2. Our Agenda
Background Information to Seeking Grants
CRA Charitable Status (T3010)
Narrative Budgeting
United Church Grant Sources
United Church Foundation Grant Sources
External Grant Sources—Foundations, Government
2
3. Our Agenda
Effective Proposal Writing
Before You Begin
Proposal Writing Process
Tips on Writing Proposals
Information Sources
Conclusion
3
5. Background Information
Before you begin the process of applying for
grants, there is information . . .
most applications will require
you can seek out and prepare in advance
5
6. Sources of Grants
Sources of grants:
Foundations
Government
Corporations/Businesses
Individuals
Organizations (e.g. unions, service clubs, employee funds)
6
7. Charitable Status
United Church congregations
are registered charities with their own charitable number;
issue charitable tax receipts; BUT
were not incorporated as not-for-profits; AND
were not issued letters patent—information funders
often request.
Should a funder need copies of your incorporation # or
letters patent, ask for a letter of standing from the United
Church’s national office.
7
8. Charitable Status
Congregations must submit annual financial
information return to Canada Revenue Agency
(CRA)—called a T3010 form.
No return = loss of charitable status.
All T3010 reports can be viewed on line.
Reports from foundations provide useful
information for grant seekers—assets, prior gifts,
board members.
8
9. Narrative Budgeting
Pro-rates congregation’s operating
expenses and salaries proportionately
over programs, ministries and services.
Use narrative or ministry based budget
format beyond your congregation.
Essential for funders who may not know or
understand your organization.
9
10. Narrative Budgeting
Format emphasizes impact of gifts—not admin
costs, especially for salaries.
Can always provide detailed budget if needed.
“You do not give money to the church;
you give money through the church to
translate the church’s vision into action”
10
11. United Church Grant Sources
Sources of United Church related grants:
The United Church of Canada
General Council
Conference
Presbytery
Congregation
The United Church of Canada Foundation
11
12. United Church Grant Sources — UCC
The United Church of Canada — General Council
Vision Fund
Healing Fund
Justice and Reconciliation Fund
Learning Fund
Capital Assistance Fund
New Ministries Assistance Fund
Oxford Fund (Music United)
12
13. United Church Grant Sources — UCC
The United Church of Canada — Conferences
Opportunities vary by Conference.
Check with your Conference office.
Grants given for such work as:
Internship Placement New Endeavors
Property Renovation Bursaries
Mission Support Youth & Young Adults
Transformational Grants Green Initiatives
French Ministries
13
14. United Church Grant Sources — UCC
The United Church of Canada—Presbyteries
Opportunities vary.
Check with your Presbytery to explore opportunities
e.g. church extension councils.
Grants given for such work as:
Church development/redevelopment
Local outreach programs
Other
14
15. United Church Grant Sources — UCC
The United Church of Canada — Congregations
Opportunities vary
Check with your Presbytery or Conference to
explore what congregations may have
endowment funds, local foundations that
issue grants
15
16. United Church Grant Sources — UCCF
The United Church of Canada Foundation
Holds trusts and endowments that support various areas:
Seeds of Hope
Leadership, Research and Educational Funds
Seniors
Children/Anti-poverty
Peace and Justice
Camping
www.unitedchurchfoundation.ca/grantinformation/
16
17. External Grant Sources
Federal Government Grants
Human Resources Skills Development Canada
New Horizons for Seniors Program
Canada summer jobs
Provincial Government Grants
Grants Ontario
Seniors work
17
18. External Grant Sources
Provincial Foundations
Trillium Foundation (Ontario)
Wild Rose Foundation (Alberta)
Some indirectly funded through gaming
Trillium awarded $2.5 million to Ontario United
Churches from 2008 to 2013
18
19. External Grant Sources
Local Community Foundations
Toronto Community Foundation
Vancouver Community Foundation
Halifax Community Foundation
Even smaller locales have established community
based foundations.
www.cfc-fcc.ca/ Community Foundations of Canada
19
20. External Grant Sources
Other foundations
Approximately 10,000 across Canada
Congregations may be eligible to apply
20
23. Proposal Writing
What’s a “Proposal”?
A proposal is a formal, written request to individuals and
agencies with money to give away.
The proposal provides background information on your
project or program and outlines reasons why granting you
money would be mutually beneficial.
Consider it your “sales” or “marketing” document.
23
24. Proposal Writing
Granting sources will fund:
projects, programs
capital fundraising projects
endowments
church programs, but not for religious purposes
rarely for operational expenses — why?
24
25. Before You Begin
Grant application process both a science and
an art —
Systematic, analytic approach
to prepare is the “science”
Creating proposals, building
relationships is the “art”
25
26. Before You Begin
Know your cause —
Do you believe in your cause?
Understand your project thoroughly.
Get the details from those in the know.
Both “Head” talk and “Heart” talk are
important.
26
27. Before You Begin
Always work from the funder’s point of view — be
donor-centred.
Does your request for money align with the funder’s
objectives?
Follow their application process to the letter.
Use their style, language if feasible.
Be human—people give to people.
27
28. Before You Begin
Funders have different needs and so may require different
approaches; BUT
All proposals have elements in common;
Information for one proposal may be used for others—
prepare a template and “cherry pick” the content;
Investment of time upfront = long term benefits
28
29. The Proposal Writing Process
Three overall steps
1. Background Research on Prospective Donors
2. Establishing Contact
3. Writing the Proposal
Key— Know your audience
— Tailor each proposal to the funder
29
30. Background Research
Do your homework to determine best donor
prospects.
Free sources of information on granting agencies:
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) T3010 reports
Congregations with projects similar to yours
Local community foundations
Social service agency websites
Members of your congregation (see who knows whom)
30
31. Background Research
Fee based sources of information on granting
agencies:
Imagine Canada – Grant Connect
BIG Online
Sources accessed through:
Public library
Other not-for -profit organizations who might share
Your own networks
31
32. Background Research
Match your criteria with those of the granting
agency. What are their:
Philanthropic interests
Geographic limitations
Size of gifts granted
Timing for granting gifts
Timing of application process
Any other restrictions
32
33. Background Research
“The primary question is not the value of what the
organization is proposing (we assume all requests are
worthwhile) but the congruence with our objectives.
“Therefore, you should demonstrate first and foremost
how you share our objectives and how your project will
further these objectives.”
from Ingrid Van Rotterdam
33
34. Establishing Contact
Ways of establishing contact depends on donor:
For Individuals:
Letter or email seeking information or a meeting
For Institutions or Businesses:
Letter, email, phone call seeking information or a meeting
Prepare one-page concept paper or letter of intent
outlining your project
34
35. Establishing Contact
Letter of Intent
Sometimes called letter of inquiry or query letter.
Similar to a covering letter.
Agency uses letter to screen applications.
Granting agency will review letter and determine whether
or not to invite an application or full proposal.
Can save both applicant and grantor time and effort.
35
36. Letter of Intent
On letterhead, signed by the most appropriate person
1 to 2 pages, maximum—brief
Letter:
introduces your organization
summarizes project and expected results
outlines project costs
states amount requested
Establishing Contact
36
37. Letter of Intent
Begin with statement like:
“We write to state our intent to apply for a grant of
$XXX from XXX Foundation to support XXX.”
Conclude with:
“We welcome your invitation to submit a full
proposal.”
Always respect the potential funder’s wishes and stated needs
regarding contact.
Establishing Contact
37
38. The Proposal — Key Components
Key components of a proposal
Covering letter
Executive summary
Introduction of your organization
Outline of opportunity/need
Project description — an outline of how you will meet the
opportunity/need
Your goals and objectives
38
39. The Proposal — Key Components
Key components of a proposal
Anticipated outcomes of your project
Your strategies, methods, and timelines
Budget (high level)
Recognition and ongoing donor stewardship
Other information as may be requested
Now, to expand on each key component . . .
39
40. The Proposal — Covering Letter
The covering letter
Similar content to your letter of inquiry
1 to 2 pages, max — concise
Signed by “best” person— chair of your governing body,
minister, someone who knows the contact
Brief outline of how your project relates to funder’s interests
Impact/outcomes — who benefits?
40
41. The Proposal — Covering Letter
Consider this covering letter format—two columns clearly
matching funder’s criteria with your project’s opportunities.
Funder’s Criteria Our Opportunities
Western Canada focus Project in Saskatoon
Children under 18 For preschoolers
Educational programs Breakfast and learning program
Etc. . . . Etc. . . .
Etc. . . . Etc. . . .
41
42. The Proposal — Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Write it last and devote time to it.
1 to 2 page stand alone overview.
Summary of issues, approach and impact.
Stress your credibility, qualifications.
Show the vision, but base it in reality.
Include your “ask”.
42
43. The Proposal — Introducing You
Introduction of your organization
Who are you?
What do you do?
Whom do you serve?
What have been your successes?
Never assume funder knowledge. They may know
of you but not really know you or understand what you do.
43
44. The Proposal — Outline of Opportunity
Outline of Opportunity or Need
How was your need identified?
Research undertaken to support conclusion?
Is the issue is solvable?
Implications if issue not resolved?
If you have clients, people who use your
services, give them a voice here.
44
45. The Proposal — Project Description
Project Description
Goals and objectives
Outcomes
Human resources required—staff, volunteer
Strategies, methods and timelines
How the project will be evaluated
Now for the project description’s components . . .
45
46. The Proposal — Project Description
Project Description — Goals and Objectives
Goals — your vision statements
Broad ideas beginning with phrases like:
To enhance . . .
To provide . . .
To improve . . .
To advance . . .
46
47. The Proposal — Project Description
Project Description — Goals and Objectives
Objectives—how you will accomplish your goals
Measureable
Qualitative vs. quantitative
Clear, distinct beginning with phrases like:
To increase/decrease . . .
To reduce/eliminate . . .
To recruit/update
47
48. The Proposal — Project Description
Project Description — Outcomes
The results of an activity
The impact of a service
Measurable—How will you know you’ve achieved your goal?
“Hard” and “soft” benefits
What’s the return on the funder’s investment —the ROI?
They will want to know.
48
49. The Proposal — Project Description
Project Description — Human Resources
Who will be leading the project?
Why are they uniquely qualified?
Outline experience, special skills.
Who will be doing what specifically—staff? volunteers?
Key contact person
49
50. The Proposal — Project Description
Project Description—Strategies, Methods and Timelines
Outline your methodology
How will the project be carried out?
Any innovative approaches?
Ensure your project’s goals, objectives and strategies/methods
relate to each other.
When will things get done?
50
51. The Proposal — Project Description
Project Description — Evaluation
Who will be doing it?
When?
What data will be collected and how?
How will success be measured?
51
52. The Proposal — Budget
Budget
Keep it easy to read, clear.
Align budget breakdown with your project’s outline.
Include total costs, a contingency amount and your ask.
Will more financial support be needed? From whom?
Is the project sustainable financially and otherwise?
52
53. The Proposal — Budget
Budget
“We want to know the total financial picture of the initiative,
the total anticipated revenues and expenses, including other
funders on board and the plan for achieving funding
goal/needs.”
from Ingrid Van Rotterdam
Funders look for diversity in project funding. Why?
53
54. The Proposal — Recognition
Recognition and Ongoing Donor Stewardship
How will you recognize your funder?
What does the funder expect/want?
How will you keep funder informed of results?
Remember, recognition needs of secular funders may differ
greatly from church custom.
54
55. The Proposal — Other Information
Other information as may be required
Financial statements
Names of members of your governing body
Your charitable registration # from CRA
Names of staff persons
Names of others partnering with you
Quotes, testimonials, letters of support, references
55
56. The Proposal — Content Checklist
A check off list of contents may be helpful.
Signed and completed application form
Most recent financial statements
Minutes of most recent annual meeting
Names of governing body executive, including positions held and contact information
Confirmation of charitable registration
A profile and history of the congregation and its accomplishments
Mission, vision and values of your congregation
Fast Facts about your congregation
Picture of proposed item
Cover Letter
Executive summary
56
57. The Proposal — Tips
Who should/could write your proposal?
Someone who:
knows your project well
is passionate about the project
has excellent writing skills
has time to focus
You may hire an outside writer who specializes in writing
proposals. She/he can be informed by those
knowledgeable and passionate about your project.
57
58. The Proposal — Tips
Believe that someone wants to give you money.
Keep things simple—the content of your proposal far
outweighs the packaging.
Keep it professional—the proposal represents you.
Customize your proposal to your donor—the shotgun
application approach will not work.
Frame your request in positive terms and how your work
will make the difference.
58
59. The Proposal — Tips
Avoid in-house jargon, colloquialisms. Define all acronyms.
Try to direct your proposal to a person and not use “To
Whom it May Concern”.
Enhance with pictures, diagrams, charts to bring project
alive; remember to credit your sources.
Use the active voice.
Use spell check plus grammar and style check functions on
your computer—then proof read again.
59
60. The Proposal — Tips
Be concise but not at the expense of essential content.
Number all pages.
Place your name and date in the footer.
Begin early—give yourself lots of time to prepare, to review,
to consult and to redraft.
Get your proposal in on time.
60
61. The Proposal — Tips
Check the detail carefully.
Do figures tally?
Are names spelled correctly?
Get a second opinion “from away”.
Can they understand it? (write at the grade 6-7 reading level)
Is it logical, coherent, easy to read?
Does it interest them?
Does it move them?
61
62. The Proposal — Tips
In summary, after reading your proposal can the
funder answer the 5 W’s?
WHO is the project helping?
WHAT will the project do to provide this help?
WHEN will the help be provided?
WHERE is the project taking place?
WHY is the project needed and WHY should your
donor be interested?
62
63. The Proposal — Information Sources
www.charityvillage.com
www.library.imaginecanada.ca
www.pfc.ca
www.foundationcenter.org
www.trilliumfoundation.org
www.bigdatabase.ca
www.iwave.com
www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/advancedsearch-eng.action
www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/disability_issues/eaf/cfp/index.shtml (Enabling Accessibility Fund)
www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/epb/sid/cia/grants/jcp/desc_jcp.shtml (Job Creation
Partnership)
www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/funding_programs/index.shtml (Summer Jobs Program)
www.feddevontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/h_00826.html (Program to Improve
Facilities and Infrastructure)
63
64. The Proposal — Conclusion
Savor your successes — they will come!
If at first you don’t succeed, remember “no” can often
mean “not now”.
Learn from your experience then try again!
“You miss 100% of
the shots you never take.”
Wayne Gretzky
64
65. The Proposal — Conclusion
With thanks to:
Ingrid Van Rotterdam
Rob Lavery
Lisa Di Veto
Their research and work contributed to the
development of this presentation.
65
66. The Proposal — Conclusion
Doug Flanders
Director, Major and Planned Gifts
The United Church of Canada
dflander@united-church.ca
(416) 231-7680, ext. 2027
1-800-268-3781, ext. 2027
This presentation was made possible through
generous gifts for Mission and Service.
66
Notas do Editor
Presentation falls into two parts—first, the background information needed before you seek grants, and then second, the actual process of writing proposals.
Most charities receive 25% or less from individual donors where as churches receive 90 to 100% from individual members.
Hence the need to diversify a congregation’s revenue generation streams.
Focus of presentation will be seeking grants from foundations but the techniques are universal
Church’s that ignore the request for an incorporation number of letters patent run the risk of not being funded.
Many churches lose their Charitable Registration and hence their ability to issue receipts because they do not complete their annual financial form to CRA.
Reports are free and provide very useful information to the grant seeker
Narrative budget format works well for non church people, outside a church setting.
Funding opportunities vary greatly but are available from all courts of the United Church and also from its Foundation.
Sample funds that are available.
Vision Fund focuses on youth and young adult ministries
Healing Fund focuses on reconciliation work with Aboriginal people
Capital Assistance Fund to provide financial assistance for the renewal and development of congregations, camps, education centres, community ministries, and chaplaincies. There are matching funds of which half are restricted to churches with revenues of $150,000 or less.
Oxford Fund offers grants in area of church music
Regionally focused opportunities
More locally focused opportunities
A number of local United Church congregations have endowment funds or formal foundations that will offer grants beyond their congregation.
Foundation currently gives out $250,000 per year, two deadlines, April 15 and October 15, application forms and grants awarded are all on line.
A sampling for reference
Trillium receives its funding from Ontario Ministry of Sports and Recreation. As with all provincial programs, none is directly funded through gaming.
Community based but worth exploring. Some community foundations have considerable financial holdings.
Content that follows is comprehensive and you may not need everything that’s here. Presentation was developed to be all inclusive. Information is here should you need it—you can use this presentation as a resource document.
Defining what we will be talking about.
Sales, marketing not something churches are always good at
Key phrases—”mutually beneficial”—will be an ongoing key theme of presentation.
Grants are rarely for operational expenses, unless it’s a start up program with an intentional goal of being self funding, or a short term project. Foundations don’t wish to be on the hook to fund in perpetuity. If an organization can’t fund itself, why would anyone wish to invest in it?
This balance back and forth is what makes applying for grants both challenging and rewarding.
Must thoroughly believe in and support your cause—the passion (or indifference) will show through you application.
Don’t assume knowledge—there should be people who can provide detailed information
Again, does your project meet the donor’s objectives—is the project mutually beneficial
Following application key—”them that holds the purse strings wields the power”
Upfront work can be heavy but will be for long term benefit. Can pick and choose what you need from your electronic files.
Members within your church can sometimes provide links—someone may know someone who serves on a foundation’s board or someone who works with the foundation—can undertake a “exercise”. Prepare a list of foundations you intend to apply to and review list with folk who may have information.
Fee based sources expensive. May not be to your advantage to take out a year’s subscription.
Key again, do your needs align with the donor’s objectives, interests.
Some granting agencies will only give or give priority to a certain region.
Size important to know—if you saw that the average grant was in the $5000 to $10000 range, how much would you apply for. $10,000, maybe a bit more. But not too much more.
Again, how does your project share in the objectives, goals of the granting agency to which you are applying.
An initial step that could save you a lot of time
Again, you may not need to include all these components in your application. Some applications more comprehensive than others.
Going to be drilling down into some detail here so bear with us. Presenters, if tight for time do up to Slide 43, Introducing You then skip to Slide 57 and the beginning of the “Tips” section. Explain that the slides are self explanatory and that applicants can use the slides as a comprehensive resource.
Keep this letter brief, but engaging. No “Gone with the Wind” length of epistles.
This letter format—sometimes referred to as a “T” letter, is novel but it works. It makes it very easy for the funder to see how your opportunities and their criteria line up.
Possibly the most challenging part of your application—has to be a well written, concise, clear summary of the project for which you are seeking funding.
Critical never to assume knowledge here. Natural tendency for you to think that everyone knows you, especially if grantor is in your community. They may know of you but they may not know just what you do, or have a misconception. In our increasingly secular world, many people don’t know churches at all.
What generated your project or program?
If issue not resolved—could be a key “selling” point to your application.
Wise to use quotes from clients, with permission or anonymous.
What will the impact of your project, program be? How will it make a difference.
Return on the donor’s investment is important. Obviously the funder wants to have the greatest return on their dollar as possible
Key contact wise to have—can save the funder hassle in trying to reach you and one person can co-ordinate any contact. Prevents too many fingers getting into the pie.
Important for you to determine both now and later when you share information reports on how well your project is doing with your donors.
Narrative budget could work well here.
Sustainability key too—who wants to invest money in something that isn’t sustainable, unless it was a short term project to begin with.
Showing additional fund sources, if extant, may take pressure off of other funders. Broad based funding may also indicate the value of you project.
Keeping funder informed a wise move. Send a report after six months or a year. Will show them the return on their investment and may be a door opener should you choose to apply to that funder again.
Some of these tips are so obvious we seek forgiveness in advance. However, you often see these points not being followed so we include them here anyway.
Key criteria for preparing your proposal. Especially the good writing skills. It it’s a slog to read through then it’s not going to get read.
Customize and be careful when you do it. Example of one application to the “Smith Foundation”. An excellent application that referred to the donor repeatedly and respectfully. On the last page, reference was made in error to the “Jones Foundation”. An easy mistake to do but don’t let it happen.
In house jargon used without thinking. Why it’s important to get someone else to read what you’ve written for clarity.
Grammar and style check both very helpful tools on your computer.
Proof carefully.
Name or organization’s name very useful to have on each page in case pages get separated.
Critical to check the details. Take the time to add the figures, check the spelling.
Good writing pivotal
Website that provide additional information on writing a proposal
Perfectly acceptable to apply more than once to a foundation. So keep on applying!
Perfectly acceptable to apply more than once to a foundation. So keep on applying!