Grant Preparation

Before your organization starts applying for grants, you should understand what a grant is. A grant is not usually "free money" that can be used for anything (although there are unrestricted grants.) Most grants are programmatic - they fund a program. Programs are preferable to just writing checks because programs have a duration (a start and a finish) and they can be measured. Funders use the measurements to see if their money is used effectively.

Before doing anything, you should prepare your basic grant application package. You will need this paperwork for almost every grant application. If you don't have this information, you will need it. If you don't know what some it is, we can help.

• Overview

  • Organization Name and Mission Statement

  • Board of Directors’ Names and Occupations

  • Officers Names

• Filings

  • State Articles of Incorporation

  • 501(c)(3) Designation Letter

  • Corporate Bylaws

• Financials

  • Latest Organization Audited Finances o Latest Form 990

  • Current Approved Organization Budget

• Specific Program Information

  • Program Description

  • Program Budget

  • Previous Results (if available)