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jami
Advanced Member
USA
1953 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 27 2010 : 9:51:44 PM
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| I am looking for some grants. Our community wants to repair an old WPA shelter house built in the 30s? We have some money, but not enough to repair everything. Anyone know of any grants that would help finish this project? We are also looking for funding to finish walking trails and electricity for campers, compost toilets for campers, and playground equipment. Any suggestions? |
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lhamo
Moderator
China
5691 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2010 : 10:02:52 PM
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Have you tried the on-line resources at the Foundation Center? They have a regular RPA bulletin that regularly lists grant competitions for environmental and community projects.
Really wonderful resource -- they charge for some of their services, but much is available for free:
http://foundationcenter.org/
lhamo |
"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task. This is the price and the promise of citizenship." (Barack Obama, January 20, 2009) |
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gardenarian
Associate Member
USA
189 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 11:42:50 AM
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Also try asking the reference librarian at your local library. I am a librarian and we are frequently asked about grants and keep many local resources on hand. Many libraries now allow you to ask reference questions via email; for a complicated request such as yours it would be perfect, as it allows the reference librarian time to gather all the best materials.
I second the Foundation Center recommendation. |
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redfox
Senior Member
620 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2010 : 11:57:54 PM
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jami, I'm a grant writer. I recommend finding a local non-profit organization that does the work you're thinking of - an historical society, an environmental group that does building rehab & preservation, etc., and ask if they would be a fiscal sponsor for your group. That way you will have an official umbrella organization through which you can apply for a grant.
Be prepared with an estimated project budget and the names of community members who are volunteering for this project. Identify a CLEAR BENEFIT to the community that this project will have when completed. Ask yourself - who uses this site now? Who might use it? Educational benefits are good to demonstrate.
Also, approach a well-known local architect, city council person, banker, etc. who would be willing to spearhead a fundraising committee. If they will lend their name to your effort, it will help get the word out.
To research grants, look on the web at regional & national organizations with similar projects, and read their annual reports. They will list foundation & corporate supporters, and often the $$ they get. Guidestar is a website with copies of organizations' 990's; the tax documents non-profits file to the IRS, available to review. You can see who their big donors are.
Once you ID likely foundations, review their grant application criteria on their website. If you think your project is a fit, call them and talk with the Program Officer on staff. Tell them who you are, and what your idea is. DON"T ask for $$ in this call! You need to build a rapport & relationship with them first. You're building the connection to eventually float a business proposal to them; that they invest in your project. The return won't be profit, it will be tangible & intangible community good, but it is a business deal nonetheless. And please remember - foundations and government agencies grant funds based upon the RELATIONSHIP they have with your group - not strictly the merits of the proposal. You can write the best damn grant in the world, but if they have no idea who you are, if yo;re good for your word, and if the promised benefits will actually come to pass, they won't fund you. Find a local professional fundraiser who loves your project for coaching. What state are you in?
Remember also that the nonprofit world is supported this way: 20% by grants and 80% by individual donors. Your money and time is better off investing in cultivating and asking individual donors, unless you have someone with a tight relationship with a family foundation or a local corporation looking for a community project. It's all about relationships, relationships, relationships. |
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Darfield
Member
Canada
394 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2010 : 01:03:37 AM
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I've written grant proposals before. I do it as a member of the volunteer associations I belong to. Plus, writing is part of the way I make my living.
Since the wildfires of 2003 swept through our little community of British Columbia I've noticed many more grants available. They are fairly generous, too. I've been successful in acquiring/helping acquire funds for show shirts for our 4-H club, money for a cross country ski team as well as other things. This is in the range of $500-$2500 per project and often it covers the entire cost of the project. Funders do like to see that there are other outside sources of funding. In the case of youth groups they like to see that the youth have fundraised a portion. Otherwise, mostly there has to be a demonstratable benefit to the community, a well thought out plan and purpose to the funding and the proposal has to be clearly written. Also, if the grant proposal specifically asks for information, supply it! There's a reason they ask and the more complete the information, the better the chances of being successful. I imagine there are differences between our two countries in terms of ease of fund procurement. |
We have started on the roof! Check out our NEW Earthship blog at www.darfieldearthship.com |
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jami
Advanced Member
USA
1953 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2010 : 06:09:55 AM
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| redfox, I reside in Kansas. Can you tell me the best websites to find grants on? Are there really grants for women wanting to start a business? Is there a website to look up what is left in the stimulus package for every state? Our little town is under 2,000 in a very rural setting. We need help getting money for water, schools, health care, economic development, and community projects. Can you think of anything that can help us? |
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any grant writers?
