Helpful Hints for Writing Grants

If you are a Wyoming nonprofit looking for funding, this information may be very helpful and save you a measure of frustration and time. Please read the information provided below thoroughly. Some of it is specific to just the Wyoming Community Foundation but much of it will be applicable for writing other proposals. I. WHAT IS THE BEST SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR MY PROJECT? The Wyoming Community Foundation strives to promote community building but we may or may not be the best source of funding for your organization. Finding a good match between the funding agency and a prospective project is the key to finding financial resources. WYCF grantmaking is guided by the following criteria: Strengthening the capacity of nonprofit organizations to do their work. Leveraging dollars received from the WYCF to obtain additional or future funding. Collaboration with other nonprofits or programs to enhance services without duplication. Raise the effectiveness of an organization or particular service to a higher level. Focus on addressing a community issue or providing a community need. It is important to understand that our criteria and goals should align with your needs not the other way around. If you read the above information and your first response is “how can I make my program fit the criteria”, then your program probably doesn’t fit. Although time consuming, it can be well worth the effort to research funding agencies that will match your needs the most closely. You can do this on-line or by contacting similar organizations (even nationally) and asking them about their funding sources. II. HOW DO I WRITE A GOOD GRANT PROPOSAL? Grantwriting Suggestions from the Trenches...by Diane Harrop** Before You Start Writing Read through all of the grantor's application materials carefully and completely. Guidelines and narratives generally suggest what kinds of proposals are favored. Follow instructions and use the format provided by the grantor. Why make readers hunt for the specific information they request? Be realistic about whether or not your proposal actually falls within the grant categories. If you are unsure, consult websites and/or annual reports that list past grants information. Find out if the grantor offers technical assistance and/or other forms of help that might be of value to you or your organization. Seek opportunities to talk directly with staff people who work on behalf of grantors. Most grants administrators are natural networkers and can connect you with other valuable sources of help. Stay true to your mission. Never apply for grant money unless it can help you focus on work that is central to your organization's goals. Think in terms of packaging your proposal to best fit the priorities of the grantor. For example, if working partnerships are highly encouraged by the grantor, be sure to spotlight the ways in which your proposal includes collaborative processes. Small brainstorming teams or partners can help you with this important step. Consider whether or not your project could be accomplished in phases or scaled down in case a grantor offers you partial funding. The Writing Itself Be creative but be honest. Avoid buzz words (they're annoying, hence the term buzz) and explain jargon if there is any chance a reader will not be familiar with it. Less is more. Edit your narrative until you can clearly state the purpose of your request in a few sentences-or a page at most. Include extraneous charts, graphs, and verbiage ONLY if you are applying for grants where extra inches count. Make sure supporting information applies. Grant readers generally notice if you quantify one problem and then ask for money to address something else. Avoid internal inconsistencies! Contradictory facts or numbers weaken your presentation. Develop and present a clear and reasonable budget. Think long-term. Can you ask for multi-year funding? In your narrative, demonstrate that strategic thinking and planning have taken place prior to your writing the grant. If you can make a compelling case that exponential benefits will flow from the funding you request, do so. Be sure to list and quantify the contributions (actual dollars and in-kind services) that other groups and/or individuals have made to your project. Give serious consideration to how you will evaluate and measure results. Grantors need assurances that their charitable dollars will be well spent. Numbers are important, but also include anecdotal elements if appropriate. After the Writing Is Done Have someone else read and critique your writing before you send it off. Misspelled words, incomplete sentences, and poor grammar are unacceptable. Choose easily-readable type sizes and fonts. Remember that competitive grants can be extremely competitive. Grantors commonly receive requests for much more money than they have to disperse, so learn to inject real passion into your grant writing without taking declinations personally. If your proposal is declined, resist the urge to make a complaining phone call. It is fine to inquire whether readers had any specific comments or suggestions so that your next request can be stronger. Make sure that other people and agencies you have listed as working partners are kept informed about the status of your project. Always have contingency plans for funding your program. It will keep you from sounding desperate and give you a level of confidence that readers and grantors will appreciate. **Diane Harrop is a member of the Wyoming Community Foundation Board and has served as distribution committee chair. She has been writing and reading grants and helping to develop grants programs for well over 10 years. III. HOW CAN I EVALUATE MY PROPOSAL? After writing your grant proposal, it is important to evaluate what you have written with a critical eye. Your application will be reviewed by either one or all of the following: WYCF program staff, affiliate advisory committee and the board distribution committee. When evaluating a grant proposal, we ask ourselves the following questions. If your proposal doesn’t address one of these questions, a key piece of your application may have been neglected. Has the application been filled out completely and submitted with all attachments? Does the organization operate with optimal staff and make maximum use of volunteers? Has the organization explored multiple funding resources? Does the organization demonstrate sound fiscal management practices? Does the program meet the criteria listed by the Foundation? What problem does the organization seek to solve? What is the plan/s that will implemented to solve the problem? Will the program effectively address the problem as it has been described? Does the project have measurable outcomes/how will the work of the organization be evaluated? Will there be life for the program after the grant dollars are gone? If you have any questions regarding completion of our grant application, the suitability of your program with our goals, or would like to discuss any aspect of your request, please do not hesitate to contact: Samin Dadelahi Senior Program Officer samin@wycf.org 313 S. 2nd Street Laramie, WY 82070 307-721-8300 or 1-866-708-7878