Grant Alert!

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Grassroots Grantwriting

In my experience I have found that most people doing fundraising, specifically grant writing, are new to the field.  “New” meaning,have been doing it for less than three years. 

Well if you are new to the field and just starting to get your feet wet here are some helpful pointers for good foundation relationships.  Before we get started remember having a good relationship with a foundation is not a sprint it is a marathon.  The name of the game is trust. 

The following items are things you need to make sure that you do...

• Find out who the foundation has funded before
• Find out how much they have given toward your issues
• Match the size of the foundation and their funding level with your request – most funders have an average grant size
• If possible: contact the foundation before submitting your proposal
• Be sure you give yourself plenty of time to get the proposal done
• Know what your “selling” inside and out
• Read everything over that they provide you (guidelines, applications, annual report…)
• Follow all instructions
• Make copies of everything
• Be sure all top level management people are aware of the request in summary format in case they should get a call from the foundation
• Have someone proofread the proposal from start to finish. 

I hope this information helps you as you begin your career in the fundraising field.  Be yourself and commit yourself to being the best fundraiser you can be for your organization because the funds will go to the organizations with the best fundraisers NOT the biggest, best or most well known organizations.  To read past Grant Alerts or to order a copy of our “Directory of Foundations Supporting Christian Organizations” go to www.christiangrants.com  Is there a subject you would like to see me address in an upcoming Grant Alert please feel free to email me at chrgrants@aol.com with your suggestion.  God Bless You as you raise money for his ministries.

Timothy M. Boling

Timothy Boling

CEO

Christiangrants.com

Note: DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL. IF YOU WISH TO CONTACT CHRISTIANGRANTS.COM, USE chrgrants@aol.com

To read past Grant Alerts or to order your copy of the “Directory of Foundations Supporting Christian Organizations” go to www.christiangrants.com.

Issue:  September 2003

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