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Leadership Manual

Grant Proposal Writing

Introduction
Govt. vs Private Grant Proposals
Background and Credibility
Locating the Source for Funding
Understanding the RFP
The Narrative
Evaluation
Budget
The Final Product
The Abstract/Review Process
After the Grant is Funded
Final Advice
Local Corporations & Financial Institutions
Possible Funding Sources - Local Foundations/Trusts
Public Library Grants Resource Center
The Foundation Center
Sources and Suggested References

FINAL ADVICE

Presentation plays a significant role in grant approval. Neatly typed, easy-to-follow narratives create a competent and professional impression. Good use of graphics can illustrate relationships, activities, and goals.

Organizational credibility is communicated in many ways: through the board members, through the organization's key personnel, and through letters of support. Credibility is also established through the completeness of the narrative, the demonstration that the organization is capable in the field, the feasibility of the project's goals and objectives, and the accuracy of the budget. The development of an evaluation plan aimed at a realistic assessment of the project will reinforce the credibility of the applicant. Organization credibility is important to the success of the proposal because it indicates to the funding source that the applicant organization has the capability of implementing and completing the project.

Grant proposal writing can become a major undertaking. In the nonprofit organization arena, grants provide a viable source of funding for program growth and the initiation of new thrusts in service. For this reason, outcome is certainly worth the expenditure of time and research. Government agencies fund more than four times the amount of money granted by foundations and corporations combined. Although these funds certainly require more in the way of preparation than do the shorter proposals for foundations and corporations, the monies may be more readily accessible.

---»LOCAL CORPORATIONS & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

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