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

GOVERNMENT vs PRIVATE GRANT PROPOSALS

Grant proposals written for private sources, such as foundations or corporations, are usually less tedious than proposals submitted for government funding. Foundations and corporations will often require a brief cover letter explaining the request, the proposed program, the amount requested, and the contact person involved. This letter is accompanied by a brief proposal (one to six pages in length) that normally includes concise information about the organization and the project -- how it will be accomplished and what it will cost. Each foundation or corporation will specify a length for the proposal. Normally, foundations and corporations will require only minimal materials in the form of appendices. Some foundations prefer that an applicant first call the foundation to discuss the project before sending a written proposal.

Grant proposals for government agencies are usually extensive and precise. Often, a government grant narrative will be 20 to 30 pages long and will be followed by complete budgetary information and numerous appendices. Because these types of proposals are major undertakings, this section is devoted to the development of a grant proposal for a government agency.

---»BACKGROUND AND CREDIBILITY