According to the latest Giving USA Report, giving from foundations has increased 3.6% from 2021 through 2023. That percentage may not seem like much until you consider foundations gave over $103 billion in 2023! That’s a lot of support!
How can you take advantage of this important funding source? First, you can evaluate how you’ve been writing grant applications. Your writing significantly impacts the approval of the grant and the amount you receive.
Making a clear and compelling case can be the difference in thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.
There are several key components you should address with each application in order to increase the likelihood that you will receive the funding.
THREE questions you must answer effectively in your grant proposals:
#1 – What are the GOALS of your organization?
Sounds simple, right? Well, simple doesn’t necessarily mean easy. Your goals should be clear and help readers understand the mission and purpose of the organization. Well-set goals demonstrate to funders that the issues you are addressing are important and align with their foundation’s mission.
Example: A nonprofit animal shelter should have data demonstrating how many abused and neglected animals are in their service area in their needs statement. Their goals should reflect their vision to rescue and find forever homes for dogs, cats, and parrots. Additionally, the goals may elaborate on unique ways the organization accomplishes this.
Questions to consider: Do you have a compelling case for support with a clear needs statement? Do you have clear programmatic goals with timelines?
#2 – What are your OBJECTIVES?
Objectives are the steps taken to achieve the goals of your organization. They provide more straightforward and measurable results. Your objectives focus primarily on specific results within a specific timeframe.
Example: The animal shelter may have a mobile rescue team as a means to rescue animals. One objective may be to add two part-time members to the mobile rescue team and provide training in how to rescue animals in critical condition.
Questions to consider: How are we tracking these results? Are we tracking data efficiently across all of our programs? Identifying the specific and measurable results of your programs allows for funders to have a more comprehensive understanding of the work you are accomplishing.
#3 – What are the OUTCOMES you hope to achieve?
Your outcomes are a direct result of accomplishing the goals of your organization. And through thorough tracking of data and attainment of goals, you should also have a tangible outcome of how your program will be successful BECAUSE of the foundation’s funding.
Example: Our shelter’s goal is to rescue 3,000 cats, dogs, and parrots this year. That’s a 12% increase from last year. Adding two members to our mobile rescue team by October will allow us to rescue and find safe homes for these animals.
Questions to consider: Are you clearly addressing the foundation’s role in the success of your programs? Can you point towards outcomes? It is essential that you highlight your specific outcomes and how the foundation’s funding will allow you to get there.
If you can effectively answer these questions, you’ll increase the likelihood you’ll get the grant.
Do you struggle to find the time to write grants? Or, do you have a hard time finding the right words for your applications?
We have a process just for YOU!
Email me at lexi@siglercrist.com to learn about our Grant Enhancement Package.
All the best,
Lexi Grabski, Grant and Development Specialist