Setting Grant-Seeking Priorities
Begin the definition process by first setting your
grant-seeking priorities as they fit within your organization's long-range strategic plan
and mission. The three basic areas for which you are likely to be seeking grants are:
- To create new programs and services.
- To support ongoing programs and services.
- To provide annual operating funds.
Then clearly and precisely define each project or program
for which you will seek grants in terms that grant-making organizations will recognize and
respond to. Make sure that while you're doing this you also 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.
Be certain that you have reasonably determined in advance the scope, intent, and case
value to the community of the project or program you wish to have funded before you engage
a grant writer.
If you ask the grant writer to do this, he or she will
have to learn your organization's capabilities and community's needs in the specific
areas. It makes no sense to pay someone on the outside to do this. Those who run your
organization already have this knowledge. Also, when you meet with grant makers you will
be better able to respond to questions if you have developed the case.
Identify Sources
Identifying the sources most likely to make a grant to an
organization such as yours for the purpose you have defined is crucial to the process of
grant application. The public library, the Foundation Center, your trustees, and others in
your community are excellent sources of this information. Check your state Attorney
General's office to see if it publishes a list of foundations. Go through other non-profit
organizations? annual reports to look for funders. Then be sure to contact as many
foundations and other grant making organizations as possible to get their grant seekers?
guidelines and grant awarding calendar.
While most experienced grant writers, particularly if they operate in your geographic and
services areas will know such information, doing your own research will let you better
direct the grant writer's efforts. It is not hard to do and will establish a process and
routine you can follow in future grant- seeking opportunities. Plus the information and
expertise stays in your organization.
Never ask a grant writer to be the actual solicitor of funds.
You and others within your organization are the best
people to present your case. Why would you want a grant writer with whom you have a
temporary relationship to represent you to grant makers? Why let the outside grant writer
build a personal relationship you or your trustees could be nurturing? Besides,
foundations want to meet the people who operate and are committed to an organization ---
not an outsider on a temporary hire.
Prepare well before you engage a grant writing consultant and you will save money while
putting your organization in a better position to attain the grants for which you apply.
Okay, we?ve covered a lot of material here. Everything from paying and evaluating grant
writers to using consultants. But by no means have we exhausted the topic of grant writers
and grant writing. Neither I nor anyone else has all the answers on this subject. My goal
here is to encourage you to look at grant writers, how you use them, and how you pay them
within the context of:
- Your organization's mission.
- Your organization's fund-raising agenda.
- Grant making organizations and what they are likely to
expect of you.
About Tony Poderis
Those are my views on the subject of grant
writers. What are yours? I welcome your comments and suggestions. Tony Poderis (Tony@raise-funds.com)
Addendum
From time to time, consultant grant writers and organizations, seeking to engage a grant
writer on a temporary or project basis, want to know what amount of fee is fair and
reasonable.? And non-profits want to know where they might find such accomplished
professional grant writers. Here are my personal observations on both those inquiries.
Read more about Tony at his Raise Funds website www.raise-funds.com |
