You can begin by downloading the foundation’s past year Form 990.  Every foundation is required by law to fill out a Form 990 each tax year. Within this form, you will find a wealth of information.  You can identify the giving areas for previous years as they will list some or all of the following information: Name of Organization’s funded, Types of Programs, and the Dollar Amount Awarded.

Your research of the Form 990 is one way to know if the foundation is likely to give toward your type of project.  Although it takes time to do this research, it actually saves time in the long run.  You want to approach foundations that will be a good match for your funding need.

There are several places you can find the Form 990.  I’ve mentioned these two Web sites in the past:

• GuideStar http://www2.guidestar.org/
• The Foundation Center http://foundationcenter.org/

Guide to Grants Plus recommends these two sources, because there is a beginner’s level at no charge which allows you to find the Form 990.  Finally, narrow your search for funding opportunities by using the tools that are available to grant writers.

© 2013, Guide to Grants Plus. All Rights Reserved.

1. Go over your budget.

2. Give the foundation’s grant program officer a call if there have been any changes since you submitted your proposal.

3. Set up your grant budget with your finance office.

4. Implement the program as described in your goals and objectives.

5. Be prepared to report back your outcomes and expenses in 6-12 months.

These are some of the basic steps upon receiving your grant award. The main objective is to spend down the funds within the time allowed for the grant period. The grant period is the life of the grant. Use the funds according to what was proposed in the application. Upon receiving the grant award letter, you can officially refer to your application as a grant. The grant serves as a legal document between you and the grantor. At times you will receive a “grant agreement” prior to the foundation issuing the check. Other times, you will receive the grant award letter along with the check.

Finally, Guide to Grants Plus recommends that you always acknowledge receipt of the check in a written letter to the foundation and thank them for their generous grant. Below is a sample letter for your convenience.

SAMPLE LETTER

[ON ORGANIZATION'S LETTERHEAD]

[DATE]

[NAME]

[FOUNDATION'S CEO/PRESIDENT]

[NAME OF FOUNDATION]

[ADDRESS]

[CITY, STATE ZIP CODE]

Dear [SALUTATION]:

On behalf of the [YOUR ORGANIZATION'S NAME], thank you for the grant award in the amount of $[AMOUNT] for the [NAME OF PROGRAM]. The check [NUMBER] has been received. The grant report will be provided by [DUE DATE] according to your guidelines.

Your foundation will make a difference in the lives of our participants. The grant will be far reaching in the coming months.  With your generous support, [NAME OF YOUR ORGANIZATION] will increase its outreach efforts.

If you have any questions, please contact me at [TELEPHONE/E-MAIL]. I thank you for supporting [NAME OF YOUR ORGANIZATION] with this grant award.

Sincerely,

[NAME]

Chief Executive Officer

Left shows the unaffected Pine Trees & right shows the trees burnt in the Bastrop fire 2011.

by Elizabeth Eguia-Garcia

CEO/President, GtoG+

On Nov. 24, 2011, I took a tour of the Bastrop State Park where 96% of the pine trees burned during the 2011 Bastrop fires. I found the extent of damage severe with clear implications for the ecosystem.

My tour guide said that the seeds of the pine trees are unique to the region; therefore, they have to wait for the existing trees that remain to drop their seedlings in order to preserve their existence.

I found several homes in the rebuilding process and FEMA trailers as temporary homes for others. In my photo journal, you will find photographs of the burnt pine trees and some untouched natural habitat to compare the state of the situation.

According to news reports, the fire originated from an electrical short. The conditions in the dry atmosphere, the long drought in the region along with the high winds created the perfect conditions for this devastation.

On my visit to Bastrop, Texas, I took time to listen to some of the stories about the ways people came together as community to help one another. Over all, I found the people in Bastrop determined to rebuild and to protect the natural habitat surrounding their homes. They are a model of the strength of the human spirit.

This short clip made available by the Texas Parks and Wildlife shows how rapid the fire spread with the dry conditions and wind experienced in Bastrop, Texas.

If you are interested in supporting the rebuilding efforts, here are some charities you might consider giving toward.*

http://www.givingcityaustin.com/2011/09/06/how-to-help-victims-of-central-texas-fires/

# # #

Guide to Grants Plus (c) 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

*GtoG+ does not endorse any one charity but is merely making this information available.

An organization called, GuideStar, tracks information about non-profits whether you are on the grant seeker’s side or the grant maker’s side. It is a data storage warehouse that lists key information about non-profits such as:

• Contact Information
• List of Board of Directors
• 990 Forms
• and much more….

Foundations are beginning to require that applicants for grants have a listing on file with GuideStar. There are different membership levels for non-profits: Basic, Premium, etc.

Information should be kept as current as possible once you enter it for the first time. One suggestion is to designate someone in your organization to be the information keeper and updater in the GuideStar system.

For grant seekers, GuideStar can also be used as a vehicle to research background information about foundations. It is always necessary to have the correct contact information, to identify grant award averages, and to gather essential information in order to make a strategic grant request and to ensure a successful outcome.

To learn more visit: GuideStar*

All Rights Reserved, Guide to Grants Plus ® 2011

Remember that a proposal should include “action verbs” especially when describing your goals, objectives, activities and outcomes. Try using some of these when you write your next proposal.

Guide to Grants Plus, 2011 (C) COPYRIGHT

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

First, you should address the letter to the highest executive officer at the Foundation. If this information is unknown, the alternative is to address the letter to the grant program officer.

Secondly, the signature should come from your organization’s chief executive director/president or the board chair. Plan in advance to gather signatures for the cover letter in order to ensure that you are still able to meet your deadline.

Always include the dollar amount of your request. Many people hesitate on including this key piece of information. Remember that reviewers may reference your letter during the final review phase when the committee comes together. It’s important to clearly identify in your grant cover letter the amount being requested. Funding agencies are accustomed to this practice in the grant world.

Your cover letter should be limited to one page, unless the funding agency requests specific and detailed information in the cover letter. Otherwise, one page will suffice. Brevity works best. Your proposal will contain the detailed narrative in most cases.

For your reference, below is a sample cover letter.

SAMPLE COVER LETTER

[USE YOUR ORGANIZATION'S LETTERHEAD]

[DATE]

[NAME OF GRANTMAKER'S CONTACT]

[TITLE]

[NAME OF FUNDING AGENCY]

[ADDRESS]

[CITY, STATE ZIP CODE]

DEAR [SALUTATION]:

On behalf of [YOUR ORGANIZATION'S NAME], I am submitting a grant request to the [FUNDING AGENCY'S NAME] in the amount of $[DOLLAR AMOUNT] for the [NAME OF PROGRAM/PROJECT].

[PROVIDE A BRIEF EXPLANATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED PROGRAM/PROJECT].

[DESCRIBE BRIEFLY WHY THIS FUNDING AGENCY IS A GOOD MATCH FOR THIS PROGRAM].

[IDENTIFY ANY KEY PARTNERS/COLLABORATORS IN THIS INITIATIVE].

Thank you for considering [YOUR ORGANIZATION'S NAME] proposal for the [NAME OF PROGRAM/PROJECT]. I look forward to hearing from you. Please contact me at [TELEPHONE NUMBER] or [E-MAIL: ADDRESS].

Sincerely,

[SIGNATURE OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER/PRESIDENT or BOARD CHAIR]

# # #

By Elizabeth Eguia-Garcia

CEO & President,

© 2011, Guide to Grants Plus, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

To begin with, goals are more general. They are abstract and broad in nature.  Goals touch on a broad spectrum by describing the program’s intentions.  They also provide a higher context of who and what you intend to reach. You must clearly identify your goals to the funding agency, because this is how they will know and understand what you want to accomplish with the funds you are requesting from them. Goals define for your reviewer a general sense of the direction where your program is headed.

On the other hand, objectives are the framework for how you will accomplish your goals. They support your goals by describing the specifics of your proposed program. For example, if your program will provide direct services to youth who are underserved, then each objective under that goal should clearly explain to the funding agency the following:

1. Who will be involved;
2. What tasks will be achieved; and,
3. By when will you accomplish these activities.

An objective is precise and concrete. It is also narrow in scope by giving, for instance, a specific number or percentage of the population to be reached and a measurable timeline. Your objectives will, therefore, strengthen your goals by providing a clear description of the road map you will follow.

A strategy that Guide to Grants Plus [www.GuidetoGrantsPlus.com] recommends for a highly successful grant application is to connect your goals and objectives to your budget. Your line items should reflect the course that you set out for your program during the lifetime of the grant. Always remain on course throughout your grant application narrative and tie it back to your budget. In other words, be consistent. Reviewers look for inconsistencies throughout your proposal. Build a cohesive proposal strong enough to withstand the rigorous review process. Your goal is to get funded!

Author: Elizabeth Eguia-Garcia

CEO & President

Guide to Grants Plus (c) 2010 All Rights Reserved.

BUSINESS PLAN OUTLINE

Cover Sheet: Business Name, Address, Phone Number, Principals

Executive Summary

Table of Contents

Section One: The Business

A. Description of Business

B. Products/Services

C. Market Analysis

D. Marketing Plan

E. Location

F. Competition

G. Management and Operations

H. Personnel

I. Application and Effect of Loan or Investment

Section Two: Financial Data

A. Projected Financial Statements

Income Statements

Cash Flow Statements

Balance Sheets

Assumptions to Projected Financial Statements

B. Break Even Analysis

C. Sources and Uses of Funds

Section Three: Supporting Documents Historical financial statements,

tax returns, resumes, reference letters, personal financial statements,

facilities diagrams, letters of intent, purchase orders, contracts, etc.

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