Grant Writing Tips

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Tens of thousands of grants are awarded each year to deserving nonprofit organizations that need additional funding to support new or existing programs. A nonprofit organization, no matter its size or mission, may receive grants from a wide variety of sources, including private foundations, large public companies, or governmental agencies. These steps can help a nonprofit director or fundraiser start the grant writing process.

Granters are unlikely to award funding to a nonprofit without a solid mission and demonstrated need. Any nonprofit seeking funding should have a well-developed mission statement, organizational goals, and identified need.

Understand Types of Funding

Grant funding is divided into three types:
1. Project Grants are awarded in support of a very specific program or project.
2. Start-up Grants are for new nonprofits.
3. Building Grants provide funding for the purchase, construction, or renovation of facilities, which may include equipment or technology purchases.
4. Operating Grants provide largely unrestricted funding and are the most challenging form of funding to obtain.

Determine the Type and Amount of Funding Needed

Before beginning the grant writing process, nonprofits should identify the type or types of funding needed. A grant proposal will need to include very specific requested funding amounts based on documented needs. Building grants will need to be substantiated with price estimates or quotes. For each type of funding, items like employee salaries and benefits, utilities, office costs, transportation, and other like costs may be included, depending on the funder’s requirements. Create a complete outline of funding types and specific monetary needs.

Identify Granters

Grant funding comes from many sources and can be a challenge to identify. One way to begin is to search for funders based on the nonprofit’s location, services, mission, and population served.
• Find foundations or companies that are headquartered in the city, county, state, or region that the nonprofit serves. Even small, local companies may award grants.
• Focus on funders that have a connection with the nonprofit’s services. For example, a nonprofit that provides technology training may approach technology companies or government agencies focused on technology for funding.
• If a nonprofit’s mission is religious, political, social, or environmental in nature, the organization may want to seek funding from likeminded sources.
• Nonprofits that serve a specific population may identify funders with a connection. For example, nonprofits that serve children may contact baby product manufacturers and distributors.

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