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LIBERATE YOURSELF FROM MYTHS AND FEARS ABOUT GRANTS

Too many well-meaning staff and volunteers let themselves get bogged down in unproductive attitudes and habits about grants. Chapter 1 of Demystifying Grant Seeking : what you reallly need to do to get grants asserts it's possible to get more grant money while reducing hassle and anguish. The key is dismissing myths and fears and taking on a more empowered point of view, where your organization is a true equal partner in the grantmaking agreement. Along the way, the chapter provides a general introduction to the world of grant seeking.

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Demystifying Grant Seeking Part 2 by Larissa Golden Brown

Myth: Writing grant proposals is an ordeal
Reality: Proposal writing is predictable and simple

Though the specific requirements of grant makers vary, and your proposals should be tailored for each funder, all grant applications involve just one basic activity: responding to a set of questions about your nonprofit organization and its programs. This set of questions varies little from funder to funder. For example: Who and how many people will be served by program X? How will the effectiveness of program Y be evaluated? What other organizations do you collaborate with? What other funds have you sought?

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Demystifying Grant Seeking Part 3 by Larissa Golden Brown

Myth: Grants are too inconsistent to deserve the attention of fundraising staff
Reality: Grants are consistently useful for certain projects and needs

It is true that foundation grants make up a relatively small percentage of overall giving in the United States. In 1998, they accounted for slightly less than 10% of all gifts to charity, according to the American Association of Fund Raising Counsel. (In contrast, individual donations accounted for 77%.)

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Positioning Grant Writers for Success by Tony Poderis

Unrealistic Expectations, Pay Practices That Grantors Often See As Tainting The Funding Process, And Poor Planning And Follow Through, Can Doom The Best To Failure

Some of the most heated discussion in the nonprofit world centers on grant writing. Why? Because so much is riding on it. It is the rare organization that could continue to carry out its mission anywhere near as effectively if its grants dried up, and for many, such an occurrence would sound the death knell.

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What are grants? And are you ready for them? Part 1 by Larissa Golden Brown

Grants are potentially a meaningful source of funds for many kinds of projects and groups, and applying for them can be a source of great hope and excitement. At the same time, few subjects in nonprofit management are surrounded by such dread and mystery.

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What are grants? And are you ready for them? Part 2 by Larissa Golden Brown

Are you ready for grants? The top 10 questions to ask yourself.

Now that you have a more realistic perspective about grants, it's time to see whether you are ready to apply for them. Ask yourself:

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How to Find Grants for General Operating Funds by Katie Krueger

General operating money is certainly one of the more difficult categories of funding to secure, mostly because it's a lot less appealing to the funder. Let's face it, paying rent is not nearly as sexy as helping people fulfill their potential as human beings. However, there are unrestricted grants out there, if you know where to look.

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Last week was a busy one for me: I am the contact person for applicants to a local Education Foundation and Friday was the proposal deadline! It never fails that the few days before the deadline I am flooded with questions from people applying. Most of their questions and requests are within reason, but I thought in the spirit of this week, I would offer suggestions on how to contact funders with questions about your proposal.

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Surviving the Funding Slump: Advice from a Grantmaker by Dynell A. Garron

Whether operating on a shoestring budget or one that includes a substantial endowment, nonprofits are feeling the effects of a funding slump. The downturn in the economy has affected every conceivable funding source -- government, individuals, corporations and foundations. As such, nonprofits are scrambling to submit more funding applications - at a time when many grantmakers are reducing their giving programs.

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