GRANTS

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GRANTS GIRLS STATEHow to Achieve Success

• Susan Richards
• Corporate Relations

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Getting Started

• 501 (c) 3 IRS Designation
• 501 (c) 19 whats the difference?
• Form 1023 www.irs.gov (fee)
• Charitable Purpose (education)
• Board of Directors, Mission statement,
  accounting, By-Laws, Articles of Incorporation,
  record keeping system, EIN, D O Insurance,
  filing taxes, etc.

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Finding a Funder

• Think locally Target, Wal-mart, Home Depot
• Corporations in your state, city
• Find the right fit mission match
• Be aware of grant timeline
• Utilize Auxiliary connections
• Research, research, more research

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Resources

• www.foundationcenter.org
• www.grants.gov
• www.cof.org
• www.guidestar.org
• www.grantproposal.com
• www.foundations.org

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Making Your Case

• Need you are fulfilling
• Census, demographic data (single parent
  households, income/poverty level, race,
  education, etc)
• Objectives
• Methods
• Evaluation
• Reporting

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The Application

• Follow Directions!
• Proofread
• Outsider edit and review
• Clear, concise and thoughtful
• Detailed Budget
• Eligible Expenses
• Fundable/Thoughtful Expenses

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The Application, cont.

• How will you accomplish your goals/objectives
• Objective Improve understanding of government
  and citizenship in young women.
• Method Hands-on learning about how to author,
  submit and pass bills and resolutions.
• Evaluation Pre and Post test or survey,
  participant and volunteer feedback
• Have several clear objectives and each objective
  should have several methods

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The Application, cont.

• How does it benefit the funder, community,
  participants, etc.
• Provide statistics when appropriate, evidence of
  impact and long term success
• Tell the story, compel them to fund you
• Review, re-read, submit exactly as directed,
  follow-up as directed

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Budget

• Clear, accurate information
• Identifies what funder will support
• Is realistic and demonstrates fiscal
  responsibility
• Accounting Software, etc.
• Qualified staff that will submit reports, track
  expenses, etc.
• Reimbursement based?

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Capacity

• Full time staff are key
• Resumes often requested
• Volunteer staff and qualifications
• Management of other funds, including previous
  success with grants
• Always seek to build your capacity and capitalize
  on strengths history, number of girls, name
  brand recognition, etc.

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Reporting Sustainability

• ALWAYS submit the required documentation and
  reports on time and in the requested format
• Funders HATE when they give money and never hear
  from you again!
• Go the extra mile, include in newsletter, send
  photos, invite funder to participate in part of
  the event recognize them!
• Build long term relationships for funding
  sustainability

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Volunteer Opportunities because, you dont want
to write the grant, even after this fantastic
briefing.but you do want the money

• Find a skilled grant writer in your Department or
  Unit
• Advertise in your newsletter
• Think about area non-profits, development staff,
  government employees, trusts and foundations
• Clearly communicate goals and program to the
  grant writer, they are selling your program, so
  they need to understand every aspect of the event

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Green is Good (including the environment and
Kermit)

• Sell yourself and the program
• Think outside the box, but maintain the integrity
  of the program
• Rejection happens get feedback, learn, move
  on, write another grant - You have to kiss some
  frogs to get
• your prince. Pucker up!

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Questions?

• Susan Richards, Corporate Relations
• fan of free money
• Serichards_at_legion-aux.org
• [phone]