The founding of local and international non-profit organizations aims to alleviate major social problems that hinder human development. But what hampers their desire to help underserved members of the population is the lack of resources.
Despite the presence of countless volunteers, the lack of funds to put planned programs and projects into reality is, indeed, the very reason why valuable projects are often set aside. Thanks to the establishment of generous foundations for they are the ones helping non-profit organizations strive and pursue their selfless initiative!
Not all foundations are keen on assisting any type of group. In fact, they are very much particular with the specifics of their target beneficiaries. While some award financial aids to individuals through scholarship, some have other fields of interest of giving and meticulous requirements in determining allocation of funds per field. In spite of all these differences, all funding institutions commonly require applicants to submit necessary documentation together with the proposal.
Writing a Formal Request
Getting the demanded funds is not as easy as it seems. Interested applicants must submit a hard copy of the proposal, along with all other pertinent documents and attachments. Thus, it is really important that an organization must learn to write effective proposals, so as to convince the institution of the intense need for financial assistance.
First and foremost, the applicant ought to know that grant writing is a formal writing. It involves extensive research and contains various sections presented in order. To give you a hint, here's what a formal request usually contain:
- Cover page.This serves as the front page of the document.
- Executive summary.This single-spaced page summarizes the content in more or less 250 words.
- Introduction.This section usually gives detailed information about organizational background, mission and vision statements, and key personnel and their prime duties and responsibilities.
- Needs assessment.This justifies the need for the proposed project by citing related literatures and successful stories from the past, ideally within the previous 10 years.
- Goals and objectives.This cites the proponent's objective(s) in proposing the plan to eventually achieve long-term goals.
- Project significance.From the term itself, this section discusses the importance of launching the program and of addressing particular social issues that need to be resolved by the proposed activity.
- Project method and design.This elaborates the project's target beneficiaries or participants, location, advertising strategies, list of supporters, and timeline of activities.
- Expected outcomes.This enumerates all of the anticipated results if the proposed program is given a chance to materialize.
- References.This provides detailed information about related literatures and other cited sources.
Securing the Funds
While there is no standard format to follow in writing the request, it still better to learn to write grants as if it is the real passion of the writer. Try to include inspirational stories, factual data and statistics, and accurate statements, so as to give possible funders hint about the proponent's honesty and perseverance in achieving the organizational goal, which is in line with that of the funder's.
Following the aforesaid tips will surely help non-profit organizations in securing the requested budget and eventually, in fulfilling their earnest endeavors. However, if they find it as a daunting activity, then, they may opt to hire services from professional writers.
Erin Millano has always been passionate to improve the quality of life of marginalized, low-income individuals, and families. She is a lobbyist, freelance photojournalist, and proposal writer.