Have you ever daydreamed and thought, “If only we had the money to do that.”? Of course, you have. If you ever wished you could get a windfall of money for a special community project, grants might just be the answer to your dreams.
Here’s how you can begin making those daydreams into a reality.
There’s Money for the Asking, But First…
The easiest way to start bringing in the money is to invest the time and energy in establishing a 501(c)3 foundation for your chamber. While not all grants require nonprofit status, most do. So instead of perusing grants and wishing you had a foundation to be able to apply, apply now and then scour the lists.
But if you’re stubborn, and you’re determined to find grants you can apply for without a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, here is the lowdown of where you might look and what you might find:
- Most Foundation and Government Grants: These typically require 501(c)(3) status because donations to these organizations are tax-deductible for the donor, which is a major incentive for grantmakers.
- Corporate Grants: Some corporations may offer grants to organizations that are not 501(c)(3)s, but this is less common.
- Fiscal Sponsorship: If your chamber does not have a 501(c)(3), you might be able to partner with a fiscal sponsor, which is an existing 501(c)(3) that can administer the grant on your behalf. This allows you to access grant funding that would otherwise be unavailable.
- Alternative Funding Sources: Even without 501(c)(3) status, you can explore other funding options like crowdfunding, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, or earned income through programs and services.
It’s important to carefully research each grant opportunity to understand its eligibility requirements. If 501(c)(3) status is not explicitly required, you may still be able to apply, but be prepared to explain how your chamber aligns with the grantmaker’s mission and goals.
But why limit yourself? If you want grant money for business-critical undertakings, get the foundation first.
Understanding the Grant Landscape in a Nutshell
- Types of Grants:
- Government Grants: Federal, state, and local governments offer grants for various purposes. These often have strict requirements but can be substantial.
- Foundation Grants: Private foundations support specific causes or geographic areas. Their grants vary in size and scope.
- Corporate Grants: Corporations may offer grants as part of their social responsibility initiatives. These can be competitive but often align with specific business interests.
- Eligibility:
- 501(c)(3) Status: While not always required, most grantmakers prefer to fund nonprofit organizations with this tax-exempt status.
- Specific Focus Areas: Many grants target specific issues or populations. Research grants that align with your Chamber’s priorities.
- Grant Cycles:
- Deadlines: Pay close attention to grant deadlines, as missing them disqualifies your application.
- Review Process: Grantmakers typically have a multi-step review process, so be patient. This isn’t publishing. You can apply for more than one grant at a time.
How to Become a Grant Writing Expert for Your Chamber
While you can always hire an expert in grant writing, it may not always be in your chamber budget. Assuming that you’re on your own, here are some of the things you need to know about successfully obtaining grants.
Understanding Eligibility and Fit
Research Thoroughly. Identify grants that align with your Chamber’s mission and programs. Many grants are specific to certain industries, geographic areas, or types of organizations.
If you find something that’s available in your area but doesn’t fit what you’re doing, pass it along to someone in your community. If you’re afraid of being accused of selecting favorites, then post the grant in your chamber newsletter or to your social media followers. That will train your community to watch and read your content with interest.
Eligibility Requirements. Carefully review the eligibility criteria for each grant. This often includes the type of organization, size, budget, and the specific activities the grant will fund. Note what are absolutes in the funding and what are preferences. A lot of money is bestowed on organizations that don’t meet all criteria simply because they were the best of those who applied.
Read the Fine Print. Pay attention to any restrictions or conditions attached to the grant funding. These could relate to how the money can be spent, reporting requirements, or other obligations. Be honest about whether you can adhere to those. Don’t apply and figure you can sort it out later.
Crafting a Compelling Grant Proposal
Tell a Story. Frame your proposal as a narrative that clearly explains your Chamber’s goals, the problem you’re addressing, and how the grant funding will lead to a measurable impact in your community.
Communicate Objectives. Define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives for your project. This shows the grantmaker that you have a well-thought-out plan. The most successful grant applications have a project in mind ahead of applying for the grant. However, many chambers back into it, finding a grant and trying to think of some way it could use the money. This is almost always obvious in the application.
Show Them the Money. Provide a detailed budget outlining how you will use the grant funds. Be realistic and transparent about your costs.
Compile Strong Letters of Support. Gather letters of support from community partners, local businesses, and/or government officials. These demonstrate your project’s broad community support.
Proofread and Polish. Ensure your proposal is well-written, free of errors, and easy to understand. Number all pages, including appendices, and adhere to any page limits. Minimize the use of abbreviations and acronyms, and define them clearly if used.
What Grant-writing Experts Know That You Don’t
- Start Early: The grant writing process can be time-consuming. Begin your research and preparation well in advance of the deadline. The night before it’s due isn’t the time to put it all together. Some grants may take hours on your end, not to mention support letters or recommendations. Additionally, if you’re applying through Grants.gov, allow ample time to register, download the necessary software, and familiarize yourself with the platform. Watch the introductory videos on the site to get started.
- Obtain Your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): Before you begin, ensure you have a UEI from SAM.gov. This is required for all grant applications.
- Be Clear and Concise: Use clear, direct language and avoid jargon. Make each point easy to understand. Provide accurate information and address any challenges or limitations honestly. Ensure consistency between all sections of your proposal, including tables, charts, and appendices.
- Organize Your Thoughts: Present your ideas in a logical flow. Make sure the different sections of your proposal connect and support each other.
- Use Appendices Sparingly: Only include essential information in the appendices. Reference any tables or attachments within the main body of your proposal.
- Build Relationships: Network with grantmakers and other organizations in your field. Attending workshops or conferences can provide valuable insights. Ask other chamber pros what grants they’ve received. Perhaps you have the equivalent organization or funding in your area.
- Create a Boilerplate Proposal: Develop a comprehensive template that includes answers to common grant questions. This saves time and ensures consistency across your applications.
- Maintain Ready-to-Go Attachments: Keep a folder with updated copies of all standard grant attachments like 990s, audits, budgets, and board lists. This streamlines the submission process.
- Collaborate: Partner with other organizations to leverage resources and increase your chances of success. For instance, your local government may receive (or be eligible to receive) government money that could assist you in one of your community programs.
- Know Your Audience: Write your proposal with the grant reviewers in mind. Clearly explain your organization’s mission and goals, assuming they have no prior knowledge. Tailor your content to address the specific review criteria for the grant.
- Don’t Give Up: Grant rejection is common. Learn from the experience and use feedback to improve your future proposals.
- Invest in Training: Enhance your grant writing skills through workshops, online courses, or mentorship programs.
How to Find Grant Opportunities
They’re out there. You just need to know where to look.
Government Resources
- Grants.gov is the official website for federal grants. Use the search filters to find grants related to workforce development, housing, and economic development, or other chamber initiatives.
- State and Local Government Websites usually list your local economic development agencies or community development offices, which often post grant opportunities.
Foundation Directories
Here’s a pretty comprehensive how-to on searching directories.
Corporate Giving Programs
- Look for large companies with a presence in your community (doesn’t have to be headquartered there) and explore their websites for corporate giving programs.
- Follow publications that cover corporate social responsibility to learn about new grant opportunities.
Other Resources
- Local community foundations often support projects that benefit their region.
- A grant writing consultant not only works on the application but can also help you navigate the grant process and identify suitable opportunities.
- The Foundation Directory Online (FDO) is a comprehensive database of grantmaking foundations. Search by keywords like “workforce development,” “affordable housing,” or your geographic area.
- GrantStation is a database with resources and training for grant writers.
Grant writing is an acquired skill and not one to be rushed. Use the talents you’ve grown such as building relationships, telling your chamber story, and communicating impact to obtain more money for your community.
