If your organization does not have the funds to pay a grant consultant, you can still successfully compete for grant funds. Here are 3 ways for small/lean organizations to approach grants:
1) Develop an in-house grant team
If tackling grants is truly a priority for your organization, consider forming a grants team to plan, research, draft, and submit grants. This can include interested volunteers! At least one member should be an info-digger…someone willing to scour the Internet for foundation contacts, similar funded projects, and do other searches on behalf of group. As one of its first projects, the group should draft one-page project summaries of the top 1-3 grant project ideas. These can serve as great foundation pieces for conversations with potential funders as well as form the basis for letter proposals.
2) Devote a portion of next year’s budget to grants
Even if the portion of your budget can’t pay for a consultant, you may already have a budding grants champion in your organization. Could their interest be sparked with a few books, like Idiot’s Guide to Grant Writing? How about a one-day grant-writing workshop in the nearest metropolitan area? Whatever funds you can dedicate can be used to grow a grants culture in your office.
3) Get someone else to foot the bill
Ask your favorite community organization (e.g. local chamber of commerce, county economic development office, college, parent fiscal agent) to invite a grant consultant as a guest speaker. Sure, you probably won’t have one-on-one time to devote to your interests, but this is a great way to network with other grants-minded folks in your area while keeping abreast of funding trends and issues. And if you know the event organizers, be sure to mention you’re available if they’re taking the speaker to lunch or dinner after the event.
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