The end of the year always inspires me to look back over the past twelve months and reflect upon my life and noteworthy events. When you look back over this past year what do you think about most? I can't help but think that 2005 will be remembered as the year of disasters. We saw unprecedented disasters such as the tsunami in Asia (Ok I know the tsunami happened in 2004, but it really impacted the beginning of 2005), Hurricanes in Florida and the Gulf Coast, and earthquakes that stopped time for too many.
For as many pictures shown in the media that made me hold my breath and want to turn away for a moment, just as many great stories of people responding to help meet the needs of others were presented. People and organizations around the world have given billions of dollars to charitable organizations, they have given their time, possessions, prayers, and more to help alleviate suffering that the victims of disasters have somehow endured. These gifts do make a difference, nonprofits organizations and businesses as well as individuals have helped to some degree to relieve the burden of those who have suffered.
Through the devastation that flowed through the past year I take heart in the fact that the response was overwhelming and unprecedented. Through further reflection, I will decide whether 2005 will be remembered most for the suffering endured by too many or the generosity to help alleviate the suffering given by many more.
What will you remember most about 2005?
Monday, December 12, 2005
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Speak to the need
Philanthropy is an interesting phenomenon. It amazes me how generous people can be. In 2004 Americans gave over $240 Billion in philanthropic gifts.
I recently watched a popular news show that interviewed people who are literally giving their inheritance away. One person that was interviewed lived a very humble lifestyle by American standards, while giving away a good portion of his yearly income to worthwhile charities. Another young woman is really giving her inheritance away for the greater good.
People will donate most anything-money, their time, blood, their vehicle, jewelry or anything else that is perceived as useful or of value to another person or organization. Why do people donate? What is the motivation behind the gift? I am sure there are teams of sociologists at some institution of higher thinking trying to identify the motivators of giving. The funny thing about human nature is that what motivates one person may not motivate another person.
My very simplistic belief is that people give when they see a need and perceive value in giving to help alleviate that need. This is evident with the recent outpouring of donations for the Katrina/Rita hurricane relief efforts, and Asian Tsunami disaster relief. People could tune in to CNN or Fox News and immediately see the devastation, and decide how they would respond to the need.
According to the American Association of Fundraising Counsel "About 70 to 80 percent of Americans contribute annually to at least one charity. Being a 'philanthropist' does not merely mean making huge gifts; it means giving to any cause that you value." The majority of Americans see a need and respond through charitable giving. The charity of choice varies with each individuals belief system or desire to help a particular cause.
Does this need based giving also hold true for foundations and corporations? I believe it does. When presenting programs to corporate or foundation officers, speak to the need. Help them see the need clearly, and then demonstrate how their help i.e. charitable funds will work to relieve the need. Use statistical data and real life human stories to demonstrate the need. Make it clear and concise and you will have the advantage that motivates the majority of individual Americans to give.
I recently watched a popular news show that interviewed people who are literally giving their inheritance away. One person that was interviewed lived a very humble lifestyle by American standards, while giving away a good portion of his yearly income to worthwhile charities. Another young woman is really giving her inheritance away for the greater good.
People will donate most anything-money, their time, blood, their vehicle, jewelry or anything else that is perceived as useful or of value to another person or organization. Why do people donate? What is the motivation behind the gift? I am sure there are teams of sociologists at some institution of higher thinking trying to identify the motivators of giving. The funny thing about human nature is that what motivates one person may not motivate another person.
My very simplistic belief is that people give when they see a need and perceive value in giving to help alleviate that need. This is evident with the recent outpouring of donations for the Katrina/Rita hurricane relief efforts, and Asian Tsunami disaster relief. People could tune in to CNN or Fox News and immediately see the devastation, and decide how they would respond to the need.
According to the American Association of Fundraising Counsel "About 70 to 80 percent of Americans contribute annually to at least one charity. Being a 'philanthropist' does not merely mean making huge gifts; it means giving to any cause that you value." The majority of Americans see a need and respond through charitable giving. The charity of choice varies with each individuals belief system or desire to help a particular cause.
Does this need based giving also hold true for foundations and corporations? I believe it does. When presenting programs to corporate or foundation officers, speak to the need. Help them see the need clearly, and then demonstrate how their help i.e. charitable funds will work to relieve the need. Use statistical data and real life human stories to demonstrate the need. Make it clear and concise and you will have the advantage that motivates the majority of individual Americans to give.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Follow Those Guidelines!
I recently finished two very long and time intensive grant applications. Within the next week, I will start another Federal Grant application. Actually I already started working on that application last week. I eagerly downloaded the application instructions the first day the agency made it available online. I have been combing through the pages of instructions making a to do list of important information that must be either included or done to complete the application. These things include: the due date, the number of copies that must be sent with the proposal , margins, font type and size, required number of letters of collaboration, and/or letters of support and so on.
It is essential to make reading the grant proposal guidelines a part of the grant writing process. These guidelines give special instructions like those mentioned above and sometimes will give more clues as to the funders preferred area of funding, and special initiatives.
Typically, the larger the organization the more complex their application requirements will be. Federal and State agencies require more time intensive, exhaustive information with their proposals. Corporate and family foundations tend to be less strenuous in their application requirements. Of course there are exceptions.
I have found that the more complex instructions can be dissected page by page and a timeline of needed materials established very early in the process. This timeline can be given to department heads or other team members to complete with very specific due dates.
If the application won't be released for several more months and you are chomping at the bit to get started, reviewing the prior years application is helpful to understand what the organization may require in future funding cycles.
I like to try to find out as much as I can about funding priorities or special areas of interest that organizations hold so that I can slant the proposal in that direction to appeal to their interests. Larger applications will often include a rubric or point system the organization will use when scoring the application. Try to write toward the highest score in each category while remaining honest about what the program will be able to offer. Grant application instructions often hold the key to getting your project funded or just remaining another great idea.
It is essential to make reading the grant proposal guidelines a part of the grant writing process. These guidelines give special instructions like those mentioned above and sometimes will give more clues as to the funders preferred area of funding, and special initiatives.
Typically, the larger the organization the more complex their application requirements will be. Federal and State agencies require more time intensive, exhaustive information with their proposals. Corporate and family foundations tend to be less strenuous in their application requirements. Of course there are exceptions.
I have found that the more complex instructions can be dissected page by page and a timeline of needed materials established very early in the process. This timeline can be given to department heads or other team members to complete with very specific due dates.
If the application won't be released for several more months and you are chomping at the bit to get started, reviewing the prior years application is helpful to understand what the organization may require in future funding cycles.
I like to try to find out as much as I can about funding priorities or special areas of interest that organizations hold so that I can slant the proposal in that direction to appeal to their interests. Larger applications will often include a rubric or point system the organization will use when scoring the application. Try to write toward the highest score in each category while remaining honest about what the program will be able to offer. Grant application instructions often hold the key to getting your project funded or just remaining another great idea.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Surviving Disasters
Several people have recently asked me if donations to nonprofit organizations will be affected by this years disasters such as the Tsunami in Asia, and Hurrican Katrina. My simple answer is "Yes".
A recent study conducted by the Association of Fundrasing Professionals showed that 20% of donors who responded to the survey admitted that they had diverted their charitable gift(s) from organizations they traditionally supported to the tsunami relief efforts.
Americans will continue to donate generously, but will give more to catastrophic relief efforts, and will have to decrease their giving to their regular or favorite charities. After the September 11, 2001 attack on America, charities outside of relief efforts felt the strain of reduced giving as people gave to help the those most affected by the attacks.
Katrina is another domestic disaster that individuals and corporations immediately responded to by providing goods and monetary donations. Since this is a national crisis and not one experienced overseas, Americans will dig even deeper to donate their time and money. This will profoundly impact the ability of other than disaster relief non-profits to maintain the same level of revenue as they have in recent years.
As noted above, 20% of individuals stated that they diverted giving to their regular charity in order to provide assistance to the Tsunami efforts in 2005. We can assume that at least 20% of Americans will do the same with the Katrina relief efforts, although I believe it will be a much higher percentage since this disaster took place on American soil. 20% of the $1.2 billion reportedly raised as of September 22, 2005 by the Chronicle of Philanthropy for the Katrina relief effforts means that approximately $240 million has already been redirected away from other non-profit groups because of donor diversion. This will affect the homeless shelters ability to provide hot meals, elder care will be reduced, and museums and art facilities will have close their doors early.
Yes, the impact of Katrina is being felt across the nation and will continue to be felt for years to come throughout the entire country.
A recent study conducted by the Association of Fundrasing Professionals showed that 20% of donors who responded to the survey admitted that they had diverted their charitable gift(s) from organizations they traditionally supported to the tsunami relief efforts.
Americans will continue to donate generously, but will give more to catastrophic relief efforts, and will have to decrease their giving to their regular or favorite charities. After the September 11, 2001 attack on America, charities outside of relief efforts felt the strain of reduced giving as people gave to help the those most affected by the attacks.
Katrina is another domestic disaster that individuals and corporations immediately responded to by providing goods and monetary donations. Since this is a national crisis and not one experienced overseas, Americans will dig even deeper to donate their time and money. This will profoundly impact the ability of other than disaster relief non-profits to maintain the same level of revenue as they have in recent years.
As noted above, 20% of individuals stated that they diverted giving to their regular charity in order to provide assistance to the Tsunami efforts in 2005. We can assume that at least 20% of Americans will do the same with the Katrina relief efforts, although I believe it will be a much higher percentage since this disaster took place on American soil. 20% of the $1.2 billion reportedly raised as of September 22, 2005 by the Chronicle of Philanthropy for the Katrina relief effforts means that approximately $240 million has already been redirected away from other non-profit groups because of donor diversion. This will affect the homeless shelters ability to provide hot meals, elder care will be reduced, and museums and art facilities will have close their doors early.
Yes, the impact of Katrina is being felt across the nation and will continue to be felt for years to come throughout the entire country.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Communicating With Potential Funders
Now you have done your research and and found potential funders for your program or project. Do you just submit the grant proposal, cross your fingers and hope for the best? Not if you really want to get funded.
Contacting the corporation or foundation prior to submitting the application is crucial. Sometimes funders will change their published focus of funding from year to year. Events such as the recent Katrina hurricane in the Gulf Coast states can and will affect an organizations giving strategy. Perhaps at the beginning of August some organizations would consider a gift to a museum or university. Now, since the disaster that same organization is changing its focus to help primarily with hurricane relief. A telephone call or email to the appropripe person to discuss their current ability/desire to give to your organization will help you to avoid wasting time in submitting an application to the wrong organization.
So how do you call or email if they do not publish that contact information or state in their literature "We do not accept telephone calls?" Some organizations want you to call and talk to them while others do not have the personnel to field calls or email. This is where your Board of Directors, friends, community partners and others who have a stake in your organization can help. Submit a list to those people that contain the names of the funding organizations Board of Trustees, and staff. Find out who knows who on that list. Perhaps one of your Board members knows one of their Board members through the Rotary club, church or other personal arena. Your Board member can make an informed call or request a meeting to discuss the impact that your program will have on the community. This person will hopefully be able to advise you based on information they know about the funder.This enhances the research you have already collected.
The point is that grantwriting is a team effort. No one person should be expedted to be the Lone Grant Ranger. You can have the best proposal ever written and yet it may be rejected because of limitations the funder may have. The more information you have the better prepared you will be to submit your grant request to the appropriate organization. It really is more about who you know than what you know or do in this field. Of course this is not the case with government funding sources. More on that another time...
Our hearts go out to the people affected by Katrina. If you would like to donate to a reputable organization click the links below to go to their website(s):
Red Cross
Salvation Army
Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund
Contacting the corporation or foundation prior to submitting the application is crucial. Sometimes funders will change their published focus of funding from year to year. Events such as the recent Katrina hurricane in the Gulf Coast states can and will affect an organizations giving strategy. Perhaps at the beginning of August some organizations would consider a gift to a museum or university. Now, since the disaster that same organization is changing its focus to help primarily with hurricane relief. A telephone call or email to the appropripe person to discuss their current ability/desire to give to your organization will help you to avoid wasting time in submitting an application to the wrong organization.
So how do you call or email if they do not publish that contact information or state in their literature "We do not accept telephone calls?" Some organizations want you to call and talk to them while others do not have the personnel to field calls or email. This is where your Board of Directors, friends, community partners and others who have a stake in your organization can help. Submit a list to those people that contain the names of the funding organizations Board of Trustees, and staff. Find out who knows who on that list. Perhaps one of your Board members knows one of their Board members through the Rotary club, church or other personal arena. Your Board member can make an informed call or request a meeting to discuss the impact that your program will have on the community. This person will hopefully be able to advise you based on information they know about the funder.This enhances the research you have already collected.
The point is that grantwriting is a team effort. No one person should be expedted to be the Lone Grant Ranger. You can have the best proposal ever written and yet it may be rejected because of limitations the funder may have. The more information you have the better prepared you will be to submit your grant request to the appropriate organization. It really is more about who you know than what you know or do in this field. Of course this is not the case with government funding sources. More on that another time...
Our hearts go out to the people affected by Katrina. If you would like to donate to a reputable organization click the links below to go to their website(s):
Red Cross
Salvation Army
Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Finding Funders
Now that you have a well thought out program plan on paper, and your executive leadership have made the program an organizational priority you are ready to move on to the next step in grant development.
There is no magic wand to wave in order to find potential funders for your program or project. This will take a lot of time to research and build appropriate relationships with potential funders. The key is to identify funders that have the propensity to give to organizations with programs like yours. Oodles of funding search software and online programs are available to help your research efforts. Currently one of the the most comprehensive sets of data can be purchased through the Foundation Center. The data can be obtained online, via CD or through books. Many other companies offer resources that are less costly and sometimes free of charge. The Foundation Center library can be accessed through many universities across the country.
Whatever source you use, start locally. Businesses and smaller foundations in your city or region are more likely to give to an organization in their own hometown. You are less likely to receive funding from the larger foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, or The Ford Foundation that may have more assets than your local family foundation, but receive hordes of grant proposals each year.
Make sure you check each funders grant guidelines or area of focus. This can normally be done through their website if they have one or by writing or calling for their application instructions. Determine if the organization is a good match with your program. This means if the foundation (or corporation) guidelines state that they do not give funding for capital campaigns/building renovations, don't send an application to them asking for funding for your new roof. Check their areas of interest. Have they funded educational or health related organizations in the past? More in depth research can be done regarding the Foundations prior years grant giving, assets and other financial information through Guidestar. This is a free service, but you must register.
Once you believe that a potential funder is a good match, contact with the organization should be made. More later on how to contact potential funders and begin building those all important relationships.
There is no magic wand to wave in order to find potential funders for your program or project. This will take a lot of time to research and build appropriate relationships with potential funders. The key is to identify funders that have the propensity to give to organizations with programs like yours. Oodles of funding search software and online programs are available to help your research efforts. Currently one of the the most comprehensive sets of data can be purchased through the Foundation Center. The data can be obtained online, via CD or through books. Many other companies offer resources that are less costly and sometimes free of charge. The Foundation Center library can be accessed through many universities across the country.
Whatever source you use, start locally. Businesses and smaller foundations in your city or region are more likely to give to an organization in their own hometown. You are less likely to receive funding from the larger foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, or The Ford Foundation that may have more assets than your local family foundation, but receive hordes of grant proposals each year.
Make sure you check each funders grant guidelines or area of focus. This can normally be done through their website if they have one or by writing or calling for their application instructions. Determine if the organization is a good match with your program. This means if the foundation (or corporation) guidelines state that they do not give funding for capital campaigns/building renovations, don't send an application to them asking for funding for your new roof. Check their areas of interest. Have they funded educational or health related organizations in the past? More in depth research can be done regarding the Foundations prior years grant giving, assets and other financial information through Guidestar. This is a free service, but you must register.
Once you believe that a potential funder is a good match, contact with the organization should be made. More later on how to contact potential funders and begin building those all important relationships.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Goals and objectives and activities.. oh my!!
Much like Dorothy and her friends in the Wizard of Oz felt when entering the forest chanting lions and tigers and bears, the process of identifying goals, objectives and activities can be downright intimidating. A goal is defined in the Websters New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, as "An object or end that one strives to attain." According to Dictionary.com, objective is defined as " Something worked toward or striven for; a goal." Now then those definitions make the difference as clear as mud right? So what is the difference?
For the sake of program planning, goals are directly tied to the problem and the mission of the organization. The goal is the result of the main problem being addressed. In simpler terms, the goal explains the benefit that the project will have on the target population. An example of a goal for a new charter high school may be "To provide a solid educational foundation for each student." A program or project can have more than one goal, but they should be broad and somewhat generalized.
Objectives spell out what needs to be met in order to achieve the goal. These must be specific and measurable. For example-93% of all high school seniors will graduate within four years. This shows that students are gaining knowledge and able to succeed in school.
Other objectives should be indicators that students are receiving a solid education, which is the goal. Realistically there should be about 4-5 objectives per goal in order to make each objective obtainable. This will vary depending on the scope of the program.
Finally, activities are the bread and butter of the program. They show exactly who will do what to meet the objectives and ultimately the goal. Examples of activities may include- Students and their teachers will formulate a learning plan each semster to increase their chance of successful graduation. Another activity may be-The school counselor will meet with each student on a monthly basis to ensure the student is following his or her learning plan. Activities should be carefully planned as actual people will be responsible for their delivery.
For the sake of program planning, goals are directly tied to the problem and the mission of the organization. The goal is the result of the main problem being addressed. In simpler terms, the goal explains the benefit that the project will have on the target population. An example of a goal for a new charter high school may be "To provide a solid educational foundation for each student." A program or project can have more than one goal, but they should be broad and somewhat generalized.
Objectives spell out what needs to be met in order to achieve the goal. These must be specific and measurable. For example-93% of all high school seniors will graduate within four years. This shows that students are gaining knowledge and able to succeed in school.
Other objectives should be indicators that students are receiving a solid education, which is the goal. Realistically there should be about 4-5 objectives per goal in order to make each objective obtainable. This will vary depending on the scope of the program.
Finally, activities are the bread and butter of the program. They show exactly who will do what to meet the objectives and ultimately the goal. Examples of activities may include- Students and their teachers will formulate a learning plan each semster to increase their chance of successful graduation. Another activity may be-The school counselor will meet with each student on a monthly basis to ensure the student is following his or her learning plan. Activities should be carefully planned as actual people will be responsible for their delivery.
Monday, August 01, 2005
But I need to have something to write about...
If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me to "Just write up a grant..." I could live very comfortably. I often reply that "I need something to write about." I cannot just create a proposal out of thin air. There needs to be a plan to convey to potential funders.
Planning is key to developing a well thought out program or project. Grant proposal writing is actually one of the steps in program planning, it is not the plan itself. Many non-profits bypass the planning stage due to limited staff size, or eagerness to bring an initiative to life.
Planning should include, at a minimum, the following basic elements:
Planning is key to developing a well thought out program or project. Grant proposal writing is actually one of the steps in program planning, it is not the plan itself. Many non-profits bypass the planning stage due to limited staff size, or eagerness to bring an initiative to life.
Planning should include, at a minimum, the following basic elements:
- The Project Goal-What benefit(s) will the project bring?
- The Target Population-Who will benefit?
- Documentation of Need-Why is this project needed?
- Objectives-What objectives need to be met in order to achieve the goal?
- Activities-Who will do what to meet the objectives?
- Staffing Needs
- Timeline of Activities
- Estimated Budget (3 years for new programs)
- Evaluation-How will you measure whether or not the goal has been reached?
The program plan is very similar to a business plan for a corporation. There are helpful websites and software that can take you through the planning process step by step. Business Plan Pro offered through http://www.paloalto.com is a comprehensive business plan software package that takes you through a series of questions, with a nonprofit option built into the program, in order to formulate the basics of a comprehensive plan.
It is essential that key staff, the Executive Director and even Board members take the time to properly plan a new program. Ideally the new program or project should be planned out for three years.
It is also recommend that current or ongoing programs continue planning through the evaluation process. During evaluation the organization is asking what did or did not work and what adjustments need to be made in order to ensure the program's continued success.
More later on the differences between goals, objectives and activities.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Welcome!
I am very excited about joining the world of blogging! I will utilize this forum to share my experiences as a professional fundraiser and writer. My area of expertise is working with non-profit organizations to develop their programs and projects to the point where they are grant-worthy.
I will discuss the full gamut of grant development such as:
I will discuss the full gamut of grant development such as:
- Developing a plan
- Searching for funders
- Building strong community relationships
- Grant proposal writing
- Grant reporting
- Evaluation methods
- And much more...
I will attempt to add to the blog at least once a month. My next post will discuss why planning is so important to the grant writing process.
Valerie
Grant Consulting Services
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