Table of Contents

• What does it mean to be "incorporated?"
• Why is being incorporated important for councils?
• How do I have my council incorporated?
• How do we obtain 501(c)(3) designation (tax-exempt status)?
• What guidelines should I follow to be sure my council operates efficiently?
• What type of information should be included in my council's bylaws?
• Sample bylaws

• I have just been elected president -- now what?
• What can I do to become a more effective leader?
• What are common responsibilities and duties of council officers?
• What records should council maintain? Who keeps them? Where? For how long?
• How do I run a meeting?
• How can I reduce the possibility of conflict during my meetings?
• Can I be an effective leader? What are my strengths? Weaknesses? (A worksheet)

• How many and what types of businesses are located in my neighborhood?
• How many and what types of schools, religious institutions, and social services agencies are here?
• What types of services or charitable activities do they provide to area residents?
• What do the residents of my neighborhood look like?
• What do they want and need?
• Who among them are potential council members and/or volunteers?
• How do we organize groups in my neighborhood?
• What are some points we should know before going door-to-door?
• What are Block watch groups? How are they formed?

This section includes a community-produced directory of important neighborhood contacts and resources, as well as a brochure and booklet listing key information about county and state departments and county-wide elected representatives. Also included is a segment devoted to special programs sponsored by the City of Cincinnati.

• What is the Grants Resource Center?
• How do I get started writing a grant proposal?
• How do I determine who to ask for funds?
• What are some do's and don'ts of grant writing?
• What is an RFP? How do I use it to prepare my proposal?
• What are my responsibilities if I get funded?
• Who can apply for an Invest Merit Grant?

Leadership Manual

Grant Proposal Writing

BACKGROUND AND CREDIBILITY

Prior to undertaking the writing of a grant for any project, the organization must develop -- or review -- and understand its own mission. Many organizations exist without ever having gone through the process of developing a mission statement. This must be the first step in the grant process, if it has not already occurred. No agency will fund a project that does not appear to be consistent with the nonprofit organization's mission. For instance, would it seem appropriate for a counseling agency to apply for a grant to fund a project to develop jobs for unemployed mothers with dependent children? The mission for a counseling center is not usually in the realm of job placement and career development.

Linked to the mission statement is the validity of the actual proposed project. Is it a project that is within the mission of the organization? Does it perpetuate the mission? Is it viable, given the background and leadership of the organization?

It is important for the nonprofit organization to develop credibility in the field. It must demonstrate that it is aware of what is being done in the area and that it has an excellent reputation. Its reputation may be derived from its key personnel; for example, the director may have published articles relating to the proposed project. Credibility also extends to the experience and accomplishments of the organization's individual board members. If the board includes an accountant, an attorney, and a marketing specialist, there is an indication of good guidance from the board.

Many grants are not funded simply because the applicants did not convince the funding agency of their competence in their own field. The task of selling an organization to the funder can be done through letters of support or news clippings displayed in the appendix. The organization must demonstrate to the potential funder that it is aware of what has already been tried with regard to the proposed project and of the results -- what types of programs have been successful or unsuccessful. The funder must be assured that the organization will be in existence to follow the project through to evaluation.

---»LOCATING THE SOURCE FOR FUNDING