Category Archives: grant seeking

3 Grant Writing Resolutions You Shouldn’t Ignore

I have never been a big fan of New Year’s resolutions.  I’m much more of a continuous improvement kind of gal.  I think the time to make a resolution to do something is any time that you see the need for improvement.

When it comes to grant writing, there are 3 grant writing resolutions that you shouldn’t ignore during any time of year.

  1. Make grant seeking a priority. As much as it would be nice for great opportunities to just fall into your lap, they usually don’t.  You have to go look for them. Develop a plan for checking grant sources regularly throughout the upcoming year to make sure you don’t miss any opportunities. If you’re interested in federal grants, check grants.gov.  For private grants, take a look at http://foundationcenter.org/.  
  2. Work with a professional grant writer this year.  Aren’t you tired of spending all that time working on grant proposals that never get funded?  Even if you choose not to work with a professional for all of your grant projects, at least give it a try so you can learn how it works and what the benefits can be for you and your organization. 
  3. Learn more about the grant writing process.  Whether you are writing your own grants or working with a professional grant writer, if you have never taken a course in grant writing, now is the time to do it. There are many options out there; just be sure the grant writing course you choose is taught by a successful professional grant writer who is still writing grants.  Try our Grant Writing 101 course at GrantGoddess University, or one of the other courses or seminars we offer.

These are the first steps toward being more successful with your grant efforts and bringing more money into your organization this year.

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Published by Creative Resources & Research http://grantgoddess.com

If It’s Not Right, Just Say No

I did a BlogTalkRadio broadcast on Saturday about two new RFPs that came out last Friday – Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools and Grants for Integrating Schools with Mental Health Systems. On the radio show, I summarized the details of each grant opportunity – deadlines, eligibility requirements, funding priorities, available funding, etc.

One of the details for Grants for Integrating Schools with Mental Health Systems is that grant funds cannot be used to fund direct services for students.

Since then, I’ve had two conversations with people who want to know if there is any way they could use that funding source to pay for a school counselor.  The answer was, “Not if that counselor is going to provide any direct services to students.” Both then followed up with several questions asking if we could find a way to describe the counselor’s duties that would be acceptable to get them funded, but then they went on to make their intent clear – that the counselor would be providing direct services to students.  My answer, “No.”

When you have an intensive need, it’s very tempting to try to make the square peg of what you need fit into the round hole of what the funder is offering, but it is never a good idea. Not only can it be unethical, but ultimately, it won’t help you get closer to the achievement of your mission.

In the case of my example, I advised these clients to wait for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program grants.  That source will fund school counselors.  It’s a square hole made to fit the client’s square peg.

Keep looking, you’ll find the funding source that fits your needs.

If you find one that’s not right for you, just say no.

If It’s Not Right, Just Say No

I did a BlogTalkRadio broadcast on Saturday about two new RFPs that came out last Friday – Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools and Grants for Integrating Schools with Mental Health Systems. On the radio show, I summarized the details of each grant opportunity – deadlines, eligibility requirements, funding priorities, available funding, etc.

One of the details for Grants for Integrating Schools with Mental Health Systems is that grant funds cannot be used to fund direct services for students.

Since then, I’ve had two conversations with people who want to know if there is any way they could use that funding source to pay for a school counselor.  The answer was, “Not if that counselor is going to provide any direct services to students.” Both then followed up with several questions asking if we could find a way to describe the counselor’s duties that would be acceptable to get them funded, but then they went on to make their intent clear – that the counselor would be providing direct services to students.  My answer, “No.”

When you have an intensive need, it’s very tempting to try to make the square peg of what you need fit into the round hole of what the funder is offering, but it is never a good idea. Not only can it be unethical, but ultimately, it won’t help you get closer to the achievement of your mission.

In the case of my example, I advised these clients to wait for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program grants.  That source will fund school counselors.  It’s a square hole made to fit the client’s square peg.

Keep looking, you’ll find the funding source that fits your needs.

If you find one that’s not right for you, just say no.

Published by Creative Resources & Research http://grantgoddess.com

Resource: The Foundation Center

The Foundation Center website is full of valuable information for individual and non-profit grant seekers. In addition to giving access to The Foundation Directory (both paper and online versions), the site gives you access to a plethora of online training opportunities. Some of them are offered for a fee, but some a totally free.

You can also sign up for a number of very valuable free email newsletters that will send even more grant seeking and grant writing resources directly to your inbox.

Take a few minutes to explore this valuable resource.

Resource: The Foundation Center

The Foundation Center website is full of valuable information for individual and non-profit grant seekers. In addition to giving access to The Foundation Directory (both paper and online versions), the site gives you access to a plethora of online training opportunities. Some of them are offered for a fee, but some a totally free.

You can also sign up for a number of very valuable free email newsletters that will send even more grant seeking and grant writing resources directly to your inbox.

Take a few minutes to explore this valuable resource.

Published by Creative Resources & Research http://grantgoddess.com

Is this the longest grant season ever, or what?

I was chatting with some folks back in January about the potential for this year’s grant writing season and, at that time, none of us really knew what was going to happen. Would the poor economy cause the grant business to dry up? Would there be more grants than usual because of the availability of federal stimulus money?

I was pleasantly surprised early in the season when so many grants appeared so early. We were submitting federal education and DOJ grants in January, which is a little early, compared to most years. A little bit of stimulus money appeared in the form of discretionary grants, but not much. The season slowed a little in April (I even released the temporary help that I hired for the season) and we thought it was over.

Then came the second wave of releases, and now we’re working on projects that are due in June. A lot of them.

By June I’m usually cleaning off my desk and planning some vacation time (when I’m not at a Giants game, anyway).

This year is a little different. The season keeps going, and going, and going…….which is, of course, really good news. It’s great news for me and my staff. It’s also really good news for any of you who were a little busy worried about things in your organization to get a jump on the grant season this year.

There are still some really good opportunities out there.

Get busy!

Is this the longest grant season ever, or what?

I was chatting with some folks back in January about the potential for this year’s grant writing season and, at that time, none of us really knew what was going to happen. Would the poor economy cause the grant business to dry up? Would there be more grants than usual because of the availability of federal stimulus money?

I was pleasantly surprised early in the season when so many grants appeared so early. We were submitting federal education and DOJ grants in January, which is a little early, compared to most years. A little bit of stimulus money appeared in the form of discretionary grants, but not much. The season slowed a little in April (I even released the temporary help that I hired for the season) and we thought it was over.

Then came the second wave of releases, and now we’re working on projects that are due in June. A lot of them.

By June I’m usually cleaning off my desk and planning some vacation time (when I’m not at a Giants game, anyway).

This year is a little different. The season keeps going, and going, and going…….which is, of course, really good news. It’s great news for me and my staff. It’s also really good news for any of you who were a little busy worried about things in your organization to get a jump on the grant season this year.

There are still some really good opportunities out there.

Get busy!

Published by Creative Resources & Research http://grantgoddess.com

Grant Opportunities in Tough Economic Times – Separating Myth from Reality

It’s hard to escape messages about the troubled state of the economy these days. On television, the radio, even in casual conversations on the street, it seems like everyone is talking about difficult economic conditions and the dismal prospects for the next few years. I have had several conversations about grant writing with folks in the last few days, and the theme I hear is the same – “There probably won’t be any good grants out this year because of the economy.” Well, that is not necessarily so.

Let’s separate some myth from reality:

Myth – A downturn in the economy always means fewer grant opportunities. This is just not so. There are many factors that affect the availability of grant opportunities.

Myth – There will not be any grant applications out this year. Not so. I already have the scoop on several RFPs that are in the editing process and on their way out. Keep your eyes open.

Myth – The change in presidential administration will mean fewer grant opportunities. Again, this is not necessarily so. In fact, Democratic administrations historically have favored discretionary grant opportunities as a way of distributing funds, particularly for programs for disadvantaged youth. Republican administrations prefer direct grants to states, but they have never eliminated discretionary grant competitions completely (case in point, haven’t there been a bunch of federal grants available in the last eight years?).

Reality – We are going through an economic rough patch and this will have some effect of federal and state budgets. Indeed, it has already had some effect on grant funding. It is unclear, though, exactly what the full impact will be.

Reality – With a change in presidential administration, there are many uncertainties in the grant world. So, we have to watch and wait a bit. What’s new?

Reality – Most economic downturns don’t last more than a year or two.

Reality – When economic times are hard, grant opportunities have historically been one way that government officials have chosen to distribute limited funds.

So, let’s all stay calm. Be patient. There will be grant opportunities available this year – and next year, too. We just need to be prepared for change and ready to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. Do your grant planning as you would in any other year, and watch for the right opportunities for your organization to become available.

Are you ready?

Grant Opportunities in Tough Economic Times – Separating Myth from Reality

It’s hard to escape messages about the troubled state of the economy these days. On television, the radio, even in casual conversations on the street, it seems like everyone is talking about difficult economic conditions and the dismal prospects for the next few years. I have had several conversations about grant writing with folks in the last few days, and the theme I hear is the same – “There probably won’t be any good grants out this year because of the economy.” Well, that is not necessarily so.

Let’s separate some myth from reality:

Myth – A downturn in the economy always means fewer grant opportunities. This is just not so. There are many factors that affect the availability of grant opportunities.

Myth – There will not be any grant applications out this year. Not so. I already have the scoop on several RFPs that are in the editing process and on their way out. Keep your eyes open.

Myth – The change in presidential administration will mean fewer grant opportunities. Again, this is not necessarily so. In fact, Democratic administrations historically have favored discretionary grant opportunities as a way of distributing funds, particularly for programs for disadvantaged youth. Republican administrations prefer direct grants to states, but they have never eliminated discretionary grant competitions completely (case in point, haven’t there been a bunch of federal grants available in the last eight years?).

Reality – We are going through an economic rough patch and this will have some effect of federal and state budgets. Indeed, it has already had some effect on grant funding. It is unclear, though, exactly what the full impact will be.

Reality – With a change in presidential administration, there are many uncertainties in the grant world. So, we have to watch and wait a bit. What’s new?

Reality – Most economic downturns don’t last more than a year or two.

Reality – When economic times are hard, grant opportunities have historically been one way that government officials have chosen to distribute limited funds.

So, let’s all stay calm. Be patient. There will be grant opportunities available this year – and next year, too. We just need to be prepared for change and ready to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. Do your grant planning as you would in any other year, and watch for the right opportunities for your organization to become available.

Are you ready?

Published by Creative Resources & Research http://grantgoddess.com

Evaluating When a Grant Opportunity is Right for Your Organization

I just published a hub page on “Evaluating When a Grant Opportunity is Right for Your Organization.”

I can’t tell you how many times organizations approach us just wanting money. Sometimes they come with a grant application in hand that is clearly not right for them. Pursuing grants that are not right for you is usually a futile effort.

Learn how to know when an opportunity is really right for you.