To those Fundraisers among us

[Guest guest]

How to Write a Grant Proposal by Momie Tullottes

http://www.disaboom.com/Living/livingforward/how-to-write-a-grant-

proposal.aspx

To help along a grassroots cause, fundraising is generally required.

In the case of persons with disabilities, this is no different. In

some cases, this fundraising source will come in the form of a grant.

In order to get any grants, a proposal will need to be written.

When grant-writing in the form of a proposal, it is very important to

know your cause, have a general plan that you can refer to, as well

as know the expected outcome of the community project at hand. It is

also important to have an idea of what the final costs of your cause

for persons with disabilities will be. Some community development

projects can change course midway, but be sure to at least have an

outline of the possible outcome available as reference. This way, the

proposal for any needed grants will be easier to write with accuracy.

A potential grassroots fundraising source will need to understand

what exactly your cause is, such as which group of people with

disabilities you wish to help and how, and why their available grants

could help. Be sure to make it known in detail in the fundraising

proposal, but with simplicity, so that it is not difficult to tell

what your organization's specific needs are.

For example, if you simply state that you want to help people with

disabilities, this gives the fundraising source very little

information. If you state that you want to provide a group home to

foster children who are in wheelchairs, this is much more specific.

Of course, you would also include in your proposal how you plan on

doing this, as well as estimated costs.

The Foundation Center notes that a grant proposal needs to be laid

out specifically under the directions that the funding source

provides. Under an example that the foundation provides, the first

part of the fundraising proposal could be an umbrella statement and

summary, one page long.

The second part could explain the reason why the community

development project must be carried out. Two pages is the recommended

length for this section. Next, you could discuss how the project will

be carried out and monitored. Three pages should cover this well. The

budget is the next discussion item mentioned. Laying out the

financial plan (including grants, other fundraising, and available

funds) with any necessary notes on one page could follow.

Next may be the history of your organization (or it's governing

organization). Include the purpose of the community development

organization, as well as who it serves and how, such as " service dogs

aid those in wheelchairs. " This may take up one page. The final

component of the grant proposal could be a conclusion that sums up

all the key factors. This could be two paragraphs.

Once your grant proposal is written, be sure to get a few opinions

from colleagues and friends. At times, someone else can notice an

error or a missed point that otherwise may have gone unnoticed.

Having several sources for this will ensure that the proposal is well-

written and representative of your specific community project.

Source:

Foundation Center

http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/component

s.html