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One of the best ways for nonprofit organizations to acquire the capital funding necessary t o operate their programs is to solicit for nonprofit grants. Nonprofit grants usually are given to organizations from the local, state or federal government agencies or private organizations. Many nonprofit organizations are great at fundraising and soliciting for donations but for whatever reason they have not ventured into sourcing funding from nonprofit grants. When soliciting for a nonprofit grant from either a government agency or private organization, you will need to create a grant proposal. The grant proposal will introduce your organization to the positional funding source, give them a clear understanding of your organization’s purpose and give a decryption of your organization’s planned programs and specific objectives. It will also provide a clear description of your organization’s purposed budget, your specific qualifications, and a conclusion wrapping up all of the information. Below you will see an outline of a grant proposal.

 Cover Letter (one page)

Provide a clear, concise overview of the organization, purpose and reason for and amount of the funding request. 

Cover Sheet (1/2 page)

Also called an executive summary, this case statement and proposal summary is the most important component of your proposal. Summarize all of the key information and convince the grantmaker to consider your proposal for funding.

Narrative (10-15 Pages)

• Needs Assessment (Problem Statement) (3-4 Pages)

Objectively address specific situation, opportunity, problem, issue, need, and the community your proposal addresses.

• Program Goals and Objectives (1 – 2 pages)

Describe the outcome of the grant in measurable terms; in a succinct description of the proposed project outcome and accomplishments, including your overall goal.

• Methodology (4 + Pages)

Describe the process to be used to achieve the outcome and accomplishments.

• Evaluation (1 – 2 Pages)

Determine the plan for meeting performance and producing the program/project and justify how you will measure the effectiveness of your activities

Budget

Clearly delineate costs to be met by the funder and all other funding sources; outline both administrative and program costs.

For specific projects, include separate budgets for the general operating and the special project. Show income and expenses in columnar form (according to general accounting/bookkeeping principles).

Qualifications (1-2 pages)

Describe applicant, qualifications for funding and establish credibility. 

Conclusion (1/2 page)

Present a brief, concise summary of your proposal that states your case, problem, solution and sources/uses of project/program funds.

Hopefully this article will allow your organization to add a new funding source to the fundraising, donations, and soliciting that you are currently undertaking. Be sure that your grant proposal clearly introduces your organization to the positional funding source, gives them a clear understanding of your organization’s purpose, and provides a description of your organization’s planned programs and specific objectives. It should also provide a clear description of your organization’s proposed budget, your specific qualifications, and a conclusion wraps up all of the information. Your nonprofit organization should take advantage of all fundraising sources including nonprofit grants.