How can you create a compelling case for support for different funders?

One thing that I recommend to do research on funders is to develop some type of funder research template. This could include their mission, Foundation history, current and past grantee projects, and scandals. Not only will this give you insight into things that they prioritize for their grantees, it will also tell you if they support anything that does not align with your organization's values. It is also specifically worth looking into their grantee history to see if they have any connections to organizations or institutions that your non-profit is also connected with. This connection could lead to an introduction and generate better relationships with the funders.

Your proposal will be better if you have a deeper understanding of the funder. Examine the funder's aims, objectives, track record of awarding grants, and priorities. To gain more details into the principles and interest of the funder, review the grantees' stories attentively. After you have a solid understanding of the funder, consider how your idea fits within their goals and objectives. Are you on the same path? Do you hold similar values? If that be the case, make sure your proposal emphasizes these links.

It's most important to identify what makes your programs and organization unique. There are many nonprofits all trying to solve or mitigate the same problem, so it is important to be clear and concise in what sets you apart from other organizations. List out the need, with statistics from credible organizations, and then present a detailed plan for how your organization will solve those objectives. Stay on top of cutting edge research and studies in your field and consider implementing that information into a new project.

Once the problem and its consequences have been recognized, the following stage is to provide a solution that will successfully minimize the situation. However, it is critical to recognize and handle any challenges that may occur throughout the implementation of the solution. After understanding these limitations, the concepts should be refined into a few clear and actionable statements that may be formulated in terms of sustainability and feasibility. This strategy assures that the proposed solution is not only effective in fixing the problem, but also long-term sustainable and practicable in the given context.

If the funder or grant application does not include a budget template, many online budget templates exist that you can tailor to fit your requests and needs. Be sure to include every possible expense that could occur, like travel, food costs, extra supplies and materials, etc.. Think of everything your organization may need for the project and do research beforehand to get a total estimated cost for each category. Be sure also to break down administrative expenses like staff time and benefits if the grant will cover it. These would be considered in-direct costs and most funders have a maximum percentage of in-direct costs in relation to the total cost of the grant that they will cover.

Reports for grants are one of the best ways that your organization can easily thank a funder. Be sure to add how grateful you are that you are objectives were completed due to the funds of that grantor. Also consider sending them (as capacity permits), somewhat frequent emails when a major event occurs within the program that they are funding. Small thank you cards during the holidays are also always a nice touch.

One can express genuine gratitude to the funders without exaggeration. They can share how the support is enabling them to make a real difference. It's important to thank the funders for their vision and for backing projects and individuals truly passionate about their work. It's crucial to regularly update the funders on the project's progress, including any challenges being faced. Maintaining honesty and transparency in communication is key.

Similar to my comment above about the importance of doing funder research, you can use that research to customize your Grant application or request for support by aligning your writing and programmatic goals with their funding priorities. If a funder really prioritizes serving diverse communities, you can make sure to emphasize if your project plan has a system or goal set in place to serve a diverse community. This tailoring will make your organization stand out more to funders and possibly make you more likely to receive the funding.