Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Stepsto Successful Grant SeekingPresented MYSAWinter SymposiumSaturday February 7, 2009
Presented by Timothy Puffer, Puffer & Associates
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 1: Readiness
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 1:
Step 2
Readiness
Case Statement
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 1:
Step 2
Step 3:
Readiness
Case Statement
Prospect
Research
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 1:
Step 2
Step 3:
Step 4:
Readiness
Case Statement
Prospect
Research Quali
fy & Cultivate
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 1:
Step 2
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Readiness
Case Statement
Prospect
Research Quali
fy & CultivateGrant
Applicatio
n
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 1:
Step 2
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Readiness
Case Statement
Prospect
Research Quali
fy & CultivateGrant
Applicatio
n Follow-
Through
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 1: Readiness
Critical
IRS TAX EXEMPT STATUS--Federal 501(c)(3) (or fiscal agent)
STATE TAX EXEMPT STATUS--Current state certification
FORM 990--Most recent year's tax form
MOST RECENT AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT--Previous year's report from the Accountant/Bookkeeper (or non-audited)
ORGANIZATIONAL BUDGET--Projected revenues and expenses for current year
PROGRAM OR PROJECT BUDGETS--Specifically for what is being requested
LIST OF CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS--Names, Professions, Affiliations, and Current Terms.
QUALIFICATIONS OF KEY STAFF—Executive director, department heads, program directors, project coordinators, etc.)
Readiness
Case
statement
Prospect Researc
h
Qualify &
Cultivat
e
Grant
Application
Follow through
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 1: Readiness (continued)
Important
STRATEGIC PLAN--Or marketing or business plan
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART--Showing major divisions of responsibility and reporting relationships
LETTERS OF SUPPORT--Community Leaders, Funders, etc.
PROGRAM EVALUATION STATISTICS ON PERSONS SERVED--Who, What, When, Where and How
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION and BY-LAWS--Original Documentation
Readiness
Case
statement
Prospect Researc
h
Qualify &
Cultivat
e
Grant
Application
Follow through
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 2: Case Statement
“Here’s the problem/situation . . .”
“Here’s why you should care. . .”
“Here’s what we’re doing/intend to do about it . . .”
“Here’s how much it costs . . .”
“Here are the outcomes/how things will be better because of our efforts . . .”
Readiness
Case
statement
Prospect Researc
h
Qualify &
Cultivat
e
Grant
Application
Follow through
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 3: Prospect ResearchResources
◦Internet◦Competitive analysis◦Foundation Directories
Foundation Center, Cooperating Collections
◦Searchable Foundation Databases Minnesota Council on Foundations,
Foundation Center
Readiness
Case
statement
Prospect Researc
h
Qualify &
Cultivat
e
Grant
Application
Follow through
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 4: Qualify and cultivate
Qualify◦ Prospect’s Website◦ Internet search engines◦ Guidestar.org◦ Form 990
Cultivate◦ Phone calls◦ Emails◦ Letters of inquiry◦ Meeting
Readiness
Case
statement
Prospect Researc
h
Qualify &
Cultivat
e
Grant
Application
Follow through
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 5: Applications
◦ Common types Prospect-specific applications Minnesota Common Grant Application Online submission forms Governmental applications
Readiness
Case
statement
Prospect Researc
h
Qualify &
Cultivat
e
Grant
Application
Follow through
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 5: Applications (continued)
◦ Basic Content: Cover letter Cover sheet/form Narrative—Including EVALUATION Financials
Organization budget, project budget, audit/financial statements, Form 990
Attachments IRS letter of determinations, board list, key staff
qualifications, other funders
Readiness
Case
statement
Prospect Researc
h
Qualify &
Cultivat
e
Grant
Application
Follow through
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 6: Follow-through
◦ Decision timeline◦ Site visits◦ Award decision◦ Acknowledgment◦ Stewardship◦ Reporting
Readiness
Case
statement
Prospect Researc
h
Qualify &
Cultivat
e
Grant
Application
Follow through
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant SeekingReadiness
Case
statement
Prospect Researc
h
Qualify &
Cultivat
e
Grant
Application
Follow through
Case Study
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant SeekingReadiness
Case
statement
Prospect Researc
h
Qualify &
Cultivat
e
Grant
Application
Follow through
Helpful grant writing links and resources
◦ Minnesota Council on Foundationshttp://www.mcf.org
◦ Foundation Centerhttp://foundationcenter.org
◦ GuideStarhttp://www.guidestar.org
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
Six Steps to Successful Grant SeekingReadiness
Case
statement
Prospect Researc
h
Qualify &
Cultivat
e
Grant
Application
Follow through
Q & A
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