Beginning Grant Writing

Formula for Productivity

• How to determine if you qualify for a grant• Where to look for grant opportunities• What info to have as you write and plan

Presentation posted at: wwh.Harvesters.org/agencies/resources

Beginning Grant Writing

Grants in Fund DevelopmentHarvesters’ Fund

Development Team includes grants as part of a holistic

strategy. Grants can appeal to

corporations, foundations, religious

and civic groups to fund program,

operating, and capital needs.

“We need to shift from asking for help to

exploring how all of us can work together in pursuit of a common

vision using the unique resources we each have to offer. When we begin

to think in those terms, we soon find the sense of

scarcity disappears. Harnessing implies there

is a limited amount of resources that will be

hard to acquire. Unleashing signifies

multiple forms of energy that are just waiting to

be freed. We must realize we are living in a world of abundant resources, and when we call for a

team of partners to arrive, the floodgates

will open…”

-The Generosity Network

Start with Your Case Statement

• Start with a Case Statement.• A Case for Support is the tool that helps fund raisers present cohesive messages to donors and the community served.

• Integrates Strategic Plan, Mission, Vision, Values• Harvesters uses our Mission Initiatives to tell a complete story: Feeding Children, Feeding Seniors, Feeding Families, Healthy Eating

• Address how each program fits with plan, mission, etc.

• EVERYTHING – not the proposal or a handout

• We use our four initiatives to tell a complete story

• Organization History and Description• Need for Program (current situation)• Response – program description• Program Evaluation – outputs & outcomes • Budget • Sustainability

Case Statement Elements

Sharing Your Story—The Newsletter!

Have a great program, client stories that touch your heart? We can help you capture those for your news-sharing and to share through Harvesters’ network newsletter. Call (816) 929-3010.

• Online Search Tools

• Current Donors/Volunteers

• Community Foundations

• Organizations where you are a member

Finding Grant Opportunities

Free Grant Writing HelpsGreater Kansas City Community Foundation www.growyourgiving.orgGreater Topeka Community Foundation www.topekacommunityfoundation.orgNational Council of Nonprofits www.councilofnonprofits.org/tools-resourcesFoundation Center http://foundationcenter.orgFiscal Strength for Nonprofits https://fmaonline.netNonprofit AF http://nonprofitaf.comGrant Advisor https://grantadvisor.orgGuideStar www.guidestar.org/Home.aspxNonprofit Connect www.npconnect.org/storeGrantStation https://grantstation.comUnited States census data www.census.gov/data.htmlFeeding America www.feedingamerica.org/researchFood Insecurity Calculator www.costoffoodinsecurity.comPractice application http://bit.ly/commongrantapp

http://990finder.foundationcenter.orgHow to Read a 990

How to Read a 990A 990 will provide:• Fiscal 

information for the organization

• Names of trustees and officers

• Information regarding all grant awards

• The name and contact information of a program officer is sometimes listed 

Researching previously awarded grant information found towards the bottom of a 990 can help inform:

• The types of nonprofits the funder prefers when awarding grants

• Ask amount

• Whether to write for restricted program funds or unrestricted general operating support

• Start from your Case Statement• Outputs and Outcomes• Common documents

• List of Board of Directors• IRS Determination Letter• Audit / Financial Statements• Letters of Support• Logic Model• Organization/Project Budget

Creating the Proposal

Budgets• Budget must reflect the

proposal narrative• Programmatic support

• Cost/person or unit• Be ready to submit

Income/Expenses for• Organization• Program• Grant Request

• If funder provides a template, you must use it.

• Reading an RFP• Checklist • Staying Organized

• Requirements, Deadlines, Contact Person

• You got it! Now what?

• Review Award Letter

• Send a Thank You• Spread the Word• Grant Handoff

• Reporting

Tips and Tools

“Grant writing is not a matter of counting the words,but making the words count…

And also counting the words.” Michelle Amand (author)if she was a grant writer

Nonprofit people are magical unicorns. Vu Le(director of a nonprofit, writer, speaker)

STUMP THE GRANTS TEAM:

QUESTIONS?

• What’s the purpose / are you a match for what they want to fund?

• What’s excluded?• Deadlines to add to your Grant Tracking

Spreadsheet.• Contact person for questions, submission, follow-up.

Appendix A: Reading a Request for Proposal (RFP)

• Add deadline, funder details, etc. from RFP to Grant Tracking Sheet.

• Create working document. Read all questions before drafting answers. Include notes for internal use: where/who you found information, figures, and research. This will help when you have to write report(s) 6 to 12 months later.

• Create checklist of items to be submitted with application (e.g., IRS 50(c)(3) letter, Financial Statement, budget form, Board of Directors list, letter of support)

• Review: o Ask someone unfamiliar with program to read application for

clarity and understanding. o Double check narrative, budget, and attachments against RFP

before submitting.

Appendix B: Grant Application Checklist

Personalize it to work for you. Suggest adding columns for Amount Requested and Amount Awarded.

Appendix C: Grant Tracking Spreadsheet sample

Personalize it to workfor you. Keeps all partiesapprised of project and expectations.

Appendix D: Grant Handoff Sheet sample