The Community Foundation’s

Community Foundation of St. Joseph County

How to Make Your Organization’sApplication More Competitive

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Often, representatives of local nonprofit organizations ask us, “How can I make my grant application more competitive?”

This document grew out of two information sessions that took place in September 2015. Conducted by the Community Foundation’s Program staff, these sessions were an opportunity to help representatives of local nonprofit organizations learn how to strengthen their grant applications. These meetings were well attended and productive, and we decided to compile the highlights from those discussions into this document. We hope it’s helpful to you as you work on future grant applications.

Full information about the Foundation’s grants processes can be found online at www.cfsjc.org. You can also contact our Program staff at (574) 232-0041 or email them at grants@cfsjc.org.

All grant applications are unique, but there are certain characteristics that the strongest proposals share.

CLEARLY DEFINED NEEDThe most competitive proposals address a critical need in our community. Tell us why this project is timely and important, and then back up your proposal with pertinent information and local data. Consider including the experiences and voices of those you serve—they can be powerful elements in making your case.

DETAILED PLANS AND OBJECTIVESStrong proposals are built around complete, well-defined plans and objectives. You should include key details of your plan such as dates, times, duration of programs, key staff and their expertise, and specific plans to recruit clients. And be sure your objectives are clearly stated, measurable, and achievable.

TIP: Have you reviewed the examples of projects that the Foundation has funded in the past? You’ll find these on our website under “Recent Grants” in the specific grant category for which you’re applying.

What do the most competitive grant proposals

have in common?

STRONG CONCEPTS AND SOLUTIONS

The best grant proposals are thoughtful,

evidence-based approaches to problem-

solving that tackle significant issues in our

community. Is your proposal based on a

proven model that has succeeded in other

communities? How does your proposal

represent an improvement over programs

that may already be in place in our

community? What case can you make that

your concept will have the desired results?

For more than a decade, the Foundation has been committed to improving early childhood education, making a difference for thousands of local preschoolers.

Image: RiverBend Cancer Services

Where do some grant applications run into

trouble?

TIP: On our website, the Foundation offers a free Budget Template to help you build your grant budget. Don’t just “plug in” numbers—rather, change the template to meet your project’s specific needs. You’re not required to use the Budget Template, but it can be helpful.

ERRORS IN PROJECT BUDGETSA complete, accurate, and realistic budget is critical to your application’s success. It’s one of the most important components that the Grants Committee considers.

• Provideasmuchdetailaspossible.When needed, add line items to clarify why you’re requesting specific amounts. Provide justification for your numbers—for example, use estimates from vendors.

• Includeadetailedincomesideofthebudget. The Grants Committee wants to know what other support, if any, you have secured for the project.

• Thebestbudgetsalignwiththegrantnarrative. All elements in the narrative should be represented in the budget.

• Alwaysdouble-checkyourmath.

ERRORS IN COVER SHEETS

All information on your Application Cover

Sheet needs to match the information in the

budget that you’re submitting, including

the amount of money you’ve requested and

your project budget totals.

MISSING REQUIRED ITEMS

You’ll find a detailed list of everything you

need to include with your grant application

in the Grant Guidelines document specific

to the grant for which you’re applying. All

of the Grant Guidelines can be found at

www.cfsjc.org, the Foundation’s website.

EXTRA ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

Before you submit additional materials that

are not requested as part of the application

process, give us a call. Often, additional

materials can add unnecessary complexity

to your proposal.

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SUSTAINABILITYStrong grant proposals include plans for the future of the proposed program. Does your organization have a realistic, specific plan to sustain your program once the grant funding is exhausted?

CAPACITYThe Grants Committee will want to know: Is your organization financially healthy? What’s its track record? Does it have the overall capacity—in terms of staff, expertise, finances, facilities—to implement your proposed project?

TIMINGThink about where you are in the “life” of your project. Strong applications demonstrate to the Grants Committee that research has been done, data has been gathered, and partnerships have been put into place that will help the applicant successfully implement the project.

TIP: Large capital campaigns are more likely to receive grant funding in their later phases, once a significant percentage of major gifts have already been secured.

What else does the Grants Committee

want to see?

ALIGNMENTYour narrative must align with your budget; also, your plans need to align with your stated goals. And be sure that the project you’re proposing aligns with your organization’s mission and expertise.

REMEMBER....Every grant cycle is different, because the competition for funding is constantly changing. At the end of the day, the Community Foundation has a finite amount of money to award, and the Grants Committee must prioritize based on the cases made by applicants. If your project does not receive funding, please understand that many factors are part of that decision.

Good luck with your grant proposals. If you have questions about our process, visit www.cfsjc.org or contact our Program staff

at (574) 232-0041 or grants@cfsjc.org.

Image: Healthwin MUSIC & MEMORY Program

To learn more about the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County

and how we connect people who care with causes that matter, visit www.cfsjc.org or call Rose Meissner, president of the

Foundation, at (574) 232-0041.