The narrative section of the grant application is your opportunity to describe the project/program for which you are seeking funding. This is the area where creativity can be explored, but do not lose sight of the purpose. Narratives can be as short as a paragraph or two or as long as twenty plus pages; again, read the guidelines for details regarding number of pages or word count.
It is imperative to captivate and engage the grantor within the opening sentence. Remember, most grantors receive thousands of requests for same pot of money, they will read fast and determine quickly whether they are interested in learning more! Early in the narrative, specify the amount of the funding, basics of project and general outcome. A narrative containing a captivating opening statement, utilizing data and statistics, and engaging the grantor with help foster interest as the details of the project/program begin to unfold. (Data and statistics are a great way to open a narrative. For example: "Eight out of ten youth, between the ages of 10 and 19.........") Interpreting Grant Application Guidelines
Grant application guidelines detail the grantors instructions and expectations. Always read these carefully and highlight specific points, such as: Deadlines Attachments Word Count Narrative Locating Application Guidelines Grant application guidelines can be found under a variety of titles:
Grant Workshops If a workshop is offered by a specific grantor, plan to attend! Specific information about what the grantor is looking to fund, submission requirements and other details may be discussed during the workshop and may not be listed on the guideline page. Also, expressing a genuine interest in the grantor is always positive. DEADLINES Respect deadlines. 12:00 Noon means 12:00 Noon. A submission at 12:01 could void the application. (Be mindful of times zones, the deadline is the timezone of the grantor.) ATTACHMENTS Read attachment requirements carefully to determine the number of copies, labeling exhibits, and sometimes even color and weight of paper. Double check to make sure attachments are actually attached when submitting an online application. AREAS OF INTEREST Area of Interest or What we Fund is where most grantors will list the areas they are interested in funding. If the project or program does not match, DO NOT APPLY. Your perception of greatness or merit is irrelevant. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ'S) Oftentimes a grantor will list their most asked questions in an FAQ section. Read these thoroughly, particularly before you make a call or send an email. It is unprofessional and may put your funding request at risk when asking a question addressed in the guidelines. PAST RECIPIENTS Why is this information important? This list highlights the average amount awarded to an organization, what type of projects/programs the grantor is interested in supporting and the number of grants awarded. As an example, if the average grant award was $5,000, do not submit an application for $25,000. This is particularly true if this is the first time applying and your organization has not yet established a relationship with the grantor. FINDING GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Identifying and locating grant opportunities can be difficult and time consuming. Corporate and Foundation grants are best suited for small non-profit and Faith based organizations. For information regarding Federal Grant Funding, click here. CORPORATE/FOUNDATION GRANT OPPORTUNITIES Many large corporations have Community Giving Programs or Corporate Foundations dedicated to funding projects and programs that benefit their respective communities. When searching a company website for grant funding opportunities, look for the words Community, Community Giving, Foundation or About Us. Read guidelines carefully as corporate/company grant opportunities often have requirements such as a few of the examples below:
Consider subscribing to a funding/grant resource service. These are extremely valuable and can save you time. Search engines can be a great tool for locating some grant opportunities, but extreme caution must be exercised. If a site requires money to be sent to receive a listing of grantors, this is probably a scam. Never send money to apply for a grant. When in doubt, always conduct thorough research before continuing. ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR FINDING POSSIBLE GRANTORS/DONORS Always review the program provided to attendees at various events and productions, as these will usually have a funding appreciation page and typically will list names/organizations. Visit the websites of other like-minded organizations and review their "Thank You Page". This is also a great way to begin to form a partnership, benefiting both organizations, as well as, the community. (Grantors love partnerships with like-minded organizations.) When visiting a corporate/company website, review the names of the Board of Directors and present these names your organization's Board of Directors. With six-degrees of separation, you may be surprised that you already have a connection. IS MY ORGANIZATION ELIGIBLE?
1. Does your organization qualify as a non-profit organization? The following organizations are generally not eligible for private/corporate grant funding
Always read the Application Guidelines before submitting an application. |
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