Grant Hunting 101: Where (and How) to Find the Money
Before we get started: The news has been heavy of late (and day by day getting heavier). To lighten the mood, I offer you the hilarious Selected Negative Teaching Evaluations of Jesus Christ.
Now on to the content portion of this blog.
Back in the Dark Ages of the last century, I weirdly liked to do research. Getting into the library stacks and rifling through the card catalogue (photo provided for those too young to remember) provided me with hours of work and the occasional overjoyed “aha!” after finding a particular study I had been trying to track down. My, how times have changed.
Along with academic research, grant research is now all about internet sleuthing. And I am here for it.
During the 12+ years that I was a professional grant writer, I had to find which foundations or corporations might be willing to fund a great project for one of my organizations. Sadly, a prepared list was not patiently awaiting me when I arrived at any of my many desks.
I had to do research (again!).
This is what I did to locate grants and what you can do too…*
Find out who gives grants in your state. A great resource is The Grantsmanship Center – State Grant Resources. After selecting your state, you’ll discover which foundations give out the most money.
2. Click on one of those foundations and determine if they:
Give to faith-based groups
Fund in your city or region
Fund projects that match what you want to get funded
Have a grant application
Might have any other interesting information you need (e.g., do you know or recognize anyone on their board that you might contact?)
3. If you decide “yes! I want to apply to a specific foundation,” continue to do more research. Find the organization on Guidestar (you’ll need to create a free account).
Type in the name of the foundation
Check out the foundation’s information page
Click on their most recent 990 (the tax return filed by tax-exempt organizations). You’ll find a plethora of great data. Keep scrolling that 990, and you may hit the jackpot and see to whom and how much money they gave during the past year. Do any of them relate to things you’re doing? Then it may be a good match.
4. After you’ve done your due diligence, call the foundation. Ask to talk to a program officer or someone who works with grants. Run your idea by them and find out if your grant idea and their foundation may be a good fit.
5. Find more grant opportunities in other ways:
Scour the newsletters of similar groups to see which foundations are funding them
Check out denominational sources. (Remember, they can be a lot of work for a small amount of money, and they can be highly competitive)
Check out the thank you “giving wall” of your favorite organization – jot down any promising foundations or corporate givers
Researching potential grants for your projects can be time-consuming, but it’s time well spent. Take half a day and dedicate yourself to finding the right foundation.
You will go down many rabbit holes.
You will be disappointed.
But those one or two organizations that are a perfect fit? That’s the reward.
Now, your grant is ready to be written.
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You may also want to read:
Yes! Churches Can Apply for Grants
*My area of expertise was non-governmental grants from family, city, state, and corporate foundations.
Photo credit: StockSnap @ pixabay.com
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Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship – helping with capital campaigns and encouraging more generosity. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise millions of dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations. She wants you to find peace and a sense of awe as you view photos from Artemis II. Jaw-dropping.
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered!
Schedule a meeting now.
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