Nonprofit grants are designed to meet the needs of organizations involved in making a difference in people’s lives. Through the years, they have become a vital source of community development around the world.
A grant is not a loan or “free money” but rather a financial aid given only for certain projects that have a definite goal, or programs that could bring positive social impact. This type of funding is normally for large-scale projects. The amount of money can be either large or small depending on the award program or the project itself.
Funding Sources
Here are two of the most common sources of grant money:
1. Federal Grants.
The federal government is one big source of funding. It has a lot of grant programs to choose from. To look for federal grants, one may go to Grants.gov and start searching by category, agency, or keyword. Avoid wasting time by reading carefully the application guidelines and processes.
2. Funds from Private Entities.
There are people and companies earning millions of dollars. Aside from giving to charities and nonprofits, they also give funds to private foundations or set up foundations in their names.
Before you can apply for any funding opportunity, you should prepare a written request. To guide you in doing this task, here are some pieces of info for you:
Tips for You
Perform these tasks.
It takes some weeks or even months for a grant seeker to complete a grant proposal. It does not just involve pure writing. In fact, it also involves gathering of essential data and extensive planning. Some tasks even require thorough research, and work on lengthy essays, reports, and other required documents.
Tell the story.
As fund seeker, you should make your request exceptionally written, with clear and updated info about your nonprofit group. Show your organization’s knowledge and grasp of the problems it intends to resolve. It should explain how target beneficiaries or the community as a whole will benefit from the proposed project.
Be creative.
Make it a point to put tables, charts, and other graphical presentations into the proposal. If your group intends to propose a day care center, you must be able to show how many children will benefit from it. Cite studies that show how similar programs or projects have achieved favorable outcomes.
Show budget plan.
Funding programs usually do not cover the total requested amount for a proposed project, so it will be best to request funding for at least 85 percent of the total cost.
Mind the time.
Take note of the deadline of submissions and other dates related to the program. Most federal funding opportunities follow strict schedules, so make sure to submit ahead of or on time. Don’t forget to track down your application status.
A proposal can make or break your grant pursuit. Thus, you have to exert effort just to make it good, which can compel funding sources of the worth of your proposed project. In case you can’t make a good written request, seek help from expert grant writers.
We can help you obtain the needed funds for your worthwhile endeavor. Contact us now!
