1. Introduction to Finding Grants
Anna Tatro, MLS   Grants Collection Specialist Grants Collection Social Science and History Department Enoch Pratt Free Library/State Library Resource Center 400 Cathedral Street Baltimore, MD 

2. Agenda Getting started with Grantseeking
Searching the Foundation Directory Online
Components of Proposal
Resources
Questions!

3. Is grantwriting worth my time?
What are my chances of getting a grant?
How do I know what grantmakers are looking for?
Do I have to know the right people to get a grant?
How much should I ask for?

4. Why write a grant? Networking – meet peers and community
Clarify your own vision
Plan your next project/framework
Gives you a deadline
Practice asking for help

5. Find your Match Reflect the priorities of the Grantmaker
Match your project with the Grantmakers Interests
Select Grantmakers who share your worldview
Does your organization’s Mission and Value meet that of the Grantmaker? M

6. Getting Started Identify potential Grantmakers
Contact key people who can help you plan your proposal before you start writing
Write a well-reasoned, concise proposal

7. Researching Prospects
List of Potentials
List of No’s
Using the Foundation Directory Online

8. What is the FDO
The most exhaustive and up-to-date knowledge and insight on the social sector to fuel any fundraising mission. Expanded, in-depth profiles of each grantmaker plus inside looks at the grants they've actually made keep your organization operating at peak effectiveness.
140,000+ expanded grantmaker profiles
500,000+ recipient profiles
500,000+ key decision makers and leaders
Searchable 990s and 990-PFs
This information is pulled from the 990

9. Where can I access the FDO

10. Foundation Profile
What is being funded
Where do they fund
What amount of money do they give
Who they have funded
Funding interests
What is their purpose
What other foundation are similar
Application and RFP requirements
What they do not fund
Who’s Who in the organization
News & Social Media
Basic communication information
This information is pulled from the foundations 990

11. How do I search the FDO
SEARCH THE FDO

12. Next Steps

13. Make Contact with Potentials
Write or Call the Program Officer
After doing research on the Foundation
Have an elevator speech prepared
Ask about a past reviewer
Ask how they review proposals
Contact a past Grantee
Fact gather on who they talked to, how they got funded, any tips they may have
Call a past reviewer
Did you follow a specific scoreing system or rubric
What were some major red flags to avoid
What’s not happening that the foundation would like to fund
Program Officier – after doing your research on that foundation and having your elevator speech prepared

14. Make Contact with Potentials
Make sure Program Officer's are receiving your newsletters & Social Media
NETWORK!!
Invite them to events and/or a site visit
Get to know them so when their RFP’s come out, you have connections

15. Start Gathering Statement of problem project will address
Population served
Qualifications of key personnel
Timetable for implementation and evaluation of project
Contact person
Brief history of organization and description of its mission
Detailed description of project and amount of funding requested
Listing of additional sources and amount of support
How project's results will be evaluated or measured
How project will be sustained once grantmaker support is completed
Copy of current year's organizational budget and/or project budget
Results expected from proposed grant
IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter
Mission Statement
Board of Directors list

16. Attachments
Budget summary/cost summary Budget detail/budget narrative/cost justification: Write a detailed narrative on each proposed expense
Up-to-date financial statement: recent financial statement
501(c)(3) letter of nonprofit determination from the IRS
Board of directors with affiliations
Letters of commitment: A letter of commitment comes from a partner organization and states that the partner is committed to providing leveraging assets to your grant-funded program when funded.
Annual report: Include an annual report (brochure, booklet, or newsletter)
Other documentation: Submit one-page summaries or complete résumés of key program personnel, as the funding source prefers. Also, if your organization has memorandums of agreement or memorandums of understanding signed by partner or collaborating agencies, attach these documents last

17. Components of a Proposal
Introduction Statement
Statement of Problem/Need
Organization Background/Credibility
Project Objectives: Goals and Desired Outcome
Program Methods and Program Design: A Plan of Action
Evaluation: How do you know when you are Successful
Current/Future Funding: Long-Term Project Planning
The Proposal Budget: Planning the Budget

18. Steps to Consider Set clear goals Find the right match
Share your passion
Follow directions
Create a realistic project budget
Get feedback
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again

19. Humanize the Experience
You can do it!

20. Start with Yourself What do you want to know?
What type of support do you have?
What type of support are you looking for?
Who do you know?
How will deadlines help with your career?
Is there a funding match for you?

21. My Favorite Resources Grantspace Maryland Governor’s Grant Office
Community Foundation Center
Grantstation Insider
A Guide to Proposal Planning and Writing Jeremy T. Miner and Lynn E. Miner

22. Feedback and Questions!
Conclusion
Feedback and Questions!