughout the proposal, you will highlight the needs of this child/family and how they relate to the program(s) you are trying to fund. Their journey will be representative of your larger population. Personalizing their journey adds a dynamic outside of statistics and raw data.

• Incorporate quotes, testimonials, and anecdotes from program participants and managers. What does the doctor in the emergency department have to say about the importance of helping a child who cannot pay for services? What does the child’s family have to say? What does this mean for them?

Proactively think about finding opportunities to bring a human element to your proposal. It makes it easier to read and much more enjoyable to write. Remember, the majority of grant reviewers aren’t an expert on your program and you need to relate in terms they can understand. People relate to people.

One final point: don’t make up stories and/or quotes in order to sell your program. Not only is this just plain wrong, it’s unethical. Don’t do it. Work with program managers, program participants, and your communications department to gather materials throughout the year that will help you. I guarantee it will make your proposal stronger and more meaningful.

What’s a great way to get started? Dust off a declined proposal that you want to make better and incorporate a bit of storytelling. Then share the proposal internally (staff, volunteers, board members) and see what kind of response you get. You’ll see what I mean…