1. Grant Writing Basics & Opportunities
Resource Development

2. Grant Writing
Successful grant writing involves the coordination of several components:
Planning
Searching for Data and Resources
Writing the Proposal
Preparing the Grant Proposal for Submission
Submitting the Proposal

3. Plan Ahead
Develop a small committee to determine the programs and projects that need funding
Decide who will benefit from this project
Determine goals and objectives in order to get the desired outcome
Develop a rough budget to determine the amount of funded needed
Begin researching potential opportunities on the internet or seek resources from your local library

4. ID the Funding Sources
Once you identify what you determine to be a good fit:
Ensure your organization meets all the eligibility requirements
Look at the deadlines:
Do you have the time to put together a good proposal
Does the grant period fall within the parameters of your project timeline
Will you be able to achieve the desired results before the grant period concludes
Is an Letter of Intent (LOI) required before the proposal can be submitted

5. Preparing for the Proposal
Work with your committee to help plan the grant outline and proposal
Decide who will benefit from this grant if awarded
Determine goals and objectives in order to get the desired outcome
Draft the expected project outcomes and how they will be measured
Generate a timeline specific to this grant to include:
Deadline for Letter of Intent, if required
Proposal Deadline
Project Start and End Dates
Grant Submission Deadline
Be Knowledgeable of Reporting Deadlines

6. When Writing the Proposal
Clarify the purpose of your project
Include your mission statement
Define the scope of work to focus your funding search
State the project goals
Define specific objectives
Explain how you will focus your work to accomplish these goals
Define the measurable outcomes
Prepare a well-defined budget

7. Example Goal Objectives
To distribute an additional 20,000 pounds of fresh, locally grown produce to families facing food insecurity
To purchase a 10’ x 10’ cooler to increase the pantry’s cooler capacity
To coordinate with Food Bank of the Albemarle to secure additional fresh produce
To incorporate special produce pick- ups during peak harvest
To promote this produce initiative within the community
To provide the clients with nutritional information about the product being distributed

8. Example Cont’d Measurable Outcomes
To provide our clients with access to more fresh, nutritious produce throughout the year
To host 6 special produce pantries during the fiscal year
To serve a minimum of 50 households monthly through this produce initiative
To provide each client with a minimum of 15 pounds of fresh, locally grown produce per visit
To provide clients with cooking and nutritional information about the produce being distributed

9. Preparing for Submission Ask Yourself…
Have all of the grant questions been answered completely and appropriately
Has every slot in the application been filled
Are the outcomes achievable
Do I have all of the required attachments, such as...
501 (c) 3 Status
List of Board of Directors
Annual Budget
And, Any Other Documents Required
Are all the grant documents in the appropriate order

10. Submit Your Grant Proposal
Most grants are submitted electronically
Allow extra time to enter and upload all of the required information
Helpful Hint: Use a word document to write your proposal, keep each answer separate to avoid confusion, and when the answer is completed, copy and paste the response into the designated area on the grant portal
Save all attachments as a PDF before uploading into the portal
Keep in mind that many will wait until the last moment to submit an application which can tie up the grant portal and potentially make your submission late, so work in advance
If mailing your proposal, ensure all documents are in the correct order
Allow sufficient time for delivery

11. Potential Opportunities
NC Community Foundation: Beaufort and Hyde
NC Community Foundation: Bertie-Hertford Woman’s Givers
NC Community Foundation: Chowan Community Foundation
NC Community Foundation: Northern Albemarle Foundation
NC Community Foundation: Thomas Watts Foundation
North Carolina Rural Church Grants
Outer Banks Community Foundation 
Walmart Community Grants  

12. For Additional Information
Contact
Carolyn Anderson
Director of Development
, ext. 111