Joanne Fritz has collected advice from nine fundraising experts about how to deal with the current fundraising climate and beyond. Her Nonprofit Blog Carnival offers insights for everything from appeals and grant writing to budgeting and donor segmentation.
Joanne Fritz has worked in the nonprofit world for most of her 30-year career beginning with teaching at the secondary, college, and university levels. She has also held senior management positions at two national nonprofits and two universities. Fritz has served on numerous nonprofit boards and was chosen to participate in leadership programs in two cities. Learn more about Joanne and her About.com Guide to Nonprofits
Be sure to visit the Nonprofit Blog Carnival and start following these great fundraising experts!
Thanks to Joanne for including Grant Savvy on the list!
~Cheers!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Grant Savvy Book of the Week: Change Philanthropy
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!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
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!
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!
Grantwriting Tip: Cast Your Agency as a Hero, Not a Superhero
More accolades for Cheryl A. Clarke today! This is a great excerpt from her book, Storytelling for Grantseekers. I am skimming the pages again to inspire me to write a multi-layered grant request for a rare form of pediatric cancer. The book is candid, funny and energizes my creativity even when tackling a tough subject matter. Enjoy!
"When writing the goals and objectives section of a foundation grant proposal, grant seekers are like sci-fi writers. They envision the future. Of course, there is one critical difference: whereas sci-fi writers generally present fantasy, grant seekers discuss what is realistic and feasible.
To understand this concept, it may help to think in visual terms. Take a mental snapshot of the community where your nonprofit agency does its work today, at this very moment. What is the problem of unmet need that your agency addresses? Who are the people served by your agency? What more could your agency do if it had additional funds?
Now imagine taking a second mental photograph of the same community at the end of the projected grant period. Compare it with the earlier snapshot. What’s different? How has the need been met? How have the clients been served? Most important, how have the lives of your agency’s clients been positively changed? You should “see” a noticeable difference between these two mental snapshots.
How the community and your story’s main characters (your agency’s clients) will have changed is portrayed in the goals and objectives section of a grant proposal. The challenge in writing this portion of the proposal story is to vividly and accurately describe to the reader what can be seen in the two mental photographs just mentioned. The change that occurs helps resolve the conflict (the problem or need).
Readers appreciate a story that has a believable, satisfying resolution. Program officers and others reviewing grant proposals do too. The validity of your request for grant funding hinges on whether the resolution of the conflict rings true. If it doesn’t, no matter how well the story is written or told, it falls flat and short of the mark."
Want to know how to be a hero? Click here.
Thanks, Cheryl A. Clarke!
~Cheers!
"When writing the goals and objectives section of a foundation grant proposal, grant seekers are like sci-fi writers. They envision the future. Of course, there is one critical difference: whereas sci-fi writers generally present fantasy, grant seekers discuss what is realistic and feasible.
To understand this concept, it may help to think in visual terms. Take a mental snapshot of the community where your nonprofit agency does its work today, at this very moment. What is the problem of unmet need that your agency addresses? Who are the people served by your agency? What more could your agency do if it had additional funds?
Now imagine taking a second mental photograph of the same community at the end of the projected grant period. Compare it with the earlier snapshot. What’s different? How has the need been met? How have the clients been served? Most important, how have the lives of your agency’s clients been positively changed? You should “see” a noticeable difference between these two mental snapshots.
How the community and your story’s main characters (your agency’s clients) will have changed is portrayed in the goals and objectives section of a grant proposal. The challenge in writing this portion of the proposal story is to vividly and accurately describe to the reader what can be seen in the two mental photographs just mentioned. The change that occurs helps resolve the conflict (the problem or need).
Readers appreciate a story that has a believable, satisfying resolution. Program officers and others reviewing grant proposals do too. The validity of your request for grant funding hinges on whether the resolution of the conflict rings true. If it doesn’t, no matter how well the story is written or told, it falls flat and short of the mark."
Want to know how to be a hero? Click here.
Thanks, Cheryl A. Clarke!
~Cheers!
Grant Savvy Books: Grant Proposal Makeover: Transform Your Request from No to Yes
By Cheryl A Clarke, Susan P. Fox
This one is being added to the Savvy library immediately! What a wonderful find by one of our Savvy authors Cheryl A. Clarke and Susan P. Fox. Cheryl Clarke is the author of Storytelling for Grantseekers.Here is an excerpt fromt the AFP website: "Nine out of ten grant proposals are rejected. Grant Proposal Makeover shows how to transform lackluster proposals into excellent ones-that have the potential to be funded. This book stands out from other traditional grantwriting books because it illustrates common flaws and problems in proposals and shows exactly how to fix them. It also includes helpful tips and quotes from foundation program officers and funding community insiders taken from an international survey of foundation professionals."
I'll be sure to share my insights after I read this great find!
~Cheers!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Follow Grant Savvy on Twitter!
Did you know that Grant Savvy is tweeting? Join Grant Savvy on Twitter for simple, quick grant writing tips, quotes and links to other great resources! There is a wonderful group of grant professionals in the Twittersphere that I am excited to share with Grant Savvy readers!Start tweeting...
@savvygrants
~Cheers!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
50 Tips for Improving Your Chances of Winning a Grant
From "The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need", Ellen Karsh and Arlen Sue Fox provide a solid list of not ten, but 50 tips for improving your chances of winning a grant!! Take note, these are great tips that we often forget in the rush to complete a grant application on time. More details are found in "The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need" add this book to your library today!
- Take stock of your own organization. Know what your organization can manage when it comes to grants and grant size.
- Incorporate as a tax-exempt organization.
- If you're not a 501 (c)(3), link up now!
- Find the Foundation Center Library
- Get online. Have a website, publish your annual report and financials, and tell people who you are!
- Find the right funding opportunity. Don't submit something that isn't a good fit. It's a waste of your time and the funder's.
- Read the guidelines.
- Do your homework. Study up on the foundation through their 990s, guidelines, past giving, etc.
- Read the instructions. Don't skim or give half-answers to questions.
- Get organized! Have documents ready to submit in a file system that works best for your organization.
- Give yourself time to prepare.
- Bring partners into the project development as early as possible.
- Speak with the program officer.
- Call for technical assistance during preparation of government proposal. Ask for help!
- Don't use acronyms!
- Watch your language. Be sensitive to other community groups, cultures, individuals or organizations.
- Use the grantmaker's language. Incorporate their language from guidelines or website when it fits.
- Repeat yourself when you have to. Don't go overboard, but emphasize your important points.
- Give proposal reviewers a break! Don't write pages and pages of narrative. Make it interesting and include charts, graphs and quotes.
- Create a checklist. This is important for attachments, budgets, financials, etc. that may come from several different people.
- Be sure each section of the proposal is consistent with the others.
- Use the application topics as headings in your proposal. This will make it easier to show the reader you are addressing their issues.
- When designing your program objectives, be realistic.
- Know how you will recognize success. Explain how you will know you reached your goals.
- Read the instructions!
- Get consulting for the evaluation section of the proposal. Involve them early to get feedback.
- Make sure your budget is reasonable.
- Computer your budget figures carefully.
- Think about sustainability.
- Include a timeline in your proposal.
- Write your abstract or executive summary two days before you submit the proposal—no sooner, no later. By then you'll understand exactly what you are submitting.
- Don't stuff the appendix. Be thoughtful on attachments. Don't send more than they ask for.
- For a gov't. proposal, include a letter from your elected official. For a foundation proposal, don't.
- When in doubt, ask the grantmaker questions before submitting.
- Think about the final report. Can this be measured and implemented successfully.
- Use spell-check and colleagues for proofreading help.
- Use your own reviewers. Ask different people for help during different phases of the process.
- Save your most trusted, courageous "reviewer" to read the final draft.
- Get involved with advocacy groups.
- Get on mailing lists. Make sure you know about available funding.
- Clip magazine and newspaper articles.
- Get to know your elected officials.
- Don't ask gov't. or foundation program officers to change guidelines for you. (No comment on this one…!?!?)
- Do discuss unmet needs and potential new funding directions.
- If you don't get funded, go back to the proposal. If there are issues, ask to discuss it with the funder.
- If you get turned down for funding, find out why and how you can do better next time. Politely.
- Wait until next year.
- Keep the funders informed.
- Get on the funders' radar.
- Read the instructions.
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