Are you a non-profit looking for grants? Finding non-profit organization grants may seem easy with all the fluff you see, especially on government grants, but what is real and what is a money-making scheme? Jean Scheid takes a look at grant writing for non-profits.

Government and Private Grants

The best place to research government grants is USA.gov. This website not only provides federal grants available by category, but tribal, local, and state grants as well. If you search for “non-profit government grants” on the Internet, you’ll get thousands of hits. Most of these are companies not affiliated with the government and want your money upfront to either help you research grants or sell you a book on government grants. In addition, some of these companies will charge high fees if you need help writing the grant.

For private grants, visit the Foundation Center. Newsletters are free as is the Foundation Finder tool. For extensive help from the Foundation Center, you can sign up for an affordable annual fee to stay on top of what private foundations are offering grants. The Foundation Center also lists company-offered grant opportunities for non-profits along with deadlines, grant-making rules, and eligibility.

Research the Grant

Grant writing for non-profits can be a daunting task. First you have to find a grant you are eligible to obtain. Once you find grants you want to apply for, each grantor will have different requirements on what they expect. Some grant-makers won’t accept direct grants and ask for a letter of proposal first. Before you tackle the task of writing a non-profit grant, read all the requirements in full. You may think you have found the right grant for your non-profit only to find at the end of the requirements, the grant is only focused on one state and it’s not your state.

Tips on Grant Writing for Non-Profits

All grant-makers have their own guidelines on submitting and writing a grant. Here are some of the most common tips on grant writing for non-profits:

Explain the Non-Profit – This doesn’t mean you should just state, “We are a K-8 501(c)3 school.” Keep in mind that grant readers are looking for the exception to the rule. Why is your non-profit different? What makes it special? Who does it serve? While your non-profit may be the most important thing to you, it’s also a community service, so explain in full why giving you funds will benefit everyone in your community.

Project or Problem Specific – If you are requesting funds for a specific problem or project, what are the funds needed and how do you plan to make use of the funds in a unique way? Will you be able to offer the grantor real data and track the problem or project provided they give you a grant?

Resources – Include resources of real cash you expect to have on-hand or donated by angel funders. Listing available cash and matching funds often will help you succeed in obtaining a grant.

Experience – List the experience of your non-profit. How long has the business been operating and who is on the Board of Directors? Include pertinent information about everyone involved in the management of your non-profit and their qualifications.

Please read on to Page 2 for Grant Writing Musts.

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