When & how to apply for grants (Grant Writing 4 of 5)
After learning WHO you can apply to for a grant, as well as WHAT goes into a request, you need to tackle the HOW and WHEN questions. We outline them both in this episode…
First let’s talk HOW…
📫#1 = Some, you send in the mail
🖥️ #2 = Increasingly, more are going to online applications
Note: don’t discount “mail in.” Those are the ones for which we’ve received some of our highest awards.
Next, let’s talk WHEN…
📌 #1 = Anytime applications (send at any point in the year)
📌 #2 = Specific time applications (some foundations take requests only at designated times)
(Also, some foundations require “permission to apply.”)
How do you tackle this and then manage it?
Here’s a pro tip that will help:
👉 Make a calendar of when each of these are due.
👉 Fill in the “specific due dates” first and then back-fill the gaps with those which have no deadline— such that you send out the same amount of grants each month, keeping the workflow the same.
Let’s go a step further…
7 suggestions related to the above:
#1 = Make a master list of grant makers— and add to it constantly.
#2 = Make a note of how much you think they will give, the kind of applications they require (online or mail-in), and other things you learn about them.
#3 = Review your list each month— and work on the “next month” that is due (i.e., if grants are due September 15, work on them August 1).
#4 = Spend 1-2 days per month doing nothing but grant requests— all day.
#5 = Keep good records of what you apply for— and what they accept / reject.
#6 = Follow-up with everyone (they generally tell you how long it takes to get a decision), so you can build a relationship the “gate-keepers.
#7 = Send the same— or similar— grant requests to all grant makers.
++++++++++++
The 5-part nonprofit framework highlights the core areas you need to address to move the mission forward:
⚙️ Path (or program) = what clients do, what they’re taught, how you impact the people you serve
⚙️ People (job descriptions, staff expectations) = clarity for both paid staff and an army of volunteers alike
⚙️ Proceses = policies, procedures, and more… so the mission can move forward without micromanagement
⚙️ Place = the environment or culture you set (because it’s not only WHAT we do that matters but also HOW we do it)
⚙️ Purse = your funding strategy (because it takes money to fund the mission and you can only run the mission as far as they money will fuel it)
++++++++++++
Links for this talk
Free access to the grant template = https://www.amplifyonline.info/GPP
How we can help nonprofit leaders— the framework = www.AmplifyOnline.info/501c3
The “Grant-Making Machine” on-demand course, with worksheets, templates, etc. = https://www.amplifyonline.info/GMM
Need help? Let’s talk = www.AmplifyOnline.info/talk
