Are You Grant Ready?

If you go to a car dealership?to purchase?an?auto?and don’t plan to pay cash, there are?a number of?items that you will need in order to finance the purchase. ?Even a cash purchase will require you to have a driver’s license for the car to be registered. ?A more detailed checklist of items will be needed for the?finance company to?make a decision about whether to provide you with a loan, including a?credit check, proof of income?and in most instances, some amount for a down payment. ?The finance company requires this information as?part of their due diligence to ensure that your current financial status and your track record?meet their?underwriting?requirements.

It would?be a?waste of time for?a?dealership to engage?anyone?who does not meet?the?basic criteria needed for this major purchase.??Likewise, it?is imperative to understand the basic criteria to be “grant ready”, ensuring that the investment of time and resources to pursue grants will be worthwhile. ?Whether?it is?a?newly-formed?nonprofit or an established organization, there are some basic requirements that all?grant?applicants must meet.??The checklist of funders’ requirements for individual artists and K-12 teachers is not as extensive as what is needed for nonprofits and other eligible organizations.

Whenever someone starts?a tax-exempt nonprofit, the accomplishment is accompanied by?a burst of excitement and optimism. ?This?sentiment?is?common, as there is a perception (among the uninformed) that?government agencies, philanthropic foundations and corporations are lined up waiting to hand out grants to every worthy cause. ?Understandably this?misperception?is?fueled by?data that?an estimated $499.33 billion was awarded to charitable U.S. organizations in 2022?(Giving USA 2023). ?

The reality is, grant money is?definitely available, but the question is, “What is needed to tap into the vast pool of grants to fund your community and nonprofit programs?”

The answer is to?establish and?always?maintain a?“grant?ready”?status. ?One’s readiness?can?be determined?by?the?responses?to?three?questions as it relates to?your?

1. Eligibility? as?it pertains to the legal?structure of your organization along with a few related requirements,
2. Preparedness? as it pertains to the history and effectiveness of your programs and services, as well as your organizational capacity to manage grants, and
3. Appropriateness? as it pertains to being a good match for specific grant opportunities based on?the priorities and interests of?funders.

Want the link for a complimentary download of?my?Grant Ready Checklist? ?Visit?the home page at?www.TheGrantbuilder.com,?where you can also?register for?one of our upcoming free online workshops on Oct 18thor Nov 1st. ?

#Grantwriting #Grants #Nonprofits #Teachers #Funding

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