Q. What is a grant?
A grant is an opportunity and it is an investment. Winning a grant is an opportunity because with it comes new funding to undertake a project, continue a program, build a new facility, or operate an organization. The grant maker invests in the grant winner and wants to see the grant funding result in a positive outcome.
Q. What is a grant writer?
A grant writer is someone knowledgable about grant makers and the methods used to communicate with them. A grant writer is also a manager who can plan and direct meetings, bring grantors to the grant seeker's site, and form teams tasked to provide information vital to a winning grant proposal. The winning grantwriter is a logical, clear, and concise writer who can understand the complexities of a project and
can transform them into readable prose. A skilled grantwriter can write passionately about the grant seeker's project, while making a cogent argument for funding.
Q. What is a grant proposal?
A grant proposal is a written document that describes a project in a manner such that the grant maker can understand the grant seeker's needs, the method for meeting those needs, and the financial structure of the project. By means of a well-written grant proposal, a grant maker can make a decision whether or not to fund the organization, its program(s), its operations or its plan for new facilities.
Q. How do you find grant opportunities?
It takes skill to navigate a variety of sources, including specialized databases that are useful in finding grant opportunities. A grantwriter is tireless in accumulating data about potential sources of funding, from wealthy individuals and foundations to corporations and governments. By finding the right grant maker for the project, the skilled grantwriter can win grants while saving time and money in their pursuit.
Q. What is a non-profit organization?
A U.S. non-profit organization will have been assigned, because of its charitable purpose, a tax status under a provision in the U.S. tax law known as the 501(c)(3). Non-profits are not taxed on revenue and donations to non-profits are tax deductable. With the exception of some foundations that are owned by corporations, all US non-profits must file a 990 and this annual report of activities is a matter of public record, available on-line. The 990 contains information of value to grantwriters, including contact information, annual receipts, grants awarded and board members.
Q. Who can get grants?
Grants are given to any non-profit organizations designated 501(c)3 by the IRS. Local, county and state governments, schools and small businesses can receive grant funding. Grants are rarely awarded to individuals, with some exceptions, such as students, artists and scientists. One of the jobs of the grant writer is to find the right funders for the grant seeker's project so that the search for grants is focused and efficient.
Q. How much money can you get from a grant?
There is a broad range of grant money available, but it is awarded according to need and sustainability. Grant seekers should determine their funding needs and their prospects for success before applying for grant support. They do this by creating a detailed budget for their program or project, projected over 3 to 5 years. Many grant makers require an audit and 3 years of 990 filing. Having determined the amount of money the grant seeker needs to pursue its goals and reach its objectives, they can work with the grant writer to best write a proposal that justifies the amount of money requested.