Grant Writing Workshop The A,B,C’s of Grant Writing

Begin by asking questions: What do you want to do or what problem are you trying to solve? Why is the program/project needed or important? How do you plan to meet this need? Do you have research data/statistics to back up your request?

Research The Federation is one source for funding opportunities but there is an array of funding resources available to non-profit organizations beyond the Federation. Are there other organizations that are doing a similar project/program? If so, where is their funding coming from? Use grant search engines to identify additional funders-St. Louis County and City Library headquarters is a good resource for this Look at the funders IRS 990 form: who they have funded in the past, usual level of funding, contact information, deadline and application information, and whether they accept unsolicited applications. Check out their website if they have one-make sure their goals match your goals. Don’t try to stretch or change your project to chase the money. If you can get the funder’s contact information, get in touch with them to see if your project is something they would be interested in. Keep your eyes open for potential funding sources e.g., St. Louis Business Journal

Writing Your Proposal Do you have a 501 (c) (3)? You will need a copy of this for your proposal, if you don’t have one, you will need a fiduciary agent There are several types of funders: government, State and Federal, Foundations, Corporate Foundations, and Family Trusts. St. Louis Community Foundation READ the instructions. Make sure your organization is eligible to apply Is your project aligned with the funder’s mission/interests? Make sure that what your are asking for is eligible for funding Leave yourself enough time to gather additional documents that may be needed (letters of support etc.) Offer to draft a letter of support

Specifically……… Your opening sentence should state how much you are asking for and for what purpose. Proposal should contain the following information: Who are you, why should you be funded, what do you want, what problem will you address & how? Who will benefit from your project/program? What are your specific objectives and how do you plan to accomplish them? How do you plan to measure your results-do you have an evaluation plan? How does your funding request comply with the grantmakers purpose, goals and objectives? What is your plan for sustainability when the funding ends? Create a detailed budget.

Language Use Active rather than Passive Language-I am, I plan to… Short clean sentences Story telling approach backed up with statistics can make your proposal interesting to the reader who is reviewing it. For example, a case study Don’t use jargon Spell out acronyms- people outside of your organization may not be familiar with acronyms specific to your field Keep your ambitions in check-don’t get boxed in by an overly ambitious proposal which over promises but can’t deliver

Finally……… Make sure have all the signature you need and that the person who needs to sign the proposal is going to be available Make sure management has signed off on the project and has information about it Ask someone to read your proposal for clarity and spelling/grammar errors Double check to make sure you have complied with the instructions regarding format, required attachments, etc. Make sure you submit your proposal in the manner that they have requested: US Postal Service, email, etc. Spectrum (for Federation submissions) Also check to make sure that the due date is not the date the proposal actually arrives at the funders as opposed to a postmark by the due date.

Resources On-line Foundation Directory (you can access this at both libraries free of charge) St. Louis Public Library Grants and Foundation Center, 1303 Olive, St. Louis MO 63103 (see flyer in folder for information about contact person and tours and upcoming meetings) St. Louis County Library, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis, MO, Look on the website under Research-----Grants Guidestar-register for free, access to 990’s

Organizations Network for Strong Communities-classes on grant writing etc. (flyer in folder) Grant Professionals Association-St. Louis Chapter, http://gpastlouis.org/. They hold meetings once a month and usually have guest speakers (flyer in folder) Local universities also have grant writing classes Gateway Center for Giving- http://www.centerforgiving.org/

Mindee Fredman, Director of Foundations

Contact Information Therese Dolan tdolan@jfedstl.org 314-442-3803 Mindee Fredman mfredman@jfedstl.org 314-442-3734