Non-Profit Funding with Government Grants

 

Funding is one of the greatest stumbling blocks of establishing a healthy non-profit organization. Sufficient and well-managed funding is the very difference between a great idea and a great reality—money gives you the means to make the difference you’ve been dreaming about. Luckily, you don’t have to be hugely and independently wealthy in order to get there. Though individual donors are usually the greatest source of funding for any non-profit organization, nonprofits usually draw upon a number of sources to create a workable budget. You’re probably already thinking of ways to approach corporations, foundations and federated funds, but if your non-profit organization intends to provide a public service to the individuals in your area, you should also be thinking about applying for state and federal grants.

 

Government grants can be an excellent source of funding for the right kind of non-profit. Because the application process costs no money (unless you hire a grant or proposal writer), these grants allow non-profits to apply for funding in a risk-free environment. Unlike many business-model grants, government grants given to nonprofits aren’t meant to be paid back, helping keep nonprofits solvent.

 

However, no matter how many bogus emails or fliers you’ve read, government grants aren’t easy money. Not only does the application process itself take a lot of time, it can take a lot of effort and research before you even find the right grants to apply for. If you plan on applying for government grants as a way to supplement your nonprofit’s funding, you have to be willing to invest a fair amount of time in the process.

 

First, you have to find the right grant (or grants) for your organization. You can have the best proposal in the world for a community education center, but if you send it in to grant makers that want to help foster artistic inclinations in second-generation immigrants, you can bark up that tree all you want and money will never start growing on it. Find a grant appropriate to your nonprofit’s goals, and read the eligibility requirements carefully. You don’t want to write an entire proposal only to find out that the grant you’re trying to get is only offered in another state. Don’t be afraid to contact the grant makers if you feel uncertain—the more information you have, the better. You can find a complete list of available grants and application tips and tools at http://grants.gov/.

 

Half of the work goes into finding the right grant, and half of it goes into the application process itself. Even once you’ve identified an appropriate grant for your non-profit, locking down the funding will be difficult. There are hundreds and sometimes thousands of organizations competing for these government grants, so if you’re serious about receiving government funding, you have to be able to distinguish your organization from the pack. This will require a lot of work, but lucky for you, by the time you’ve selected the right grant you’re already a step ahead. You’ve already researched the grant you’re applying for thoroughly, so you know the grant’s guidelines. Follow them as exactly as possible, including all required information and nothing more.

 

Use your proposal to make a case for your organization. State the significance of the problem you are combating, and state clearly what steps you plan to take (or have taken) to combat it. Your final proposal should read clearly and succinctly, with absolutely no typos or errors. After you submit your proposal, make sure to follow up with the grant makers—whether you get your grant or not, the evaluation process can be a great chance to get some constructive feedback on your overall approach.

 

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