Being kind wholeheartedly is but a human nature. People usually care a lot for other individuals. While some give donations to those hit by calamities, volunteer for worthwhile activities, and advocate various valuable causes; many, on the other hand, establish foundations to help non-profit organizations in the implementation of their programs and projects benefiting the underserved members of the population. For them, these acts are the true spirits of humanity.
United in One Mission
Donors, volunteers, and advocates all have something in common-they all have the initiative to lend a helping hand and the heart to alleviate human suffering.
Foundations are built with the primary aim to achieve their organizational mission of providing opportunities to all, to live their lives to the fullest, and to eventually attain a good community to live in.
Foundations assist through financial awards. To qualify for their assistance, all they require is a proposal that can justify the need for financial aid. Since there is no standard format in making a proposal, fund seekers frequently fail to get the award due to the document itself. With its significance, it is important that they follow a guide to grant writing for them to put their worthwhile plans into reality.
Key to Getting Funded
While there is no standard format in crafting the document, it is still better that to always adhere to the guidelines set by the funding institution. This simple adherence and compliance may convince funders to fund certain projects. Remember that they are very much particular with the things that they want to see in the document, as well as with the process to follow.
Apart from following the instructions, here are some of the other reminders in writing a proposal for an organization's project:
- Make sure that the mission and goals of the foundation match yours and revolve around the same focus of interest. Bear in mind that not all foundations are interested to fund any type of project. Some may particularly choose to help non-profits that assist one or more of the following segments of the population: low income families, the elderly, children or youth, students, women, and minorities.
- A guide to effective grant writing must include the sections that are also usually included in the request document. These sections include the introduction, organizational background, mission and vision statements and key personnel of the organization, needs assessment, goals and objectives, project significance, project methods and design, budget plan, timeline of activities, anticipated outcomes, cited references, and executive summary.
- Every proposal should come with letters. Not all funders require these but some of them want seekers to submit a letter of inquiry prior to the submission of the entire document. Some require letter of intent. Above all, it is important to always present the paper with a cover letter that summarizes the request.
- Do not forget to attach necessary documents, such as certificate of incorporation and by-laws, copy of the IRS' approval letter for the tax exempt status of the organization, audited financial statement for the last completed year, list of current budget and other possible sources of funding and their uses, list of supporters, letter of support or endorsements, brief biographies or resumes of the group's key personnel, and other files that may be required or specified by the funder.
As a final note, the organization should remember to always attach only those required by the funding institution. Customize these attachments based on their specifications, so that the application won't be disregarded. Lastly, submit the final output on time.
This article may be used as a helpful guide to grant writing in order to secure the demanded funding assistance of the organization.
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.
