Your ministry will likely continue or develop a need to count on foundation grant support for your programs and projects. Yet funding is not easy to come by at this time. This makes expanding your grant writing capacity all-important. You need a strategy. The following are four key components of an effective strategy.
Explore collaborative grant writing opportunities for joint and/or regional grant applications. Partnering with local stakeholder organizations improves your ministry’s chances of gaining funding and reduces your grant writing costs.
Foundation support specifically for collaborative efforts is rising partly as a result of the economy. But even before the economy turned downward, foundations were supporting collaboration. Collaborative efforts are by no means easy and they can be quite difficult. Done right, it is well worth the efforts and can result in a significant win-win situation for ministries concerned. The reason is simple -- collaborating organizations address problems more effectively as a team rather than as independent organizations. Their programs benefit from more diverse expertise and ideas, from more people being involved in the program, and from more people lobbying for the program in the community and enlisting others to do the same.
Under collaboration, your ministry avoids assuming all the grant development costs as the expenses can be divided among all the partnering organizations. It is a cost efficient way to grow the funding pie for the ministry and local partners engaged in like-minded efforts.
Budget appropriate funds for grant writing related expenses. For many ministries a grant writing budget will include a fully staffed grant development office along with all of the appropriate tolls, resources, and research databases. However, it is not always necessary or most cost effective to employ a full-time grant writer and associated staff. Often a grant writing consulting agency can meet your needs while provide a significant savings to the ministry. But it is a mistake for ministries not to make a budgetary commitment to grant writing. Avoiding this commitment may save money now, but it will rob your ministry of the grants it needs now and later.
Having resources to secure grant writing expertise is especially important because the economic slump, depressed stock market, and government budget crisis have reduced government, foundation, and individual funding. This means that only the most well developed grant strategies will see success.
When possible, maximize opportunities for operating funds in grant applications. Ministries generally have access to two types of grants: 1) project-specific funding; and, 2) general operating support. Funders tend to like the first, but not the second.
Nonprofits need operating support. An out-of-date computer, for instance, hinders your ability to make your programs and projects run effectively and efficiently. But funders prefer project funding because it lends itself more readily to measurable results and outcomes.
One option is to include an indirect cost line item in your budget for all grants and RFPs that allow indirect cost reimbursements such as general operating support. Including indirect costs allow ministries to offset general operating costs. Many government funders allow for this type of expense but most private funding sources do not. Acceptable indirect rates usually range from two percent to 20 percent per grant. Ten percent is about average. But often this rate must be prearranged with the funding source.
For private funding sources, it is best to submit a highly itemized budget that makes a strong tie between items that may be considered indirect and your direct program related expenses. Indirect expenses can often be accepted by a funding source when they are tied to the program. For example, it is often impossible to implement a program without appropriate staff. A computer may be essential for student to use for research or for job searches.
Another strategy is to turn to long time funders, those you have a relationship with and those who know your ministry well enough to have confidence in it and its programs. Family foundations and individuals in your community are the top candidates to support operating costs. Use your board to play a leading role in encouraging this support.
And there may be good news concerning the future of operating support. Encouragement is coming from various quarters. The Independent Sector urged foundations to “opt for general operating support over project support when feasible and when the goals of the two organizations are substantially aligned.”
As well, the Center for Effective Philanthropy urged foundations to fund not only projects and programs, but to provide “larger, long-term operating grants” of unrestricted funds, those that support the entire mission of the organization.
The Center for Effective Philanthropy also urged foundations that provide project support to pay “the fair share of administrative and fundraising costs necessary to manage and sustain whatever is required by the organization to run that particular project.”
Say “No” Sometimes. Some nonprofits apply for as many grants as possible, becoming all things to all funders. They think that if they throw enough proposals out there something is bound to stick, that this is the best way to win grants.
This is a fallacy and a trap too many organizations fall into. You have heard it said, “Watch out what you wish for.” In this case, watch out who you send proposals to. You may end up winning grants with fulfillment requirements that go far beyond the scope of services currently provided and/or do not fit in with the organization’s mission or vision. It is a zero sum game. The organization gets more money but it also has to provide more services. The funding pie grows but so does the mandate. This is the time for the ministry to say “no,” that winning this particular grant is not worth it.
Keep in mind that having a grant writing strategy is critical to getting the funds your ministry needs. Yes, the funding environment is challenging right now. But the funds are out there and foundations are eager to partner with ministries such as yours to do what you were both created to do – to change your community and the world for the better. Follow the advice above and foundations will begin to see your ministry as a more appealing funding candidate.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Four Ways to Expand Your Ministry’s Grant Writing Capacity
Your ministry will likely continue or develop a need to count on foundation grant support for your programs and projects. Yet funding is not easy to come by at this time. This makes expanding your grant writing capacity all-important. You need a strategy. The following are four key components of an effective strategy.
Explore collaborative grant writing opportunities for joint and/or regional grant applications. Partnering with local stakeholder organizations improves your ministry’s chances of gaining funding and reduces your grant writing costs.
Foundation support specifically for collaborative efforts is rising partly as a result of the economy. But even before the economy turned downward, foundations were supporting collaboration. Collaborative efforts are by no means easy and they can be quite difficult. Done right, it is well worth the efforts and can result in a significant win-win situation for ministries concerned. The reason is simple -- collaborating organizations address problems more effectively as a team rather than as independent organizations. Their programs benefit from more diverse expertise and ideas, from more people being involved in the program, and from more people lobbying for the program in the community and enlisting others to do the same.
Under collaboration, your ministry avoids assuming all the grant development costs as the expenses can be divided among all the partnering organizations. It is a cost efficient way to grow the funding pie for the ministry and local partners engaged in like-minded efforts.
Budget appropriate funds for grant writing related expenses. For many ministries a grant writing budget will include a fully staffed grant development office along with all of the appropriate tolls, resources, and research databases. However, it is not always necessary or most cost effective to employ a full-time grant writer and associated staff. Often a grant writing consulting agency can meet your needs while provide a significant savings to the ministry. But it is a mistake for ministries not to make a budgetary commitment to grant writing. Avoiding this commitment may save money now, but it will rob your ministry of the grants it needs now and later.
Having resources to secure grant writing expertise is especially important because the economic slump, depressed stock market, and government budget crisis have reduced government, foundation, and individual funding. This means that only the most well developed grant strategies will see success.
When possible, maximize opportunities for operating funds in grant applications. Ministries generally have access to two types of grants: 1) project-specific funding; and, 2) general operating support. Funders tend to like the first, but not the second.
Nonprofits need operating support. An out-of-date computer, for instance, hinders your ability to make your programs and projects run effectively and efficiently. But funders prefer project funding because it lends itself more readily to measurable results and outcomes.
One option is to include an indirect cost line item in your budget for all grants and RFPs that allow indirect cost reimbursements such as general operating support. Including indirect costs allow ministries to offset general operating costs. Many government funders allow for this type of expense but most private funding sources do not. Acceptable indirect rates usually range from two percent to 20 percent per grant. Ten percent is about average. But often this rate must be prearranged with the funding source.
For private funding sources, it is best to submit a highly itemized budget that makes a strong tie between items that may be considered indirect and your direct program related expenses. Indirect expenses can often be accepted by a funding source when they are tied to the program. For example, it is often impossible to implement a program without appropriate staff. A computer may be essential for student to use for research or for job searches.
Another strategy is to turn to long time funders, those you have a relationship with and those who know your ministry well enough to have confidence in it and its programs. Family foundations and individuals in your community are the top candidates to support operating costs. Use your board to play a leading role in encouraging this support.
And there may be good news concerning the future of operating support. Encouragement is coming from various quarters. The Independent Sector urged foundations to “opt for general operating support over project support when feasible and when the goals of the two organizations are substantially aligned.”
As well, the Center for Effective Philanthropy urged foundations to fund not only projects and programs, but to provide “larger, long-term operating grants” of unrestricted funds, those that support the entire mission of the organization.
The Center for Effective Philanthropy also urged foundations that provide project support to pay “the fair share of administrative and fundraising costs necessary to manage and sustain whatever is required by the organization to run that particular project.”
Say “No” Sometimes. Some nonprofits apply for as many grants as possible, becoming all things to all funders. They think that if they throw enough proposals out there something is bound to stick, that this is the best way to win grants.
This is a fallacy and a trap too many organizations fall into. You have heard it said, “Watch out what you wish for.” In this case, watch out who you send proposals to. You may end up winning grants with fulfillment requirements that go far beyond the scope of services currently provided and/or do not fit in with the organization’s mission or vision. It is a zero sum game. The organization gets more money but it also has to provide more services. The funding pie grows but so does the mandate. This is the time for the ministry to say “no,” that winning this particular grant is not worth it.
Keep in mind that having a grant writing strategy is critical to getting the funds your ministry needs. Yes, the funding environment is challenging right now. But the funds are out there and foundations are eager to partner with ministries such as yours to do what you were both created to do – to change your community and the world for the better. Follow the advice above and foundations will begin to see your ministry as a more appealing funding candidate.
Explore collaborative grant writing opportunities for joint and/or regional grant applications. Partnering with local stakeholder organizations improves your ministry’s chances of gaining funding and reduces your grant writing costs.
Foundation support specifically for collaborative efforts is rising partly as a result of the economy. But even before the economy turned downward, foundations were supporting collaboration. Collaborative efforts are by no means easy and they can be quite difficult. Done right, it is well worth the efforts and can result in a significant win-win situation for ministries concerned. The reason is simple -- collaborating organizations address problems more effectively as a team rather than as independent organizations. Their programs benefit from more diverse expertise and ideas, from more people being involved in the program, and from more people lobbying for the program in the community and enlisting others to do the same.
Under collaboration, your ministry avoids assuming all the grant development costs as the expenses can be divided among all the partnering organizations. It is a cost efficient way to grow the funding pie for the ministry and local partners engaged in like-minded efforts.
Budget appropriate funds for grant writing related expenses. For many ministries a grant writing budget will include a fully staffed grant development office along with all of the appropriate tolls, resources, and research databases. However, it is not always necessary or most cost effective to employ a full-time grant writer and associated staff. Often a grant writing consulting agency can meet your needs while provide a significant savings to the ministry. But it is a mistake for ministries not to make a budgetary commitment to grant writing. Avoiding this commitment may save money now, but it will rob your ministry of the grants it needs now and later.
Having resources to secure grant writing expertise is especially important because the economic slump, depressed stock market, and government budget crisis have reduced government, foundation, and individual funding. This means that only the most well developed grant strategies will see success.
When possible, maximize opportunities for operating funds in grant applications. Ministries generally have access to two types of grants: 1) project-specific funding; and, 2) general operating support. Funders tend to like the first, but not the second.
Nonprofits need operating support. An out-of-date computer, for instance, hinders your ability to make your programs and projects run effectively and efficiently. But funders prefer project funding because it lends itself more readily to measurable results and outcomes.
One option is to include an indirect cost line item in your budget for all grants and RFPs that allow indirect cost reimbursements such as general operating support. Including indirect costs allow ministries to offset general operating costs. Many government funders allow for this type of expense but most private funding sources do not. Acceptable indirect rates usually range from two percent to 20 percent per grant. Ten percent is about average. But often this rate must be prearranged with the funding source.
For private funding sources, it is best to submit a highly itemized budget that makes a strong tie between items that may be considered indirect and your direct program related expenses. Indirect expenses can often be accepted by a funding source when they are tied to the program. For example, it is often impossible to implement a program without appropriate staff. A computer may be essential for student to use for research or for job searches.
Another strategy is to turn to long time funders, those you have a relationship with and those who know your ministry well enough to have confidence in it and its programs. Family foundations and individuals in your community are the top candidates to support operating costs. Use your board to play a leading role in encouraging this support.
And there may be good news concerning the future of operating support. Encouragement is coming from various quarters. The Independent Sector urged foundations to “opt for general operating support over project support when feasible and when the goals of the two organizations are substantially aligned.”
As well, the Center for Effective Philanthropy urged foundations to fund not only projects and programs, but to provide “larger, long-term operating grants” of unrestricted funds, those that support the entire mission of the organization.
The Center for Effective Philanthropy also urged foundations that provide project support to pay “the fair share of administrative and fundraising costs necessary to manage and sustain whatever is required by the organization to run that particular project.”
Say “No” Sometimes. Some nonprofits apply for as many grants as possible, becoming all things to all funders. They think that if they throw enough proposals out there something is bound to stick, that this is the best way to win grants.
This is a fallacy and a trap too many organizations fall into. You have heard it said, “Watch out what you wish for.” In this case, watch out who you send proposals to. You may end up winning grants with fulfillment requirements that go far beyond the scope of services currently provided and/or do not fit in with the organization’s mission or vision. It is a zero sum game. The organization gets more money but it also has to provide more services. The funding pie grows but so does the mandate. This is the time for the ministry to say “no,” that winning this particular grant is not worth it.
Keep in mind that having a grant writing strategy is critical to getting the funds your ministry needs. Yes, the funding environment is challenging right now. But the funds are out there and foundations are eager to partner with ministries such as yours to do what you were both created to do – to change your community and the world for the better. Follow the advice above and foundations will begin to see your ministry as a more appealing funding candidate.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Running 15 Marathon’s in 15 Days to Empower Teens to Fight Poverty
SuSu Jennings is running the equivalent of 15 marathons in 15 days (400 miles). Really, that is not a misprint, SuSu will be running the equivalent of 15 marathons in 15 days (400 miles) to support Teens Opposing Poverty (TOP) that trains teens how to have effective, life-changing ministry with homeless and other poor people.
Although this alone is amazing… and TOP is an amazing ministry… it is not even the most amazing part of the story.
From the time she was young, SuSu (a nickname for Susan) Jennings was always on the edge of being overweight. As long as she was active she could maintain her weight, but she still was constantly on a diet. After she got married, she wasn’t as active and she began to gain weight. To complicate matters, she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after the birth of her daughter. Even though medication stabilized her thyroid hormone levels, she didn’t feel right after that.
Raising a young child and a two-hour round trip to work each day left SuSu little time or energy to exercise, so she continued to gain weight. In addition to the lack of exercise, she used food to fight her constant fatigue and stress, which made her gain weight even faster.
For over 12 years, SuSu tried dozens of diets and spent thousands of dollars on special meals and supplements. With each new diet, she would lose 30 or 40 pounds and then hit a plateau where she would stay for months. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t break through that wall. Eventually, she would get frustrated and quit, quickly regaining her lost pounds and then some. As her weight struggle continued, SuSu’s health deteriorated. She began snoring at night and would wake up with her heart racing. By May, 2007 her weight had ballooned to 274 pounds.
SuSu knew she had to do something, so she kept trying. As she continued to research ways to lose weight she read about a connection between gluten sensitivity and hypothyroidism. So she gave up wheat and other gluten laden products for one week as an experiment. After only three days, she stopped snoring and in only one week, she had lost 10 pounds.
SuSu’s next challenge was exercise. She began walking on the mountain roads near her home, but she felt uncomfortable. Finally, after some rude comments from some people in a passing car, her husband suggested that she start hiking the section of the Appalachian Trail near her home. This section of the trail is called “The Roller Coaster” a string of 300 – 600 foot ascents and descents over 11 miles of the trail. The first day, she hiked a half mile path to get to the trail and made it about ¼ of the way up the first hill.
Over time, SuSu’s hikes became longer, and she began walking a two-mile loop in a park in Berryville while her daughter was in dance class. While she was in the park, she saw other people running. One of the runners was an older woman who wasn’t very fast, but she was running every time SuSu went to the park. Finally, one day, SuSu thought, “If she can run, why can’t I?” By this point she had lost about 75 pounds, so she started running. At first she jogged a few feet at a time and gradually increased her distance until she could run the whole loop. As her confidence grew, she began running the trails.
In August, 2008, just 15 months after she began her weight loss journey, SuSu reached her goal weight of 135 pounds. One month later, she ran in her first race. It was a half-marathon trail race (13.1 miles). Since then she has run in dozens of races from 5K to her most demanding run, the Umstead 100 mile race in March, 2010. She finished it in 26 hours, 31 minutes.
And now, SuSu is taking on her greatest running challenge yet, an astonishing 15 marathons in 15 days to raise support for Teens Opposing Poverty. From August 17-31, SuSu Jennings is going to run the equivalent of 15 marathons in 15 days (400 miles) to raise support for TOP. She will start in Winchester, Virginia and run through Front Royal and Chantilly, Virginia before going into Washington, DC. She will then go back through Virginia through Fredericksburg, Richmond, Charlottesville and ending in Lynchburg, Virginia. Along the way, SuSu will be speaking at churches about her journey of losing 135 pounds and becoming an ultra marathon runner, culmination in her first 100 mile race in March of 2010. Of course, she will also be sharing about TOP.
Whether it's people living on the street, in low budget motels or low income neighborhoods, Teens Opposing Poverty (TOP) trains youth to meet physical needs and to offer encouragement and hope in often dire circumstances. For more information, check them out at: www.TeensOpposingPoverty.org
You can follow SuSu as she trains and join her as she prepares to face the greatest running challenge of her life. Stay tuned to her blog or TOP's website for the latest schedule of races and speaking engagements for the 15in15. You can also support SuSu on her run and help TOP continue to challenge youth and meet the needs of the poor by supporting her on her run. Click here for SuSu's Blog
Although this alone is amazing… and TOP is an amazing ministry… it is not even the most amazing part of the story.
From the time she was young, SuSu (a nickname for Susan) Jennings was always on the edge of being overweight. As long as she was active she could maintain her weight, but she still was constantly on a diet. After she got married, she wasn’t as active and she began to gain weight. To complicate matters, she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after the birth of her daughter. Even though medication stabilized her thyroid hormone levels, she didn’t feel right after that.
Raising a young child and a two-hour round trip to work each day left SuSu little time or energy to exercise, so she continued to gain weight. In addition to the lack of exercise, she used food to fight her constant fatigue and stress, which made her gain weight even faster.
For over 12 years, SuSu tried dozens of diets and spent thousands of dollars on special meals and supplements. With each new diet, she would lose 30 or 40 pounds and then hit a plateau where she would stay for months. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t break through that wall. Eventually, she would get frustrated and quit, quickly regaining her lost pounds and then some. As her weight struggle continued, SuSu’s health deteriorated. She began snoring at night and would wake up with her heart racing. By May, 2007 her weight had ballooned to 274 pounds.
SuSu knew she had to do something, so she kept trying. As she continued to research ways to lose weight she read about a connection between gluten sensitivity and hypothyroidism. So she gave up wheat and other gluten laden products for one week as an experiment. After only three days, she stopped snoring and in only one week, she had lost 10 pounds.
SuSu’s next challenge was exercise. She began walking on the mountain roads near her home, but she felt uncomfortable. Finally, after some rude comments from some people in a passing car, her husband suggested that she start hiking the section of the Appalachian Trail near her home. This section of the trail is called “The Roller Coaster” a string of 300 – 600 foot ascents and descents over 11 miles of the trail. The first day, she hiked a half mile path to get to the trail and made it about ¼ of the way up the first hill.
Over time, SuSu’s hikes became longer, and she began walking a two-mile loop in a park in Berryville while her daughter was in dance class. While she was in the park, she saw other people running. One of the runners was an older woman who wasn’t very fast, but she was running every time SuSu went to the park. Finally, one day, SuSu thought, “If she can run, why can’t I?” By this point she had lost about 75 pounds, so she started running. At first she jogged a few feet at a time and gradually increased her distance until she could run the whole loop. As her confidence grew, she began running the trails.
In August, 2008, just 15 months after she began her weight loss journey, SuSu reached her goal weight of 135 pounds. One month later, she ran in her first race. It was a half-marathon trail race (13.1 miles). Since then she has run in dozens of races from 5K to her most demanding run, the Umstead 100 mile race in March, 2010. She finished it in 26 hours, 31 minutes.
And now, SuSu is taking on her greatest running challenge yet, an astonishing 15 marathons in 15 days to raise support for Teens Opposing Poverty. From August 17-31, SuSu Jennings is going to run the equivalent of 15 marathons in 15 days (400 miles) to raise support for TOP. She will start in Winchester, Virginia and run through Front Royal and Chantilly, Virginia before going into Washington, DC. She will then go back through Virginia through Fredericksburg, Richmond, Charlottesville and ending in Lynchburg, Virginia. Along the way, SuSu will be speaking at churches about her journey of losing 135 pounds and becoming an ultra marathon runner, culmination in her first 100 mile race in March of 2010. Of course, she will also be sharing about TOP.
Whether it's people living on the street, in low budget motels or low income neighborhoods, Teens Opposing Poverty (TOP) trains youth to meet physical needs and to offer encouragement and hope in often dire circumstances. For more information, check them out at: www.TeensOpposingPoverty.org
You can follow SuSu as she trains and join her as she prepares to face the greatest running challenge of her life. Stay tuned to her blog or TOP's website for the latest schedule of races and speaking engagements for the 15in15. You can also support SuSu on her run and help TOP continue to challenge youth and meet the needs of the poor by supporting her on her run. Click here for SuSu's Blog
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