Are you Ready?

Preparation before you engage a grant writing consultant will save money while putting your organization in a better position to attain the grants for which you apply. Have you determined in advance the scope, intent, and value to the community of the project or program you wish to have funded?  You and your organization should already have this knowledge, and when you meet with grant makers, you will be better able to respond to questions if you have developed a clearly defined mission and goals for your organization.

Have you defined the project or program you want to get funded? The three basic areas for which you are likely to be seeking grants are:

1. Creation of new programs and services.
2. Support for ongoing programs and services.
3. Provision of annual operating funds.

Define each project or program for which you will seek grants in clear and precise terms that grant-making organizations will recognize and respond to. Be prepared to meet with foundations who want a site visit.  They want to meet the people who operate and are committed to an organization not an outside grant writer.

What is your plan for life after the grant? How will you support the project or program in the future if it is to last longer than the timeframe covered by the grant? It's a question every grant making organization will want answered.

A grant writer's job is not to get the grant; rather it is to make the best case possible to appropriate funding organizations. The success or failure of grant-getting resides in the purpose of the funding not in the hands of the grant writer. Poorly delineated projects, "soft" budgets, and a host of other weaknesses cannot be overcome by a well-crafted grant proposal. Receiving grants has more to do with function than form.

Summary:

• Your 501 (c) (3) letter of determination shows that you are classified as a 509 (a) (1) or 509 (a) (2) as defined by the IRS within section 509 (a) of the IRS Code.
• You have already established some funding revenues for your program.
• You have established bylaws and a diverse board who supports your program.
• You have a budget and an audited financial statement.
• You have a business or strategic plan with a clearly defined mission statement and program goals.