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Seeking Grant Proposals For Your Fundraiser
By: Michelle Pearson
An essential part of fundraising is writing grant proposals and grant
applications. An effectively written grant application can result in large sums
of money for your fundraising group. Grant applications can be a long and
tiresome journey, but in the end it will be worth it for your group! In the
following article, we are going to help you understand grants and what they
entail.
Grant Applications Broken Down
Most grant applications will include some or more of the following components:
Letters of Reference – letters from those who can testify to your experience and
good character.
Formal Proposal – a detailed explanation of what the grant money will be used
for.
A Business Plan – detailing the finer points of your financial needs.
A List of Resources – detail the resources you have, and the resources you need.
Complete list of Group Members - including both workers and volunteers.
Goals and Plans – detail the short and long term goals of your group.
The grant application will list all the material and documents needed for
submission. It is vitally important that you follow all the directions exactly
as they are stated when filling out the grant application. One mistake could
make the difference between getting the grant and getting turned down. Many
grant providers reject applications that didn’t take the time to follow the
directions when submitting their application. Prior to submitting your grant
application have someone in the group proof read it and make sure that all the
information is correct and in order. After staring at the same document for days
on end, it becomes difficult to notice any mistakes.
Your grant application should stress the importance of your cause and the
necessity of the grant. How many people are you expecting to be able to help?
How will this project benefit them? The more compelling your application is, the
more likely you are to receive the grant money. Most importantly, grant
providers want to make sure the money is going to be used wisely and
appropriately. To help your cause, make sure you describe your goals and focus
in clear detail.
Lastly, take time and fill out your application with precision. Don’t rush
through it, or you are bound to make some mistakes. Give yourself enough time to
provide all of the financial documents that are requested, and be sure to have
someone proofread it prior to submitting! A well-written application will stand
out above the rest!
About the Author:
Michelle Pearson is a former fundraising consultant who currently is a writer
for the Fundraising Know How Magazine at http://www.fundraisingknowhow.com – a
site that specializes in helping fundraising coordinators offering information
on candle fundraisers(http://www.fundraisingknowhow.com/fundraiser-reviews/candle-fundraisers.asp)and more. |
