E-TIPS
Ensure Time Invested = Potential Success

Improve your chances for success (and reduce frustration)
by following these strategies!

I.	FIRST STEP - Visioning EFFECTIVE programs emerge from defining your mission succinctly. IDENTIFY the social issue or problem you want to resolve and who is most affected by it. If money were available, how would you design the IDEAL program to achieve the best possible outcomes for the beneficiaries of your compassionate ministry? Participation in the planning by the recipients is vitally important for the purposes of accurately meeting their needs and developing a viable service of outreach that promotes self-sustainability. Have you SHARED in discussion with them? Are you the best group to provide the service? WHY? BRAINSTORM the alternative ways to offer assistance, the consequences of no assistance, and select the best path to meet the needs before you. Determine the most essential short- and long-term GOALS necessary for success. Refine your envisioning of the program until you can clearly express it in ONE sentence that explains who you are and what precisely is your mission of ministry. SUCCESS STRATEGY - Time and Sanity Saver Be EFFICIENT in your grantwriting strategies by establishing files of the most common information requested by funders. MISSION STATEMENT and overall goal for the program(s) you operate BACKGROUND of your organization and your partners including key activities and achievements Current statistics to SUPPORT the claim of problems or existing needs relevant to the audience you are serving Copies of all LEGAL papers, such as 501c3, financial records, and audits.  If using a collaborating partner’s exempt status, obtain copies from them to keep in your files so they are available as needed. Ongoing, DETAILED revenue and expense records with a complete list of all contributions by name, amount, and how and when funds were dispersed.  Accuracy is imperative, beginning with the first dollar. Even though each proposal may require a bit of revising on some of these materials, the initial content will be at your fingertips ready to use.
II.	SECOND STEP - Research and Preparation Do your HOMEWORK before attempting to write proposals. Get to know your funding sources. Types of FUNDERS and their PRIORITIES for giving grants vary widely. -Government agencies: federal, state, local -Individuals: single or families, women and young professionals -Foundations: operating, giving (national, special interest, corporate, family, community), public, and private -Corporations: for profit, nonprofit Request an annual report from potential foundation and corporate funders and REVIEW it to find out who received money last year, how much, and what kinds of programs were funded. When seeking grants, begin by looking in the LOCAL community.  Become part of the nonprofit network and take advantage of opportunities to meet financial leaders.  Check out community foundations, public and private foundations, and donor families.  Watch the newspaper for grants given to other organizations to see who is giving and to what causes.  When researching for grant possibilities, there are plenty of resources available free of charge, so there is no need to spend money for online services or books. COLLABORATE constantly to avoid duplicating community services and to increase the value of the funders’ gift by using all resources efficiently. Select funders with priorities that MATCH your mission and plans. Do not apply just because there is money! If it does not fit your needs, move on instead of wasting time trying to stretch the matchmaking. SUCCESS STRATEGY - Double Bonus You will NEED to have a 501c3 tax exemption or a partner with that designation to submit basically all grant proposals. Since, funders EXPECT you to collaborate with other faith or community-based organizations (schools, congregates, social or civic agencies, youth councils, or other service associations) why not find successful, compatible organizations that write grants, and discuss partnering with them. LEARN the skill of grantwriting with their assistance. Share skills, resources, and funding while serving God’s communities.
III.	THIRD STEP - Invite Funders to Partner When funders with priorities that match your goals are selected, request a print copy, or if possible, download grant GUIDELINES and an application from their Web site. Read the guidelines THOROUGHLY and follow them precisely when preparing a grant. Highlight important information, such as, -Does the DEADLINE say, “postmarked by” or “in our office by” a time and date; -Sequence all materials as directed when assembling sections and fasten as suggested with a staple or paper clip, without enclosure in fancy folders; -Identify number of copies to submit and the signatures required; using blue ink separates the original proposal from the copies and is required by some funders. Narratives must be creative and direct. Speak to the needs and benefits of the targeted AUDIENCE, not your agency. Invite the funder to partner with you in resolving the problem. Write your program plans in the “active” voice and use ACTION verbs in setting forth your goals and objectives. (Hint: There are sources online or at the library for reviewing lessons about grammatical rules for voice, verb tenses matching nouns in singular or plural form, and punctuation usage.) Do not use personal pronouns; write in a PROFESSIONAL business communication style. Be CONCISE in explaining your program, community needs, evaluation methods, and plans. You should reasonably assume your potential funder knows nothing about your group, even if it is a local enterprise. Do not use acronyms or jargon unless it is very important to their understanding of your proposal and then provide clarification of the terms. Read the budget guidelines thoroughly to identify what is acceptable in a budget request. Figure your budget CAREFULLY and show your method of calculating costs (Example: Program Director: 10 hours per week multiplied by 40 weeks at $15 per hour equals $6,000). Be precise. Do not under- or overstate costs. TRIPLE CHECK: spelling, grammar, and budget figures. SUCCESS STRATEGY - Believe in Your Cause and SELL IT! Remember to carefully adhere to FOUR principles in your grantwriting. SELECT funders who share your priorities to ensure a more perfect partnership. Follow the GUIDELINES; they are directives from the funder. Grantors have more applicants than they can fund, so professionally establish why your program is worthy of their attention. Compliance to DETAILS makes the difference in ranking among high quality proposals. APPEARANCE determines whether a grant reader feels interested in reviewing your work or feels compelled. Short paragraphs in narratives, aligned decimals in budgets, neatness, and a professional format does matter.

Remember - do not panic upon sight of a grant.
Success and achievement come with practice - one section at a time, one grant at a time.

God is your partner on this journey of service!