Grants: A Reality Check

Texas Historical Commission ~ 2010

Carolyn M. Appleton, CFRE

Memorable Experiences

~ If you can’t explain it all on one page, you can’t explain it.

• Sometimes following a pre-set grant proposal format - as taught by some nonprofit support organizations - won’t work. By following the instructions of the chairman of a major Texas corporation, I secured $1,000,000.

• It is best to follow the instructions given by the prospective donor, and sometimes those go against the grain.

~ I need more information. Again.

• I had already provided a great deal of information to a potential donor, and thought I would throw up my hands at having to provide even more (and repeatedly)!

• But, responding courteously and quickly to requests for additional information led to a $1,475,000 grant. I did not think we had a chance, but happily, I was wrong.

~ Please have your director review and sign the enclosed contract.

• By carefully reviewing the grant contract upon approval of our $100,000 request, I learned a series of reports regarding the progress of the project were required. We were happy to comply.

• A few years prior, the nonprofit failed to failed to provide status reports, and had to return $1,000,000 to this same donor.

~ If you don’t grab their attention in your cover letter, your request will not make it to final review.

• This foundation receives so many grant requests, they have trouble considering all of them.

• A succinct, captivating statement of need in your cover letter – one not buried in the grant proposal – is just the ticket.

~ Sure, you can have a grant of $250,000. But if you want to make it worth our while, come up with a marketing plan, and we’ll consider $1,000,000.

• The chairman of a leading American corporation issued a challenge our nonprofit gladly accepted. We sought the advice of their preferred marketing firm, developed a suitable plan, and secured a $1,000,000 grant.

• Don’t be arrogant about - nor overestimate - your nonprofit’s in-house marketing capabilities.

~ Enclosed is a check for $1,000,000. Please call our office immediately upon receipt.

• The letter from a highly regarded donor was received by the secretary of a university president. She gave the check to the CFO for deposit and filed the letter. I had researched, written and submitted the grant.

• I learned the check arrived over a week later by a casual remark by a dean in a hallway. Don’t assume highly educated adults, nor administrative staff, know how to respond to charitable donations of this magnitude.

~ The economy has ‘tanked ’ and no one will give until the financial markets are on the mend.

• Admonished that my efforts would go unrewarded, I forged ahead with fundraising. After 8 months, a grant of $250,000 was made by a major Texas utility company to our nonprofit expansion project.

• Not everyone is negatively affected by an economic downturn, and even some of those who are, will rise to the occasion.

~ We would love to meet with you in person. Pick the time and place!

• We chose a popular, new cafe in which to hold an initial donor meeting regarding a potential, $250,000 grant.

• Yes, the French coffee and pastries were delicious! But, little did we know, the restaurant had hired Fabio to make a promotional appearance that same morning.

• While we adore Fabio … be sure to choose a quiet location for discrete discussions (smiles).

Thank you!

Carolyn M. Appleton, CFRE

E-mail:

cappleton@earthlink.net

WordPress Blog:

http://carolynmappleton.wordpress.com/

Fundraising Resources:

http://fundraisingresources.wordpress.com/

SlideShare:

http://www.slideshare.net/CAppleton/presentations

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